Somebody signed a deal with a foreign broadcaster - yawn. It doesn't take an advanced degree, it takes a pen.

Disney Co can add any pavillion it wants to EPCOT right now - today - no negotiations. They can add Beastly Kingdom without talking in any foreign languages.  Villains Volcano can bubble up on the remains of 20K. They just need to part with some cash. If they don't want to do that, then they have to provide some return on investment for the outside sponsoring company. Today all those sponsoring companies also employ folks that went to business school, and they know, or can easily find out, Disney Co doesn't really put as much effort into maintenance as it once did. It's the same old thing - quality sells. Parallel Universe Example - Tokyo Disneyland has no problem getting corporate sponsors, since the sponsors know they will be associated with quality. When dealing with the TDL folks, you just don't hear the excuse, "we can't do it cause we don't have the $$$ or we don't have a sponsor."

Regardless of the pretty pictures, if it gets off the drawing boards (thanks to hiring new imagineers so they can quickly be fired at the end of the project) you'll get faux buildings, a gift shop, a restaurant, and (gasp) a film. AA figures are no longer an option at the new Disney Co.      No thanks.

Save the multiple roundtrip business class tickets and fix the huge number of things in WDW that don't need multi-national cooperation.

Sounds interesting But I have an idea for a pavillion. How about this: "Walts Original Idea for Epcot Pavillion."

If they actually manage to add a quality pavillion, I don't care what country it is.

If they want authenticity, have a shop in the pavillion that sells pirated cd's for pennies, a few self important machismo oligarchs in Hummers and shiny suits, a group of loud men projectile vomitting vodka, and, uh, a number of "working girls" offering services in the area.  Disagree with anything in the pavillion and you get the rubber gloves/garden hose treatment from one of Mr. Putin's friends.  Yeah, and a Borat ride... that would rock.

I'd have to agree with curmudgeon. We here in the states usually get the short end of the stick when it comes to really great new attractions.

China is just as much a threat as Russia if not more and it has a pavillion. If what I've seen recently in some of the new attractions then what we'll get is more plug and play or clones. No new ideas. Cheap.  

Just a side note before I get to my comments, Jim ... I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to call Russians "Soviets" anymore ... that was a term used strictly to describe them during the communist reign ... there are no more "soviets" to the best of my knowledge ...

Anyway ... if they do it right, great. I welcome it and I'll certainly attend. If they follow the Disney Decade plan and install a show that sounds similar to American Adventure and a ride through ... great.

But they won't ... we'll get a pavilion of some sort, a restaurant that now accepts the Disney Dining Plan (tip not included), three gift shops that sell faux Russian fur hats, and MAYBE a movie. Or maybe not ... most of the pavilions in WS have no attractions at all save for gift shops and overpriced restaurants.

Or even worse ... maybe they'll slap together some "interactive" disaster like the new ending for Spaceship Earth!

Anything that will help de-stagnate the World Showcase section of Epcot would be welcome.

Agreed, Pickstar on the whole "Soviets" thing. That was one of my first thoughts when I read this piece.

As for some others comments, was EE done that long ago that no one remembers what WDI can do with a clean slate? While I agree that their rehabs may be hit or miss  (HM vs. SSE) they can still deliver on some great, immersive attractions if given the opportunity (and budget).

Hopefully this isn't just another look at a "blue sky" concept that never leaves WDI's offices. I think it would really be a great addition to the WS.

I hope that the Epcot Pavillion gets made- it'd be exciting to have a new country to visit in Epcot.  I agree, though- please have an attraction, be it a movie, ride, or an informational walk-through.  Please just provide the guests with something that doesn't require purchasing food or a gift.

I really don't understand the trash talking on the new Spaceship Earth.  I've ridden it twice and enjoyed it both times.  Somebody explain the problem to me because I really don't get it.  The narration is funny.  The animation at the end could be better but it's entertaining.  The AA's are WAY better and the new scenes are cool.  What's the problem?

Oh, and a Russian pavillion would ROCK!  Just expand Illuminations again along with it.

