Possible Attraction in France pavilion (Epcot) Update - new Attraction Greenlit

[The_Jobu]

way to crush my dreams of an UK expansion

I too would welcome expansion, but I must admit I wouldn't like the idea of a new country between Canada and the UK. I like that they're a shared space given the historical connection. I doubt that was done on purpose, but thematically it works really well.

 

[marni1971]

way to crush my dreams of an UK expansion

I wouldn't want to do that.

 

[Princess Leia]

Here's to still hoping for an eventual expansion to UK on pad #7!

They are partially occupied with the big ugly tent:
View attachment 185848

7 makes the most sense for the expansion to the UK, though there has to be some room to add something behind the pavilion itself (without butting into the 'tent'). I'd kind of like to keep France & the UK as neighbors since you have to cross the channel to get to them.

Are those office buildings currently between Italy & Germany?

 

[Coaster Lover]

Please be Brazil or India...

I have no inside knowledge (at ALL), but (personal opinion alone) those seems like they would both be good options. Brazil is a great option considering how different it is from all the other countries (culturally), considering that there are no South American countries currently represented, and considering how many people from Brazil already visit the park each year. The section would almost automatically lend itself to a mini Carnival style entertainment option. My biggest concern is how you represent the country architecturally. I mean (and no offense to anyone here who may be from Brazil or who has connections to Brazil), but I just can't picture what architectural style they would use that would be distinctly Brazilian. On top of that, probably the most recognizable icon of Brazil is the "Christ the Redeemer" statue in Rio
but would Disney recreate such a religious icon? (honestly, I don't know, I'm just asking... is there a precedent somewhere?)

India, similarly, would be different from all the other countries (culturally), though some may not see it as radically different as Brazil (though that might be a good thing as it might then better blend in with the rest of World Showcase). The architecture of India is pretty distinct and the pavilion would lend itself naturally to a mock-up of the Taj Mahal (which probably wouldn't be as controversial as the Christ the Redeemer statue).

Australia would be another good option, though I think Id rather see an Australia section in Animal Kingdom (if it truly is a "one or the other" situation). I like the idea of Russia too, but given the current political coldness between the US and Russia, I think that one is off the table.

 

[Princess Leia]

I too would welcome expansion, but I must admit I wouldn't like the idea of a new country between Canada and the UK. I like that they're a shared space given the historical connection. I doubt that was done on purpose, but thematically it works really well.

I mean, an Indian or Australian pavilion could go there as well, if you want to talk about the old British Empire.

 

[The_Jobu]

I mean, an Indian or Australian pavilion could go there as well, if you want to talk about the old British Empire.

I'd welcome that on the other side of GB to mirror the Canada connection, but putting them between Canada and UK would break up the flow and seem disjointed to me.

 

[MisterPenguin]

. On top of that, probably the most recognizable icon of Brazil is the "Christ the Redeemer" statue in Rio but would Disney recreate such a religious icon? (honestly, I don't know, I'm just asking... is there a precedent somewhere?

Epcot is the one place where Christmas is celebrated as a religious event amongst the parks. The Candlelight Procession is a reading from the Nativity Narratives of the Gospels of Luke and Matthew and all the songs are sacred songs proclaiming Christ as God in the flesh. Then, on top of that the "Christian Nations" have storytellers telling of how they celebrate Christmas and not some generic 'holiday.' Then, they have Gospel Choirs singing at the fountain stage.

So with a Shinto Shrine prominently displayed outside the Japan pavilion, I wouldn't think there would be a problem with the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue for a Brazil pavilion.

 

[Princess Leia]

I found the thread. It was @Lee who originally posted it:

View attachment 184476

@Coaster Lover This is the Brazilian concept art that was posted earlier in the thread.

Also, if this (incredibly old story, yikes) is true, Disney has been trying to get Brazil for a long time.
http://www./2011/04/report-disney-to-add-brazil-pavilion-as-next-country-in-epcot-world-showcase/

 

[wdwgreek]

@Coaster Lover This is the Brazilian concept art that was posted earlier in the thread.

Also, if this (incredibly old story, yikes) is true, Disney has been trying to get Brazil for a long time.
http://www./2011/04/report-disney-to-add-brazil-pavilion-as-next-country-in-epcot-world-showcase/

A giant Jesus Christ? In a Disney park lol?

