Can Anyone Confirm This?

[Sparrowni2010]

I heard a rumor that in EPCOT, they are taking out the African portion and putting in Australia...if this is the case, this would be amazing because it has always been an idea of mine to add Australia ever since I went when I was 12...I drew out designs and everything! Of course, my version was in the center of the lagoon with the Sydney Harbor Bridge to get you across to it but it did get a bit confusing once it came time to do Illuminations Anyway...any confirmation on this rumor would be fantastic!

[SamIAm717]

Obviously, I can't confirm it, but I think it would be good if they stuck strictly to the wonders of Australia, the bridge, the Sydney opera house, Ayer's Rock, etc. However, if this is just a way to sneak more Nemo into Epcot, I might be a little upset.

Nothing against Nemo, I love the little guy, but I don't want to see him in the WS too!

[Sparrowni2010]

My idea was so cool....I wonder what I ever did with it lol...it had a petting zoo on it with wallabees, koalas, kangaroos, and wombats....the Opera House, where you could view a film about Australia...um, like I said, the Syndey Harbor bridge would take you to the island from one half...and boats would take you off from the other half...it was very in depth...espeically for a 12 year old haha......I think I showed it to an Imagineer once, but I can't remember

[FutureImagineer]

There are many other countries that would fit well in WS also, we really do not need any more European countries though. I don't think there are any left. Nothing against them but they represent about 50% of the WORLD'S showcase...
haha

[ChampDisney]

To be honest I did not hear any rumor regarding on a World Showcase land of Australia. Infact, what I did hear was a bunch of rumors of an Australia land in Animal Kingdom which has been discussed here many times. And I rather see it go to the Animal Kingdom because there is a lot of wildlife in Australia so I think it makes a better experience.

[satijp]

During the food & wine fest last year, I believe they had Aussie snacks and a wine tasting in that Africa area. Maybe that's part of the rumor start up

[tasha36]

But no-one can confirm or deny it yet???
IMHO WS needs India....I love the culture and the food!

[Hiddenmickeyboy]

I don't think there is an African Portian in WS.

[Justin M]

It's just a little 'outpost' that sells some hand carved animals. It isn't a full pavilion.

[MandaBella]

I think a South American country would be a great addition.

North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa are represented in some capacity.

[ChampDisney]

I really want to see Isreal make it's way to the World Showcase.

[fortuosity]

I think I'm the only person who wants Poland (Except for Poles, that is)

I think Australia would fit fine in AK but I don't know where they'd put it. Not really enough room for an entirely new land, unless they take out that DinoRama thing.

I'm hoping for Brazil to be the country to represent South America. And mabey, possibly Antarctica.

[Sparrowni2010]

they can't do Antarctica...nobody lives there except scientists and it's not like they have any culture there we can learn.

[MainStreet, USA]

I don't think there is an African Portian in WS.

It's just a little 'outpost' that sells some hand carved animals. It isn't a full pavilion.

Don't forget Morocco! That's on the African continent.

Let's see, so far we've got
Mexico = N. America
Norway = Europe
China = Asia
(Outpost) = Africa
Germany = Europe
Italy = Europe
American Adventure = N. America
Japan = Asia
Morocco = Africa
France = Europe
United Kingdom = Europe
Canada = N. America

So out of 7 continents (I use 7 because that's the way I was taught back in elementary school, although I acknowledge that there is some degree of variation in these teachings depending on where and when you were taught), we have Europe represented 5 times, North America represented thrice (that means three times), Asia represented twice, Africa respresented once (or twice if you count the refreshment outpost). South America, Australia, and Antarctica arent represented at all. Of course, one could also argue that regions such as Central America or the Middle East also don't have representation, but I'm just using the 7 continents.

So just 4 out of 7 continents are represented, and 5 out of 11 of the WS countries are European. So I guess it's fair to say that if indeed a new country were to become part of the World Showcase, it should probably be something other than another European nation, huh? That's actually kind of a bummer to me though... not that there aren't interesting facts and cultures to be learned from all over the world, but there are just so many fascinating little countries in Europe alone that I would love to see and learn more about, especially some of the smaller and lesser talked about Eastern European nations that many people forget exist unless they are from that region or particularly into geography.

But now that I've written all that, to bring this ALL the way back to the topic which started this thread... No, I have not heard anything, not even a rumor, of any new country going into the World Showcase.

[Minnie_Mouse007]

Don't the countries have to agree to some sort of contract or something like that?