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What would one day become Although the Norway pavilion began in 1978 as the Denmark pavilion. Denmark was one of the original concepts for World Showcase, with the idea that it would be not present on the park's Scandinavian representative. Between 1978 and 1982 howeveropening day, the pavilion went through a lot shortage of changes. Before EPCOT Center’s opening the pavilion was dropped, reinstated, and moved next to the China pavilion. Eventually, it was decided that Denmark would open with Phase II of Epcot, which was scheduled to take place shortly after the park opened. Due to the fact that restrooms in World Showcase needed more led Disney to create Danish themed restrooms however, some were built in on the planned location of plot allocated for Denmark, with the idea that the other buildings rest of the pavilion would eventually be constructed built around themthese structures. One year later, in 1983, the Washington Post reported that Disney was still in discussions with LEGO about sponsoring the pavilion <ref> http://progresscityusa.com/2010/01/27/neverworlds-lost-lands-of-lego/ </ref>.

By late 1983 , however, plans for the an autonomous Denmark pavilion had been cancelledwhere shelved in favor of a new "Scandinavian Showcase". Instead On October 3, it was decided 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 would open , 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= "Scandinavian ShowcaseLou" which > http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/04/lou-mongellos-walt-disney-world-wayback-machine-the-epcot-that-never-was scheduled for 1987/ </ref>. The Aesthetically, the Scandinavian Showcase pavilion was designed by WED and "Norman International"- one of Oslo's largest construction companies. Due to the fact that most be made up of architecture from all three of the funds were coming represented counties. Egeskov Castle and houses from Norwegian sourcesOdense and Copenhagen would represent Denmark, plans for the pavilion changed once againStockholm Stadshus and buildings from Gamla Stan would represent Sweden, and in June of 1985finally Bryggen i Bergen and Akershus Festning would represent Norway <ref name="Korkis"/>. By 1984, it was announced that plans for the pavilion would be named "Norwaywere were nearing completion, Gateway to Scandinavia"with a planned opening date of 1987 <ref name= Lou/>.

The original Of the three countries that were to make up the Scandinavian Showcase, only Norway provided the funding necessary to create the pavilion was designed with 58. Because of this,000 sq. ftthe focus of the pavilion shifted away from Scandinavia as a whole and solely to Norway. At this time, the name of interior spacethe pavilion changed to "Norway: Gateway to Scandinavia". This area was then divided up into storesIn order to fund the pavilion, an exhibitionorganization named NorShow as formed by the Norwegian companies: Aker, a restaurantNorsk Data, and EPCOT Center’s first thrill rideNorway Foods, Den norske Creditbank, Det Norske Veritas, Frionor, Kosmos, Vesta Group, Selmer- SeaVentureSande, SAS and VARD <ref name="Korkis"/>. The plans for SeaVenture called for an interior boat ride attractionTheir funding, on which guests would encounter trolls an gnomes as they searched combined with contributions from the Norwegian government, raised $34 million dollars for a rainbow bridge to Valhalla (an earlier idea would have had guests traveling through a day in the life of a Viking)pavilion. This storyline however paid for more than two-thirds of the pavilion's cost, with Disney picking up the rest. The Norway pavilion was deemed too shortthen 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 concept was expanded pavilion's lighting. The other World Showcase pavilions were wired to include a history trip grid that took guests 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 folklore of Norway[[Mexico]] and [[Canada]] would suffice, all Disney knew better, but was unwilling to pickup the way cost (assuming that NorShow would cave) <ref name= "Korkis"/>. With neither entity willing to modern timesbudge, Norway was built without the nighttime lighting given to the other World Showcase pavilions. The thrill part [[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 attraction Norway pavilion was planned officially dedicated by Crown Prince Harald V and his wife Sonja. The opening ceremonies were broadcast in prime time to come from a new ride system where all of Norway on the boat’s direction could be reversed during the ridestation NPK. At the dedication Harald V declared:

Construction began on the Norway pavilion on May 27{{Quotation|"Ladies and gentlemen, 1986. Over wishing the next two years, the pavilion began best of luck to take shape around Disney World and those who will be responsible for the original 1982 Denmark restroom building. When complete, the pavilion consisted operation of a Stave Church (which holds various exhibits), a counter service restaurant named Kringla Bakeri OG Kafe, the table service Akershus, as well a series of interlinked stores including the Puffins Roost and Fjording. The pavilion’s attraction was renamed Maelstrom shortly before the pavilion opened, and it, along with the rest of I hereby declare the Norway pavilion opened to guests on May 6, 1988open. On July 5, of that year, the pavilion was officially dedicated, with Crown Prince Harald on hand for the festivitiesThank you"}}

Since When Norway opened, the pavilion openedfeatured 58,000 sq ft of interior space <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=648 </ref>. When complete, Norway has seen consisted of a few significant changes. The exhibits inside the Stave Church have been updated over (which holds various exhibits), the years original 1982 Denmark bathrooms, a counter service restaurant named [[Kringla Bakeri OG Kafe]], the table service [[Restaurant Akershus]], and a series of interlinked stores including the live band “Spelmanns Gledje” which once played in Puffins Roost and Fjording <ref name= "Martin"/>. The star of the pavilion no longer appears, however, was the not yet operational [[Maelstrom]] attraction. The most recent change came in 2008EPCOT Center's first thrill ride, Maelstrom would not welcome its first guests until July 5th <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/maelstrom/ </ref>. Initially, when the outdoor playground shaped like boat ride attraction was to be titled SeaVenture, and early in its development the Viking Oseberg ship plot was removedto 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 a trip through the country's history, beginning in folklore and ending in modern day Norway<ref name= "Martin"/>. After disembarking from [[Maelstrom]], guests could watch the [[Spirit of Norway]] film, before exiting into the pavilion's shops.

