Changes

What would one day become the Norway pavilion, began in 1978 as the Denmark pavilion. Denmark was one of the original concept concepts for World Showcase, with the idea that it would be the park's Scandinavian representative. Between in 1978 and 1982 however, the pavilion went through a lot of changes. Before Epcot's EPCOT Center’s opening the pavilion was dropped, reinstated, and moved next to the Chinapavilion. It Eventually, it was eventually decided that Denmark would open with phase two Phase II of Epcot, which was scheduled to take place shortly after the park opened. Since Due to the fact that World Showcase needed more restroomshowever, some were built in the planned location of Denmark, with the idea that the other buildings would be constructed around them. By 1983 however, plans for the pavilion changed. It was decided that Norway, Sweden, and Denmark would open in the "Scandinavian Showcase" which was scheduled for 1987. The pavilion was designed by WED and "Norman International", one of Oslo's largest construction companies. Due to the fact that most of the funds were coming from Norwegian sources, plans for the pavilion changed once again. In June of 1985, it was announced that the pavilion would be named "Norway, Gateway to Scandinavia".

The By 1983 plans for the Denmark pavilion was designed with 58,000 sq ft of interior spacehad been cancelled. This area Instead, it was then divided into storesdecided that Norway, an exhibitionSweden, a restaurant and Epcot's first thrill rideDenmark would open in the "Scandinavian Showcase" which was scheduled for 1987. The attraction pavilion was titled designed by WED and "Sea VentureNorman International", and it- one of Oslo's initial concept called for a log flume attraction on which guests would encounter trolls an gnomes as they searched for a rainbow bridge to Valhallalargest construction companies. The storyline however, was deemed too short. The idea was then expanded Due to include a history trip the fact that took guests from the folklore most of Norway all the way to modern times. The thrill part of funds were coming from Norwegian sources, plans for the attraction pavilion changed once again, and in June of 1985, it was planned to come from a new flume ride system where announced that the boat direction could pavilion would be reversed during the ridenamed "Norway, Gateway to Scandinavia".

The original Norway pavilion was designed with 58,000 sq. ft. of interior space. This area was then divided up into stores, an exhibition, a restaurant, 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 an gnomes as they searched for a rainbow bridge to Valhalla (an earlier idea would have had guests traveling through a day in the life of a Viking). This storyline however was deemed too short, and the concept was expanded to include a history trip that took guests from the folklore of Norway, all the way to modern times. 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.  Construction began on the Norway pavilion on May 27, 1986. Over the next two years, the pavilion began to take shape around the original 1982 Denmark restroom building. When complete, the pavilion consisted of a Stave Church (which holds various exhbitsexhibits), a counter service resturant restaurant named Kringla Bakeri OG Kafe and , the table service Akershus, as well a series of interlinked stores including the Puffins Roost and the Fjording. The Norway pavilion is also home to a restaurant, Akershus, and the pavilions pavilion’s attraction which was renamed "The Malestorm" Maelstrom shortly before opening. The the pavilion opened, and it, along with the rest of the Norway pavilion opened opened to guests on May 6, 1988 and it was officially dedicated on . On July 5, of that year. On hand for , the dedication pavilion was officially dedicated, with Crown Prince Harald, as well as traditional Norwegian dancers. on hand for the festivities Since the pavilion opened, Norway has seen very a few significant changes. The exhibits inside the Stave Church have been updated over the years and the live band, Spelmanns Gledje, no longer plays “Spelmanns Gledje” which once played in the pavilionno longer appears. The most recent change came in 2008, when the outdoor playground shaped like the viking Viking Oseberg ship was removed.  [[Image:norwayentrance.jpg|200px|thumb|The entrance to Maelstrom]]