rhine river cruise epcot

Disney Abandoned Attractions: The Epcot Rhine River Cruise

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SUMMARY : The German River Cruise was going to be a boat ride in the Germany Pavilion next to Biergarten. It would have included scenes of Freiburg, the Black Forest, Heidelberg & the Castle, Cologne & the Cathedral, Neuschwanstein Castle, Garmisch Ski Area, Rothenburg, Ruhr Valley, and the rivers Rhine, Tauber, Ruhr, and Isar. Other evident inclusions were Berg Eltz, Pfalz Castle, Frankfurt, Lorelei, Duesseldorf, Bonn, and Koblenz. The ride vehicles resembled classic river cruise liners, but segmented into four sections to accommodate the winding flume path. It was partially built with the rest to be completed after Epcot opened. However, lack of sponsorship has left the attraction incomplete to date.

Is there a ride in Epcot’s Germany pavilion? There was supposed to be . Once upon a time…

Before I do another deep dive on an abandoned or defunct amusement park, I want to hone in on an attraction that’s captivated me since childhood–a Disney attraction that has become something of folklore itself.

A Disney urban legend… the Rhine River Cruise .

And no, Busch Gardens fans, this isn’t for you. This one’s for Epcot purists. Or for the rogue Disney adult who’s interested in a piece of Epcot history.

A lost Disney mystery… the Rhine River Cruise .

I’ll stop with the fluff now.

The Rhine River Cruise, aka German Rivers or German River Cruise, is an old mill dark ride attraction that was destined for the Germany pavilion at Epcot. However, as evidenced by the mural covering its entrance, the German boat ride never came to be.

Its abandonment is an enigma. Multiple theories abound about why it never opened, how far into development it got, and what evidence of its partial existence is left today.

So, this here is the forgotten fairytale of Epcot’s Germany pavilion. From fabled wooden doors to exit corridors visible in Biergarten, here’s the lore and legacy of the Rhine.

It’s a tale that met a Brothers Grimm befitting end…

Nuances of the Name

The special effects, what happened to the rhine river cruise, the show building, the storage warehouse, significance of the rhine river cruise, finding the rhine.

Let’s start broad with this expedition along the German rivers.

The attraction of interest today was meant to find a home port in the Germany pavilion at Epcot. One of the eleven pavilions along the World Showcase Lagoon in the back of Epcot.

epcot germany pavilion concept art, epcot abandoned

Overview of Epcot’s Germany Pavilion

Located between the China and Italy pavilions, the Germany pavilion opened in 1982 alongside eight other World Showcase pavilions at Epcot Center.

Being that Germany was split in two at the time of the pavilion’s construction and opening, it was designed to reflect different periods and regions. Resembling a German town , it features a square with a fountain and a statue of St George and the Dragon at the center. Surrounding the plaza square are a myriad of timber-framed shops, a clock tower, and the Biergarten restaurant.

Shops include Karamell Kuche, a caramel confectionery; Das Kaufhaus, miscellaneous apparel and accessories; Der Teddybar, a toy store; Die Weihnachtsecke, a year-round Christmas shop; Volkskunst, a cuckoo clocks and arts store; and Weinkeller, a wine cellar.

Sommerfest is a German quick-service eatery that’s located under the clock tower in the back of the pavilion.

Biergarten is the pavilion’s signature restaurant featuring a traditional German buffet and a live music show set in a nighttime beer garden during Oktoberfest.

The Germany pavilion also has a miniature railroad, the Romantic Road Miniature Train Village, that was added as part of the 1995 Flower and Garden Festival and has remained since.

epcot rhine river cruise, disney rhine river cruise

What is the Epcot Rhine River Cruise?

The Rhine River Cruise is a boat ride through Germany’s most famous rivers–Rhine, Tauber, Ruhr, and Isar–that would have passed detailed miniatures of iconic German landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral, Neuschwanstein Castle, and Black Forest.

The attraction would have taken place in a nighttime setting as it toured by lit-up miniatures placed so that they appeared to be full size from the boats.

It would have been like the Mexico pavilion’s El Rio Del Tiempo and Norway’s Maelstrom, just without the drops featured in the latter.

The ride vehicles would’ve been segmented in four parts similar to how Living with the Land’s ride vehicles are segmented in two parts. They featured a traditional white river cruise design with a tall burgundy funnel between the second and third segments. The seats in the ride vehicles faced starboard and not the bow (akin to Horizons) .

It really would’ve been the German version of Living with the Land, but you could hop off at the end and eat at Biergarten. I lament.

An Imagineer’s Insights

Harper Goff was the lead for German River Cruise, but he passed away in the 90s. So, beyond the documents he left behind, there’s no way to ask him for more details about the attraction.

However, I did have the privilege to talk to another Imagineer familiar with German Rivers.

Former Imagineer Lenzy Hendrix was able to provide some more insight on the attraction:

“I walked through the show model with Harper Goff explaining the concept when I worked at Imagineering.

I specifically remember a model of Neuschwanstein Castle that was in 3 parts that the ride traveled around. All was in a nighttime setting with dayglow paint on windows and it seemed that the model actually moved on a hinge that caused a shifting of viewpoint.

Also, the castle at Heidelberg was included. It wasn’t a complete model, just to show concept, but was all in the dark… and miniatures lit and placed so they appeared full size as you’d look up at them from the river.

The boat was on wheels, not water. I seem to remember that you would never see the water so it could be dry. Hadn’t done any vehicle mock-ups to see the feel of it.

Would have been unique and exciting.”

epcot rhine river cruise, disney abandoned

The official name of this attraction is not what it’s now commonly referred to as.

You’ll notice that the image above is a copy of the previous image. But, there are some changes made to it.

I don’t know where this second image is sourced from–if Harper Goff or Disney themselves updated the original image or if someone else, like an enthusiast, edited the original image.

This second copy shows a more saturated look at the area as opposed to the natural color scheme Harper utilized in the original. Harper’s original would’ve been more realistic to how the scene would have looked in real life.

And with the color and clarity adjustments, some details are more clear. But, one detail in particular has been considerably changed.

Officially, this attraction’s name is actually German River Cruise , often abbreviated as German Rivers.

Every piece of media, blueprints, manuals, concept art, internal documents, and so forth confirmed to be produced by Disney has referred to this attraction as German Rivers or German River Cruise.

In all the concept art I have found, signage and entrance elements present the attraction as the “German River Cruise.” And, when the company is talking about the attraction in internal docs, press releases, and such, they refer to it as “German Rivers.”

None of the official Disney media I’ve encountered (and can recall) refers to it as the Rhine River Cruise.

And honestly, this is a detail I’ve never picked up on until I was finishing this deep dive. Despite seeing the different titles for it, I also just called it Rhine River Cruise and never thought twice about it.

This edited version of Harper Goff’s (the ride designer) original concept art is the only time I’ve seen the ride referenced as Rhine River Cruise outside of community commentary. And, this edited artwork is not confirmed to be Disney’s doing. So, this may very well be a fan edit.

If an official reference to Rhine River Cruise by Disney themselves never materializes, I’d assume that the name derives from fan colloquialism–kind of in the same vein of how Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros is commonly referred to as the Donald Duck ride.

It was going to be a Rhine River cruise, so it’s been dubbed the Rhine River Cruise and likely be most commonly known as such.

And, there’s nothing wrong with that either. It’s really just semantics.

This isn’t a section to nitpick what people call it.

But, while I’m trying to comprehensively cover every factual detail about this attraction in depth (can you tell I’m going mad?) , the name is an obligatory topic to cover since it’s part of the attraction’s story.

Whether you want to call the ride Rhine River Cruise, German River Cruise, or German Rivers–prost.

I’ll be referring to it as all three interchangeably in this article. But I guess to conclude: German River Cruise is Disney’s official name for this ride.

german river cruise attraction poster, epcot germany ride

The Rhine River Experience

I’ll preface this section with: there’s a specifications manual that fully details the ride . As in, Disney could pull this out of their shelf and build it because everything’s already mapped out.

This manual, as was the attraction, was created by Harper Goff and featured blueprints, ride mechanisms, miniatures, illusions, lighting, music, sound effects, and other special effects theater-by-theater/scene-by-scene … full stop.

It further specified each town that would be represented, the different rivers, and historical landmarks. Additionally, Goff added notes and corrections throughout the manual.

This attraction was, and is, fully fleshed out.

The interiors of this document haven’t been released publicly , although there’s a chance that someday they might as its original copy was sold in an auction. A digital copy of the interior pages has been saved by the auctioneer (I’ve confirmed with Van Eaton Galleries) , but has not been released either.

So, we’re going to piece this attraction together based on everything we do have that I could find. And, this includes what a former Imagineer who went through the project with Harper Goff recalls.

Putting all these puzzle pieces together, we have a good idea of what the ride experience of German Rivers would have been like.

The Queue & Loading Area

Starting off, the scenes and what we do know for certain.

Folks would have entered the attraction through the right arch of the foyer past the plaza’s square with massive wooden doors that would have opened to the attraction’s queue.

