Which countries should be presented next at World Showcase?

[Wonderlicious]

Since Epcot opened, only two countries have been added to World Showcase (Norway and Mexico). Pavilions for Russia, Spain and Israel were planned yet never surfaced. These cancellations were not due to any real controversy (especially the latter country, which isn't exactly the most peaceful and subsequently best loved by many country in the world), I believe, but due to the fact that the countries on display actually fund the areas and the three countries didn't want to sponsor replications of themselves.

This got me thinking; what countries would you most like to see presented at World Showcase? Also, if you like, give reasons.

Ireland: As it's nextdoor to the UK, I've been over to Ireland quite a bit and it is lovely, and would make a nice addition to World Showcase. My only qualms with this as a possible addition is that it may end up looking too much like the UK pavilion or it may go down the shamrocks and merry drunks route, disregarding the Celtic flair. They could possibly base the main area on an Irish village (possibly a fishing/seaside village due to World Showcase being formed round a lake?) with an attraction/show based on Irish legends with a small Irish pub-cum-restaurant.

Sweden: This could form part of World Showcase easily as well due to the Lake. Stockholm is interwoven by waterways, and the buildings there are pretty, so a replica could slot in well. Plus, they could open an Ikea in Epcot!

India: I know that there's the Asia area at the Animal Kingdom, which has a number of nods to India in there (what else do you think of with a place featuring an attraction based on Maharajah Jungle Trek? Lithuania?). Needless to say, it would be lovely to see an ode to the architechture of the country.

Finland: This could be a charming area, with traditional Finnish buildings like this and this. Okay, the latter is actually a replica of the Moomin characters' house, but it still has a cool Finnish feel to it. And at Christmas, there could be a Santa's Grotto open (the original legend was that Father Christmas actually lived in the Finnish area of Lapland, not the North Pole).

Estonia: The old town area of its capital, Tallinn is so lovely, that it could inspire a whole theme park, let alone an area of one. Therefore, I nominate Estonia as a possible candidate for a pavilion.

Spain:
I know that they declined to support Disney's version of Spain, yet I just love the raw feeling of traditional Spanish things. Plus, they could add some cool Gaudi-esque stuff.

And now, for countries that I wouldn't want replicating (I'm not implying that I have any hatred of the countries on the whole):

Israel:
I know that they declined sponsorship, but even if they didn't, I can't really think of anything iconic aside from stone buildings and anything religion related. If Disney went along the stone building route, it may look a bit dull and pointless and if they did go along the potentially more interesting religion route, I'd simply find it a bit tacky.

Belgium:
Places such as Bruges in Belgium look like great material for World Showcase, but I must admit that a Belgium Pavilion may end up a bit too similar to the French one, therefore making it seem a bit needless.

[Argenbrit]

Argentina and Australia - Epcot should have a country from each corner of the Earth.

I'd like to see Russia and Spain too, but I'm afraid Russia might never make it for old political reasons.

[Mr. Toad]

Joe - that is a very European list, not quite World enough.

Argentina and Swaziland.

[pinkrenata]

I was recently thinking that Egypt could make a very cool addition. If not that, it seems that at least some other country from Africa besides Morocco deserves a pavilion.

Oh man. I just thought of an even better one. Greece would be awesome.

[Wonderlicious]

I was recently thinking that Egypt could make a very cool addition. If not that, it seems that at least some other country from Africa besides Morocco deserves a pavilion.

Oh man. I just thought of an even better one. Greece would be awesome.

I was actually going to list that in my first list, but I didn't bother as I thought that if Disney did ever do a Greece pavilion, they'd just build a whole load of derelict buildings, throw in some Hercules characters and say "look, Greece!" to try and woo people.

I like your Egypt idea. Perhaps we could get a thrilling dark ride here where you have to escape booby traps and mummies inside a pyramid.

[Fidget1234]

I'd like to see Ireland, Spain, Brazil, anyplace from Australia!

Africa has a whole area in DAK, so does Asia.

[castleinthesky]

Spain

Turkey

Russia

Thailand

[Loomis]

Australia, Australia!

So far, the only evidence I've seen of Disney's understanding of Australia are a couple of pink kangaroos in It's A Small World.

(Objectively, I'd love to see a massive Disney-themed Egyptian thing too. Disney does Las Vegas' Luxor!)

[Tom Cloudkicker]

How about Brazil?

[Unregistered]

Sweden: This could form part of World Showcase easily as well due to the Lake. Stockholm is interwoven by waterways, and the buildings there are pretty, so a replica could slot in well. Plus, they could open an Ikea in Epcot!

I think it'd be difficult to make this area different from Norway. Without wanting to offend anyone, the two countries (along with Denmark and to a certain extend, Finland too) are very similar to each other. For most of history the countries has been as one, and our languages and cluture are pretty much the same.