Tuckenie said:

"I really don't understand the trash talking on the new Spaceship Earth.  I've ridden it twice and enjoyed it both times.  Somebody explain the problem to me because I really don't get it.  The narration is funny.  The animation at the end could be better but it's entertaining.  The AA's are WAY better and the new scenes are cool.  What's the problem?"

What's the problem??? How about the fact that entire descent portion consists of staring at a circa-1970 Jetsons looking cartoon with some pointless "interactivity" excercise? How about the fact that the walls are nothing but black curtains?? How about the fact that, after the top of the ride, there is NOTHING to look at??

And you call the narration "funny"??? Yeah ... exactly ... that's part of the problem too. They took what used to be a majestic and inspiring Jeremy Irons narrative and replaced it with that insipid, condescending, blather that Judy Dench spouts off (no offense to Ms. Dench intended ... I'm sure she didn't write it).

Virtually 100% of the people I've talked to who rode it hated it. It literally looks like they ran out of money when they hit the top of the ride and just slapped some piece of crap together to keep you entertained on the descent.

Horrid ... the worst attraction re-do WDI has done since Imagination ... or Stitch ... I can't decide which is worse ...

As long a there's an AA of Nikita Kruschev banging his shoe on a table and shouting, "I vant to see Disneyland," I'm cool.  

I don't mean to sound like a naysayer, but haven't we heard all this before? I mean, not too many months ago, supposedly Australia was being considered. More recently, there were rumours to adding a big, new attraction to Japan. And then, a couple of years ago they were supposedly in talks with Spain for a pavillion.

Sorry Jim, I really enjoy reading these kinds of stories, but I'm really not buying it anymore. How many times can we read stories like these, and then nothing comes of it? I know there are LOTS of loose threads involved in bringing some of these projects to fruitiion and actually getting them off the ground. But, it's wild stories like these that never turn out to be anything that makes others chuckle or roll their eyes when the name "Jim Hill" is mentioned on other sites. I'm really hoping that one day, one of these stories actually turns into something tangible. Until then, I'll just remember to leave reality at the door when I come to this site.

On a similar related to Epcot note. I had a thought about Epcot and World Showcase, and wondered why it's so stagnant. Why can't it be refreshed more often? Why aren't more countries involved? You would think that the tourism councils from other countries would be dying to get some sort of presence in World Showcase to attract American dollars to their country. You would think that Disney could easily sell or lease space to the tourism councils to set up "mini" pavillions within World Showcase. Didn't they do something like this with Millenium Village back when they were doing the 2000 celebration. From what I saw and remember of Millenium Village, I thought it was a neat idea. I thought something like that could make a great permanent type of attraction where they would have different countries that would set up booths and advertise their counrty.

"Unfortunately, the Soviet Union itself collapsed in 1991"

!?!??!!?

What ARE you talking about?:)

Mind you, mind me, mind everybody, the Soviet Union was not a very fun country. Somewhat like Nazi Germany.

There's nothing unfortunate about something like that collapsing.

Not even when a themepark attraction doesn't get build because of that.

Mind you.

"Sorry Jim, I really enjoy reading these kinds of stories, but I'm really not buying it anymore. How many times can we read stories like these, and then nothing comes of it? I know there are LOTS of loose threads involved in bringing some of these projects to fruitiion and actually getting them off the ground. But, it's wild stories like these that never turn out to be anything that makes others chuckle or roll their eyes when the name "Jim Hill" is mentioned on other sites. I'm really hoping that one day, one of these stories actually turns into something tangible. Until then, I'll just remember to leave reality at the door when I come to this site."

SO, AH.... JIM ISN'T SUPPOSED TO REPORT ON THESE THINGS UNTIL CONCRETE IS BEING POURED?   THAT'S NOT THE WAY JOUNALISM WORKS.  SORRY TO BURST YOU BIG BEAUTIFUL DISNEY BUBBLE BUT THE COMPANY IS LIKE SO MANY OTHER AMERICAN CORPORATE GIANTS; THEY START PROJECTS, WASTE MONEY ON THEM AND LOOSE INTEREST OR TOO MUCH TIME PASSES AND IT MAKES THE PROJECT UNFEASABLE.

