New Country at Epcot???

[SafetyMouse]

I was reading an article on the D23 site about Harper Goff. At the end it says that

Today he is back at WED working on the German and Iranian Pavilions for EPCOT World Showcase.

This is the first I have heard about an Iranian pavilion. Does anyone have more info?

D23 | Disney.com

[aimster]

I highly doubt it. Maybe they meant Italian... and we already have Italy.

[Coastierox]

And I seriously doubt Iran would want anything in America...

[WDW1974]

Uhm ... ah ... considering the man died in 1993 (I believe) that would be quite the feat.

Either you misread and it was talking about him working on those pavillions (and there was serious work done on an Iran pavillion in the 70s) way back when or they have one whale of a typo.

~Marc Davis is working on a new Pirates for Shanghai DL too!~

[SafetyMouse]

Okay so I jumped to conclusions. On the previous page it says "From "The WED Way" newsletter, dated June 10, 1977." So congrats WDW1974 on your EPCOT knowledge.

[WDW1974]

Okay so I jumped to conclusions. On the previous page it says "From "The WED Way" newsletter, dated June 10, 1977." So congrats WDW1974 on your EPCOT knowledge.

Thanks ... that makes much more sense.

~If we can dream it then we 'could' do it ...now, not so much.~

[TDLFAN]

Well, if you guys want to experience a new country, then drive 20 mins east of EPCOT Center to Kissimmee. It's like spending two hours in Puerto Rico, without the beaches.

[tloolgb]

Haha. *sigh*

Are you complimenting it or not?

Downtown Kissimmee scares me...how we can be soooo close to a mega-theme park destination and yet so far back in time...I don't think I'll ever know.

[Coastierox]

Well, if you guys want to experience a new country, then drive 20 mins east of EPCOT Center to Kissimmee. It's like spending two hours in Puerto Rico, without the beaches.

Last time I was there it was more like Mexico...

[Angie_Duke]

Downtown Kissimmee scares me...how we can be soooo close to a mega-theme park destination and yet so far back in time...I don't think I'll ever know.

It frightens me too, it's Hick's Ville USA mixed with crumbling, tacky tourist attractions (Home of the Future anyone?) and a general seediness/sleaziness that makes the local Wal-Mart and Medieval Knights look like the White House and Buckingham Palace.

Drive back to WDW or Celebration as fast as you can!

[DisneyIPresume]

I almost forgot. Harper Goff was the set designer for Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory -- I think the article says this too.

He designed the first large room with the chocolate river. I heard somewhere that the actors had never seen this room before, and the scene of them looking awestruck as they enter the room is their actual reaction to this set. It was even more amazing in person.

That man was a genious!

[MarkTwain]

Yeah I remember reading a lot about the planned Irani pavilion a while back, although the website escapes me... it was some Disney history site, try Google. It was one of many proposed pavilions along with the Equatorial Africa pavilion (scrapped and replaced with the African outpost), an Israel pavilion, and the Venezuela pavilion. Iran was to be quite the pavilion as well... it was supposed to be very large, and to feature an elaborate bazaar and a boat ride. It was dropped because of change in regime in Iran, and the new government wouldn't support the sponsorship. Israel was dropped because of concerns of political tension, and I'm not sure why Venezuela fell through. IMO Epcot could use that last one most since it has no representation of South America.

[MiklCraw4d]

Iran was indeed designed in the 1970s for EPCOT. Marty Sklar showed artwork of the pavilion at the EPCOT 25th event - it was a mix of ancient Persian architecture and some modern styling. He told the story of them going to pitch the pavilion to the Shah and just as the agreement was reached for sponsorship the Islamic revolution began and the Shah was deposed...

[TravisMT81]

Last time I was there it was more like Mexico...

Then you are not aware of the differences between a Mexican and a PR. The Mexicans are in Winter Garden.

[TDLFAN]

Very true Travis. (BTW.. nice new pic )

It frightens me too, it's Hick's Ville USA mixed with crumbling, tacky tourist attractions (Home of the Future anyone?) and a general seediness/sleaziness that makes the local Wal-Mart and Medieval Knights look like the White House and Buckingham Palace.

The Home of the Future was bulldozed a couple of years ago and nearby (across from that Super Target, now the area has a Gay owned and operated resort, with cute buildings in different bright colors.

Drive back to WDW or Celebration as fast as you can!

..and be a tacky tourist or Stepford resident?