I'd go with the Egyptian deal. Everybody knows there's tons of stuff one could feature, and come on, everybody loves the pyramids and the sphinx! (:

[Fflewduur]

I really like the conceptual work that was done for the projected Russian pavilion. I <i>love</i> Wonderlicious' idea for a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaudi">Gaudi</a>-themed Spain.

But I agree with most of the posts recommending a more pan-global feel for the park. Thailand would be nice, especially if a really good restaurant were part of the package, but more South American & African representation seems called for.

Of all the suggestions I've seen I feel like Australia might be the most realistic possibility...perhaps only because they seem to have more money to spend promoting tourism.

Then again, Australia would make a brilliant addition to the Animal Kingdom, as would any number of South American nations. I think it's interesting that the AK has given some semblance of presence to countries not represented at Epcot, and it seems to me not a bad way to go. After all, how many more pavilions can they fit around World Showcase lagoon?

Although I admit I'm often amazed at what they do with the space they have, like during the Millenial celebration when an entire hall housing a mini-world-expo sprang up between Canada & the UK.

[Argenbrit]

I think it's interesting that the AK has given some semblance of presence to countries not represented at Epcot, and it seems to me not a bad way to go.

You must be talking only about some countries in Africa because I don't see how the Animal Kingdom can be representing other countries that are not present at the World Showcase.

[Asellus]

I would really want to see Greece as a country...I'm sure they wouldnt do too much to screw it up. I just absulutely love the country's history. (and all the myths)
And Also..Hercules characters and merchandise wouldnt bother me...its one of my favourite Disney movies...and there is not enough merchandise for it.

Egypt would be interesting...but I don't see it happening. Terrorism and Politics will prevent that.

[Fflewduur]

You must be talking only about some countries in Africa because I don't see how the Animal Kingdom can be representing other countries that are not present at the World Showcase.

Well, yeah, Africa and, to a lesser degree, a few nations of Asia. At least to the extent that they've used representational architecture, they've made efforts to staff the park with appropriate international cast members, and there's some degree of culture present. I just don't think it would take much more effort to turn half the Animal Kingdom into a World Showcase with animals.

[Daisy Duck]

Just thought I'd revive an old thread to see if anyone has heard any rumors about a new country coming to the World Showcase. I absolutley love the World Showcase and have been waiting for years to see if a new country would be added. Not sure where they'd put it, unless they start to branch inward. Hopefully, they're not finished with the World Showcase as EPCOT was always meant to grow and change.

I think Greece, Russia, Egypt, Thailand, and the Netherlands would be great. And Spain, too, since that's where I live. But I'd be excited about any new country.

[Princessmarlo]

I was recently thinking that Egypt could make a very cool addition. If not that, it seems that at least some other country from Africa besides Morocco deserves a pavilion.

Oh man. I just thought of an even better one. Greece would be awesome.

OMG def Egypt, I would love to see Egypt

And I would love to see Australia

[Disneyfreak1990]

on a satilite image i can make out about three or four areas for them to expand.
any one of the countries from south america so it can represented.
countries i want:
Ireland would be nice since i have ansestors there and from pictures it's lovely.
Thailand just because we had a forign exchange student from Thailand so it would be interesting.
South Africa would be nice since it has a lot of history in it although it has little chance because of the rasicism only being abolished a decade ago.
Egypt and Greece are two potentials because of their mythology.
Countries i don't want:
Isreal because the pope might say something bad about it if they get one thing wrong.
Iraq and Iran nuff said.
Spain i don't really care for the culture just like i don't care for religion.
Scandinavia, they already have Norway and they look so similar so what's the point?
countries i want gone:
Mexico the only thing i do like about mexico is the food but other than that they can get rid of it for all i care .
American Adventure we already live in america and this could easily fit in Liberty Square.

[Daisy Duck]

I love Mexico, Disneyfreak1990! The river ride is nice and I like the atmosphere of the marketplace.

I think South Africa would be great, too, Disneyfreak1990, as that country has fascinated me for a long time. I'm wondering how it would be designed, though. There's usually a very recognizable building or monument to make each country quickly identified. Maybe I'm just forgetting something in South Africa.

I was also thinking that Denmark would be good because that's the home of Hans Christian Andersen who wrote the Little Mermaid story and they have the famous Little Mermaid statue in the Copenhagen Harbor. There could also be a mini Tivoli Gardens park there.

[GhostHost]

I am for Egypt as long as we get an intense ride (think Indiana Jones Adventure) through a cursed temple. It would be awesome to update Mexico and have a roller coaster type ride about the sacrifice driven cultures of the Mayas or Aztecs. Brazil could work if we get a wild ride through a cursed rainforest.

If you couldn't tell by now, the only thing I like about the World Showcase is the Malestrom.

[QueenRahel]

def. egypt, new zealand, spain...hmmm, ireland would also be cool...switzerland maybe?