Interesting reactions to this story.

1. Just because something doesn't wind up happening does not mean it's either A) Jim's fault or B) He shouldn't have mentioned it. One of the cool things about this site is the behind the scenes info. I, for one, enjoy hearing about the things the company is thinking about doing.

2. When Jim says, "Unfortunately, the Soviet Union itself collapsed in 1991", maybe he just meant how it must have affected the people. Yes, the change was for the better... but it doesn't make the transition any easier for those going through it. When your government is in transition, the economy is in the toilet, sections of the (former) country are splitting off... I feel okay saying it was unfortunate for the people to go through.

Or maybe he just meant that it was unfortunate for EPCOT.

3. I am happy with the possible addition to World Showcase... IF they do it right. If it indeed is just some fake facades, a store, and a resturaunt... then count me completely against it.

You can't rip Jim for reporting rumors ... I mean that's one of the main reasons his site exists.

People need to understand how WDI operates. They frequently have projects that they pursue that, for one reason or another, don't come to fruition. I'm quite sure Jim only reports rumors that he feels are credible (I find it hard to believe he isn't deluged with dozens of rumors on a daily basis).

Yes, his track record (or more appropriately his sources' track record) hasn't been good lately, but he's just doing what a Disney webmaster does ... he reports what he hears. The rumor stuff, regardless of whether or not it ever materializes, is one of the main reasons I visit JHM.

Now stories like the one about the HM script changes the other day ... that was overdone and a little misleading. Those kinds of stories I can do without. And I will say I'm still struggling to figure out why Jim is avoiding the Spaceship Earth story.

It'll be interesting to see who in Russia has the stability and deep enough pockets to sign on as sponsor, WDW usually asking for a minimum 10- to 20-year commitment. Aeroflot? Gazprom? Governments generally have done little for the pavilions other than offer their stamp of approval. To my knowledge, only one WS pavilion has been built without commercial sponsors signing on, that being Morocco.

"SO, AH.... JIM ISN'T SUPPOSED TO REPORT ON THESE THINGS UNTIL CONCRETE IS BEING POURED?   THAT'S NOT THE WAY JOUNALISM WORKS.  SORRY TO BURST YOU BIG BEAUTIFUL DISNEY BUBBLE BUT THE COMPANY IS LIKE SO MANY OTHER AMERICAN CORPORATE GIANTS; THEY START PROJECTS, WASTE MONEY ON THEM AND LOOSE INTEREST OR TOO MUCH TIME PASSES AND IT MAKES THE PROJECT UNFEASABLE."

No,  but how about some real news with real facts instead of "lets re-run the Spain story from a couple of years ago and change the country and make up some "inside" source quote so we can have something new on the front page today". Or how about finishing all the promised articles that keep getting recapped in Coming Soon articles but never seem to materialize...

"Lifthill said:"

Wow ... thanks for the contribution ...

Pickstar:  "What's the problem??? How about the fact that entire descent portion consists of staring at a circa-1970 Jetsons looking cartoon with some pointless "interactivity" excercise? How about the fact that the walls are nothing but black curtains?? How about the fact that, after the top of the ride, there is NOTHING to look at??"

Honestly I thought the cartoons were entertaining.  However they ARE still working on them because now they take your picture and plug it into the cartoon, which makes it even funnier so don't judge till you've seen the finished product.  And of course there's nothing else to look at, they want you watching the cartoon!

Pickstar:  "And you call the narration "funny"??? Yeah ... exactly ... that's part of the problem too. They took what used to be a majestic and inspiring Jeremy Irons narrative and replaced it with that insipid, condescending, blather that Judy Dench spouts off (no offense to Ms. Dench intended ... I'm sure she didn't write it)."

