Who pays for country refurbs in Epcot

[DisneyMarg]

How does the sponsorship of countries work? Do the countries pay for everything in the pavilion? So Mexico is paying for the new attraction, for example?

 

[davinakb]

How does the sponsorship of countries work? Do the countries pay for everything in the pavilion? So Mexico is paying for the new attraction, for example?

Wondered about that myself for a while, mainly because so many of the films/attractions need refreshing. Always thought a country's tourism board could find a corporate sponsor to help underwrite the update, but have not seen it happen yet.

 

[Astro_Digital]

From what I gather from most countries.

The sponser is typically a company based in that Country.

With a few exceptions I think the Kingdom of Morocco is one I do not think countries are sponsers.

When the sponsers contract expires and is not renewed it is Disney at that point keeping the country open.

Last time I checked and I was in Epcot last summer, Canada had no sponser and I am guessing this is the reason most of the shops were closed. The film O'Canada used to be sponsered by Northern Telecom which is a hugh Canadian company but now it has no sponser. So until a Canadian company wants to step up a take over Disney runs the whole show. Now I read people complaining that they want the dated flim replaced. I hate the film myself but until some company comes by to pay the bill I doubt a replacement will ever happen.

 

[marni1971]

O`Canada! was sponsored by Telecom Canada, but they had pulled out by 1990. However, they only sponsored the film, not the pavilion. Canada was unique in WS as the pavilion had no sponsor; WDP paid for it, and WED had a free reign in designing it.

 

[kcnole]

Now I read people complaining that they want the dated flim replaced. I hate the film myself but until some company comes by to pay the bill I doubt a replacement will ever happen.

Actually it's been reported several times that Disney has filed permits to shoot in Canada for a new film for this pavilion. So I'm hoping it will debut for the 25th.

 

[Astro_Digital]

O`Canada! was sponsored by Telecom Canada, but they had pulled out by 1990. However, they only sponsored the film, not the pavilion. Canada was unique in WS as the pavilion had no sponsor; WDP paid for it, and WED had a free reign in designing it.

Thanks for the correction... wow 17 years and no sponsor.