“Lost Attractions” is a recurring feature on Uncle Walt’s Insider, where we shine the spotlight on planned attractions that were never built.
Rumors are flying once again about pavilions being added to EPCOT Centre’s World Showcase, the “permanent world’s fair.” No specific plans have been announced, but as our reader poll below shows, front-runners for the new pavilion include Guam, Cleveland, and Morocco.
But to us, the most interesting rumor is for a pavilion based on the Vatican City — because a Vatican pavilion was actually planned for when Epcot opened!
Fans in high places
Most people are aware that the late Pope John Paul II was a Disney fan, but you may not realize just how much of a fan he was. In fact, before he took orders as a priest, the future pontiff worked as a Disneyland Cast Member. The outgoing young Karol Wojtyla was a natural fit wearing the plaid of guest relations, often giving tours of the park in his native language to groups from California’s large Polish community.
Even after being named as Pontifex Maximus, John Paul II would regularly venture to Walt Disney World for extended visits. Other guests seldom recognized him in street clothes, even with his trademark white, gold-embroidered Mouse Ears.
So when E.P.C.O.T. was planned, a Vatican City pavilion seemed like an obvious fit for the park. The plans were said to include a replica of St. Peter’s Square, an “Escape from the Sistine Chapel” dark ride, and Goofy and Donald appearing dressed in the bright colors of the Swiss Guard.
So what happened?
Of course, we know that the Vatican pavilion never materialized — but why? Some suggest conflicts with Walt Disney’s Protestant upbringing; but of course he was dead then so that couldn’t have been the issue.
In fact, it was the College of Cardinals which convinced Pope John Paul II to reluctantly cancel the plans — not because of any concerns over frivolity or spiritual issues, but because of size. The cardinals realized that the Vatican pavilion, once built, would be over 50% larger than the actual country of Vatican City!
We are now several decades and two popes later, and the Vatican is again rumored as a pavilion at Epcot Center. Has the opinion of the leadership changed? We shall see!
Would you like to see a Vatican pavilion? Comment or vote below!
Need more Uncle Walt’s in your life? Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and tell everyone you know (plus a few strangers) how wonderful (and humble) we are!
Cover photo, an artist’s rendering of the Vatican pavilion at Epcot; public domain, courtesy Pixabay.
