Why Has This Disney World Land Not Changed in Over 30 Years?

Why has EPCOT’s World Showcase remained unchanged for so long?

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The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, has undergone numerous changes, tons of updates, and magical evolutions since its opening day back in 1971. Disney is currently working on renovating multiple areas inside its theme parks, namely Muppets courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Plenty of changes are on the way for Disney’s original theme park resort in California, too, with work soon beginning on bringing the world of Pandora to life on the West Coast.

However, one aspect of Disney World’s second-oldest Park hasn’t changed in over 30 years.

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Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Theme Park is a grand and incredible journey through history, technology, and time itself. Featuring multiple lands and destinations, Disney’s EPCOT is a must-do while visiting Walt Disney World. Part of what makes EPCOT so special is its World Showcase section of the Park, a sprawling selection of 11 countries that are sure to educate as well as entertain.

Guests can enjoy delicious local cuisine, purchase authentic merchandise, and interact with cast members who are native to these countries. However, longtime visitors of Disney World may feel EPCOT’s World Showcase has stagnated.

Fans have wondered for decades when/if EPCOT would get a new location to explore in the World Showcase, but not since Norway was introduced to the park’s World Showcase back in 1988 has there been an addition to the park’s list of countries.

A number of countries have been pitched and even designed for World Showcase, though Norway still remains the most recent addition. At one point in time, Disney was developing a Russia pavilion. This expansion would have utilized a five-acre plot of land right next to the Germany pavilion. Plans reportedly fell through due to the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, as Disney relied heavily on corporate and government sponsorships for EPCOT’s World Showcase.

EPCOT has multiple undeveloped spots for future countries, two located on both sides of the United Kingdom, and one between France and Morocco.

It remains to be seen whether or not EPCOT will eventually get a new country to explore, but the park certainly has room for expansion.

Did you know this fact about EPCOT’s World Showcase? What country would you like to see represented at EPCOT?