The queue would depict the dock of a river cruise at nighttime. Floors bore a checkered design, the color scheme of which varied between concept arts, but the pattern remained the same. Victorian lampposts by the “river” would help light the space, and German flag banners would hang overhead, each of which represented different regions or the country overall.

Floral arrangements would have decorated the queue area, particularly the right side where an awning resided. The coloring of the awning also changes depending on the artwork, but its design remains the same.

One angle shown in concepts has signage hanging overhead underneath the canvas of the awning.

inside the rhine river cruise, epcot rhine river cruise

As evident in the artwork above, on the left side of the queue (opposite the awning) was a building facade that resembled the Historisches Kaufhaus in Freiburg. Despite the glowing windows, blueprints show that this space would have been what seems to be a closet or storage space.

It would have been like the facades in Biergarten, where the surroundings resemble a German village with faux windows, doors, and landscaping.

You’ll also note that the same structure is also in the outside plaza area of the Germany pavilion, where Das Kaufhaus and a Bier stand reside.

epcot germany pavilion, das kaufhaus epcot

Back inside the German Rivers attraction, the setting of the entire ride was meant to take place at night (again like Biergarten) .

A mural continuing the scene of the Rhine River, riverboats, and German villages would have made up the back wall opposite of the ride’s flume.

disney rhine river cruise, loading mural for german rivers

Seen on the left side of this mural is the tunnel that the ride vehicles would have emerged from after debarking the last load of passengers.

The mural wall was going to be curved so that it connected to the Freiburg Kaufhaus structure, and the stone tunnel would’ve been painted around the opening in the wall where the vessels would travel through.

Entering from that tunnel, the vessels would be inbound to the loading platform.

The quay, or loading platform of the attraction, may or may not have ended up with another, secondary, awning over it.

All of the artwork depicted so far shows no covering over where people would board the cruise.

But, one rogue snippet included in Harper Goff’s art album shows an awning running parallel with the quay and the aforementioned mural.

The mural buildings seen in the background of the potential second awning’s clip art are the ones just to the left of the bow of the river cruise ship. So, considering the placement of the mural and layout of the loading platform, that awning would likely go overhead of where guests would board the vessels.

But, this is only alluded to in this one snapshot alone. So, whether or not it would’ve been part of the final iteration of the ride isn’t clear.

awning over loading area of rhine river cruise, german river cruise epcot

The Ride Vehicles

The ride vehicles for the Rhine River Cruise would have resembled a German river ship , sporting a design that combined the pre-1980s rivership style with old-fashioned ocean liner aesthetics.

The ride vehicles’ livery would’ve been mostly white, with a maroon stripe along the bottom at the waterline and along the top of the hull/wall/where-railing-would-be-but-there’s-not (I don’t know ship anatomy) .

At the middle of the vessel would have been a maroon smokestack with a gold stripe at its top. And, a likewise gold ventilator cowl appears at the front of the vessel.

Whether the ventilator cowl is just an artistic addition for the concepts, a decorative piece that would have actually been on the vehicles, or a functioning part of a dorade box is up in the air (and possibly in that specifications manual) . I’d be more inclined to believe that it was going to be a decorative piece.

What is confirmed to be an element that would’ve been on the boats is the smokestack–on which point, we’re going to talk about Living With The Land for a second again.

Tangent #1: The Rhine River Cruise’s ride vehicles would’ve been segmented like Living With The Land’s. Whereas LWTL’s vehicles are segmented into two compartments, German Rivers’ vehicles were to be segmented into four compartments.

Tangent #2: The height of the Rhine River’s vehicles probably would’ve been very similar to the height of The Land’s. I can’t find a concrete number for The Land’s vehicles, but seeing as my 6’3 brother can almost stand upright in them, I’ll suppose they’re about 6 feet tall. So, Rhine River’s likely were to be comparable considering the similar canopy overhead.

Now, what do we deduct from these two LWTL tangents?

#1: German Living With The Land (joking)

#2: The smokestack on the German Rivers vessel would’ve likely been 7 to 8 feet tall, perhaps .

In art, the funnels are taller than the people standing around the attraction. Furthermore, they’re noticeably taller than the canopy/roof on the ride vehicle compartments. As such, I’d guess upwards of 7 feet humbly.

Whether or not the smokestacks would’ve had faux smoke or fog emitting from the tops isn’t currently known. But, knowing Disney’s knack for detail (especially old-school Disney’s knack for detail despite the cost) , I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.

A final line of discussion regarding the smokestacks, they were off-center of the vehicle’s width, placed closer to the port/left side so as to not hinder passenger boarding. Which is a great segue too…

Schematics.

Ride vehicle blueprints show that when in the loading quay, platforms would connect each compartment to one another. These platforms are what passengers would step on to enter the boat. And, once everyone was seated and the vessel was being prepared to disembark, the platforms would raise upwards towards the compartments.

So, in the image above, where there’s an open space to the left of the funnel for people to enter the seating area, the platform would raise back on that opening to cover it. Effectively, closing off each vehicle compartment.

In other words, the platforms are the side walls of each compartment. They turn into a floor for loading and unloading, and then they raise back up to become a wall again.

And, speaking of seating, both the blueprints above and the concept arts show that the passengers would’ve faced the starboard/right side of the boats . In this way, it’s akin to Horizons (the best attraction of all time) and Animal Kingdom’s Wildlife Express.

In the concept art below, showing one of the German River Cruise ride vehicles, the fourth compartment appears that it might have had a door that opened on the front. If so, it would undoubtedly be for wheelchairs to load onto. (Maybe the bench in that compartment would raise . )

Other details apparent in the art:

The first compartment would’ve been a roofless bow with railing along the upper edge and the cowl would’ve been on the back of this section. The second compartment would’ve been a canopy-covered passenger compartment.

The third resembled the second, save that the smokestack would’ve been on the front of this section and the ship’s name on its side. Lastly, the fourth was another canopied passenger compartment comprising of the stern, complete with a German flag hung off the back.

What seems to be like little faux windows freckle the sides of each compartment too.

As just noted and seen in the previous blueprints, the side of the third compartment bore the ship’s name, Loreley.

Loreley is the name of a Rhine river siren in German folklore that’s based on the Lorelei, a mountainous rock bank along the Rhine.

Folklore and fairytales have it that the reason for the numerous maritime accidents by the Lorelei is due to Loreley’s singing causing ships to crash on the rocks.

Legitimately, the rock formation in the passage causes a loud echo that spurs the siren mythos. And, the challenging geography of that part of the Rhine has caused many ships to wreck in that area for centuries.

Whether each of the Rhine River Cruise’s vessels would’ve bore the name Loreley or if each one was going to have its own name is (drumroll) not currently known, but presumably in the manual documents. These blueprints are but just one page that has emerged in almost 50 years. Huzzah.

But, we do know that the ride vehicles were going to bear a name of some sort . If the others had their own names, they may have been based on other Rhine folktales or other areas represented in the attraction.

The final mention concerning the ride vehicles is that the boats were going to be on wheels rather than water–something noted by Lenzy Hendrix.

He further explained that they never did any vehicle mock-ups, but that the water wasn’t going to be visible from onboard. So, the ride’s flume could have been dry or filled.

And, it’s not uncommon for most water-based attractions to have wheels on the boats.

Its A Small World, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Maelstrom, 20k Leagues, Jungle Cruise–all have wheels, but the placement of their wheels varies per attraction.

Some still free float, propelled by water currents, while the wheels for others keep the boats on track.

The wheels for the ride vehicles of Rhine River Cruise are visible in the blueprint above.

Personally, I think it’s likely that they’d have still had water in the flume for the illusion of it being a river cruise. Especially since the flume would be visible from the loading and unloading areas. You know Disney has a knack for details.

This section is brought to you by an earlier version of the German Rivers/Rhine River Cruise and official Disney media.

The layout, queue/loading area, and ride vehicle information are all relevant to the final version of the Rhine River Cruise that was going to be built (and should have been built/should still be built) .

Scenes for this attraction are noted in full detail in the painstakingly elusive manual, down to the special effects, lighting, and music in each. But alas, some slivers have been revealed from old Disney documents discussing Epcot Center.

Concrete confirmed scenes: Black Forest, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Cologne Cathedral, Neuschwanstein Castle, Garmisch Ski Area, Rothenburg, Ruhr Valley, and other castles, industrial centers, and recreational sites.

Confirmed rivers represented: Rhine, Tauber, Ruhr, and Isar.

Potential scenes depicted in art: Burg Eltz and Pfalz Castle.

Scenes confirmed in an earlier version of the ride: Freiburg, Heidelberg, Cologne, Frankfurt, The Malz, Lorelei, Duesseldorf, Bonn, and Koblenz.

Here, we dive in.

This concept art is for a far different World Showcase than we know today.

The World Showcase was initially going to be a separate park from Epcot located near the Transportation & Ticket Center, but they decided during development to tag Future World and World Showcase together.