Outside of changes to the pavilion's Stave Church exhibits, the first major change to the Norway pavilion occurred in 1992, when NorShow ended their sponsorship of the pavilion. At this time, the Norwegian government assumed sole sponsorship of the pavilion, contributing $200,000 a year until ending their sponsorship in 2002. Since 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:norwayentranceCoutryard.jpg|200px400px|thumb|The entrance to Maelstrom2016 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>.

===Sponsorship Following the massive success of the Pavilion=2013 Disney film "Frozen", the Norway pavilion began to be infused with characters from the film. The integration of 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="yesterland"/> and Frozen merchandise began to appear in the pavilion's shops. Subsequently, on October 5, 2014, both [[Maelstrom]] and the [[Spirit of Norway]] closed in order to make way for a new Frozen attraction titled [[Frozen Ever After]]<ref> http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-farewell-to-norway-maelstrom-ride-at-epcot-20141005-story.html </ref>. During the renovations, the Norway pavilion was also expanded into an adjacent lot in order to facilitate the construction of a new Frozen meet and greet. This new area, which opened June 17, 2016, features a small courtyard consisting of [[Anna and Elsa's Royal Sommerhus]] (the meet and greet), the Wandering Reindeer shop, a small stage, and expanded restrooms <ref name="yesterland"/>.

* SelmerOn June 21, 2016, Frozen Ever After officially opened to guests <ref> https://d23.com/a-Sande Constructionto-z/frozen-ever-after/ </ref>. On the new boat ride attraction, guests take a tour through the kingdom of Arendelle on a “Summer Snow Day”, with Queen Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and friends.

* Vesta==Attractions=='''[[Frozen Ever After]]'''-Gruppen Insturance/FinanceOn this boat ride, guests are invited to celebrate a special “Summer Snow Day” with Elsa, Anna, Olaf and other characters from Frozen.

* Det Norske Veritas Marine Insurance * Frionor Norsk Frossenfisk Seafood * Norsk Data Technology * Norway Foods LTD  Note: SAS, the largest Scandinavian airline also sponsored "The Spirit of Norway" film which guests see after exiting the Malestorm.  In 1992, all of the sponsors sold their stake in the pavilion to Disney, and the pavilion has remained without a sponsor. Beginning 1992 the government of Norway agreed to give Disney $200,000 a year, however they choose not to renew their contract in 2002. ==AttractionsExhibits== '''[[The Maelstrom]]Gods of the Vikings'''- This boat ride attraction takes guests on a historical tour of Norway. The ride begins within Found inside the ancient folklore pavilion's Stave Church, Gods of Norway, and ends in modern times. Along the way guests will encounter trolls, fall down a waterfall, and sail through North Sea storm. After going on the rideVikings showcases authentic Viking artifacts, which help teach guests have about the option of viewing the "Spirit of Norway" filmViking gods Thor, shown in the post show.  '''Disney Phineas Odin, Freyja 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. Doofesnshmirtz, by looking for clues throughout World ShowcaseLoki.

'''Restaurant [[AkershusRoyal Banquet Hall]]'''- This buffet style restaurant serves traditional Norwegian foods. Since In 2005, Restaurant Akerhus became a character dining location where guests can also meet various Disney princesses while they eat.

'''[[Kringla Bakeri og Kafe]]'''- This counter service restaurant specializes in pastries and sandwiches. The restaurant also features both indoor and outdoor seating.

'''Puffin's Roost'''- This large store sells all kinds of authentic Norwegian merchandise. Here guests can by items ranging from viking helmets to perfume and everything else in between! ==Characters==Norway's Restaurant Akershus features various Disney princesses. What princesses guests see during their visit varies, but some characters are more common then others. '''Marry Poppins''' Marry Poppins can usually be found at Restaurant Akershus(Common). '''Princess Aurora'''- Aurora, from Sleeping Beauty can usually be found at Restaurant Akershus(Common). '''Snow White'''- Snow White can also usually be found at Restaurant Akershus(Common).[[Image:Vikingstatue.jpg|200px|thumb|The statue of Olaf II, king and Patron Saint of Norway, located outside of the Stave Church.]] '''Ariel'''- Ariel occasionally appears at Restaurant Akershus (Uncommon). '''Belle'''- Belle can occasionally be found at Restaurant Akershus (Uncommon). '''Jasmine'''- Jasmine, from Disney's Aladdin has been known to appear at Restaurant Akershus, though not very frequently (Rare).

* The Norway pavilion's dedication was broadcast all over Norway.<ref name= "Spence"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/01/norway_pavilion_part_one_1.html </ref>

* The Stave Church that serves as the focal point of the pavilion was based on Gol Stave Church in Norway, which dates back to 1212.<ref name= "Spence"/>

* Outside of the church, guests can see a statue of Olaf II, king and Patron Saint of Norway.<ref name= "Spence"/>

* The backdrop of the Norway Pavilion pavilion is based on Akershus Fortress which was built in Oslo in the year 1290.<ref name= "Spence"/>