This is more of a subjective matter of opinion.  I find the Judi Dench narration more entertaining and the old Irons' narrative boring so to each his own. :shrug:

Pickstar: "Virtually 100% of the people I've talked to who rode it hated it. It literally looks like they ran out of money when they hit the top of the ride and just slapped some piece of crap together to keep you entertained on the descent.

Horrid ... the worst attraction re-do WDI has done since Imagination ... or Stitch ... I can't decide which is worse ... "

Well everyone in my family loved it so dock down your "100%" down a few percentage points.  Whatever eight people would represent in your polling.  And worst attraction re-do since Imagination?  Well I'm not exactly sure what's been done since that atrocity but comparing this to Stitch is just silly.  I mean that...  whatever you want to call it is the worst thing ever put in a theme park!    At the WORST this is about 80% as good as the Haunted Mansion job and it's not finished yet!  Maybe you should give it another shot in six months or you just really LOVE the old Spaceship Earth but I find this one way more interesting and entertaining.  I mean I used to so bored on that ride I once made a phone call when it broke down near the top. (I had four bars!)  So to each his own but I still say it's no atrocity.

if this is true i am glad that a new pavilion is being added.  A russion pavilion would be nice then maybe this will generate interst to start filling in the rest of the gaps on the aging world showcase.

There are a couple of backstage expansion pads ready for attractions to be added to some countries.

I too think the "Soviet" comment in the article is odd. I hope that isn't some wishful thinking on your part. The Soviet's made the Nazi's look like a warm up party. 20 million dead under Stalin alone, yea, there is a pavilion I want to see.

What's the first attraction? Wait in the bread line. Fun and games with the KGB. Or how about rest and relaxation in the Gulag?

Give me a break.

Now a Russian pavilion is a different story.

Maybe Jim's mention of the "Soviets" means that Disney is not the only place he has inside sources...Russia and Belarus are about to reunite, who knows what may come next...

I'm wondering where this pavilion may go. In between China and Germany would be perfect, because Russia is geographically so big that is it actually in between Germany and China, but who knows. Hopefully they don't try to shoehorn it between Japan and Morocco or any other smaller pad.

Could be interesting.

As for Spaceship Earth, I'm very mixed.

I give the rehab a B+.

The ride portion looks great, as do the AA's. And the new scenes are a VAST improvement over what was there, and I have no problem with the naration.

Now the descent is bad. The idea of the cartoon should be a post-show thing (although it is a modicum more entertaining when the picture effect works)

But, the descent doesn't kill the rest of the rehab for me at all.

I'm pretty sure Jim's use of "Soviets" was simply a result of his synonym-happy writing style, like how Ratatouille is always "this Brad Bird film" from Pixar ("the Emeryville-based studio").

It's not a very good attempt at a synonym, and it stood out to me, but that's what I chalked it up to.

If Jim didn't report on possibilities to the parks, then everyone would be screaming that his page is no more than anyone could get at any other media outfit.  And I am sure that is not what people want.

Concepts, talks, and negotiations by their very nature will not come to pass 90% of the time.  I'm very surprised that some people here don't understand that . . . Grumpyfan, do you or the company you work for take action on every single solitary thought that gets mentioned publically?  No?   . . . .   Hmm, maybe we should chuckle and roll our eyes at you then.  Sound good?  How about you, Megadisney?  Never brushed off an old idea and given it new consideration only to take no action, or had an idea for something you wanted to do and put it on the backburner?  I thought you might, so let's point at you and tell you how worthless you are, shall we?

It's very simple, kiddies, if you don't like the idea that Disney doesn't go through with everything they think about, or that Jim is kind enough to tell folks about MAYBES and POSSIBILITIES that just end up not happening through no fault of his own, then stick to the official Disney website.  It'll still be wrong sometimes, but at least then you'll be taking your words out at the right company.  No one holds a gun to your head and makes you come here every day.  ;)

I can think of a number of countries that would make for beautiful and interesting pavilions. Countries that aren't run Cold War-style by quasi-dictators like Putin.

