Originally Posted By mousermerf So the 2002 article about South Korea says that a country needs not just funding but also guest popularity to get into World Showcase. I found this: <a href="http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris-Interactive-Poll-Research-La-Dolce-Vita-Italy-Most-Popular-Vacation-Destination-2008-07.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.harrisinteractive.c...8-07.pdf</a> Lots to extrapolate! First off.. Australia.. Iger.. Expo.. Australia.. popular with men, popular with Gen X and Baby Boomers, by golly it sounds like an Epcot "win" despite how the fanbase keeps saying they want it in Animal Kingdom. Well, Africa was meant for World Showcase and ended up in Animal Kingdom, so why not? Beyond that, I'm surprised at the popularity of Greece. I didn't expect that. New Zealand too, didn't see that coming. Notably absent: Norway & Morocco, the last two countries added to the showcase.. fascinating. Also no sign of Russia despite being a fan favorite. Maybe it's because we'd all like to goto Russia without -actually having to goto- Russia? And the most popular country, Italy, is the one that's currently expanding. Hmm. interesting..
Originally Posted By wmax3234 So, we're trying to conure up a potential new country for the WS from an 8 year-old article, a Harris Poll of overseas tourist destinations, and the fact Iger visited an expo in Shanghai even though Disney is building a park there? Oh, and I almost forgot the insipid Peru rumor and the alleged email to Screamscape about the WS poll. No, not much of a reach at all.....
Originally Posted By MPierce ^^^It is however something to discuss, and speculate on if folks so choose.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Sorry you're not interest in the history of the company at all, but some of us would like to discuss things intelligently with the facts of the matter known. Of which, you've contributed nothing - and that matter - ever, on this site. Looks like you're just trying to start trouble where there is none to be had.
Originally Posted By mousermerf I didn't realize it didn't make the top 15 - interesting. Obviously that's a reflection of the strained ties between the two countries akin to Russia. Disney recently announced a major commitment to the "community" in China and has just launched things like braille guides to their nature walks around the park. They're trying to win the public over and be seen as less of a merely corporate machine. China's pavilion has some of the most expensive items in World Showcase, btw.
Originally Posted By mousermerf ^^ To clarify, retail items. Rugs, jade trees, furniture, things like that. Japan has some small furniture as does Morocoo, but China has the big ticket items.
Originally Posted By MPierce I'm sure Disney used surveys like this as well as their own when designing WS. It only makes sense to build a pavilion that people would have a great interest in.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Well, even this survey and it's history shows that things change. It's likely a matter of finding a country of current or rising interest, funding from the country and private investors, and of course Disney having the money they need to contribute.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Obviously that's a reflection of the strained ties between the two countries akin to Russia. << That is probably the reason. >> China's pavilion has some of the most expensive items in World Showcase, btw. << It's easy to overlook the expensive items when there are so many lesser priced trinkets on display. I'm sure most tourist are in that hurry up mode that seems to be the norm at WDW. So much is lost by not spending time exploring every nook, and cranny of all the pavilions. That's why WDW should be experienced over several vacation trips. It's just a shame that they are making it harder for me to justify the trips.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> It's likely a matter of finding a country of current or rising interest, funding from the country and private investors, and of course Disney having the money they need to contribute. << Definetly. I'm just not sure Disney is willing to commit a team to a new pavilion however.
Originally Posted By mousermerf But look at the World Showcase timeline. Add in all the failed attempts that got serious tractions and Disney has been consistently looking at expanding World Showcase except for the last few years when they focused on updating all the existing attractions (and strangely enough they didn't touch the French film, but that's very art-house and actually very French in that way - Paris is full of movie houses that show older artsy films and they're quite popular.)
Originally Posted By MPierce I just feel that Disney is only willing to commit to small attactions in FW, restaurants, gift shops, and kiosk for the time being in Epcot.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Notably absent: Norway & Morocco, the last two countries added to the showcase.. fascinating. << Chuckle. Yes, simply fascinating. Shall we sip some red wine and ponder this fact?
Originally Posted By wmax3234 >>Sorry you're not interest in the history of the company at all, but some of us would like to discuss things intelligently with the facts of the matter known.<< No Merf, I just know when someone's stretching the facts to fit them into his own opinions and beliefs. Does it make nice table chatter? Sure. But it doesn't mean there's anything to "extrapolate" either. Sorry if that bursts your bubble....
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper I'm all for Australia going into WS. I feel like it would be a really lame addition to DAK, which needs attractions rather than an area dedicated to small, nocturnal animals, something I think would benefit Epcot more. Greece is my first choice for a new pavilion, just because I want to see a mythology ride.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I'm surprised at the popularity of Greece.>> People want sun on their vacation. So beyond the countries that are on the list because of their culture (U.K., France, Japan, etc.) you've got Greece, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. Australia and New Zealand add the adventure vacation aspect.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I'm all for Australia going into WS. I feel like it would be a really lame addition to DAK, which needs attractions rather than an area dedicated to small, nocturnal animals, something I think would benefit Epcot more. << I so agree Skipper. I think Australia would be a lame match with DAK.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Even more so in World Showcase. Sorry, the most interesting thing about Australia is it's biodiversity and aboriginal cultures IMHO - good reason for it to be in DAK.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^Aboriginal culture would be Epcot. DAK really isn't about culture. Australia's animals are so small. They wouldn't be able to make big walk throughs or attractions from them. I think something like that would be better suited to EPCOT.
