To me I don’t think Greece would be a great fit. Not because of the culture or country,but because of the starkness of white-washed buildings. All of the other country areas are colorful and no one sticks out from the other. Looking across the lagoon and seeing these bright white forms with the Florida sun eating down line them would just look out of place.
Brazil would be better and there is no South American country, but I think I’d rather see Australia and/or New Zealand. India perhaps…?
South Korea would definitely be a popular pavilion and whoever said it won’t be is lying. Look at the current KPOP cultures, foods and entertain industry in South Korea. It’s becoming more popular than Japan and China when it comes down to entertainment and IT industry.
If anything, I think adding a new world pavilion zone would be nice since expanding will be difficult.
– South Korea
– Brazil
– Greece
– India
– Vietnam
– Peru or Argentina
– Spain
– Thailand
– Russia
Yes S.Korea certainly would be however they already have two Asian countries. And your list is a good one. Russia and Africa were once both top considerations to the point pavilions were designed for them. This was when Russia started opening up in the late 80’s to 90’s but once Putan got in it was no longer a contender for Epcot.
Africa was to be about the entire continent but again the was a lot of turmoil with Somalia and other regions that came up. Morocco of course is part of Africa.
I am just looking at from what would bring the most world “variety” to guests. There are lot’s of both Brazilians and Argentinians that visit Disney World (to the point that the online informed about the Golden Oak development was done in both English and Portuguese – the language of Brazil). And lot’s of folks from India live in the US.
Of course when Epcot first opened there were partnerships and sponsors from all those countries (not sure about China…). So that is a consideration now. I do not think Disney will bring in any country they cannot form a sponsored deal with.
Two Asian countries don’t necessarily mean they share the same cultures or foods. That’s basically saying Mexico and Spain share the same culture or foods. It’s been more than 20 years since they added any pavilions. The article about South Korea not being added due to being “unpopular” is really unfair to compare South Korea’s popularity today.
Just imagine if Epcot/WDW invites BTS/Blackpink/Twice into the opening of the South Korea pavilion and does a concert there. It’s going to get wild, and most likely, WDW tickets will get sold out during that week.
Not to mention, foods in the South Korea pavilion can fix the awful food option mistakes they had in the Food and Wine Festival for the South Korea food booth. Option for BBQ buffet, or a bit more quick meal table services.
With them adding Ailee to sing “Starting Now” and being labeled the world’s top 17 favored Ultimate Disney Princess celebration, I can see South Korea becoming more popular.
Also, cinemablend’s polls are rigged because I’ve noticed that there were folks on twitter/instagram voting for South Korea up to 17% then today it dropped to 4%, meanwhile Greece went up to 47% then went up to 53%
If anything, they should start making a new world pavilion separate from the current 9, so that we can expand Epcot and add more countries without fighting over what’s going to be added.
Greece would be a wonderful addition to EPCOT! The culture and a replica of the Parthenon, Greek music, Greek statues, Greek Food! How wonderful it would be.
Well, at least it’s not a fan-spank Change.org petition, this one is from a Greek group that wants cheap cultural representation.
Unfortunately, the fans or Imagineering aren’t the ones who determine what countries are in World Showcase, international corporate/tourism sponsorship does. That’s how it keeps that “World’s Fair” vibe going.
Maybe some here remember twenty years ago when we had the Millennium pavilion, with six other countries auditioning mini-pavilions, some (ahemscotlandisrael) less successfully than others.
There are a few oblivious misses:
–Holland (Epcot needs a windmill)
– Brazil
– Greece (the white and blued buildings of Santorini would be perfect)
– India
– Peru (but this would be a better retheme of Dinoland in Animal Kingdom with an Indiana Jones overlay)
– Australia (also better in Animal Kingdom in a new area)
– Spain
– Thailand
– Russia (but too political)
– Egypt (but a second pyramid may be too much)
I think they should add several counties just because they need more new things! Add fun rides too! Epcot has really gone down hill, but it doesn’t have to. Soar in’ used to be great, now…it’s an ad. Test Track was themed so much better too. Ratatouille ride? Really? Norway is now Frozen (although the waiting area is cute) It Is all so bad. They can come up with better things! Look at how fast Universal moves…Disney can do much better.
I’m amazed Greece wasn’t included in the original design. It has so much going for it; culture, food, ancient philosophers, architecture, etc. It wouldn’t have to be a large pavilion either. It would fit perfectly nestled between France and Morocco. A replica of the Parthenon could be constructed on top of the Ratatouille building.
