And the need is for starting from scratch on virgin land and building a special kind of new community that will always be in a state of becoming. It will never cease to be a living blueprint of the future, where people actually live a life they can’t find anywhere else in the world.
Walter E. Disney
While we will never see Walt Disney’s original vision for EPCOT, the EPCOT we did receive is amazing. It is a land of the future and like the future is always in development and flux.
When EPCOT opened in 1982 there were nine countries located in World Showcase with room for ten more.
There was an advertisement of three more countries set to join World Showcase in 1982 when EPCOT opened (Equatorial Africa, Spain, and Israel) but unfortunately, these lands never came to fruition.
I can’t help feel that with all the construction that has gone on and is still going on around EPCOT, perhaps Disney could have added new countries for the 50th-anniversary celebration. In my opinion the three countries I would love to see added to World Showcase are Greece, Spain, and Ireland.
Greece Pavilion
Imagine a Greece pavilion modeled after Santorini. A wonderful indoor/outdoor restaurant where visitors can dine on delectable Greek food. An appetizer consisting of olives, bread, and olive oil. How about some Tzatziki to dip your pita bread in. Or perhaps have your Tzatziki on a lamb gyro. Enjoy Moussaka for your main course, then end with delicious Baklava for dessert. Not only a restaurant but how about a bar that serves different brands of Ouzo and entertains with Greek dancers.
Ireland
From Greece we can travel to beautifully green Ireland. Here can be found an Irish pub that serves different beers, stouts, and lagers like you might find in Dublin. Also served different Irish pub foods such as Irish stew, soups and chowders, Irish soda bread, coddle (bacon, pork sausages, potatoes, and onions stewed in layers), and fish and chips. As you are eating and drinking be entertained by Irish step dancers. Imagine spending St. Patrick’s Day in this wonderful pavilion.
Spain
Let’s now travel to a beautiful seaside town in Spain! Here find beautiful Spanish architecture, wonderful Flamingo dancers, bold beautifully colored fashion, and delicious culinary delights. Delights such as Gazpacho, Paella, Pollo al ajillo, or Pisto which is Spains version of ratatouille. Finish your meal with churros, Spanish apple tart or Crema Catalana which is Spains version of French crème brûlée.
What wonderful additions these three countries would be to World Showcase. The architecture, fashion, and cuisine of these three cultures would be enjoyed by many visitors to EPCOT for years to come.
What countries would you like to see added to EPCOT?