WALT DISNEY QUOTE

"All cartoon characters and fables must be exaggeration, caricatures. It is the very nature of fantasy and fable.”

-Walt Disney

 

This quote explains how fantasy and fables are different in their portrayal than realistic fiction. Fantasy and fables, by definition, must be exaggerated. Fantasy utilizes real world elements to provide a foundation for the magic to build upon. Medieval fantasy has the classic standbys of knights, kings, castle etc with a layer of magic and dragons to enrich the experience. A realistic movie of the medieval cannot include this. In fables, character traits are exaggerated to teach a lesson. Over the top is more memorable, thus an extreme liar reinforces the fable on honesty. Walt Disney understood this perfectly.

WORLD SHOWCASE ADDITIONS (MY PICKS)

My Additions to the World Showcase of EPCOT

While the World Showcase is a wonderful display of cultures and a much more efficient example of harmony than the UN, its lineup has been the same since the era of Reagan. Many vocals of displeasure have risen up from continents not included in the experience. Most notably, South America and Africa (Yes, I know Morocco is in Africa but its culture is Middle Eastern), have had supporters championing their causes and I have long been in the ranks for World Showcase expansion. According to Yesteryear (a site documenting Disney history), there is plenty of room for new countries and in fact several of my ideas were once considered.

ISRAEL

Israel was originally considered and even had announcements hawking its arrival to EPCOT. However, it was never built and the Holy Land remains without a presence in EPCOT. The plans called for amphitheater to hear music and a restaurant to taste the delicious favors of EPCOT. Alas, what could have been?

My plans for Israel would be an olive grove, a replica of the Temple or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a restaurant, statues to Israel’s greatest citizens, a Dead Sea water ride and a museum with artifacts from Israel. This outline would cover the major ingredients of the stew that is Israel. It would offer thrills, chills and an appreciation of the Jewish nation.

Will an Israeli pavilion ever happen? At this point, I severely doubt it. Israel is cast as a pariah in the media and the moment that Disney would announce the construction, the supporters of Palestine would mobilize social media with hashtags and threats of boycotts. It is extremely disappointing. Israel has one of the richest cultures in the world and would make an excellent addition to the World Showcase. Quite frankly, the complaints of any dissension should be ignored. Germany and Japan committed some of the evil deeds ever done in World War II and they were correctly added. No nation is perfect (and Israel is right in their actions, IMO). Focus on the culture and the history.

RUSSIA

I am using the Russian imperial flag because it is superior to the current bland design. Russia is another one of those nations with concept art that never quite made it to EPCOT. Maybe Epic Mickey 3 could visit those lands? Yes, Soviet Union Russia was on the drawing board, Walt, most likely, would have disagreed. He was a strict anti-Communist.

My outline for Russia contains a huge replica Orthodox Church with historical icons, a wax museum of the tsars of Russia, a folk band, a Russian train ride from the Baltic to Siberia and then on the way back, it is a high speed thrill. Finally, a restaurant showcasing all tastes of Russia would be available for reservations.

Will Russia ever be built? Maybe after Putin is not longer kicking butt, er, I mean in office. Relationships between Russia and America have been icy since the Communists took charge. Even after the Soviet Union toppled and disbanded, Russia and the USA aren’t backyard BBQ buds. With Putin revealing his aspirations of expansion, a Russia expansion, ironically, seems unlikely. The Soviet Union was a horror show like Nazi Germany and Japan in WW2; however, Germany and Japan have moved on and reformed. Russia still has its scarring from the Mongol invasions and needs to show its strength. Hopefully, the Russian pavilion someday will take its place. Eastern Europe needs a headliner.

 

 

 

 

 

 ETHIOPIA

Once again, I decided to use a retired flag to represent a country. Ethiopia is known as the Lion of Judah and the lion must roar. Interestingly, the Hussite or other Christian lambs hold holy objects in the same stance. Isaiah 11:6 is right yet again. Central and Southern Africa needs a country that shows off its culture and the Outpost is not enough. Ethiopia was one of two countries not colonized during the Race to Africa, Liberia was the other. In fact, it beat off an Italian attempt in the 1890’s, which explains the Italian conquest in the 1930’s. It was also surrounded by numerous Muslim countries that attacked, for one of those wars, Portugal (that is surprising team up!) helped and using gunpowder beat off the invaders. Ethiopia, also, supposedly has the Ark of the Covenant. Lots of history for a country that is now best known for hunger jokes.

My plans for Ethiopia include a restaurant serving the finest dishes from the country, a museum displaying its tenacity for independence against bigger nations, a band playing traditional music, and finally a super headliner ride coaster ride in a race for the Ark of Covenant. It doesn’t need to include Indiana Jones, especially since Raiders of the Lost Ark took place in Egypt. The track would weave and dodge through the mountains with special effects galore.

Would Ethiopia be considered? Hard to tell. EPCOT originally had advertisements for Equatorial Africa and the Outpost and both of those concepts take all the elements of Africa into a blender. This may be due to the perception of most people that treat Africa as one giant country or that the savanna receives most of the attention. Ethiopia would make a fine addition for several reasons. Animal Kingdom already covers the safari aspect of Africa. Ethiopia offers a view of Africa’s independence and a chance to expand outside of the limiting stereotypes.

 

 

 

 

 

PERU

Out of all the available countries to pick from South America, Brazil would probably earn the nod because of its prestige, size, influence, and its desire to be a world player. I am a born contrarian and thus Peru is my selection. I swear that The Emperor’s New Groove has little to do with my decision. Ok, it has a decent amount. Peru also offers an amazing mountain range and we all know that Disney does mountains extremely well. The Brazilian rain forest can go in the South American part of Animal Kingdom.

My Peruvian plan includes a restaurant highlighting the best dishes of Peru, a folk band, a museum explaining the heroic sacrifice behind the flag, character meet and greet with Kuzco in a glorious throne room and a slow boat ride through an Inca temple with a twist.

As I wrote before, Brazil is the most likely candidate for a South America expansion but I think that I made a good case for Peru. Peru fits in with the mountain motif and offers another chance for characters which my other picks do not and neither does Brazil.