Epcot's World Showcase features countries from all around the world showcasing a variety of architectural styles, cultures, food, merchandise, entertainment, and attractions from all around the world. But there remains to this day one region of the world without any World Showcase representation, South America. But that is not to say that there have not been plans for it to be included throughout the years.
Welcome to Epcot Center's Cancelled Attractions a series here at TPE where we explore never built rides, attractions, and pavilions from Disney World's second theme park. Be sure to check out the full series here. Today we are exploring the never built Venezuela Pavilion.
Epcot has long looked to add a South American country to its rankings. One of the most consistent rumors is a Brazil themed pavilion being added to the park, but this is far from the only South American country that was considered.
One pavilion that got close to being built was that of the country of Venezuela.
The pavilion planned for this country was planned to be split into two major sections.
On one half would have been a modern-themed courtyard featuring the restaurants and shops of the pavilion based on its present success.
The other side would have featured a look at its natural wonder and cultural history from both pre and post being a European colony.
It is the second section that would feature the main attraction of the land, a suspended dark ride. This was themed as a transportation system similar to the present-day Skyliner that would take you on a historical journey through the past of Venezuela. It would have featured both inside and outside sections and have moved vertically throughout the ride.
This would have been different from other pavilions as a it would have significantly featured modern architecture. Most World Showcase countries feature a historical look at the country, and the modern architecture may have made the pavilion feel dated should the architectural trends featured in the pavilion fall out of use. By going historical it creates a timelessness that lends itself to the longevity of theme parks. Focusing on the present forces you into a limited time of appeal before updates are desperately needed.
This pavilion would have featured some wonderful additions to the park and brought in a whole new culture to be represented. The exact reasons for its cancelation remain unknown, but based on the timeline of its cancelation, in the early days of Epcot being planned, it was likely due to a lack of a sponsor. Many pavilions were planned before and shortly after Epcot opened in the hopes of attracting a sponsor, but ultimately scrapped when one did not arise.
Epcot remains without a South American country to this day, and due to long-standing political problems in the country, Venezuela will almost definitely never come to the park.
Be sure to check out the rest of this series here. Also, make sure you come here next week to check out the next part of this series, the Netherlands Pavilion.
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