And, for this first version of the World Showcase, the pavilions were indoors. Aptly, two large round buildings housed all World Showcase pavilions under a broad roof. Wherein each pavilion was like a slice of pie in shape and design.

To go with the initial version of the World Showcase, there’s the initial version of the Rhine River Cruise.

As seen above, that version of Germany would’ve been two floors, with the German River Cruise taking up the full width of the pavilion, and Biergarten being located at the back. In such a layout, the River Cruise would’ve been ferrying people from the front of the plaza to the restaurant and back.

In its design, you can see a lot of similarities–and that goes for the Germany pavilion’s layout today, how Biergarten appears today, and the final design of the Rhine River Cruise.

The Germany pavilion would’ve had just about the same setup as the plaza square, from the fountain to the arched foyer area, shops, and eateries alike.

Biergarten’s layout and facades, overall design, are so on par with the current day restaurant we know, that I’m honestly not sure anything really changed from the initial version aside from its placement in the pavilion (and consequently the restaurant’s entrance changing placement too) .

As for German Rivers, the ride vehicles were the exact same, the queue/loading area’s setup and theming were very similar (only adjustments for placements) , and the scheme of scenes coincides with the confirmed inclusions of the final version.

It all inclines me to believe that the differences between the initial version of the Rhine River Cruise meant for the indoor World Showcase and the final version meant for the present-day Germany pavilion are layout differences .

Layout differences are the paramount change between what’s shown in the indoor Germany pavilion and the outdoor Germany pavilion we have now. And, these key indicators signal that the scenes would’ve been the same for the ride between both versions:

(Note: I’m going to refer to the indoor OG World Showcase version of the attraction as “indoor Rhine” and the final, commonly known version we would’ve had at our Epcot pavilion as “final Rhine” just for the sake of brevity and clarity.)

Freiburg: In the indoor Rhine, its first scene was to be Freiburg, as labeled on its layout. And, in both the indoor Rhine and the final Rhine, they were going to have a facade of the Historisches Kaufhaus on the left side of the queue/loading area. Furthermore, the final Rhine was confirmed to have the Black Forest.

What I’m gathering from this–the final Rhine’s queue/loading area has architecture specific to Freiburg which is in the Black Forest. Between this and the indoor Rhine’s first scene being Freiburg, the first scene of the final Rhine is most likely also Freiburg. And, at the very least, Freiburg is confirmed for the final Rhine for the presence of the Black Forest alone.

Everything coincides to make it not farfetched to surmise that the final Rhine would’ve left its loading quay and headed into a scene of the Black Forest and Freiburg.

Heidelberg: Straight up, both versions of the Rhine River Cruise confirm the presence of Heidelberg.

For the indoor Rhine, it’s the second scene labeled in its layout. For the final Rhine, it is confirmed in its description in Walt Disney’s Epcot Center:

“The future River Ride promises to be as enjoyable as it is informative. An early concept has guests boarding a cruise boat for a simulated ride down the Rhine and other rivers, the trip affording a visual impression in miniature of the cultural heritage of Germany’s past and highlights of its present. Among the detailed models envisioned are scenes in the Black Forest, the Oktoberfest, Heidelberg, the industrial Ruhr Valley… the possibilities are limited only by the planners’ imaginations.” – Walt Disney’s Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow by Richard R Beard

Additionally, former Imagineer Lenzy Hendrix confirmed with me that Heidelberg Castle was included when walking through the show model with Harper Goff.

Whether or not Heidelberg remained the second scene in the final Rhine is something left for the manual to confirm. But, it being in both versions of the ride, they may have been the same scene copied and pasted with minor tweaks to accommodate the layout change.

Cologne: In the indoor Rhine, Cologne would’ve been seen twice due to the layout’s dynamics, after Heidelberg and after Duesseldorf. And, for the final Rhine, the Cologne Cathedral is mentioned in numerous media about the attraction as well as an old photo of the ride’s model.

Cologne would’ve been in both versions and likely is similar, at the very least, between versions.

Neuschwanstein Castle: Neuschwanstein Castle is the dreamy castle of King Ludwig II that is also the inspiration for Disney’s castles. Its placement is not labeled in the layout of the indoor Rhine. But for the final Rhine, it is shown in the ride’s model, mentioned in media, and confirmed by Lenzy Hendrix.

The picture below shows a glimpse of Neuschwanstein in the top left corner. The Epcot 1978 Brochure lists Neuschwanstein as one of the landmarks shown in the ride. Plus, former Imagineer Lenzy Hendrix confirmed with me:

“I specifically remember a model of Neuschwanstein Castle that was in 3 parts that the ride traveled around. All was in a nighttime setting with dayglow paint on windows and it seemed that the model actually moved on a hinge that caused a shifting of viewpoint.”

So, while Neuschwanstein isn’t near the Rhine, Ruhr, Isar, or Tauber, it still was going to be a scene in the ride.

Ruhr Valley/The Malz: These are two separate regions with the same purpose in the ride, Germany’s industrial industry. The above quoted description for German Rivers and artwork for the final Rhine support this scene theme’s inclusion in the ride.

In the indoor Rhine, this scene was labeled as The Malz, which is a farmland region in Germany. I’m not sure how “industrial” its history gets, which might be why this was, presumably, changed to the Ruhr Valley. The Malz likely would’ve had more of a beer manufacturing focus (malz means malt in German) whereas the Ruhr Valley likely would’ve reflected the versatility of the Industrial Revolution.

This scene has the most tangible indication that it was altered the most between the indoor Rhine and final Rhine versions. But, its core idea carried over between iterations.

Lorelei: This scene doesn’t have the same evidence as the previous ones that would allude to it carrying on from the indoor Rhine to the final Rhine. Its evidence hinges on, in large part, the ride vehicles and how fundamental that part of the Rhine is in German folklore.

Most regions, landmarks, cultural bits, and cities represented in both versions of the German River Cruise are of the Rhine, hence why everyone knows it as the Rhine River Cruise. And, how could they have a Rhine River-based attraction not feature one of the most iconic parts of the river? A part so regarded that the attraction’s ride vehicles bear the name of it on their side.

It further strengthens the possibility that this scene was included in the final Rhine from the indoor Rhine if the ride vehicles do turn out to have different names, each referring to an area represented in the attraction.

It’d be unlikely for Disney’s Imagineers to brand at least one of the river ships Loreley and not have its region Lorelei depicted in the attraction.

Koblenz: Koblenz or its equivalent (like Ruhr Valley/The Malz) probably concluded the ride for the final Rhine as it did for the indoor Rhine, simply for the same reason that it was put as the finale in the first place.

Disney trended with their World Showcase old mills to conclude the ride with a scene showcasing the most cheerful cultural element of the country. What’s that for Germany? Oh, however could they conclude a ride about to drop passengers off by Biergarten, an Oktoberfest-themed restaurant? A scene featuring Oktoberfest.

Koblenz is known for hosting an Oktoberfest celebration right along the Rhine River. It doesn’t get any more evident than that without the ride’s manual confirming its finale. And sure, they could’ve done a Ruhr/Malz deal and swapped Koblenz for Munich. But, it would be doubtful considering Koblenz is on the Rhine and they’ve already got the scene whipped up for it.

The next two of mention are landmarks that might be in the final version of the Rhine River Cruise based on artwork and the rogue show model photograph.

Berg Eltz: The Eltz Castle is a 12th-century medieval castle not far from Koblenz. How it’s survived this many centuries, and with the original family’s descendants still living in it, I have no idea.

Nevertheless, there’s artwork for the Rhine River Cruise in which a castle has a strong resemblance to the Eltz. And, considering the castle’s popularity, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it amongst the famous German landmarks in German Rivers.

Lending credence to the addition of Berg Eltz, Berg Eltz is the inspiration for the architecture of the white castle structure on Biergarten’s roof/the top left of the Germany pavilion. So, the designers definitely had their eye on the Eltz for representation in the pavilion.

Pfalz Castle: The Pfalz Castle is a 14th-century island castle in the Rhine River. The castle served as a toll collecting station, formerly having a chain blocking off access to the rest of the river unless the vessel paid up. Otherwise, the vessel’s captain would be kept in the dungeon, which was a wooden float at the bottom of a well. Charming castle.

A structure in a photo of the Rhine River Cruise’s show model appears to be the Pfalz sitting on its own little island in the Rhine. With the Pfalz being one of the last Rhine castles standing, it would make sense to see it represented in the attraction.

All of this caps off the ideas of what the scenes of the final iteration of the Rhine River Cruise might have been and featured.

I do think there’s a lot of indication that the majority of the scenes from the indoor World Showcase version of the attraction were recycled into what would’ve been in the final version of the attraction, the Rhine River Cruise we would’ve had today (until the IP invasion struck) .

It goes without saying that there might be scenes that were cut, swapped out, or added that aren’t mentioned in existing documentation, artwork, blueprints, or models. But, this is what we have to base the attraction on for now until further information surfaces from the depths of the Rhine.

Again *insert ride specifications manual disclaimer* and *insert info based on what is known reminder* .

