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Norway is a pavilion located within World Showcase in [[Epcot]]. It is located between the [[Mexico]] and [[China]]pavilions.

The history of what would one day be known as the Norway pavilion, actually began its development in 1978 as the Denmark pavilion<ref name= "Martin"/>. One of World Showcases' original concepts, the Denmark pavilion was originally initially going to be Scandinavia's representative in the park. Before [[EPCOT Center ]] opened in 1982 however, plans for the pavilion was were dropped, reinstationreinstated, and then moved and moved around World Showcase Lagoon (at one point the pavilion was to be located where [[China]] sits today)<ref name= "Martin"/>. Eventually, Disney decided that the Denmark pavilion would be built at a later date, as part of EPCOT Center's Phase II. Although not present on the park's opening day, a shortage of restrooms in World Showcase led Disney to create Danish themed restrooms, with the idea that the rest of the pavilion would eventually be built around these structures. In fact, in 1983, Disney was still in discussions with LEGO about sponsoring the pavilion.

By 1983, plans for an autonomous Denmark Although the pavilion where shelved in favor of a new "Scandinavian Showcase". was not On October 3, 1983present on the park's opening day, Disney announced that it had reached an agreement with Scanshow A/S (a subsidiary shortage of the Norwegian company Selmer-Sande and Kloster) restrooms in World Showcase led Disney to create Danish themed restrooms on the new pavilion. This pavilion, which would represent Norway, Sweden and plot allocated for Denmark, was to with the idea that the rest of the pavilion would eventually be built around these structures. One year later, in between 1983, the [[France]] and [[United Kingdom]] pavilions. Imagineers Claude Coats and Tim Brunner were tasked Washington Post reported that Disney was still in discussions with heading the project. By 1984, plans for LEGO about sponsoring the pavilion were were nearing completion, with a planned opening date <ref> http://progresscityusa.com/2010/01/27/neverworlds-lost-lands-of 1987-lego/ </ref>.

The By late 1983, however, plans for an autonomous Denmark pavilion where shelved in favor of a new "Scandinavian Showcase". On October 3, 1983, Disney announced that it had reached an agreement with Scanshow A/S (a subsidiary of the Norwegian company Selmer-Sande and Kloster) to create the new pavilion <ref name="Korkis"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/11423/The_Story_of_the_Norway_Pavilion_Before_Frozen </ref>. Scandinavian Showcase, which would represent Norway, Sweden and Denmark, was to be built in-between the [[France]] and [[United Kingdom]] pavilions, with Imagineers Claude Coats and Tim Brunner tasked with heading the project <ref name= "Lou"> http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/04/lou-mongellos-walt-disney-world-wayback-machine-the-epcot-that-never-was/ </ref>. Aesthetically, the Scandinavian Showcase pavilion was to be made up of architecture from all three of the represented counties. Egeskov Castle and houses from Odense and Copenhagen would represent Denmark, Stockholm Stadshus and buildings from Gamla Stan would represent Sweden, and finally Bryggen i Bergen and Akershus Festning would represent Norway<ref name="Korkis"/>. By 1984, plans for the pavilion were were nearing completion, with a planned opening date of 1987 <ref name= Lou/>.

Of the three countries that were to make up the Scandinavian Showcase, only Norway provided the funding necessary to create the pavilion. Because of this, the focus of the pavilion shifted away from Scandinavia as a whole and solely to Norway. At this time, the name of the pavilion changed to "Norway: Gateway to Scandinavia". In order to fund the pavilion, an organization named NorShow as formed by the Norwegian companies: Aker, Norsk Data, Norway Foods, Den norske Creditbank, Det Norske Veritas, Frionor, Kosmos, Vesta Group, Selmer-Sande, SAS and VARD<ref name="Korkis"/>. Their funding, combined with contributions from the Norwegian government , raised $34 million dollars for the pavilion. This paid for more than two-thirds of the pavilion's cost, with Disney picking up the rest. The Norway pavilion was then designed and built by Walt Disney Imagineering, with the help of Scandinavian architects. At this time, One point of contention between Disney and NorShow, involved the pavilion's lighting. The other World Showcase pavilions were wired to a grid that allowed them to light up during the park's nighttime firework show (originally Laserphonic Fantasy, soon to be Illuminations). While NorShow believed that the spilled light from the [[Mexico]] and [[Canada]] would suffice, Disney knew better, but was unwilling to pickup the cost (assuming that NorShow would cave) <ref name= "Korkis"/>. With neither entity willing to budge, Norway was built without the nighttime lighting given to the other World Showcase pavilions. [[Image:ScandavianShowcase.jpg|500px|thumb|Concept art for the unbuilt Scandinavian Showcase pavilion.]]Construction on the Norway pavilion began on May 27, 1986, when Minister Kurt Mosbakk laid the pavilion's foundation. When constructing the pavilion, Norway's exterior was overseen by architect Birger Lambertz-Nilsen, while the interior was under the responsibility of Ulla S. Ujort. On June 3, 1988, the Norway pavilion was officially dedicated by Crown Prince Harald V and his wife Sonja. The opening ceremonies were broadcast in prime time to all of Norway on the station NPK. At the dedication Harald V declared:

