Germany
| Germany | |
| |
| The Germany pavilion's plaza at night. | |
| Epcot | |
| Land | World Showcase |
|---|---|
| Opening date | October 1, 1982 |
| Number of Attractions | Zero |
| Number of Restaurants | Two |
|
| |
Germany is a pavilion located within World Showcase in Epcot. It is located between the China and Italy.
Pavilion History
While the Germany pavilion was one of the original concepts for World Showcase, the pavilion that opened with the rest of EPCOT Center in October of 1982 was very different than its original design. Initially, Imagineers had planned on constructing a boat ride attraction titled “Rhine River Cruise” which would have taken guests on a historical tour (down the Rhine River) where they could experience Germany’s history and culture [1]. Along with the feature attraction, plans for the Germany pavilion also called for a tourism area which would have held small exhibits along with a travel agent who would help guests plan a trip to Germany [2]. While neither the Rhine River Cruise nor the tourism area was a part of the Germany pavilion by opening day, a large show building was constructed for the River Cruise's loading and unloading areas, with the idea that the attraction would open at a later date as a part of EPCOT Center’s Phase II [1]. According to the 1982 book “Walt Disney's Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow”:
"The future River Ride promises to be as enjoyable as it is informative. An early concept has visitors boarding a "cruise boat" for a simulated ride down the Rhine and other rivers, the trip affording a visual impression in miniature of the cultural heritage of Germany's past and the highlights of its present. Among the detailed models envisioned are scenes in the Black Forest, the Oktoberfest, Heidelberg, the industrial Ruhr Valley . . . the possibilities are limited only by the planners' imaginations." [3])Although sans the Rhine River cruise and the tourism area, the German pavilion did open with the rest of EPCOT Center on October 1, 1982. The pavilion was themed to look like a German plaza in Bavaria set in eternal Oktoberfest [2]. The plaza features include a large clock tower, a central fountain which is guarded by a statue of St. George (the patron saint of soldiers) and a dragon, as well as various storefronts [2]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/2012/2/17/rhine-river-cruise-mysteries.html
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/10/germany_pavilion_part_one.html
- ↑ Beard, Richard R. Walt Disney's Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow. New York: Harry N. Abrams,, Publ., 1982. Print.