There are mapped-out special effects, lighting, illusions, set pieces, music, and so forth for this attraction. They exist. We don’t have access to those specifics currently. I lament. And, reread the first sentence of this section again.

So, what do we have some sort of information about? The animated tableaus.

What’s that?

Here’s some context:

“…a sunken courtyard where guests can enjoy a snack and a view of the boarding of the German Rivers ride. The ride is a simulated cruise of Germany’s most famous and picturesque rivers–the Rhine, the Tauber, the Ruhr, and the Isar.

Guests will ride past intricately detailed miniatures of famous landmarks, including Neuschwanstein Castle, the Garmisch Ski Area, Rothenburg, and the Cologne Cathedral. The miniatures will be scaled so that they appear to be full-sized scenes viewed from a distance. In addition to the miniatures, the ride will feature several life-sized tableaus which will appear as animated visions in the sky. These tableaus depict milestones in German history and culture. The ride debarks at an authentic beer garden…” – Epcot 1978 Brochure

So, we have that quote and then there are the orbs hovering over the show model scenes:

These bubbles over the show model scenes show what the animated tableaus would have looked like for the scenes they’re in.

And, in case you’re like me and had no idea what a tableau was until coming upon that quote, a tableau is a group of models or figures representing a scene from a story or history.

For example, the bubble hovering by the Cologne Cathedral might represent a tableau depicting a man looking over the printing work done by a Gutenberg press, which was prevalent for publishing works for the Church. (I’m speculating based on the image in the tableau, relevance with the Cathedral, and German history.)

As such, the animated nature of the tableaus might refer to the figures in them moving or the images themselves changing.

Back to the example, the tableau might either depict the man printing with the Gutenberg press and then inspecting the work or a still image of the man looking at the work (as seen in the bubble) before changing out to another still image of the Gutenberg press in action.

It’s not specified which sense of animated the tableaus would have been. But, just that there would have been several life-sized “visions in the sky.”

Oh, what the Rhine River Cruise could have been.

Evidence of the Disney Rhine River Cruise attraction’s existence–what existence there was of it–became repurposed as the likelihood of the attraction opening dwindled.

Its show building has since been reutilized as storage space, the entrance covered with a mural, and part of its ride path and exit are now the Biergarten buffet area.

Now, it’s an urban legend, “the one that got away,” a “what could have been” in Disney Parks history. Leaving fans in the know to dream about the quaint, charming German boat ride we could be riding after a stein of Schöfferhofer.

Mysteries Of The Rhine

How far along did the attraction get in development.

Part of the German River Cruise show building was built on the back right side of the pavilion.

The extent of the show building built would have contained the queue and loading area as detailed above, the unloading area and its exit into Biergarten, as well as between 1/4 to 1/3 of the flume’s path–the unload platform, the turns taking the vessel back to the load platform, the load platform, and then the first three turns at the ride’s start.

Regarding the flume path, if we’re considering the initial German Rivers scene sequence to be about the same as the final version of German Rivers, then everything after the Koblenz scene up until the Heidelberg scene would fit in the existing show building. While everything between Heidelberg and Koblenz has not been constructed.

The exit corridor and doorways were also constructed. More on those down below.

And, the entrance for the Rhine River Cruise was unmistakably evident in the early Epcot Center years as large wooden doors were built at the entryway of the attraction.

So in large, construction took place on some of the ride’s space, setting up for a future completion of it.

Disney was trying to find sponsorship for it and money was the only reason the ride ultimately never set sail (though that’s an easy fix today, only if they would) . Thus, the company likely got as far along as the budget allocated and then left the rest to Phase 2.

The Swansong of Phase 2

This gets a little blurry, but generally sometime between 1981 and 1982 was when the Rhine River Cruise got moved to Phase 2 :

“When Phase Two of World Showcase is complete, visitors will enjoy two additional features: a German Rivers attraction and a Tourist Center.

On the German Rivers ride through, guests will learn about German history and culture as they cruise down a course which simulates Germany’s most picturesque rivers, and takes them past castles, industrial centers, and recreational sites.” – Germany Pavilion Cast Member Manual (1982)

As of February 1982, the Sentinel Star’s “Epcot Grows Up” article published, “Although no show will open with the pavilion in October, Disney is searching for a sponsor for a German river cruise ride.”

In other words, Disney had moved the Rhine River Cruise to Phase 2 by the beginning of ’82 at the latest.

Epcot opened in October of 1982. So, it would’ve been after that, likely sometime in 1983 or 1984, that the attraction was canceled due to funding.

Documentation from Disney confirms that Rhine River Cruise was still live for Phase 2 as recently as late 1982.

“The German Rivers attraction (opening in Phase II), offers a rare and exciting experience in German history and customs.” – Management Epcot Center Profile Guide (Late 1982)

The Orlando Sentinel even notes in a late October 1982 newspaper feature of the pavilion, “A German rivers attraction will be added.”

epcot rhine river cruise newspaper article confirming the attraction would be opening in the future

As such, it’s suffice to say that the Germany pavilion was built with the German River Cruise’s eventual opening in mind .

Did they build the full show building then and there? No. Did they start on it and leave the rest for resuming development? Evidently, yes.

1983 is when it gets blurry again.

So far, official Disney documentation on the attraction hasn’t manifested to indicate one way or another. Be that an upcoming attractions pamphlet no longer mentions German Rivers or a press release yet referencing its future to come.

Should a 1983 date confirmation pop up, I’ll double back to update this with the more pinpointed date on when the Rhine River Cruise project went dark definitively.

*** March ’24 Update: The Orlando Sentinel published a special guide to Epcot on November 1st, 1983, stating that German Rivers will be added later. So, it may still have been on the table with the company at the end of ’83.

A republishing of that same guide in February 1984 is the last publication to have mentioned the Rhine River Cruise. ***

Another factor, beyond funding, was that corporate regime change shifted focus away from both the Rhine and other Phase 2 attractions, as focus went to the development of MGM/Hollywood Studios .

Horizons was the only project from Epcot’s second phase to debut.

A Video On the Other Lost Attractions from Phase 2

Discourse over the years has provided various rumors of the trough, or flume path, having been cut in the floor of the existing building space. I would’ve loved it if that had been the case and the attraction existed in some sort of capacity (I’m down bad for this ride) , but I know realistically that the likelihood of this is slim.

Seeing as they knew they weren’t building the full attraction when they built only a partial show building for it, they likely wouldn’t have broken ground on the ride path and instead tabled that for if they did fully greenlight the project.

I feel like if they had started construction on the ride path for it, they would have completed construction on the Rhine River Cruise instead of scrambling to build El Rio Del Tiempo from scratch when they realized that they needed to put some sort of attraction in the World Showcase.

All the same, if it ever was the case, concrete confirmation of this hasn’t surfaced. Meanwhile, concrete confirmation that ride’s trough doesn’t exist today has surfaced.

Traces Of Rhine – 1982

The wooden doors.

When Epcot first opened, massive wooden doors concealed the would-be queue area for the Rhine River Cruise.

Based on photos of them, it seems that they extended the full height and width of the archway they were in. But which archway is a question that old footage poses.

It’s been argued that the wooden doors were exactly where the mural is now. It’s also been argued that they were up under the very front archway before you could go under the foyer’s overhang.

Based on the photos, I wonder if it was somewhere between both.

The archway that leads into the foyer area is more like a small tunnel that opens up before the other archway that enters the show building.

And, I’m speculating that it might have been anywhere between the front end of that “tunnel” and the back end of it. Maybe, it was where the lantern hangs halfway between or just at the backside before the foyer opens up.

Alternatively, it could have sat just behind the front archway of that tunnel, fairly close to where a few people guessed its placement to have been.

The only reason why I think it wasn’t sitting in that front archway itself is because a photo of the wooden doors has space along the top rim, starting from the middle to the right (in accordance with the angle of the photo) . And, it’s the sort of space that would be if it sat back in the tunnel to some degree, if not back where the mural is.

Officially, the wooden doors were the main entrance to the attraction. And based on the configuration of the area, I’m presuming that the doors would’ve opened inwards towards the attraction as opposed to outwards into the foyer.

There’s been speculation of whether the current mural was placed over the wooden doors (if that’s where the wooden doors sat to begin with) or if the doors were dismantled.

Photographic evidence of this isn’t readily available to confirm or deny this, although there are pictures of what the queue and loading space of the Rhine looks like today. Head down to the storage warehouse bit for a glimpse.

I can say that when I asked a former cast member of the Germany pavilion what it looked like inside the area, they said that the doors were still there. Whether they’re the wooden doors or something mistaken for them is unconfirmed.

The Exit Archways

This was something I noticed when working on this project.

More about the exit area of German Rivers is in the next beat, but this is a bit you can see from outside in the foyer area.

Two grey stone archways sit to the right of the entrance doors into Biergarten and these archways are the exits from the ride’s building back out into the rest of the pavilion.

These were built the same as depicted in the blueprints of the Germany pavilion and sit at the end of the exit corridor.

