Very good article, Jim!  I wonder why more countries weren't interested in becoming part of the World Showcase.  I'm still hoping that more countries will eventually be added.

I can't picture World Showcase being at the Ticket and Transportation Center.  I think I may have misinterpreted it...the TTC isn't Epcot, so why would they have wanted to put World Showcase there?  Or would that just have been a temporary World Showcase?  

Great article, Jim. I've never actually heard this story before ... very interesting!

you would think that in today's world with mass globalizaition that it wouold be EASIER to have countries sign on and finally build some new countries in Epcot.

World Showcase has always been my favorite part of  WDW.

This feels like only the beginning of the story.  This did not explain at all why there aren't more countries in the World Showcase.  I enjoyed the article until it abruptly ended.  Maybe you should tell the whole story instead of trying to stretch it out.

Very good article. Some thoughts I had as I read. This was mid 1970's. Could you imagine the protests at the house of the mouse in 1979 at the Iran pavillion building site after the hostage crisis erupted. how about current protests at the Saudi Arabia or Venezuela pavillions every time gas prices go up. I think that WDW has to consider these issues with any long term showcase member. I don't think they want a permanent place for protestors to assemble. Just my opinion.

I remember reading somewhere that Brazil didn't get in because it would have to support its pavillion. And if today it'd already be pretty hard, back then it was really impossible.

I never went to Epcot's World Showcase and I really want to. Hopefully I'll get to visit. Maybe by then, there will be a South Korea pavilion and a North Korea Pavilion (closed off from guests of course) right behind it.

Jim could you explain what countries were asked to contribute.  There must be a reason they weren't interested beyond "didn't feel like it".  Very good article otherwise.

I love World Showcase!  But as long as I've been going to the park (since it opened; I live in Tampa), I've never heard nor have I known anyone who's referred to it as World Showcase.  It's always been: The Countries.  As in: "Wanna go eat in The Countries?".  "Let's do The Countries first!". "At three o'clock, let's all meet up at The Countries.".  I just find it amusing and interesting, that's all!  :^)

Let's not forget the plans for Equatorial Africa and it's subsequent TV special hosted by Danny Kay and Alex Haley (what a shame that was).  Then there was the plan for Isreal and Spain.

You know, these parks have all changed from their original concepts but EPCOT really stands out from the rest!  I find it fascinating.

Hooper said: "I love World Showcase!  But as long as I've been going to the park (since it opened; I live in Tampa), I've never heard nor have I known anyone who's referred to it as World Showcase.  It's always been: The Countries."

I've always called it the World Showcase!  But I'm not local and call it by what Disney has labeled it, I guess.  This was some interesting new info Jim, thanks!

Very interesting.  I have been to WDW 25 times over the past 30 years and I have never heard of World Showcase referred to as "The Countries".  It has always been World Showcase when I have heard, read or talked about it.