Germany Pavilion at Epcot
| Germany Pavilion | |
|---|---|
 |
|
Entrance to the Pavilion
|
|
| Epcot | |
| Area | World Showcase |
| Coordinates | 28°22′05″N 81°32′49″W / 28.36806°N 81.54694°WCoordinates: 28°22′05″N 81°32′49″W / 28.36806°N 81.54694°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | October 1, 1982 |
| General statistics | |
| Attraction type | Themed Pavilion |
| Theme | German Village |
The Germany Pavilion is a German-themed pavilion that is part of the World Showcase, within Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, United States. Its location is between the Chinese and Italian pavilions.
The original design of the pavilion called for a boat ride along the Rhine river. It was to have focused on German folklore, in a similar manner to Norway's Maelstrom. According to the Walt Disney Company's 1976 annual report, the ride was to be " ... a cruise down Germany's most famous rivers — the Rhine, the Tauber, the Ruhr and the Isar. Detailed miniatures of famous landmarks will also be seen, including one of the Cologne Cathedral."
Additionally, although not necessarily meant to accompany the Rhine cruise, the other idea for a ride at the Germany pavilion was the Matterhorn Bobsleds (technically located in Switzerland, however) just like at the Magic Kingdom in Disneyland.
Though the building was built, Disney did not complete the ride construction by opening day. It was announced to be part of "phase two" of expansion. To avoid costs, Disney dropped all phase two attractions and decided that any expansion projects would only be allowed if the host country funded them. Due to a lack of funding, the ride building is now used as storage space. You can see the main entrance hall, as it is now the dining area for the Biergarten. The ride building is used for storage for floats, a workshop, and cast member rehearsal space.
The Germany Pavilion is designed to look like a German town, but with architecture from different eras and regions. The Platz (square) is decorated with a statue of St. George and the Dragon inspired by the statue in the medieval Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and a clock tower. The Biergarten, at the rear of the courtyard, sells traditional German food. The pavilion also has numerous small shops selling German goods, including dolls and cuckoo clocks. The area near the pavilion is decorated by an extensive model village with working model trains.
...
Wikipedia