While I knew the exit corridor was built, I (not yet realizing German Rivers was still on the table during the pavilion’s construction) didn’t know the exit doorways were also built. And, their frames are very much evident and visible.

The Exit Corridor

As you see in the blueprints above, after debarking from German Rivers, you’d follow the U-turn setup that would funnel you towards an overlook of Biergarten. Rhine riders would be able to watch the show and see the restaurant from a viewing area before leaving through a corridor to the outdoor plaza square.

Now, let me disclose that I’m not an expert at reading blueprints, but I’m gathering that the different color flooring corresponds to what they’re part of: the blue tone being Rhine River space, orange being Biergarten, and the pale yellow being part of the overall pavilion and even possibly the plaza.

On such merit, you see the blue exit floor plan segue from the Rhine to plaza territory. So, it could have been that folks neither at Biergarten nor riding the Rhine River could have gone down that corridor to see Biergarten or even the unloading area of the Rhine.

The fact that the pale yellow corridor extends to where the bathrooms are inside the main pavilion (as opposed to the ones by the train display) , for me personally, supports the idea.

Now, that bathroom area is accessible exclusively for Biergarten folks. But, it would’ve made sense to see it accessible for everyone in the pavilion.

All the same, that exit corridor, and the similar but shorter-looking one next to it with the orange Biergarten flooring were built as initially planned.

I don’t know if that was going to be the original exit for Biergarten since it runs parallel along the German Rivers exit corridor and had/has the same arched exit doorway to match.

Biergarten has always been a buffet, but I don’t know if they changed where the buffet line was going to be in absentia of German Rivers.

For certain though, the Rhine River exit corridor was built as planned for the attraction. How far down it extended (if it went the full route to the bathrooms) is something for early Epcot Center folks to tell.

As commentated above, but in case you’re skipping around (this is a long one, I know) , an L shape of 1/4 to 1/3 of the show building was built.

All of what was built–show building, exit corridor, exit archways, wooden doors, etc–was built while German Rivers was still on the bill for Phase 2. Construction was done where they were under the impression that they’d pick up where they left off once Phase 1 Epcot opened and Phase 2 was underway.

The part of the show building built includes the entry area, queue, load, the first three turns of the attraction’s path, a sliver of the attraction’s path returning to unload, the unload area, exit areas, and the ride path returning from unload to load.

As per the likely scene order detailed in the ride experience section above, the show building built would’ve contained just after Koblenz through Freiburg and up to the start of Heidelberg .

The top of the building is visible to the right of Biergarten.

Traces Of Rhine – Present Day

Today, there’s a mural over the entryway of the Rhine River Cruise.

It shows a quaint German landscape with the rogue few castles and a river amongst the rolling hills.

It would’ve been a nice touch if they included a riverboat in the water as a nod to the attraction the mural is barring off.

I know that there was a period where Epcot nerds would knock on the mural for its hollow sound that indicates the vacant ride building sitting behind it.

If there’s not a sea of strollers from Biergarten blocking it, you can give a knock too.

The Buffet Windows

So, I’ve known for a while that the buffet area of Biergarten is the repurposing of the exit path from the Rhine River Cruise.

What I didn’t pay attention to previously was that the windows to the right of the buffet, at the end of the exit path, were the original exit doorways for the attraction .

As mentioned above, the arches there were built as designed per the blueprints for the exit of German Rivers. But, seeing as the exit was repurposed, the doorways were too.

If those doorways were ever open at one point–likely back in the olden days of the wooden doors and pre-Rhine cancellation–there’s no material to prove so. And if they were, they’ve since been closed off with the windows overlooking the buffet line.

The Buffet Line

This is a very curious piece too.

The buffet line is where the exit corridor of German Rivers is. That’s nothing new and is fairly common knowledge for those who’ve already known about the Rhine River Cruise.

But, where it gets to be more interesting is that the buffet space also extends further into the Rhine River Cruise ride path space.

More aptly, the buffet space past the two windows (old exit doorways) is part of the queue/loading area–exactly where the Freiburg Kaufhaus facade would have been as well as where part of the ride’s flume would have been.

Facing the buffet line, the left side of the space is where some of the ride path would have been. It would’ve been the section departing the unload platform, starting straight towards load, before turning left and into the load platform.

The doorway on the left behind the buffet line, where you’ll see cast members come and go from is precisely where the boats of Rhine River would’ve emerged from and made a brief straight shot (just behind the buffet line) , then turned left (into the wall behind the buffet line) , and continued to load.

The doorway itself wasn’t going to be there with German Rivers, but rather it sits overtop of exactly where the ride’s path would have been.

Excuse how rudimentary and crude these next images are, but they give a sort of visual idea of how the buffet space overlaps with German Rivers:

Where the cast members are standing behind the buffet line to serve food is where the ride vehicles of German River would’ve traveled straight for the length of the one archway before turning left into the load platform.

Here’s an aerial view of the original blueprint with a rough sketch of how Biergarten is laid out overtop:

In pictures of the Biergarten buffet area, the glimpses into the doorway cast members head in and out of (red arrow above) show that the backstage area behind it sits somewhere around the unloading area of Rhine River Cruise.

I’d be really curious to see a blueprint of the Germany pavilion as it is today to lay it over top of the one of how it was supposed to be for a better comparison and visual.

A final look at the brief gist of what would have been where when you’re looking at the buffet line now:

epcot german river cruise setup in biergarten

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention–where the Rhine River Cruise would have turned left into that wall, that’s where the stone tunnel shown in the load area mural would have been.

So, there was always going to be some degree of a wall there. But, the original wall was going to have an opening resembling a tunnel for the ride vehicles to pass through.

Today, the show building has been converted into a storage space for Disney.

At some point in time, it was also used as an entertainment rehearsal space. The cast member I spoke to and mentioned earlier, said that it had been used as a cast member break area too.

After a great long period of time, a photo surfaced of the inside of the space. And, it’s a far cry from the Kaufhaus, quay, and Freiburg we would have had.

epcot rhine river cruise show building present day

The original posting of the photo has been archived, otherwise I would have linked it in the caption credit. But fortunately, the Internet Wayback Machine is a legend for saving things on the web.

This picture might be the only public photograph of the inside of the Rhine River Cruise show building.

Tis but a glimpse, but it’s the most we’ve seen of that space ever. Especially since the attraction got slighted of its chance to see the light of day.

Becoming Urban Legend

Why was the rhine river cruise cancelled.

Of the various ways the cookie might’ve crumbled, it all falls to the same baseline of money.

Epcot Center was vastly over budget, so Disney wasn’t funding the attractions at the pavilions themselves. Companies, or governments, were.

There’s been a comment that Mercedes Benz was supposedly contracted with Disney to be the sponsor of the Rhine River Cruise. But , General Motors signed on to sponsor World of Motion and cut an exclusive deal to be the only car company at the park, canceling Mercedes financing the Cruise. (If this is true then curse you, WoM, and kindly rot in pieces.)

This information may have come from a former Imagineer who worked on the project, but no one from the Disney or Mercedes camp has definitively confirmed this.

All the same, the reality came to be that Disney couldn’t find a sponsor to foot the bill for the Rhine River Cruise. And so, it wasn’t built.

El Rio del Tiempo at the Mexico pavilion was a last-minute, company-funded attraction solely because they recognized that there weren’t any attractions in the World Showcase in 1982 (they all fumbled on funding) and that they needed something . So, that project got off the ground, but it was the only proposed WS attraction to do so.

And yes, Disney could build the German River Cruise now. Company sponsorship of attractions fizzled out by the 2000s and Disney’s finances now well surpass what they did in 1982. But, they just haven’t revisited any of the abandoned concepts they have in the drawer.

Aftermath of the Rhine’s Cancellation

The cancellation of the Rhine River Cruise was quiet.

It went from being featured in promotional materials as an upcoming addition to Epcot to no more reference of it.

In the early 80s, the mural was in and the doors were out, Biergarten set its buffet up by the ride path, and windows went up over its exit corridor.

What became of the models for it will likely remain unknown.

The German River Cruise is peak Disney folklore.

It’s Epcot’s Western River Expedition (Magic Kingdom) .

It is an attraction that could be pulled off the shelf today and construction underway tomorrow. But, despite how neat of a ride it is, how unique the ride vehicles look, and how perfectly fitting for the Germany pavilion it would be– what’s the quintessential real-life Germany experience but a river cruise –Disney’s on an IP streak.

I don’t mind IP. I’m excited for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

But , I wish they did a mix of IP attractions (ideal for parks like Magic Kingdom) and original attractions (ideal for parks like Epcot) . After all, Magic Kingdom was meant to be a display of the magic in fantasy while Epcot was meant to display the magic in our real world, cultures, and possibilities of tomorrow.

And, by the logic of IP being necessary to draw a crowd–Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Journey Into Imagination, Horizons, Expedition Everest, and more. By the IP mentality, a number of classic attractions famous the world over would not exist.

It’s possible to do both.

Alas, Disney is not of that mentality currently, just IP synergy (which includes remakes, sequels, and live actions) . Please give us something original and creative. It’s what made Disney to begin with.