Brazil is also a great idea and the perfect representation from South America.
I hate to be a Debbie-Downer, but unless Disney can attach some IP to anything, they won’t do it. I don’t believe there are any Greek characters in any Disney films so Greece just won’t happen.
The current direction of EPCOT has little to do with cultural experiences and EPCOT is becoming ‘just another theme park’. Gosh it would be so nice to have a great Greek experience, but I just don’t see it happening. Maybe the next re-imagining will bring back cultural experiences at some point down the road. Fingers crossed.
I think an Australian Pavilion would be a better addition, nothing against Greece, but I just feel that Australia would give a lot more scope in the design of the Pavilion, but then Greece would encourage Hercules and Meg to be more common character meets.
Would be nice to see a series of counties added, maybe 1 a year until all the rest of the empty pads are filled up. The next real Worlds Fair opens in Dubai for 6 months and will feature over 190 countries, I would think after 30 years we could finally get a few more at Epcot
Greece should have been there from the beginning so, would be a great add to the World of EPCOT. Having been to EPCOT many times and loving it, a new country would be perfect. Greece fits in perfectly (even without white buildings…).
I feel Greece would make a GREAT addition to Epcot!!!! The buildings and the colors wpuld make for beautiful photo backdrops and the foods would be yummy! Disney monitors social media yall be surprised but they hear us. Brazil I feel maybe to similar to mexico of course food etc is different. South korea same thing with japan and china to similar. Greece is different!
There are few similarities between Brazil and Mexico. Different languages and culture. I lived 8 yrs in the far east and can testify those countries are very different as well. The great thing about Epcot’s World Showcase is it can enlighten people that rarely travel.
Greece would be wonderful.
White people-Latin Countries are all the same. African countries are all the same. Asian countries are all the same.
Oh Europe, well now Italy, Germany, France, & the UK are all SOOOO different….
Hate to be a bummer but….
Former EPCOT cast member here. Ive been backstage many many times (worked in MouseGear for years) Those “open pavilions” you see on guest maps are ….not accurate. You see, unseen to the guests, they are actually pretty full. Full of warehouses, trailers, trucks, tents, & service roads. If you Google Earth that area, you’ll noticed theres almost no more space left. We took what was supposed to be areas for new countries, and turned them into backstage areas. In the past few years Disney has used more and more of this space as cast member areas.
Unofficially if there were new countries, they would most likely NOT be European Countries. Europe is considered overrepresented, while Africa & Latin American are underrepresented. The unofficial stance is “no more white people countries”. Most likely contenders are countries with Disney movie tie-ins. This isn’t your parents World Showcase, its now more about selling Disney branded merch than just exploring culture unfortunately. Id guess if (and thats a big IF I honestly think we may never get more) they added more countries they would be-
Columbia-Encanto
Peru-Emperor’s New Groove
India-Jungle Book
South Africa- No tie in, but the majority of Africans countries are Anti-LGBTQ+ and that will have a huge affect on the decision. Disney wont promote a country that imprisons or executes gay people.
So South African or Cape Verde are their only real choices.
South East Asian Country (probably-(Vietnam/Thailand/Indonesia/Philippines) or-Raya and the Last Dragon.
Personally I’d love to see Australia in Animal Kingdom then add New Zealand to WS so we get BOTH Oceania countries.
Jamaica would be cool as the Caribbean isnt represented, and the food is great.
Also add a Brazil/Argentina pavilion with a water coaster ride based on the Iguazu Falls. Here you can enter on either the Brazil or Argentina side and one side is a tamer ride (for the kiddies) with the other side being more thrilling (steeper/more drops), but they both end together after the final drop together in a pool where you can look up (at giant screens) and feel like you’ve just gone over one of the most beautiful but terrifying waterfalls in the world.
Comments for Petition For EPCOT to Add Greece Gains Steam
KenG
To me I don’t think Greece would be a great fit. Not because of the culture or country,but because of the starkness of white-washed buildings. All of the other country areas are colorful and no one sticks out from the other. Looking across the lagoon and seeing these bright white forms with the Florida sun eating down line them would just look out of place.
Brazil would be better and there is no South American country, but I think I’d rather see Australia and/or New Zealand. India perhaps…?
John
If you think Greece is just white buildings then you of all people need this attraction most of all.