The Norway pavilionw as designed {{Quotation|"Ladies and built by Walt Disney Imagineeringgentlemen, with wishing the help best of Scandinavian architects. One point of contention between luck to Disney World and NorShow, involved the pavilion's lighting. While the other World Showcase pavilions were wired to a grid that allowed them to light up during the park's nightime firework show (at the time Laserphonic Fantasy, soon to those who will be Illuminations). While NorShow believed that responsible for the spilled light from operation of the [[Mexico]] and [[Canada]] would sufficepavilion, Disney knew better but was unwilling to pickup I hereby declare the cost (assuming that NorShow would cave). With neither entetiy willing to budge, Norway was built without the nighttime lighting given to the other World Showcase pavilionspavilion open. Thank you"}}

Construction on the When Norway pavilion began on May 29opened, 1986, when Minister Kurt Mosbakk laid the pavilion's foundationfeatured 58,000 sq ft of interior space <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=648 </ref>. When constructing the pavilioncomplete, Norway's exterior was overseen by archiect Birger Lambertz-Nilsenconsisted of a Stave Church (which holds various exhibits), while the interior was under original 1982 Denmark bathrooms, a counter service restaurant named [[Kringla Bakeri OG Kafe]], the responsibility table service [[Restaurant Akershus]], and a series of Ulla Sinterlinked stores including the Puffins Roost and Fjording <ref name= "Martin"/>. UjortThe star of the pavilion, however, was the not yet operational [[Maelstrom]] attraction. On June 3EPCOT Center's first thrill ride, 1988Maelstrom would not welcome its first guests until July 5th <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/maelstrom/ </ref>. Initially, the Norway pavilion boat ride attraction was officially dedicated by Crown Prince Harald V to be titled SeaVenture, and wife Sonja. The opening ceremonies were broadcast early in prime time its development the plot was to all of focus on Norway 's mythology, as guests searched for a rainbow bridge to Valhalla. This concept was eventually broadened, so that Maelstrom instead took guests on NPKa trip through the country's history, beginning in folklore and ending in modern day Norway<ref name= "Martin"/>. At After disembarking from [[Maelstrom]], guests could watch the dedication Harald V declared:[[Spirit of Norway]] film, before exiting into the pavilion's shops.

{{Quotation|"Ladies and gentlemenOutside of changes to the pavilion's Stave Church exhibits, wishing the best of luck first major change to Disney World and those who will be responsible for the operation Norway pavilion occurred in 1992, when NorShow ended their sponsorship of the pavilion. At this time, I hereby declare the Norway Norwegian government assumed sole sponsorship of the pavilion open, contributing $200,000 a year until ending their sponsorship in 2002. Thank youSince that time,the pavilion has remained sponsorless. The first real addition to Norway, came in 1998, when a new outdoor playground shaped like the famous Viking ship "}}Osenberg" opened to guests <ref name= "yesterland"> https://www.yesterland.com/norwaytn.html </ref>. In 2005, Norway's [[Restaurant Akershus]], changed its name to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and began offering character dining <ref> http://allears.net/din/restnews05.htm </ref>. More changes to the pavilion occurred in 2008, when the pavilion's live band “Spelmanns Gledje” ceased their performances [[Image:Coutryard.jpg|400px|thumb|The 2016 expansion of Norway made room for Anna and Elsa’s Royal Sommerhus. Photo credit: Disney]] <ref> http://epcot82.blogspot.com/2008/10/no-love-for-norway.html </ref> <ref> http://allears.net/2009/11/19/a-walking-tour-of-epcots-norway-pavilion/ </ref> and the pavilion's outdoor playground was removed<ref> http://allears.net/ae/issue790.htm </ref>.

