Arguably, EPCOT has more “what ifs?” than any other Walt Disney World theme park…
EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion
I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World for over 30 years, and during that time, I’ve developed conflicted feelings about World Showcase. On one hand, I love strolling the back half of EPCOT, exploring all the nooks and crannies of each country, and enjoying their food and drink offerings. However, the area also makes me wistful when considering how stagnant it’s been over its history. Since EPCOT opened in 1982, only two countries have been added to World Showcase – the most recent being Norway almost 40 years ago – and this century has seen one new attraction plus two refurbishment transformations in the last 25 years. That’s not say Imagineers haven’t tried, however, as countless new pavilions, attractions, and rides have been proposed over the years, only to go unbuilt. These are just some of those canceled projects.
Let’s begin with the unbuilt pavilions. Since before construction even began on EPCOT, there have been a slew of other countries planned and/or announced for World Showcase, only to never see the light of day. Some of these scrapped nations include:
- A Costa Rica Pavilion featuring a large greenhouse filled with tropical plants and birds.
- The Equatorial Africa Pavilion, which would have been built around a 60-foot treehouse and the “Heartbeat of Africa” live show. While this area was heavily promoted during the park’s early years, work paused due to controversies regarding Roots author Alex Haley, who was a consultant on the project. Remnants of this planned area can still be seen in the Outpost between China and Germany, though the construction of Animal Kingdom’s Africa likely means it will never be built.
- An Iran Pavilion, which would have featured a dark ride exploring different parts of Persian history and a shopping area based on a bazaar. All Plans were scrapped after the Iranian Revolution.
- An Israel Pavilion was advertised on billboards when Epcot opened, and would have recreated ancient Jerusalem and featuring a courtyard stage and open-air restaurant. The concept was scrapped due to budget problems and security issues, though an Israel-based experience was part of the temporary Millennium Village.
- A Puerto Rico Pavilion was once planned for EPCOT’s ill-fated “Phase II” expansion.
- A Soviet Union or Russian-themed pavilion was planned for the projected “Phase II.” It would have been based on the Moscow Kremlin and dominated by a replica of St. Basil’s Cathedral. Plans for this pavilion existed into the 90s, long after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
- A Spain Pavilion was advertised on billboards in the mid-1980s, with a design blending elements of Barcelona and Madrid. It was planned to feature a boat ride, a film on Spanish history, and a restaurant.
- A Switzerland Pavilion intended to bring a Matterhorn Bobsleds-style ride to EPCOT was slotted into plans at one point.
- A United Arab Emirates Pavilion was planned to feature a magic carpet ride attraction and a show detailing the cultural and scientific achievements of the Middle East.
- A planned Venezuela Pavilion would have replicated a waterfall, a high-rise built into a cliff, and an aerial tram ride.
©Disney
Unbuilt countries aren’t the only “what ifs?” in World Showcase history, however. Over the years, there have also been plans for several attractions to be added to the area’s existing pavilions, each of which also went unbuilt.
One of the best-known – and most visible – unbuilt attraction plans was for a Rhine River Cruise attraction to anchor the Germany Pavilion. As described in Disney’s 1976 annual report, the then-scheduled-for-opening-day attraction was to be “… a cruise down Germany’s most famous rivers — the Rhine, the Tauber, the Ruhr, and the Isar. Detailed miniatures of famous landmarks will also be seen, including one of the Cologne Cathedral.”
©Disney
The attraction was still on schedule to be built as EPCOT was under construction, to the point where the load/unload portion of the ride’s show building, as well an entrance gate to the queue, was built, and is still present today. However, budget issues led to the ride being postponed to EPCOT’s “phase 2” before being canceled entirely
On the other side of The American Adventure, several rides have been planned for the Japan Pavilion over the years. These include a roller coaster that would weave in and out of a recreation of Mt. Fuji that would culminate with an encounter with Godzilla, and a bullet train simulator attraction. In addition, a version of the Meet the World animatronic show that was an opening day attraction at Tokyo Disneyland was initially planned for the park, with a show building having been built. Plans were scrapped, allegedly due to issues with the building’s construction, though this may simply be an urban legend.
©Disney
Finally, several rides have been proposed for the United Kingdom over the years, including plans in the 1980s to build a full-scale water ride that would feature London landmarks, including the Tower of London, Victoria’s Tower, and the Houses of Parliament. The ride was never built.
At the 2019 D23 Expo, Disney had Dick Van Dyke himself announce that a Mary Poppins attraction (later revealed to be an indoor teacup-style attraction) was going to be added to the U.K. Pavilion as part of EPCOT’s then-ongoing reiminagining. However, following the pandemic, the ride was cut for budget reasons.
©Disney
Over the years, all of these proposed expansions and attractions were planned or announced for EPCOT’s World Showcase, only to be canceled and forever relegated to being blue sky daydreams. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World history.
7 Disney Projects That Were Rejected For Some Super Messed Up Reasons
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I think they should bring back these plans for rides at the World Showcase. Like for one the Mary Poppins attraction with an 360* degree screen. The World Showcase Pavillion is lacking attractions. If they add new dark rides and shows like for example a Sphere like theater show like in Las Vegas that would liven up World Showcase. Now World Showcase is lacking these attractions.
Hard to imagine the space for some of these, but then again I’m sure there’s lots of backstage space we don’t know about. World showcase could use more rides. Venezuela would have been good to be the sole representation of South America
Norway was ruined when they put that princess ride in. Gee, another princess ride:
These cuts were a huge mistake but Disney isn’t known for making great decisions!! Star Wars hotel?? Need I say more? That money could have easily gone to making the Germany ride or Mary Poppins!!