End tangent.

Impact on the Germany Pavilion & Epcot

The absence of the Epcot Rhine River Cruise has left Germany short of an attraction.

Of 11 World Showcase pavilions, only 3 have rides and 1 has an animatronic show.

It’s 6 pavilions between Norway and France that don’t have a ride. And, with the World Showcase spanning 1 mile around the lagoon, it’s in dire need of more attractions .

*More original attractions that provide an authentic experience of the country it’s located.*

Like the Rhine River Cruise, Venetian Gondolas, Meet The World, Thames River Cruise, and Canadian Log Flume.

Germany needs its German River Cruise. It would be the cherry on the Black Forest cake for the pavilion.

Open the vault, find the magic inside.

The Rhine River Cruise is purported to have influenced the now defunct Maelstrom at Epcot’s Norway pavilion.

Although, nothing quite like the Rhine has been built by Disney–with the miniatures, tableaus, and German fairytale setting. However, its real-world counterpart has come about.

Disney partnered with AmaWaterways to offer a Rhine River Cruise that takes guests on a cruise down Germany’s most famous river, the Rhine, where famous landmarks will be seen: the Black Forest, Heidelberg, Cologne, castles, industrial centers, and recreational sites.

It’s painful, truly painful.

… *sigh* if only…

Hopefully, this gave German Rivers a bit of life and spotlight that it deserves, having had a story to tell and experience to deliver that it got cheated of.

It would have been a quintessential, authentic German experience and classic Epcot attraction in stride with Maelstrom and Living With The Land.

I tried to compile as much as we could know about the attraction in one place in tribute to the Cruise, in honor of what could have been and still could be.

That’s the tale of the Rhine River Cruise.

A tale that will be updated as any more information and clarifications come my way. And, a tale that has colored Epcot folklore since the 21st century began in 1982.

Prost to you, German River Cruise!

And, thanks to you for reading however much of this! I know it’s a doozy and my brain is throttled now (so if anything’s incoherent, please give me time to recollect sanity and then polish the article) .

The Rhine River Cruise is a passion project and love of mine, in case this wasn’t evident, so I had to do this piece for it.

Hit the comments below to talk anything and all things Epcot Rhine River Cruise!

Collection of resources on the German River Cruise:

Imagineering Disney | Rhine River Cruise Mysteries Disney Docs | Harper Goff Photo Album Disney Docs | Epcot Center Walt Disney’s Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow Yesterworld: The Troubled History of Epcot’s Abandoned World Showcase

Auf Wiedersehen!

Alexis is a travel blogger and author with lifelong travel experience visiting unique destinations around the US as well as a decade of experience in theme park entertainment and circus arts.

Carousel of Chaos is a collection of travel guides, trip planning resources, historical archives, recipes and other lifestyle content based on amusement attractions and unique US travel destinations.

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Rhine River Cruise Mysteries

Plans for a boat ride called Rhine River Cruise in EPCOT Center’s Germany Pavilion were shelved sometime shortly after the park opened in 1982. Few details about the ride have ever surfaced. Let’s dive in and see what we can find.

What we know.

"The future River Ride promises to be as enjoyable as it is informative. An early concept has guests boarding a "cruise boat" for a simulated ride down the Rhine and other rivers, the trip affording a visual impression in miniature of the cultural heritage of Germany's past and highlights of its present. Among the detailed models envision are scenes in the Black Forest, the Oktoberfest, Heidelberg, the industrial Ruhr Valley... the possibilities are limited only by the planners' imaginations." –"Walt Disney's EPCOT Center" by Richard Beard

According to the Walt Disney Company's 1976 annual report, the Rhine River Cruise 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."

Other accounts claim that the ride would have also feature the country’s more modern achievements much like Norway’s Maelstrom boat ride includes that country’s more recent industrial efforts. These most likely would have stood in the Ruhr Valley portion of the ride.

How much of the ride was built?

For years I was under the understanding that the show building for the river ride was built. It’s widely mentioned online and in at least one book that the the full show building was built and still stands today.

As it turns out, this is false . Or at least partially false. But how can this be? I’ve walked through the show building a number of times. A piece of the show building, attached to the rest of the pavilion, was built and still stands today. But the majority of the show building was never constructed . You’ll notice on our map above that the load area and the unload area are all that could have fit in the existing building.

It is often pointed out that the large castle-like building behind the clock tower is the Rhine River Cruise show building. The tallest, most prominent castle architecture you see to the left is, however, the Biergarten restaurant building. Shorter castle architecture to the right is the queue/load building.

Claims have been made that trenches were built into the foundation of these parts of the building. If true, they’ve since been filled.

Was the rest of the show building built then torn down? It was not. Let’s look at these EPCOT Center construction photos. We see that the rest of the show building was never built. (Additional World Showcase construction photos here .)

What remains today?

In the early 80’s large wooden doors stood at what was to be the entrance to the Rhine River Cruise queue. They were later covered with a wall and this mural.

I am guessing the doors were removed and the mural went in within the first five years. It could have went in much earlier. The inside of the Germany Pavilion archways tend to show up very dark in old photos and video footage. We know by 1987 (at the latest) the doors were gone and the mural was up. This is based on a souvenir book published in 1987 with a clear view of the mural.

Were the wooden doors placed right where the mural is today? Were there additional doors in the archway? Was the whole foyer area west of the Biergarten entrance blocked off? We see from this early early photo (most likely from a pre-opening preview day) that a wooden door or wall appears. It’s difficult to determine if its under the archway itself or further back against the wall.

My guess: This wooden door/wall was up against the archway. Let’s compare it to the left archway in the same photo It appears that nothing as far back as the back wall would be visible in this photo.

Why would the “wooden door” matter?

It was evidence of the unbuilt attraction visible to guests. Could concept art or some sort of “coming soon” signage have appeared on or near the door? If so, such a sign most likely would have been seen by guests for a very short time. The company stopped mentioning the Rhine River Cruise in1982 at some point. Perhaps before a single guest entered EPCOT Centers’ gates.

Why would a door blocking traffic through the archway be important? Could this foyer area have been designed to incorporate the first Rhine River Cruise scenery? Blueprints don’t indicate a separation between the Rhine River side and Biergarten side of the foyer but could a separation have been planned? A queue/load area like the one in this concept art might require some of the foyer real-estate.

Starboard-facing passengers.

It is my conclusion that passengers aboard the boats were to sit facing out the starboard (right) side of the boats. This is based on the layout of the water flume and what we can see in the above artwork. The water loop does not appear to accommodate show scenery on both sides of the water.

If passengers faced one direction, all show scenes would appear directly in front of the passengers and a dark wall would stand behind them. This increases visibly, show designers ensure that their audience sees what they intend them to see, and space is saved. This is much like the Disneyland Railroad benches facing right, toward the inside of the park.

Here we see a rendering of the load area and a boat much wider than they were planned to really be. Isn't the atmosphere is oh so nice?

An exit with a view.

Blueprints show an area between the unload are and the exit called “Viewing Area”. This box-shaped area faces the Biergarten stage. Today this area is used for buffet service. I reckon guests leaving the ride would have been able to step off the exit path onto a porch for a view of the restaurant and its live entertainment. The smells of German food might have enticed them to dine at the pavilion. Unlike in the Mexico Pavilion, boat passenger and restaurant guests would not have had a great view of what the others were doing. This viewing area would have at least connected the two in a small way.

Added bonus.

Does it not look like there's a little piece of a boat in the archway of this Germany Pavilion logo?

Other info needed.

If you have other information about the Rhine River Cruise plans, please let us know.

Special thanks to:

Foxxfur from Passport to Dreams . Michael Crawford from Progress City, U.S.A Hoot Gibson from Mesa Verde Times Mike Lee from Widen Your World Epcot Explorium Epcot Encyclopedia Varsenik Wilson and Todd Shirley for the mural photos. Various printed resources from The Walt Disney Company.

EPCOT Construction from the Air THEN AND NOW: Epcot World Showcase [Part 1] Mural -Removin' Season at Disney EPCOT Center Graphics Disneyland Meets EPCOT Center Walt's Wife Talks About EPCOT Center Imaaaaaagination Carolwood Pacific and Other Backyard Railroad s Frito Kid Mysteries Continue

Reader Comments (22)

Your Germany Pavilion map at the top is awesome.

FANTASTIC! Very nice. Love your artwork and congratulations on - at long, long last - uncovering a picture of the fabled "wooden door".

I love how the boats in the concept art seem to be modular; it appears that each group would receive their own "segment" of the boat. I assume this would allow a longer boat to make tight, dark-ride turns. Very neat.

It's also worth noting that the one, single piece of Rhine River concept art is from an earlier iteration of World Showcase and never connected directly with the current pavilion. That could account for discrepancies in the depiction of the loading area.

Have I mentioned I really, really, REALLY wish they'd build this?

Come on, Germany. You're the wealthiest nation in Europe. Sponsor this pavilion, and get this ride built already!!! If Mexico can afford it, Germany surely can (I know, don't call you Surely). Sheesh, Germany. Show some national pride!

