Originally Posted By mousermerf Interesting article from 2002, detailing Korea's attempts to get a pavilion. Archived at <a href="http://www.mousebuzz.com/forum/front-page-news/130-korea-trying-get-pavillion-space-epcot.html" target="_blank">http://www.mousebuzz.com/forum...cot.html</a> but it's an Orlando Sentinel article, which I can't find online. ---- Dream of Korea pavilion meets with cool reception from Epcot By Robert Johnson Korean legislator and an Orlando businessman who hails from that nation are pressing for a new pavilion at Walt Disney World's Epcot World Showcase. "To not see Korea represented at Epcot World Showcase leaves an empty place in my heart," said Y.K. Kim, owner of the Orlando-based Martial Arts World chain. But breaking blocks barehanded may be easier than making Kim's dream come true. Walt Disney World hasn't built a new pavilion at World Showcase since Norway in 1988, and an attraction official was blunt in dismissing interest in a Korean exhibit. "There are no plans to add a Korean pavilion," Disney spokesman Bill Warren said. "There is no constructive point to having discussions about that." Still, Disney officials, who get several inquiries a year from countries about adding pavilions, led Kim and a contingent of visiting Korean leaders on a tour of Epcot last week. Despite the rebuff, Kim is trying to play the role of matchmaker, bringing together an influential South Korean congressman and Walt Disney World officials. Byoung Gug Choung, the Korean congressman -- who is also a member of his country's Culture and Tourism Committee -- visited Orlando last week. Accompanied by a small entourage, Choung dined and made small talk with Mayor Glenda Hood before visiting Epcot. "I see opportunity for Korea and for Disney," Choung said. He envisions a palace-style building reminiscent of Korea's past royal dynasties that offers such traditional entertainment as elaborate fan dancing and martial arts demonstrations. But some tourism industry veterans see little chance for Korea winning a place at Epcot. "From Disney's standpoint, very few countries who aren't represented there already would have any impact on attendance," said Steve Baker, a former Epcot executive who arranged for the original eight pavilions at World Showcase. Baker reasoned that Korea "just wouldn't bring in enough more visitors to justify it." The existing pavilions feature cultural displays, restaurants, stores, rides and other entertainment. The original eight from 1982 represent tourism biggies: Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Two smaller nations, the exotic Morocco and tourism-conscious Norway, came in 1984 and 1988, respectively. All those pavilions share at least one financial characteristic, Baker said: "Disney didn't pay to build them." Building a pavilion when Disney gives permission is at least a $50 million project, said Baker, who is now president of Baker Leisure Group, an Orlando-based entertainment consulting firm. Then there are the 50 or so employees, all to be paid by the host nation or a representative group that foots the pavilion's bills. The pavilions' costs are usually shared by international corporations, industry trade groups and other private contributors, Baker said. The pavilions' operators also pay rent to Disney, as well as a share of the merchandising proceeds. Choung said those financial requirements "would not be a problem" for Korean backers. But being able to foot the bills and generate souvenir sales aren't enough to get a spot in World Showcase. Baker said Disney World wants nations it thinks will attract about half of Epcot's estimated 11 million guests a year.Disney officials wouldn't discuss either the attendance or cost figures described by Baker. Among the possible additions to World Showcase in which Disney has expressed past interest are Russia and Switzerland. But talks with parties in both those countries collapsed in the early '90s. Economic and political chaos killed the Russian pavilion, and the Switzerland idea didn't clear financial hurdles. Other discussions with Australian businesses haven't been successful either, Baker said. Korea just doesn't have the tourism cache of those other candidates, Baker said. And he said a Korean exhibit would be too similar to those of its regional neighbors at Epcot. But the visiting Choung disagreed. "We Koreans have better food than China and Japan -- and superior martial arts," he said. ---- Hmm, Australia and Iger at Expo, eh? And those polls about which country people want to see? And the rules "Disney" has about guest interest to justify a country.. very interesting..
Originally Posted By MPierce Once again I'll ask you the same question as I have before Merf. Are you saying there will be a new country added to WS or are you merely speculating? I think everything can be summed up with what was said in the article above. >> "From Disney's standpoint, very few countries who aren't represented there already would have any impact on attendance," said Steve Baker, a former Epcot executive who arranged for the original eight pavilions at World Showcase. Baker reasoned that Korea "just wouldn't bring in enough more visitors to justify it." << Evidently you have to be willing to foot the entire construction build plus prove that you will draw additional "GUEST" to Epcot. I wonder how much of a kick back Disney gets annually from each country that has a pavilion?
Originally Posted By mousermerf It depends on the country - you gotta keep up with the other threads Norway totally pulled out in the 90's, though Helly Hansen stepped in as a corporate sponsor of the shopping, not sure if they cover the ride. Disney purchased the investment back from the original investors though, so they "own" that pavilion. The government has nothing to do with it. Mitsukoshi, the department store company, sponsors Japan. Canada i'm pretty sure has entirely abandoned their pavilion.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Also , don't we all agree that anything with a ride would increase guests to that side of the park? Assuming it's not an absolutely horrible ride.
Originally Posted By wmax3234 Let's see, the WS already had two Asian nations in it. Is anyone really surprised that Disney turned South Korea down? And again, this is an 8 year-old article. Nothing to get excited about....
Originally Posted By MPierce I try to keep up with the threads, and I read where you brought up the statement about Norway before. However Disney bought back the Norway pavilion after the fact didn't they? Wasn't Norway originally on the hook for the whole shootin' match? >> Canada i'm pretty sure has entirely abandoned their pavilion. << With one of the most popular restaurants at WDW, and one of the best entertainment attractions in Off Kilter, you would think they would find a way to reopen those shops upstairs, and drive guest to them. I think they started to go downhill when they quit selling Beaver Tails. Maybe they need to open a Harvey's or Tim Hortons there.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Also , don't we all agree that anything with a ride would increase guests to that side of the park? Assuming it's not an absolutely horrible ride. << Most Definetly. As long as Disney promoted it to the guest
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Let's see, the WS already had two Asian nations in it. Is anyone really surprised that Disney turned South Korea down? And again, this is an 8 year-old article. Nothing to get excited about.... << It is however, something to speculate on. Especially with the possible, maybe could be, I want to believe or it's only speculation rumor started over at screamscape.