@GrumpyFan: I also miss Millenium Village.  The space is still available; I would like to see some sort of rotating exhibit.  An "Innoventions-in-World-Showcase" sort of thing - with food, of course. :D

Ooh, I hope this does end up panning out. However, I too am wondering where this pavilion will be placed. Did it say in the article and I missed it, or did it not?

Also, I liked the additions to Spaceship Earth, and I held the old one very near and dear to my heart. But no matter how near and dear it was to me it was in desperate need of a refurbishment. I also liked the little animation bit at the end with the "choose your own future" thingy. Also everyone in my group enjoyed the new ride and the animation bit as well.

Oh please, who cares what the government is doing? When I visit a pavilion, I'm thinking of that country's architecture, culture and history. Not about its government. That's not what Disney is about, nor should it be a deciding factor on whether a pavilion is built. The whole point of World Showcase is to show how unique, yet similar we are in this world; bone-headed politicians be damned.

Now speaking strictly from my layman position on all things Disney, it seems to me that if Russia wants a pavilion that is as compelling and charming as Norway, then they need to make certain it has ride. Not a movie, not a show. But a charming ride reflective of some aspect of the better parts of its culture.

I care.

Then, I have to ask, what difference does it make? World Showcase is about celebrating the world's diverse culture. Not quibbling over the temporary politics of an ephemeral political figure whom people will forget about in five years. The country is no less beautiful, no less educational, and no less worthy because of him. Why should every one else pay the price for Putin's politics?

Jim, thanks for all that you do to keep us Disney fans abreast of the latest happenings at WDI.  You asked what we thought, so here's my take not only as a fan, but as a company shareholder, too.  (Hey, theme park profits made up close to 40% of revenue last year--we need to invest in our domestic parks--especially with European tourists coming to the United States due to the weak dollar!)

Looking at Google Earth, it seems that there are four slots still available for new pavillions in World Showcase.  (Possibly more, but some support buildings would need to be demolished and relocated to clear other slots.)  I am all for Disney corporate spending money to add the first major addition to World Showcase since Norway and Malestrom (I think that I'm right about this--late 1980's was the construction??).  After all, I'm sure that Disney is well aware that Universal's IOA will be adding the new Harry Potter world by late 2009, and I'm hoping that marvelous project by Universal may work in our favor... forcing the higher up's at Disney to announce some major expansions--just as they announced some for the Disneyland Resort a few months ago.  I hope the Russia pavilion is one of those choices, and I HOPE THAT IT WILL HAVE AN ATTRACTION/RIDE, not just restaurants and shops.  I agree with my fellow Disney enthusiasts, as they  mentioned in their comments, the WDI masterminds need to add a major ATTRACTION to this new Russia pavillion, and not just some buildings, as nice as the architectural design may be.

I have to commend Bob Iger on his first few years as CEO, because it seems that he has focused on quality, not quantity... and I think he is moving the company back to Walt's vision of what a family company should be... going back to his original vision of Disneyland.  My hope is that this Russia pavillion will be one of those QUALITY achievements, and not just a few more shops and a restaurant for the sake of QUANTITY.  But WDI can only envision and carry out what corporate management allows it to do in regards to spending.  I hope that an ATTRACTION comes with the finished product!!

We could use another pavillion as well... what happened to Australia?  I would get very excited to see construction on two pavillions at the same time, each with E-ticket attractions (or at least a ride of some sort) instead of films!  Epcot still ranks in attendance as one of the top 5.  World Showcase is almost 20 years overdue for new construction, to keep it competitive and well-visited.  Invest well for the future of the parks, please!  Bring on one or two new pavillions!  If not now, when??

World Showcase is a major yawnfest. Pretty? Yes. And the scale is so small that grand places in the world become sideshows with cliche portrayals of the countries. And NOTHING to do but eat and watch movies. Of course that is very popular at WDW as I have observed.

Maelstrom and the Rio ride are not exactly great, but they both have a movie! Thankfully you can walk past the Norway movie.

This entire section needs more rides. If the only way they will add rides is to add new pavillions, great! Do it. Poor EPCOT needs help. It is morphing into something else in futureworld so it would be nice to add new countries and ride to World Showcase.