Don’t base all your stereotypes on what you see on the internet. You’ve clearly never been or done any research beyond that
J Kang
South Korea would definitely be a popular pavilion and whoever said it won’t be is lying. Look at the current KPOP cultures, foods and entertain industry in South Korea. It’s becoming more popular than Japan and China when it comes down to entertainment and IT industry.
If anything, I think adding a new world pavilion zone would be nice since expanding will be difficult.
– South Korea
– Brazil
– Greece
– India
– Vietnam
– Peru or Argentina
– Spain
– Thailand
– Russia
KenG
Yes S.Korea certainly would be however they already have two Asian countries. And your list is a good one. Russia and Africa were once both top considerations to the point pavilions were designed for them. This was when Russia started opening up in the late 80’s to 90’s but once Putan got in it was no longer a contender for Epcot.
Africa was to be about the entire continent but again the was a lot of turmoil with Somalia and other regions that came up. Morocco of course is part of Africa.
I am just looking at from what would bring the most world “variety” to guests. There are lot’s of both Brazilians and Argentinians that visit Disney World (to the point that the online informed about the Golden Oak development was done in both English and Portuguese – the language of Brazil). And lot’s of folks from India live in the US.
Of course when Epcot first opened there were partnerships and sponsors from all those countries (not sure about China…). So that is a consideration now. I do not think Disney will bring in any country they cannot form a sponsored deal with.
J Kang
Two Asian countries don’t necessarily mean they share the same cultures or foods. That’s basically saying Mexico and Spain share the same culture or foods. It’s been more than 20 years since they added any pavilions. The article about South Korea not being added due to being “unpopular” is really unfair to compare South Korea’s popularity today.
Just imagine if Epcot/WDW invites BTS/Blackpink/Twice into the opening of the South Korea pavilion and does a concert there. It’s going to get wild, and most likely, WDW tickets will get sold out during that week.
Not to mention, foods in the South Korea pavilion can fix the awful food option mistakes they had in the Food and Wine Festival for the South Korea food booth. Option for BBQ buffet, or a bit more quick meal table services.
With them adding Ailee to sing “Starting Now” and being labeled the world’s top 17 favored Ultimate Disney Princess celebration, I can see South Korea becoming more popular.
Also, cinemablend’s polls are rigged because I’ve noticed that there were folks on twitter/instagram voting for South Korea up to 17% then today it dropped to 4%, meanwhile Greece went up to 47% then went up to 53%
If anything, they should start making a new world pavilion separate from the current 9, so that we can expand Epcot and add more countries without fighting over what’s going to be added.
J Kang
The article from South Korea pavilion not being “popular” is extremely biased because it was posted from 2003.
If Epcot/WDW asked about adding South Korea pavilion now, it’s a different story because not many people had interest in the country versus now.
Janey Clawes
Greece would be a wonderful addition to EPCOT! The culture and a replica of the Parthenon, Greek music, Greek statues, Greek Food! How wonderful it would be.
David Chinery
I’m all in for Greece. History, culture food. Hercules tie in. Perfect.
EricJ
Well, at least it’s not a fan-spank Change.org petition, this one is from a Greek group that wants cheap cultural representation.
Unfortunately, the fans or Imagineering aren’t the ones who determine what countries are in World Showcase, international corporate/tourism sponsorship does. That’s how it keeps that “World’s Fair” vibe going.
Maybe some here remember twenty years ago when we had the Millennium pavilion, with six other countries auditioning mini-pavilions, some (ahemscotlandisrael) less successfully than others.
Stephen
There are a few oblivious misses:
–Holland (Epcot needs a windmill)
– Brazil
– Greece (the white and blued buildings of Santorini would be perfect)
– India
– Peru (but this would be a better retheme of Dinoland in Animal Kingdom with an Indiana Jones overlay)
– Australia (also better in Animal Kingdom in a new area)
– Spain
– Thailand
– Russia (but too political)
– Egypt (but a second pyramid may be too much)
Elle
I think they should add several counties just because they need more new things! Add fun rides too! Epcot has really gone down hill, but it doesn’t have to. Soar in’ used to be great, now…it’s an ad. Test Track was themed so much better too. Ratatouille ride? Really? Norway is now Frozen (although the waiting area is cute) It Is all so bad. They can come up with better things! Look at how fast Universal moves…Disney can do much better.
LL
I’m amazed Greece wasn’t included in the original design. It has so much going for it; culture, food, ancient philosophers, architecture, etc. It wouldn’t have to be a large pavilion either. It would fit perfectly nestled between France and Morocco. A replica of the Parthenon could be constructed on top of the Ratatouille building.
