Early on Epcot Center struggled to get sponsors to sign on to build World Showcase pavilions in the new park. We already discussed with Scandanavia how they turned to attempt multi-nation pavilions to split the cost among several nations in hopes of stull attaining sponsors. But this was not the only time they tried it. They also took this approach to attempt a middle eastern World Showcase pavilion.
Today we are exploring the planned but never built Arab Nations pavilion at Epcot Center. Be sure to check out the full Epcot Center's Cancelled Attractions here.
Similar to Scandanavia, the proposed Arab nations pavilion was focused on a region stretching from Northern Africa to Iran, including countries like Egypt that all shared a similar heritage.
This pavilion would be at least partially indoors and feature several restaurants and shops on top of one major ride-through attraction.
The ride would have been a suspended dark ride (think Peter Pan's Flight) taking place on a flying carpet guided by a genie. Keep in mind that this was developed long before Aladdin was ever even in development at Disney.
This ride would have taken guests on a journey through the history of the nations included as well as the various developments that they added to world culture throughout history.
The pavilion as a whole would have a similar fate to Scandanavia, as a single nation, Morocco, would come along and want a pavilion solely dedicated to their country. It would be just as intricately designed, but lack the dark ride that had been initially planned for the composite country pavilion.
It is interesting to speculate on how this pavilion would have evolved with political issues regarding some of the host countries. Also how the ride inevitably would have been rethemed into an Aladdin attraction.
We ended up getting a similar pavilion, but this version would never get built and will almost definitely never come to Epcot.
Would you have liked to see the Flying Carpets attraction? Let us know in the comments below! Also, be sure to check out the rest of this series here. Be sure to come back next week as we explore Epcot's never built, Equatorial Africa.
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