Amazing post. But I wonder if there's more to this story. I've been in the catwalks inside the Biergarten building and the ceiling in the restaurant is a false ceiling hung by wires inside the building. In other words, the building is just a huge shell, with the Biergarten taking up only a smaller portion, with nothing overhead. So the building was NOT designed for the Biergarten, as it appears today, anyway. So I always assumed something much bigger was originally destined for that building (and I assumed it was the attraction.) Any idea? (PS, it's possible I'm mis-remembering the layout. It gets disorienting in those area since there's no points of reference.)

The Germans can´t afford it, they´re sending development aid to China, so they need all their money... (this is no joke! I mean, imagine that - the Chinese don´t know what to do with all their money, except maybe bying the US wholesale - and they are receiving development aid!)

Wow! Last year I went to WDW and ate at the Germany Pavilion. I noticed the mural but, for me, it felt like an entrance... now I know why! Excellent post, I love your blog.

THANKS everyone.

Michael- Is this rendering of the load meant for the early round building World Showcase concept? If so, the large queue area would fit that concept far better than this one.

hl- There is much more to this story indeed. I would love to see earlier plans for the space if they are out there. It's interesting that almost no info exists amongst the fans and with many Disney employees.

Le Cram- "If Mexico can afford it, Germany surely can." Hahaha.

Great stuff. Seeing unbuilt and/or modified rides in this way is exactly what we fans love to see. Many of us visit these locations with minimal knowledge about what "was to be". Now we can visit with more specific "where it was to be" knowledge.

Mitch - The piece of art dates to at least 1976, which means it was not created with Harper Goff's "individual themed buildings" World Showcase in mind. It was either for the semi-circular Showcase separate gate design, or if it's from 1976 when Future World and World Showcase had already been combined but Showcase was still a semi-circle of wedge-shaped modern buildings with the pavilions inside.

Loved this article. This has always been one of my favorite WDW mysteries --next to WESTERN RIVER EXPEDITION. In October I looked through WDI document control aperture cards ( a 35mm architectural slide) of the German pavilion .There are drawings listed for a "German ride" but they do not appear in the aperture cards --they need to be pulled and I didn't have a work number that would allow that. Anyway, I'm wondering if the River Cruise was canceled early on.....WED was trying to entice a river cruise company /travel bureau to sponsor the attraction..........HOWEVER a presentation done for Disneyland costuming by WED to gear up costuming concepts for EPCOT (All park costumes were designed at Disneyland through Disneyland Paris' opening) Tom Peirce who designed these costumes has slides for the Biergarten that are well known art concepts, BUT, for the attraction the slide is of AIR BALLOONS with guest flying over Neuschwanstein Castle and the German country side. The balloons feature German beer names on each. Tom could not recall what the concept was but that a sponsor hadn't been found at that point. I've got the slide on loan....contact me and I can get you a image copy. Anyway, it looks like at some later point in time--much later than the River Rhine Cruise renderings there was contemplation of these miniatures being viewed overhead from balloons.

Mike- WOW. This is the first I've heard of the balloon concept. YES, I'd love to see an image copy.

Canceling plans for the River Cruise early on makes sense. Since writing this post I've discovered, thanks to site plans from a generous reader, that my layout comes from August 1979. This means there were as many as three years for changes before the park opened. Perhaps they changed *everything* about the Germany ride. It sounds like the boat idea might have been left behind before the "wooden door" ever showed up. Before the pavilion even broke ground.

Sound like it's time for a post update.

I guess we should also mention the 2nd unbuilt aspect of the pavilion - the tourism bureau which was to be installed where the crystal shop is now. I'm sure that was the incentive to pull in a sponsor - they get their name on the ride, and they get to book vacation packages out of the tourism office.

Aloha Mitch, Great research, a killer map, and a wonderfull story to share with us! But... Let me propose something for you to think about... you may have the locations switched! The attraction would be in the show building on the left and a longer and smaller biergarten behind the unload area behind the "wooden doors" on the right. Compare with Mexico and Norways buildings. The food service buildings are half as high as the show buildings and are about the same mass. Also note the comment from above where the cast member talks about the false ceiling. I think we have a facility footprint and envelope that was already designed and it's use was changed at the last moment when they realized that the boat tour was deleted. What do you think?

My Best, Mark Hickson DisneybyMark.com

Mark- Great thought. I can see that happening although I don't think it was a last minute change. This plan dates back to at least summer of 1979. And it matches the structure that stands today. Your theory about the different placement of the Biergarten could have been true before that. I'd love to know. I wish I had more site plans to study.

I'm starting to believe most last moment decisions were made before construction began. We know the decision to not build the whole building was made prior to construction. I almost think the wooden door(s) weren't even installed to hide the ride entrance. Because there was no ride to hide. Maybe they were there only long enough for them to add the mural.

If the doors blocked traffic at the arch (and not the back wall) there's a chance the scenic elements inside that part of the arch were not ready. The decorative paint work and some finish work was not complete even on the prominent outer clock tower before the first guests entered. There's a good chance inside portions (ie the mural) were not ready.

Just for your info: I spoke to a former Imagineer friend who briefly worked on Germany and the cruise. I asked what happened and he said simply the project died when the sponsorship fell through. Mercedes Benz had agreed and signed the contract and it was a done deal. However General Motors had signed an exclusive deal tha said no other automobile company could be represented at EPCOT. I guess World of Motion was more important than the cruise.

Possibly my favorite post of all time.

your post could really side, and also awareness and ideas could spread quickly throghout the particular visitore.

This blog is one of the best documented I have ever seen! bravo! it’s rrally wonderful! I wish I could participate to one of these beautiful period costumes events! 90s costumes

Mitch! This was an AWESOME post! PLEASE do a similar one for Epcot Japan. What was in that show building and what in there now is such a mystery to so many people. To have someone like you to clear it all up would be priceless... Thanks!

Take a closer look at the zoomed in image of the boat; it is actually a train of four smaller boats! This allows the feel of a large boat while allowing it to snake through the tight track curves.

I agree the map you created is awesome. Do you do it all in Photoshop or another application?

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Rhine River Cruise Rough Layout Epcot Disney World

Disney Extinct Attractions: Rhine River Cruise and Mount Fuji Roller Coaster

Welcome to Disney Extinct Attractions. My name is Cole, and I’ll be your guide on today’s trip around the world (showcase).

This past week, some of the early reactions to Mary Poppins Returns were released, with the overwhelming majority of them being extremely positive. All of these reviews coincided with Lin-Manuel Miranda receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so everything is proceeding accordingly for the film. The trailers make it seem like it’s going to be such a fun time filled with laughter and joy, and I know that I’m excited to finally see it.

Over the years, there have been many a rumor that a Mary Poppins attraction will join the World Showcase’s lineup, particularly in the United Kingdom Pavilion. Recently, those rumors have gained traction again, but we’ll have to see if it actually happens with everything else going on at Epcot right now. With that in mind, it’s time that we take a look at some of the other attractions that never quite made it into the park.

Via Disney Parks Blog

Our first stop today is the Germany Pavilion, which has been around since the earliest days of Epcot. When the pavilion was first announced, some of the press releases included information about a boat ride that was tentatively called the Rhine River Cruise.

Via Affordable Tours

As you can see from the photo above, the Rhine River covers a large portion of Germany, so a cruise down it would really do justice to the entire country.

Via Euronews

The attraction was set to feature all kinds of places and events throughout Germany such as Oktoberfest, Black Forest, Heidelburg and Ruhr Valley. From what I can tell, it was going to feel a lot like the Gran Fiesta Tour in that it featured all kinds of famous locals (but this one would come without the Three Caballeros). It also sounded like it would have elements of Soarin’ in it because of its focus on very specific places.

Via Imagineering Disney

The Rhine River Cruise seemed like a festive affair, judging by all of the colors seen in the picture above. Unfortunately, in terms of the actual content of the ride, not a lot more is known because it seems as there were the initial ideas, but not a lot of actual follow through in terms of detailed sketches. It seems that there were simply too many other things going on at the time, so it got lost in the shuffle.

Via Steve and Amy Sly

Another interesting note about the attraction is that it was going to feature seating all facing one direction, similar to the Disneyland Railroad. I’ve never seen a boat attraction seat people this way, but I think it makes a lot of sense because you could really focus the audience’s attention on where it needs to be.

For a long time, there was a rumor that the entire show building for the attraction had been built, but as you can see above, that simply never happened. A quick Google Earth search this week shows that the space is still relatively abandoned today, which means it’s not impossible that something could appear there one day, though it does not seem very likely.

A small part of the attraction did manage to live on, however, in this mural at the back of the pavilion. When the park first opened, there were wooden doors there that would have opened up to the Rhine River Cruise, but today we get this nice mural instead.

I couldn’t find any specific details on why we never got the Rhine River Cruise, but I’m inclined to believe that the expenses for Epcot grew out of hand, so something had to go, with the cruise being a primary candidate.

