Why is Italy so.... Small?

[Grizzly Hall 71]

I know this probaly the dumbest question to some but I just want to know. Every other pavillion seems complete but Italy just doesn't seem that way, it feels empty and compact. Were there ever any plans to make a ride or expand. All comments are welcome.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Yep...Phase Two was supposed to have a Gondola River Ride.

 

[EPCOTPluto]

Then the idea for a Roman ruins section slated to open in late 1983.....

Then a Tuscany village setting featuring Pinocchio......

 

[vonpluto]

See:

http://progresscityusa.com/2009/03/01/neverworlds-epcots-italy-pavilion-phase-ii/

 

[EPCOTPluto]

Heh. :lookaroun

 

[vonpluto]

In a David Koenig piece over at MPlanet, he wrote that at one time Italy was to get a "Pinnochio Village"

:hurl:

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

So is there ever a chance those ideas will come to fruition? I mean with wdw's 40th maybe something can be done.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

So is there ever a chance those ideas will come to fruition? I mean with wdw's 40th maybe something can be done.

WS has not seen anything new in 21 years. It would be high time to start.:lol:

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

WS has not seen anything new in 21 years. It would be high time to start.:lol:

Yea your probaly right, and with the new Fantasyland budget, this seems doubtful.Thanks for the article link also. It would have been nice to sail on gondolas or something else beside what the pavillion offers. Even the UK which is small to me seems to make up with the winding roads.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Italy was to have received quite an expansion. Never happend.

World Showcase hasn't seen anything new (apart from the Millenium Celebration and IllumiNations) basically since the addition of Norway. I think Disney has forgotten about this area, mainly because it does pretty well as it is, and has for a good 20 years now. Why invest in something that doesn't seem to need it? I don't agree with this mindset, but that seems to be what it is. :shrug:

 

[vintageepcot]

If you notice Italy is the only country pavilion that you can see that just guts off at the end. There is no buildings at the end, Just some evergreen trees to block off the view of the matenence route or what ever is back there.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

The Imagineers Field Guide to Epcot also does a pretty good job of describing the unfinished attractions. Germany actually built the huge warehouse building behind their display to hold their ride, and that never opened either - it now serves as a multi-use building for storage, special events, catering, etc. At least Italy doesn't have that type of monstrosity sitting behind it.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

All the money was spent on pay offs for the cosa nostra, and lunches for the builders

 

[dreamfinder]

I think reviving the gondola ride in Italy is low priority. They already have boat rides in Mexico, Norway, the Land, and technically the Friendship launches. I can't see them greenlighting yet another boat ride when the rumors of a Japan coaster still pop up occasionally. I would love to see some expansion back there, but hope they could come up with something other than another boat ride.

 

[cblodg]

See:

http://progresscityusa.com/2009/03/01/neverworlds-epcots-italy-pavilion-phase-ii/

WOW! After reading that, now I want those ideas to come to fruition!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Italy was to have received quite an expansion. Never happend.

World Showcase hasn't seen anything new (apart from the Millenium Celebration and IllumiNations) basically since the addition of Norway. I think Disney has forgotten about this area, mainly because it does pretty well as it is, and has for a good 20 years now. Why invest in something that doesn't seem to need it? I don't agree with this mindset, but that seems to be what it is. :shrug:

I do too.


Hopefully with the ongoing trend in WDW, it will see some action soon.

 

[The Disney Kid]

Why is Italy so...Small?

Genetics. Haven't you ever seen any of those ...Sculptures?

 

[LarryStoken]

Why is Italy so...Small?

Genetics. Haven't you ever seen any of those ...Sculptures?

Yeah. Michelangelo did give David a rather small cannoli.

 

[vintageepcot]

The Imagineers Field Guide to Epcot also does a pretty good job of describing the unfinished attractions. Germany actually built the huge warehouse building behind their display to hold their ride, and that never opened either - it now serves as a multi-use building for storage, special events, catering, etc. At least Italy doesn't have that type of monstrosity sitting behind it.

You have to admit that huge building really adds to the effect.

 

[EpcoTim]

That original artwork would have been really cool. The least they could do now is get Tony Danza, Ralph Macchiao and the Fonz to walk around. Maybe selling pizza slices. You know, just for the authenticity.