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What The history of what would one day become be known as the Norway pavilion , actually began its development in 1978 as the Denmark pavilion<ref name= "Martin"/>. Denmark was one One of the World Showcases' original concepts for World Showcase, with the idea that it would Denmark pavilion was initially going to be the parkScandinavia's Scandinavian representative. Between 1978 and 1982 however, in the pavilion went through a series of changespark. Before [[EPCOT Center’s openingCenter]] opened in 1982 however, plans for the pavilion was were dropped, reinstated, and then moved next around World Showcase Lagoon (at one point the pavilion was to the be located where [[China pavilion]] sits today) <ref name= "Martin"/>. Eventually, it was Disney decided that the Denmark pavilion would open with be built at a later date, as part of EPCOT Center's Phase II of Epcot, which was scheduled to take place shortly after the park opened. Due to the fact that World Showcase needed more restrooms however, some were built in the planned location of Denmark, with the idea that the other buildings would be constructed around them.

By 1983 plans for Although the Denmark pavilion had been cancelled. Instead, it was decided that Norwaynot present on the park's opening day, Sweden, and Denmark would open a shortage of restrooms in the "Scandinavian World Showcase" which was scheduled for 1987. The pavilion was designed by WED and "Norman International"- one of Oslo's largest construction companies. Due led Disney to create Danish themed restrooms on the fact plot allocated for Denmark, with the idea that most the rest of the funds were coming from Norwegian sources however, plans for the pavilion changed once againwould eventually be built around these structures. One year later, and in June of 1985 it 1983, the Washington Post reported that Disney was announced that still in discussions with LEGO about sponsoring the pavilion would be named "Norway, Gateway to Scandinavia"<ref> http://progresscityusa.com/2010/01/27/neverworlds-lost-lands-of-lego/ </ref>.

The original Norway pavilion was designed with 58By late 1983,000 sq. ft. however, plans for an autonomous Denmark pavilion where shelved in favor of interior spacea new "Scandinavian Showcase". This area was then divided up into stores On October 3, an exhibition1983, Disney announced that it had reached an agreement with Scanshow A/S (a restaurant, and EPCOT Center’s first thrill ridesubsidiary of the Norwegian company Selmer- SeaVentureSande and Kloster) to create the new pavilion <ref name="Korkis"> https://www. The plans for SeaVenture called for an interior boat ride attractionmouseplanet.com/11423/The_Story_of_the_Norway_Pavilion_Before_Frozen </ref>. Scandinavian Showcase, on which guests would encounter trolls represent Norway, Sweden and gnomes as they searched for a rainbow bridge Denmark, was to Valhalla (an earlier idea would have had guests traveling through a day be built in -between the life of a Viking). This storyline was deemed too short however[[France]] and [[United Kingdom]] pavilions, with Imagineers Claude Coats and Tim Brunner tasked with heading the concept was expanded so project <ref name= "Lou"> http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/04/lou-mongellos-walt-disney-world-wayback-machine-the-epcot-that it now included a history trip that took guests from -never-was/ </ref>. Aesthetically, the folklore Scandinavian Showcase pavilion was to be made up of Norway, architecture from all the way through modern times. The thrill part three of the attraction was planned to come represented counties. Egeskov Castle and houses from a new ride system where 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 boat’s direction could be reversed during the ridepavilion were were nearing completion, with a planned opening date of 1987 <ref name= Lou/>.

Construction began on Of the three countries that were to make up the Scandinavian Showcase, only Norway provided the funding necessary to create the pavilion on May 27, 1986. Over the next two yearsBecause of this, the focus of the pavilion began shifted away from Scandinavia as a whole and solely to take shape around the original 1982 Denmark restroom buildingNorway. When completeAt this time, the pavilion consisted name of a Stave Church (which holds various exhibits)the pavilion changed to "Norway: Gateway to Scandinavia". In order to fund the pavilion, a counter service restaurant an organization named Kringla Bakeri OG KafeNorShow 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 table service Restaurant AkershusNorwegian government, as well a series raised $34 million dollars for the pavilion. This paid for more than two-thirds of interlinked stores including the Puffins Roost and Fjordingpavilion's cost, with Disney picking up the rest. The pavilion’s attraction Norway pavilion was renamed Maelstrom shortly before 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 opened'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 it[[Canada]] would suffice, along with Disney knew better, but was unwilling to pickup the rest of 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 opened to guests began on May 627, 19881986, when Minister Kurt Mosbakk laid the pavilion's foundation. On July 5When constructing the pavilion, Norway's exterior was overseen by architect Birger Lambertz-Nilsen, while the interior was under the responsibility of that yearUlla S. Ujort. On June 3, 1988, the Norway pavilion was officially dedicated, with by Crown Prince Harald V and his wife Sonja. The opening ceremonies were broadcast in prime time to all of Norway on hand for the festivitiesstation NPK. At the dedication Harald V declared:

