because personally, i want a greecean one with a small hercules tie in. it wouldn't have to be totally cheesey like the rio de tiempo in mexico refurb making it all cartooned up, but it could be really classily done. thoughts?
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would EPCOT ever add a new pavillion?
- Thread starter littlemsmowgli
- Start date
heartodisney
Active Member
30 Pavillions were originally planned for the World Showcase. The original design called for two connected semicircles dubbed the "Courtyard of Nations", and it was to include an observation tower that would overlook the 30 international pavillions. 7 additional pavilions that made it to the planning phase but were never built. Proposed pavilions included Australia, Russia, Spain, Venezuela, United Arab Emirates and Israel. Additionally, an Equatorial Africa pavilion was planned and partly built (it's the area known as the Outpost). This is from the magazine "Celebrations" for Jan/Feb issue. We could only hope that they would add to the showcase, I am sure there is more info out there!
heartodisney
Active Member
I agree! Have you been while the Food and Wine Fest. is going on...a big tease from some of these nations...I would hope that there will be a new pavilion someday as well. Russia, for example, would be great to have built.
MarkTwain
Well-Known Member
That's very ambitious! I wonder where WDI would have found room for all those pavilions though? :veryconfu Looking at Google Earth, the only site that seems large enough is the Outpost, which might be able to hold 2, although others may be able to be shoehorned between 2 current pavilions, like France and Morocco.
deltableh
Active Member
Disney is very good at hiding the additional pavillion spots. However, I don't see any new countries for Epcot anytime soon. Disney requires some very large fees for building a new pavillion for a country. I cannot remember the exact numbers, but it's offputting for the governments of the countries.
heartodisney
Active Member
The oringinal design of Epcot (the park) was vastly different from the final version. For one thing, Future World and World Showcase were reversed, with World Showcase serving as the entrance to the park. Additionally, Epcot was at one time intended to be built across from the Magic Kingdom on the Seven Seas Lagoon. This also from "Celebrations" mag. I am sure this could have added more room and very much changed the "landscape" of all the resorts and parks!
That was the 1975 Showcase project - next to the TTC (not in Seven Seas) - vastly different than what was built.
As of now there is space, as we discuss every few months, but with no one to pay for a new pavilion it won`t happen anytime soon. The existing ones will continue to be plussed.
heartodisney
Active Member
Thank you for the info! But, still is sad they have not yet done anything with this!
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
if it won one in a raffle or lottery
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
Japan was favourite until the economy went south.^ Nothing for Japan?
And Norway does have Maelstrom...
And as I understand it, this is the real problem. Disney wants the country to pay a significant portion of the construction as a sort of tourism sponsorship like thing.
Countries that have paid have not been overly impressed with the extra visitors their pavilions have generated.
Sponsors have dropped out of World Showcase over the years just like in Futureworld, leaving The Mouse to pick up the upkeep tab.
The world has changed. Business has changed. Corporate sponsorship is heading into the past more and more, which leaves a huge challange for a park who - more than most - based its whole business plan on getting 3rd parties to pay for things.
The world has changed. Business has changed. Corporate sponsorship is heading into the past more and more, which leaves a huge challange for a park who - more than most - based its whole business plan on getting 3rd parties to pay for things.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Everything has been said already.
Even so, I would love some new pavilions. I shall never stop dreaming. I'd also love for Disney to finally finish the unfinished pavilions. (Italy, Germany, Japan, the UK)
What a mess!
And to think WS is so very pretty!
With the changes in Future World over the years, something happened which I never considered would happen: the soul of EPCOT was transfered from FW to WS.
Even so, I would love some new pavilions. I shall never stop dreaming. I'd also love for Disney to finally finish the unfinished pavilions. (Italy, Germany, Japan, the UK)
What a mess!
And to think WS is so very pretty!
With the changes in Future World over the years, something happened which I never considered would happen: the soul of EPCOT was transfered from FW to WS.
raven
Well-Known Member
Sadly only a small handfull of countries even responded at that time so plans had to be changed.
Although I know the countries are supposed to sponsor their own pavilion, I'd love to see Egypt or India added just for something completely different.
raven
Well-Known Member
Well, that is plussing I guess.
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
...Well...I don't think that has happened...I think that both FW and WS have held the "spirit" of EPCOT quite well, just in very different ways.
WS is still very much a part of EPCOT Center, though.
Nothing has been touched, in a way. We've only had some torches and some Merch/Food kiosks added. 
worldfanatic
Well-Known Member
I don't know, I've just got a feeling that Epcot can and will make a big splash by announcing plans for a new country in the next couple years. :shrug:
We've all heard the rumors, which are generally useless.
But it seems like the time's right. Especially since the Magic Kingdom's new Fantasyland addition is geared toward the younger set.
A new Epcot country would appeal to the more mature crowds Disney also wants and needs to attract.
I can just feel it happening.
Disney needs to give up on the model of having outsiders pay for their attractions. I think they're learning this.
I also think the Outpost's days are numbered.
Can you say.......Australia?
We've all heard the rumors, which are generally useless.
But it seems like the time's right. Especially since the Magic Kingdom's new Fantasyland addition is geared toward the younger set.
A new Epcot country would appeal to the more mature crowds Disney also wants and needs to attract.
I can just feel it happening.
Disney needs to give up on the model of having outsiders pay for their attractions. I think they're learning this.
I also think the Outpost's days are numbered.
Can you say.......Australia?