Brazil is also a great idea and the perfect representation from South America.
ChadMC
I hate to be a Debbie-Downer, but unless Disney can attach some IP to anything, they won’t do it. I don’t believe there are any Greek characters in any Disney films so Greece just won’t happen.
The current direction of EPCOT has little to do with cultural experiences and EPCOT is becoming ‘just another theme park’. Gosh it would be so nice to have a great Greek experience, but I just don’t see it happening. Maybe the next re-imagining will bring back cultural experiences at some point down the road. Fingers crossed.
Brooke
Hercules is Disney’s Greek movie
Thomas
I think an Australian Pavilion would be a better addition, nothing against Greece, but I just feel that Australia would give a lot more scope in the design of the Pavilion, but then Greece would encourage Hercules and Meg to be more common character meets.
Ken
They could have Afghanistan and just take down the tarp from a section they just demolished and have it sponsored by Obama and Biden.
LouiB
Would be nice to see a series of counties added, maybe 1 a year until all the rest of the empty pads are filled up. The next real Worlds Fair opens in Dubai for 6 months and will feature over 190 countries, I would think after 30 years we could finally get a few more at Epcot
Parbo
Greece should have been there from the beginning so, would be a great add to the World of EPCOT. Having been to EPCOT many times and loving it, a new country would be perfect. Greece fits in perfectly (even without white buildings…).
Mike
I think Epcot should get Ireland despite having the UK already and have a spring style flight over Ireland.
Tricia
I feel Greece would make a GREAT addition to Epcot!!!! The buildings and the colors wpuld make for beautiful photo backdrops and the foods would be yummy! Disney monitors social media yall be surprised but they hear us. Brazil I feel maybe to similar to mexico of course food etc is different. South korea same thing with japan and china to similar. Greece is different!
Larry
There are few similarities between Brazil and Mexico. Different languages and culture. I lived 8 yrs in the far east and can testify those countries are very different as well. The great thing about Epcot’s World Showcase is it can enlighten people that rarely travel.
Greece would be wonderful.
Jenny McGourty
White people-Latin Countries are all the same. African countries are all the same. Asian countries are all the same.
Oh Europe, well now Italy, Germany, France, & the UK are all SOOOO different….
jenny
Hate to be a bummer but….
Former EPCOT cast member here. Ive been backstage many many times (worked in MouseGear for years) Those “open pavilions” you see on guest maps are ….not accurate. You see, unseen to the guests, they are actually pretty full. Full of warehouses, trailers, trucks, tents, & service roads. If you Google Earth that area, you’ll noticed theres almost no more space left. We took what was supposed to be areas for new countries, and turned them into backstage areas. In the past few years Disney has used more and more of this space as cast member areas.
Unofficially if there were new countries, they would most likely NOT be European Countries. Europe is considered overrepresented, while Africa & Latin American are underrepresented. The unofficial stance is “no more white people countries”. Most likely contenders are countries with Disney movie tie-ins. This isn’t your parents World Showcase, its now more about selling Disney branded merch than just exploring culture unfortunately. Id guess if (and thats a big IF I honestly think we may never get more) they added more countries they would be-
Columbia-Encanto
Peru-Emperor’s New Groove
India-Jungle Book
South Africa- No tie in, but the majority of Africans countries are Anti-LGBTQ+ and that will have a huge affect on the decision. Disney wont promote a country that imprisons or executes gay people.
So South African or Cape Verde are their only real choices.
South East Asian Country (probably-(Vietnam/Thailand/Indonesia/Philippines) or-Raya and the Last Dragon.
Personally I’d love to see Australia in Animal Kingdom then add New Zealand to WS so we get BOTH Oceania countries.
Jamaica would be cool as the Caribbean isnt represented, and the food is great.
Also add a Brazil/Argentina pavilion with a water coaster ride based on the Iguazu Falls. Here you can enter on either the Brazil or Argentina side and one side is a tamer ride (for the kiddies) with the other side being more thrilling (steeper/more drops), but they both end together after the final drop together in a pool where you can look up (at giant screens) and feel like you’ve just gone over one of the most beautiful but terrifying waterfalls in the world.
Azure
I’m seeing a lot of people wanting an Indian, southeast Asian, or African pavilion. They already have these at their animal kingdom park also at wdw.
Comments are closed.