Since the pavilion opened{{Quotation|"Ladies and gentlemen, Norway has seen a few significant changes. The exhibits inside wishing the Stave Church have been updated over the years, best of luck to Disney World and those who will be responsible for the live band “Spelmanns Gledje” which once played in operation of the pavilion no longer appears. Furthermore, in 2005 Restaurant Akershus began to offer character dining. The next change came in 2008, when I hereby declare the outdoor playground shaped like the famous Viking ship “Oseberg” was removedNorway pavilion open. Thank you"}}

On October 5When Norway opened, 2014 Maelstrom and the Spirit pavilion featured 58,000 sq ft of interior space <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=648 </ref>. When complete, Norway film located in consisted of a Stave Church (which holds various exhibits), the 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 Puffins Roost and Fjording <ref name= "Martin"/>. The star of the pavilion, however, was the not yet operational [[Maelstrom]] attraction. EPCOT Center's exit closedfirst thrill ride, Maelstrom would not welcome its first guests until July 5th <ref> https://d23. The com/a-to-z/maelstrom/ </ref>. Initially, the boat ride will be replaced with an attraction based was to be titled SeaVenture, and early in its development the plot was to 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 2013 Disney film country's history, beginning in folklore and ending in modern day Norway<ref name= "FrozenMartin"/>. ===Sponsorship of After disembarking from [[Maelstrom]], guests could watch the Pavilion===[[Image:Vikingstatue2.jpg|200px|thumb|A statue of Olaf II- King and Patron Saint Spirit of Norway]]In order to add a new pavilion to World Showcasefilm, Disney required 30 million dollars to come from outside sponsors. The following companies contributed to before exiting into the Norway pavilion's creation:shops.

* SelmerOutside 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: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-Sande Constructionlove-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>.

* 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 Frozen Ever After, the Norway" film which guests see after exiting the Maelstrompavilion 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.wdwmagic. Following that sale, the government of Norway agreed 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[[Frozen Ever After]]'''- On this interactive adventureboat ride, guests use are invited to celebrate a "F.O.N.E." (Field Operative Notification Equipment) to help Agent P. stop Dr. Doofenshmirtzspecial “Summer Snow Day” with Elsa, Anna, by looking for clues throughout World Showcase. The adventure is based on the Disney cartoon Phineas Olaf and Ferbother characters from Frozen.

[[Image:FrozenEverAfter.jpg|400px|thumb|Frozen Ever After opened to guests in 2016]]'''[[Maelstrom]]'''- This boat ride attraction takes took guests on a historical tour of Norway. The ride begins began within the ancient folklore of Norway’s past, and ends ended in modern times. Along the way guests encounter encountered trolls, fall fell down a waterfall, and sail sailed through a North Sea storm. Maelstrom operated from July 5, 1988 until October 5, 2014.

'''[[The Spirit of Norway]]'''- This travelogue film allows allowed guests to get an idea of what the many things that "modern" Norway has had to offer. Guests can view viewed the film after exiting Maelstrom. The Spirit of Norway film was shown from July 5, 1988 until October 5, 2014. ==Exhibits=='''Gods of the Vikings'''- Found inside the pavilion's Stave Church, Gods of the Vikings showcases authentic Viking artifacts, which help teach guests about the Viking gods Thor, Odin, Freyja and Loki.

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

'''[[Kringla Bakeri og Kafe]]'''- This counter service restaurant specializes in pastries and sandwiches.

* 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"/>