The original Following the massive success of the 2013 Disney film "Frozen", the Norway pavilion was designed began to be infused with 58,000 sq. ftcharacters from the film. The integration of interior space Frozen into the Norway pavilion began in late 2013, when the exhibit “Norsk Kultur, Inspiration for Disney Frozen” replaced the "Vikings, Conquerors of the Sea" exhibit in the pavilion's Stave Church <ref name= "martinyesterland"/>and Frozen merchandise began to appear in the pavilion's shops. This area was then divided up into storesSubsequently, an exhibitionon October 5, a restaurant2014, both [[Maelstrom]] and EPCOT Center’s first thrill ride- SeaVenture. The plans for SeaVenture called for an interior boat ride attraction, on which guests would encounter trolls and gnomes as they searched for a rainbow bridge to Valhalla (an earlier idea would have had guests traveling through a day in the life [[Spirit of Norway]] closed in order to make way for a Viking) new Frozen attraction titled [[Frozen Ever After]]<ref name= "martin"> http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-farewell-to-norway-maelstrom-ride-at-epcot-20141005-story.html </ref>. This storyline was deemed too short howeverDuring the renovations, and the concept Norway pavilion was also expanded so that it now included a history trip that took guests from into an adjacent lot in order to facilitate the folklore construction of Norwaya new Frozen meet and greet. This new area, all which opened June 17, 2016, features a small courtyard consisting of [[Anna and Elsa's Royal Sommerhus]] (the way through modern timesmeet and greet), the Wandering Reindeer shop, a small stage, and expanded restrooms <ref name= "martinyesterland"/>. The thrill part of the attraction was planned to come from a new ride system where the boat’s direction could be reversed during the ride.

On October 5June 21, 2016, 2014 Maelstrom and the Spirit of Norway film located in the attraction's exit closed <ref> http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-farewell-to-norway-maelstrom-ride-at-epcot-20141005-story.html </ref>. The ride will be replaced with an attraction based on the 2013 Disney film "Frozen". Disney subsequently announced that the attraction would be titled "Frozen Ever After" officially opened to guests <ref> httphttps://disneyparks.disney.god23.com/blog/2015/06/firsta-lookto-frozen-ever-after-at-epcotz/ </ref> and it would open in Spring 2016 <ref> http://blogs.disney.com/oh-my-disney/2015/11/02/we-just-found-out-so-much-more-about-epcots-frozen-ever-after-attraction/ </ref>.===Sponsorship of On the Pavilion <ref name= "martin"/>===[[Image:Vikingstatue2.jpg|200px|thumb|A statue new boat ride attraction, guests take a tour through the kingdom of Arendelle on a “Summer Snow Day”, with Queen Elsa, Anna, Olaf II- King , Kristoff and Patron Saint of Norway]]In order to add a new pavilion to World Showcase, Disney required 30 million dollars to come from outside sponsorsfriends. The following companies contributed to the Norway pavilion's creation:

* Selmer-Sande Construction * Den Norske Creditbank * Vesta-Gruppen Insturance/Finance * Norcem Industrial * Kosmos Shipping * Det Norske Veritas Marine Insurance * Frionor Norsk Frossenfisk Seafood * Norsk Data Technology * Norway Foods LTD '''Note:''' SAS (Since the largest Scandinavian airline) also sponsored "The Spirit opening of Norway" film which guests see after exiting Frozen Ever After, the MaelstromNorway pavilion has not seen any major changes.  In 19922018, all however, the pavilion's Stave Church received a new exhibit titled "Gods of the sponsors sold their stake in Vikings", which replaced the Norway pavilion to “Norsk Kultur, Inspiration for DisneyFrozen" exhibit <ref> https://www. Following that sale, the government of Norway agreed wdwmagic.com/attractions/norway/news/27feb2018-new-exhibit-coming-to give Disney $200,000 a year until their contract ended in 2002-epcots-norway-pavilion-stave-church-gallery.htm </ref>.

'''Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure'''- On this interactive adventure, guests use a "F.O.N.E." (Field Operative Notification Equipment) to help Agent P. stop Dr. Doofenshmirtz, by looking for clues throughout World Showcase. The adventure is based on the Disney cartoon Phineas and Ferb. '''[[Frozen Ever After]]'''- This On this boat ride takes where guest , guests are invited to celebrate a special “Summer Snow Day” with Elsa, Anna, Olaf and other characters from Frozen.

'''[[Maelstrom]]'''- This boat ride attraction took guests on a historical tour of Norway. The ride began within the ancient folklore of Norway’s past, and ended in modern times. Along the way guests encountered trolls, fell down a waterfall, and sailed through a North Sea storm. Maelstrom operated from July 5, 1988 until October 5, 2014.

'''[[The Spirit of Norway]]'''- This travelogue film allowed guests to get an idea of what the many things that "modern" Norway had to offer. Guests viewed the film after exiting Maelstrom. The Spirit of Norway film was shown from July 5, 1988 until October 5, 2014.

'''Creating the World Gods of Frozenthe Vikings'''- Found inside the pavilion's Stave Church, Creating the World Gods of Frozen the Vikings showcases how authentic Viking artifacts, which help teach guests about the culture Viking gods Thor, Odin, Freyja and aesthetics of Norway influenced the creation of FrozenLoki.