Throughout this "Disney Under Construction" series, we've followed the building of some of the icons of Walt Disney World (primarily the mountains, since those happen to be the pictures I have). Well, I thought we were done, when I happened upon this little gem. It's a scan of a picture I took on a family trip back in the summer of 1987.
The steel structure may not be the most easily recognizable, but take a look at the construction fence, promising:
"Set sail on a thrilling voyage through time and experience the myths, majesty and modern wonders of Norway - Gateway to Scandinavia - Opening Summer 1988"
Norway was the 2nd (and as it turns out, last) major addition to the World Showcase at Epcot. During the early years of the park, billboards around the promenade touted such future pavilions as Israel, Spain and Equatorial Africa. Each of these failed to materialize for one reason or another, often a sponsorship issue since all the World Showcase pavilions are presented in whole or in part by an entity from the host country.
Over the years, though, World Showcase has managed to feature more than just the eleven nations represented by the major pavilions. During the Millennium Celebration in 2000, Millennium Village (now World Showplace) played host to a couple dozen smaller exhibits from countries as diverse as Sweden, Brazil, Scotland and Eritrea.
Each year during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, even more countries come to the park by way of kiosks placed around the promenade. Guests have the opportunity to sample cuisine from the host nations, as well as Australia, Greece, Thailand, Poland and more. The Food & Wine Festival each fall is one of my favorite times to visit Epcot, not just for the food, but for the truly international experience it offers.
Hi Shawn,
ReplyDeleteI was also by that Norway Pavilion construction fence in '87, June to be precise. Having Norwegian ancestry and having just visited Norway in 1985, I was excited to see this was on its way. I recall being tickled by the way that some things in other languages are just so easily interpreted: one of the sponsors at the time was Norskefrosenfisk A/s. I can only say a couple of things in Norwegian, but that seemed pretty clear!