Originally Posted By mousermerf Bob Iger went to Expo 2010 in Shanghai earlier this week. He apparently approved Disney sponsoring the USA pavilion, but he also made visits to other country pavilions with his entourage. Rasaulo (CFO), Alan Braverman (general counsel), and Andy Bird (Walt Disney intl.) were on hand. Notable to the writer, they went to Australia's pavilion among others. <a href="http://en.expo2010.cn/a/20100415/000006.htm" target="_blank">http://en.expo2010.cn/a/201004...0006.htm</a> Expo's are what we typically call Worlds Fairs. They're the same thing. This one opens May 1st. There's some nice designs in the pavilions this year and it's expected to be the highest attended Expo. The Swiss pavilion has a nifty chair lift ride, and many country pavilions have Epcot-style film presentations.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Anything that Disney does with a WF/Expo is a good thing, in my mind. It forces them to create a ORIGINAL attraction and we usually can reap the benefits when it's over.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Or they can buy an attraction that someone else made.. that's an option too.
Originally Posted By Manfried Actually EPCOT took most of its ideas from World's Fairs and Expos. In particular the Montreal Expo.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Didn't the original China Circlevision film run at a World's Fair sometime around when the park opened? I don't know the exact year, but I think it was sometime around 81-83.
Originally Posted By mousermerf O Canada was based on the Expo 67 Canada film, which was also circlevision 360. <a href="http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/culture/story.html?id=185ec8a5-0600-400c-b2fc-7e04a0adc5ad" target="_blank">http://www.canada.com/edmonton...a0adc5ad</a> Which it's funny to read the Expo 67 director call the last version a Walmart ad. Spirit - did we finally figure out who you are..? As for funding... "Over the years, there have been several attempts to bring Disney together with private Canadian investors with an interest in tourism to fund an update. The federal government has previously declined to become involved in the venture." Maybe Disney finally paid for it...? Roots is the only big company at all actively involved with the Canada pavilion and it only appears their soft-lines are sold there, not even having dedicated retail like Helly Hensen for Norway. Over at China.. the research I can find points to Imagineering making the film, so I don't know. The director listed in IMDB is an Imagineer.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 I am seriously thinking of going to this expo. I have already been to Shanghai and want to go to Beijing instead for my next vacation, but this looks like it will really be a good expo. - Anatole
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Isn't a little premature for Disney execs to be visiting this Expo? It isn't even open yet. Disney is planning to open a resort in Shanghai, right? Iger's visit to the region isn't a coincidence.
Originally Posted By mousermerf He was a) signing off on the America pavilion to be sponsored by Disney and b) visiting other pavilions. Considering how late in the game it is, it's odd that Disney just agreed to sponsor the pavilion - it opens next month. I do think his interest in the other pavilions, something it would seem they don't allow prior to opening, is important along with the goodwill gesture toward China made via the America pavilion.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Imagine you're some country's tourism bureau and whatever which controls a pavilion. The phone call you get is "Hi, the head of Disney wants to see your pavilion while he's visiting the site prior to opening, can you pencil him in..?" I'm assuming there was some level of financial incentive for doing so - not a blatant payment for the privilege, but going back to the idea that the shows at the pavilions can be purchased or re-staged.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "He was a) signing off on the America pavilion to be sponsored by Disney and b) visiting other pavilions." Okay, I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention.
