Why EPCOT Doesn't Have a Brazil Pavilion Despite Having Many Brazilian Visitors

EPCOT, located in the Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, is home to a World Showcase that features pavilions from different countries around the world. However, one might wonder why there isn't a Brazil pavilion, given that many of the foreign visitors to EPCOT are Brazilian. This article aims to explore the reasons behind the absence of a Brazil pavilion at EPCOT, by examining the process of creating these pavilions and the business arrangements that underpin their presence.

Understanding the Process of Creating EPCOT Pavilions

The creation of pavilions within EPCOT is not based on the number of visitors from a particular country. Rather, it is a business arrangement between Disney and the respective countries' tourism departments. These pavilions serve as promotional platforms for the participating countries, allowing them to showcase their cultural heritage, cuisine, and tourist attractions to a global audience. The primary cost of maintaining and operating these pavilions is borne by the foreign entities, thereby ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship for both Disney and the countries involved.

Why No Brazil Pavilion?

Several possible reasons could explain why EPCOT doesn't have a Brazil pavilion: Approach or Financial Constraints: The pavilion's absence could be due to Brazil never having approached Disney or being unable to afford the associated costs. Space Constraints: In the early stages of EPCOT's development, Disney had to make difficult choices about which pavilions to include. Brazil may have been considered but ultimately deemed less valuable than other pavilions included in the park. Strategic Decisions: Disney makes strategic decisions based on a variety of factors, not all of which are driven by visitor numbers or economic contributions.

Historical Presence of a Brazil Pavilion

Interestingly, there was a brief period in 2013 where a Brazil pavilion existed at EPCOT. This pavilion was initially signed up for the 2022 eating pavilions. However, the group did not partake in the Brazil pavilion's menu, choosing instead to visit other food booths such as the Canadian, German, and Japanese pavilions. This temporary presence of the pavilion highlights the ever-evolving nature of EPCOT and the potential for future changes.

Advocacy for New Pavilions

There are ongoing efforts to add new pavilions to the World Showcase. For instance, there has been a significant demand for a Colombian pavilion, primarily to provide a home for Encanto and offer fans of the movie meet-and-greets and food options. However, for new pavilions to be added, there typically needs to be a significant cultural or economic contribution from the respective country.

Conclusion

The absence of a Brazil pavilion at EPCOT is a result of complex business and strategic decisions rather than a lack of interest from the Brazilian government or their people. While Brazil has not invested in a pavilion so far, this could change in the future if there is a compelling reason for it.

Thanks to ongoing efforts and evolving visitor demographics, the World Showcase may continue to adapt, possibly including additional countries in the future. Stay tuned as the dynamic world of EPCOT continues to evolve!