The EPCOT that never was- and the Epcot that could have been. Fully realized in the image posted toward the end of this article. Why am I holding off showing it up front and making you only glance at Harper Goff's rendering right now? Because you've got to understand it and why it was created to fully appreciate what you'll see. Let's start at the beginning, shall we?
All we've got is the Epcot we have, but it wasn't always like this. There was once a great vision for Disney's second park in Florida. Leave it to those original Imagineers to come up with the best ideas... and here is one of the ones that's still great even if it din't make the cut.
So much detail to be seen here in this concept art. Imagineer Harper Goff created this beautiful rendering of an EPCOT we will never see. If you click on this huge piece of concept art and look at it closely, you'll find the Netherlands and other unbuilt and interesting design choices.
This is somewhat of a water based Epcot, if you'd like. It's even more of an urban style showcase than what was eventually built, focusing on classic, romantic architecture as the centerpiece of each pavilion. There's lots of side streets and nooks and crannies to explore. Certainly, the park would have a bustling but intimate feel with its contrasts of open plazas and smaller courtyards and walkways to explore.
It is very Eurocentric- I can only see China and perhaps Japan in the upper right hand side of the park, perhaps that is Morocco slightly south of those. What I don't see is a U.S.A. pavilion. Do you? Aside from the Mexican temple, I do not see anything for South America or Africa- nor can I find Canada. Maybe you can. Front and center in the middle of the large lake, the classic architecture you'd come to expect looks seamlessly blended into more modern structures. (You'll get a better idea of what I mean when you see my piece showcasing the never built Netherlands area.)
In my mind, I'd add something really needed: an "underground" Metro system including stops at strategically placed locations around the back end of World Showcase. Think of Disneyland's and the Magic Kingdom's railroad system and how effective it is. How compelling would it be in suspending disbelief to enter a station in Paris at the back of a pavilion by walking down the stairs or a ramp, getting on the train and then coming back up at a similar station in London? Or German? Or a host of other locations? You could even have the train appear above ground at certain points for atmosphere and realism. Four stations should cover the around that circles the World Showcase Lagoon. (It would actually circle back around itself so the tracks could remain behind in backstage areas.) For guest convenience, the Metro would minimize walking great distances plus provide something fun to do.
Now, back to the park's water features. In the rendering, instead of just World Showcase Lagoon, you find a main lake plus a smaller one that hosts a Romanesque amphitheater for an evening show. There's canals as well- and if you look closely, an early version of what looks like a World Cruise attraction where there looks to be show scenes built under the bridges. (If it sounds like what was planned for California's Westcot, it does to me as well! Look at that article including Tony Baxter's ideas here.)
The man was clearly inspired and quite successful at what he did, but I do not see much room for expansion aside from what could be easily removed structures on the West and East sides of the park. Perhaps this is why the design that was finally built was chosen. (I really do have to finish that "If I Built Epcot" article. I have one great idea that no one seems to have used yet...)
A simple monorail station seems to sit at the entrance of his park with a large square plaza beyond the entrance gates. Inspired by or vaguely reminiscent of what is now found at the end of the Future World path to the lagoon.
OK, here it is! The fully realized AI created version based on the concept art and sketches of the man. It's beautiful!
Would Harper's EPCOT work? Most likely it would. I'm sure there's a fascinating story to be told as to why this version of the park was bypassed in favor of what was built. Could it be the suits had plans for massive expansions and many more countries to be represented? History- and Disney's own documents and concept art seem to give us an affirmative answer.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