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Here's to still hoping for an eventual expansion to UK on pad #7!

I'm still hoping the UK will be finished, on its own pad.

I'm also hoping to win the lottery and for Elvis to turn up at next years World Cup as left back for Iceland.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

I wouldn't want to do that.

Crush his dreams or expand the UK pavilion?

 

[Princess Leia]

Using prior pictures to try to explain what I would like to see in a World Showcase Expansion (if Disney is actually smart about land usage for once...)

#2- Australia, the entire pavilion covered in a replica of the Opera House
#3- Equitorial Africa (though I'm not sure this would be added due to it's prominence in Animal Kingdom) or Israel
#4- Switzerland (with the Matterhorn)
#5- Brazil
#6- ??? (not a M&G/ride)
#7- India
#8- ??? (not a tent, M&G, or ride)

 

[MisterPenguin]

So, let's talk about Canada. It does not encompass the large area that the hand drawn map would indicate. There's a lot of empty space to the north of it. In fact, a lot of Canada itself is empty space with a large "Canadian garden" as a rather... unexciting tribute to the country. And Canada is a weak pavilion, it is basically an upscale restaurant, a movie, a gift shop, and some outdoorsy scenery.

The buildings of Canada take up 1 acre.
The Garden of Canada take up .4 acres.
The forested area to the north has some booths is 1.1 - 1.3 acres.

So, by shedding some of the garden, there is a full acre and a half for development. Either a Canada ride or some other pavilion.

But since our insiders are telling us we probably won't get a new pavilion without an accompanying ride, and putting a pavilion and a ride in 1.5 acres is a bit too tight, then the options there would seem to be:

1. A Canada ride
2. An extension of Future World
3. Clear the space out for festival booths (which is already happening with the Tres Reis area)

 

[The_Jobu]

1. A Canada ride


View attachment 185855

I'd love to see it, but I can't imagine WDW management as-is ever spending on something like that.

 

[Bocabear]

I'd love to see it, but I can't imagine WDW management as-is ever spending on something like that.

That is true...there were rumors of it years ago...a whitewater rafting ride and mountains rising to cover the Soarin' theater from the World Showcase view...which would have been lovely... With EPCOT being actually designed for huge crowds, I aam surprised they have waited this long to even consider fleshing out the park... The park can certainly handle alot more people...as long as they build attractions.

 

[The_Jobu]

That is true...there were rumors of it years ago...a whitewater rafting ride and mountains rising to cover the Soarin' theater from the World Showcase view...which would have been lovely... With EPCOT being actually designed for huge crowds, I aam surprised they have waited this long to even consider fleshing out the park... The park can certainly handle alot more people...as long as they build attractions.

My theory is that current management sees good attendance so they think "why spend more on attractions?". It took them 20+ years to get around to updating the circlevision film after receiving funding to do so and make it less rural.

I was listening to Len Testa's podcast and they went in-depth on the creation of the Canada pavilion and they had some great ideas originally. A force perspective bridge over a rushing gorge you'd cross at the front, to rides and a Klondike saloon at the back. I'm sure many of the current pavilions could be similarly fleshed out, but then we get into the old chestnut of current management spending on an already busy park ...

 

[P_Radden]

That is true...there were rumors of it years ago...a whitewater rafting ride and mountains rising to cover the Soarin' theater from the World Showcase view...which would have been lovely... With EPCOT being actually designed for huge crowds, I aam surprised they have waited this long to even consider fleshing out the park... The park can certainly handle alot more people...as long as they build attractions.

This sounds very interesting. Do u have any more info or know of any concept art for the white water rafting ride? Also, when were these rumors going around?

 

[aladdin2007]

No, no. It was WASTED for the M&G

got that right, tragic really in terms of space use and what could have been/should have been.

 

[Bocabear]

This sounds very interesting. Do u have any more info or know of any concept art for the white water rafting ride? Also, when were these rumors going around?

Right after Soarin' opened and they realized what a visual eyesore the theater building was from the World Showcase...

 

[Princess Leia]

This sounds very interesting. Do u have any more info or know of any concept art for the white water rafting ride? Also, when were these rumors going around?

Why am I picturing something like Grizzly River Run, but with bear and moose AAs?

Canada getting a ride (alongside the film) would get more people to that side of the park too... And take some pressure off of Norway.