The World Showcase is a section of Epcot that consists of 11 pavilions, each themed to a different country. The pavilions are situated around the World Showcase Lagoon.
Concept art map of World Showcase
As part of the park's massive overhaul beginning in 2019, World Showcase is a land in EPCOT themed around a celebration of culture, cuisine, architecture, and traditions – infused with new magic, announced at the 2019 D23 Expo on August 26, 2019.
History[]
World Showcase can conceptually trace its roots to 1955, when an International Street was proposed for Disneyland as a themed area that would be located behind eastern Main Street USA. A larger International Land based around European locations was also proposed in 1956 for the space between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, with a boat ride on the "Rivers of Europe" being a centerpiece. However, this would be dropped in favor of the Matterhorn Bobsleds.
An internationally themed shopping and dining district was proposed for Walt's original city concept for EPCOT, existing within the central hub of the city surrounding the central Hotel tower. When the city was dropped after Walt's death, the international shopping and dining district was planned to be repurposed into Walt Disney World's second gate in 1972 and took on the name World Showcase. Plans and models showcased in 1974 for World Showcase placed it on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon adjacent to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Two semi-circular structures, similar to the CommuniCore buildings, would house multiple international exhibitions in a neutral space, only varying in size and structure towards the back depending on how much space a country would want to use. Interest in this World Showcase was highly favorable in attracting international sponsors and in late 1975, Disney planned on moving forward with construction with plans to open in 1979.[1]
However, the energy crisis of 1976 and concerns of sinkhole troubles on the proposed site would result in the plans for World Showcase and the Future World Theme Center being merged into a single park that would be placed further south on the property. By 1977, Epcot began to take on its current shape, with the World Showcase now being built around a lagoon and taking on its format of each pavilion showcasing its respective architecture. When the park opened in 1982, World Showcase featured nine pavilions, with Morocco opening in 1984 and Norway opening in 1988.
Pavilions[]
Other Areas[]
- Showcase Plaza
- International Gateway
- World Showplace
- The Outpost
Attractions[]
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros (Mexico) (2007-)
- Frozen Ever After (Norway) (2016-2020, 2020-)
- Reflections of China (China) (2003-2023)
- The American Adventure (USA) (1982-)
- Palais du Cinema (France)
- Impressions de France (France) (1982-2019, 2020-)
- Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (France) (2020-)
- Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (France) (2021-)
- Canada: Far and Wide (Canada) (2020-2021, 2021-)
- DuckTales World Showcase Adventure (2022-present)
Future Attractions[]
- Mary Poppins (United Kingdom) (Coming Soon)
- Wondrous China (China) (Opening in 2024)
Former Attractions[]
- El Rio del Tiempo (Mexico) (1982-2007)
- Wonders of China (China) (1982-2003)
- O Canada! (Canada) (1982-2019)
- Maelstrom (Norway) (1988-2014)
- Spirit of Norway (Norway) (1988-2014)
- Millennium Village (1999-2001)
- Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure (2009-2012)
- Agent P's World Showcase Adventure (2012-2020)
Showcase Plaza[]
Current Dining[]
- Refreshment Port
- Promenade Refreshments
- Frozen Ever After Dessert Party at Epcot World Showcase
- Espresso, Coffee, and Pastries near Disney Traders
Former Dining[]
- Traveler's Cafe
Shops[]
- Port of Entry
- Disney Traders
Entertainment[]
Current[]
- Epcot Forever (October 1, 2019 – March 12, 2020; July 1, 2021 - September 28, 2021; April 3, 2023 - December 4, 2023)
Former[]
- Carnival de Lumiere (premiered October 23, 1982)
- A New World Fantasy (premiered 1983)
- Laserphonic Fantasy (premiered June 9, 1984)
- IllumiNations (January 30, 1988 – September 20, 1996)
- IllumiNations 25 (A) (September 21, 1996 – May 18, 1997)
- IllumiNations 25 (B) (May 19, 1997 – January 31, 1998)
- IllumiNations (98) (February 1, 1998 – September 21, 1999)
- Surprise in the Skies (1991–1992)[1]
- Skyleidoscope (1985–1987)[2] Planes were launched from the Epcot Center Ultralight Flightpark.
- IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (October 1, 1999 – September 30, 2019), previously "IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth", created for the Millennium Celebration, ended on September 30, 2019 to make way for a new fireworks show called Epcot Forever.
- Harmonious (October 1, 2021 - April 2, 2023)
Parades[]
- Tapestry of Nations (1999–2001), a parade created for the Millennium Celebration
- Tapestry of Dreams (2001–2003), a refurbished version of Tapestry of Nations replacing the Sage of Time, the parade's original host/narrator with three Dreamseekers
Map[]
International Gateway[]
The International Gateway, located between the France and United Kingdom pavilions, serves as an alternate entrance into the park. Guests staying at the resorts near the park and guests coming from Disney's Hollywood Studios can access this gate by walkway or by boat.
Unused Pavilions[]
Originally, a Russian Pavilion and a Switzerland Pavilion would have been placed in World Showcase. The Russian Pavilion would use the Kremlin as its main attraction while the Swiss Pavilion would have a Matterhorn Bobsleds clone. Concepts for these pavilions still exist.
Gallery[]
Logos[]
Pavilion Icons[]
Pavilions Poster[]
Old Attractions Poster[]
New Attractions Poster[]
Concept Art[]
Never-Built Countries Pavilion[]
Trivia[]
- World Showcase pays tribute to Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, such as the United States of America (Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort), Japan (Tokyo Disney Resort), France (Disneyland Paris), and China (Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort) as well as Adventures by Disney, Disney Vacation Club, Disney Cruise Line, and homages to the International Olympic Committee.
References[]
