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I just had a realization when I walked into the World Showcase coming from the front gate. Our neighbors to the North(Canada) and our neighbors to the South(Mexico) are the first lands to welcome you to the World Showcase.

Wow! That's a great point! I hadn't ever thought of that. Very cool!

Meanwhile, the American Adventure is surrounded by Italy, Germany, and Japan. Now, I’m no historian, but... lol.

It would be interesting if there’s info out there on the layout and who/why/where, etc.

I spent some good time out on the web down this rabbit hole; however, couldn't find anything that could confirm or deny the intent of the order of the pavilions. Some suggested that the American Pavilion is because it's center directly with spaceship earth and we'll that means we think a lot of ourselves as the United States.

This is a good read on Epcot: https://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html

I’ve often thought that was done purposefully but then could never quite figure out a pattern after that!

CH-GenX wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 2:25 am I spent some good time out on the web down this rabbit hole; however, couldn't find anything that could confirm or deny the intent of the order of the pavilions. Some suggested that the American Pavilion is because it's center directly with spaceship earth and we'll that means we think a lot of ourselves as the United States.

This is a good read on Epcot: https://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html

It was by design that America was directly opposite Spaceship Earth. It was also designed for Canada and Mexico to be the start points for the World Showcase. It was also by designed that the water at the International Gateway would separate France from the UK. After that design flew out the window. There is no reason for Norway to be between Mexico and China for example.

The history of EPCOT is rich with change...some generated internally by Disney...and some as a consequence of external forces.

The American Pavilion was actually going to be the gateway to the World Showcase, coming from Future World...and there was even a time when the spacing for country pavilions was going to be the same for each country, though what was on the 'other side' of the entrance might vary.

Here's a nice article courtesy of the "Laughing Place" that offers a bit of insight:

https://www.laughingplace.com/w/article ... ase-epcot/

Enjoy!

jm1670 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:35 am

CH-GenX wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 2:25 am I spent some good time out on the web down this rabbit hole; however, couldn't find anything that could confirm or deny the intent of the order of the pavilions. Some suggested that the American Pavilion is because it's center directly with spaceship earth and we'll that means we think a lot of ourselves as the United States.

This is a good read on Epcot: https://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html

It was by design that America was directly opposite Spaceship Earth. It was also designed for Canada and Mexico to be the start points for the World Showcase. It was also by designed that the water at the International Gateway would separate France from the UK. After that design flew out the window. There is no reason for Norway to be between Mexico and China for example.

I would note that Norway and Morocco were additions after the park opened-- they had to go wherever they could fit.

But, yeah, there's no real rhyme or reason to the arrangement except the ones you mentioned. Of course, that only leaves four pavilions (Japan, Italy, Germany, and China) that opened with the park that could have been moved around, and I can't think of any arrangement that necessarily makes more sense (you could move Japan closer to China, but then you risk people confusing the two and you likely lose the cool sight line with the torii gate).

Toria wrote: ↑Sat Feb 06, 2021 5:13 pm I just had a realization when I walked into the World Showcase coming from the front gate. Our neighbors to the North(Canada) and our neighbors to the South(Mexico) are the first lands to welcome you to the World Showcase.

Great observation, never thought of that!

ChrisC wrote: ↑Sat Feb 06, 2021 8:16 pm Meanwhile, the American Adventure is surrounded by Italy, Germany, and Japan. Now, I’m no historian, but... lol.

It would be interesting if there’s info out there on the layout and who/why/where, etc.

Yes, I noticed this.

We usually enter through the International/Friendship gate. I did comment last time I was there that France and UK are still across a channel from each other.

Wow! Great call! I was always floored that the United States Pavilion was surrounded by it’s adversaries in World War II. Germany, and Italy to the left and Japan and German controlled Morocco and France to the right.