All in all, I think it is ok that we never got the Rhine River Cruise because the West side of World Showcase is pretty jam-packed with attractions as is. At this point in time, the Norway Pavilion was still years away from opening, though, so it would have been very interesting to see if Maelstrom would have been built because that would have meant there were three boat ride attractions within four pavilions of each other, which seems slightly overdone to me. Luckily, the other proposed attraction that we are going to look at today was completely different.

Just like the Germany Pavilion, the Japan Pavilion has never had an attraction to call its own, but it was close to having one that would have changed the history of World Showcase in unforeseeable ways.

Via Unofficial Networks

The Mount Fuji Roller Coaster, as it never received an official name that I could find, was set to have its home directly behind the Japan Pavilion.

Via Theme Park Tourist

The coaster would have been like countless other Disney mountains in that you would travel in and out of the mountain, though it does not seem like there would have been a yeti like we see with other classic Disney mountains like the Matterhorn and Expedition Everest.

Via Dad’s Blog

So what happened that we never got the Mount Fuji roller coaster? Well, to start off it would have been really expensive to construct, so a sponsor was necessary. A perfect sponsor seemed like Fujifilm, but Kodak, who was one of Disney’s biggest sponsors at the time, was extremely against having one of their most direct competitors sponsor an attraction. In fact, they were against the attraction being there at all, simply because of the name Fuji, so Disney ultimately bowed to Kodak’s whims, and we never ended up getting this E-Ticket attraction.

What’s interesting to me is how different World Showcase might have been in this roller coaster had debuted. At the time, there were no true thrill rides in Epcot, so adding a mountain like this one would have greatly changed the landscape of the park. Personally, I am still happy with how the park turned out and how World Showcase is a place to relax more so than anything else, making it my favorite place to be in Walt Disney World.

Well, that brings our story to a close, but here’s a peek at what’s up next.

One of these attractions was all about the past in a land about the future.
One of these attractions took place in the Middle Kingdom and put guests in the middle of the show.
One of these attractions helped guests experience life in a space station.

Via Pinterest

Thanks for reading and have a magical day!

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Aug 16, 2022

Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise Review

This summer, Diserella Travel Advisor Christie Wilson and her family enjoyed a Rhine River Cruise tour with Adventures by Disney and I've asked her to write a review for our readers (see below). Adventures by Disney brings the masterful storytelling and legendary service Disney is known for to guided vacations across all seven continents.

What makes an Adventures by Disney vacation special? The guides! Disney-trained Adventure Guides ensure that every detail of your trip is attended to. From checking you in to your hotels to recommending local dining options and not-to-be missed experiences, your Adventure Guides will help you foster a lasting connection with every destination.

Day 1 - Basel, Switzerland

Our Adventure started in Basil, Switzerland aboard the AmaLucia. Advetures by Disney partners with AmaWaterways for their river cruise adventures as the quality of their ships and level of service are a good match for Disney. We got in early and boarded the ship around 11am. We were some of the first on the boat, but couldn’t check into our room until a little later.

We enjoyed a nice, light lunch onboard. After settling in, we had a meeting in the lounge to meet our 5 Adventure Guides, do the safety drill, toast to a good trip and hear about our next day. Then, for our first dinner, we were invited to the Captain's table! We had a gourmet 7 course meal. It was all small bites and delicious. We tried cauliflower soup with almonds and figs, Tiger shrimp, braised Irish short rib, a salty caramel tart, and a lime macaroon and mango sorbet for dessert.

After a long day of traveling it was nice to get into our room. My daughter and I shared a room and my husband and son shared a room. There must be someone over 18 booked in each room. If you feel comfortable leaving your kids in their own room, you can change the sleeping arrangements once you are onboard.

Every day while at dinner you get turn down service and a Daily Adventurer. This was a newsletter with your schedule for the next day and had the excursions you were doing listed on it. It also had information about the town you were going to and the weather, sunrise, sunset, and the ships phone number and docking location.

Note: We had breakfast and dinner on the ship each day. Everything is inclusive: meals, tips, transportation and all excursions. The only thing you need to pay for is souvenirs and if you have lunch off the ship.

Day 2 - Breisach, Germany

After Breakfast my daughter and I went on a Toboggan Run in the Black Forrest. My daughter got up to 42 kmph on one ride. Mine was much slower...lol! You had a hand break so you could control the speed.

Next up was a visit to a museum of authentic houses and life in early Black Forrest Germany. We churned butter and then got to taste our butter on German Grey bread which, according to our Adventure Guide Daniel who is from Germany, is the best bread. We made clocks also.

My husband and son went zip lining and had a visit to Triburg Waterfall in the Black Forrest. The boys had 8 zips to enjoy as they soared above the trees.

We all had a group lunch (included) of authentic German food; schnitzel for the girls and a variety of

meats including schnitzel and wursts for the boys. Desert was black forest cake, of course. Both excursions were

excellent and so much fun.

Back on the ship they had tea time everyday from 4 to 5 pm with drinks and tea sandwiches if you wanted. Our guides always held a daily meeting before dinner to discuss the day and talk about the next day. Dinner was at 7pm. The teens could eat together in the wine cellar and on select nights the Junior Adventures could eat in the lounge with the Adventure Guides. Then at different times there was a happy hour with all drinks included and there was always a late night snack.

Day 3 - Strasbourg, France

After another scruptous breakfast, we all departed for a Batorama Canal Boat tour. Some of the other passengers did an Alsace Canoe Excursion. We got an excellent glass topped boat tour of Strasbourg. We saw the EU European Parliament, European Court of Human Rights and the University of Strasbourg.

After the canal cruise we had some time in town to shop and get gelato before heading back to the ship for lunch that included escargot and coq au vin. We saw Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg:

Back on board in the afternoon we had a macaroon cooking class. The kids loved mixing flavors and making macaroons. Then it was tea time and happy hour.

After dinner we had a private organ concert at St. Thomas church where Mozart once played. To experience the organ as it was meant to be heard was memorable. By then it was late, so we headed back to the ship to relax and go to bed.

Day 4 - Ludwigshafen, Germany

Today's adventures was a tour of Heidelberg Castle by a local guide in authentic costume.

We were broken into small groups and had a local guide tell us all about this remarkable castle and the

life of Fredrick V and Elizabeth Stuart (1600’s), the most famous couple to live there. The tour was so

interesting; we saw cannon balls in walls, a two story wine barrel, and even an intricately decorated

Following the castle tour we took a train ride down the mountain to the town for time on our

own. We had lunch at a local German restaurant, with pretzels, schnitzel and currywurst. Then we

checked out the town, had more gelato and picked up some gummy bears and chocolate before heading back

to the ship.

After relaxing on the ship we enjoyed tea time and making friends. Then our usual meeting

before dinner at 7. After dinner was the big surprise. We had the inventor of Spaghetti Ice

Cream on our boat talking to everyone and giving out ice creams for everyone. Spaghetti Ice Cream is as

common in Germany as a hot fudge sundae is in America. Vanilla ice cream is put in

a noodle maker and squeezed out onto a whipped cream and topped with strawberry sauce and

white chocolate curls. So it looks like spaghetti with sauce and cheese. It was so delicious.

Later, we played Bingo in the lounge until our sugar rush wore off and then off to bed.

Day 5 - Rudesheim, Germany

We were off to an early start at 8:30 for our tour of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Cabinet. This had so

many musical cabinets from carousels and gramophones to singing birds in music boxes that

inspired Walt Disney to make the Tiki Room, one of my favorite shows.

Next I went to enjoy some Hot Chocolate at Café Rudesheim Schlos while the rest of my family took a gondola to the top of the vineyards which overlooked the Rhine and town. Later my husband enjoyed a Rudesheim coffee, a coffee with brandy that is lit on fire and topped with a giant whipped cream. He said it was delicious. I’ll take his

word for it.

Lunch was at a German Bier garden. After some shopping we left my husband to his wine tasting while the kids and I enjoyed a local treat called a chimney. It is dough wrapped around a spit and cooked, then sprinkled with your choice of topping. We chose cinnamon sugar. It was almost a foot long and delicious.

On our way back to the ship of course we got gelato. It was All Aboard by 3:45pm. As we sailed, we all went to the top deck for a castle tour of the UNESCO protected Rhine Gorge. We saw so many castles — some

in ruins and some are hotels now. Then, happy hour and our meeting for next day followed by dinner.

Another dinner for Junior Adventures also. Tonight's evening entertainment was Karaoke. We enjoyed a

bunch of people having fun singing, then off to bed.

Day 6 - Cologne, Germany

Today we got to sleep in a bit and enjoy a later breakfast before taking a walking tour of Cologne with a local guide. We split ourselves into small groups. We went with the new friends we made who also had kids our kid's ages. We learned most of the town was bombed out during WWII except the cathedral. All the stained glass and relics were removed from the cathedral. Along the way we encountered a wedding (on a Tuesday!) in the town center.

After the tour we split up and did different excursions. My son and I walked around the cathedral then walked to Lindt Chocolate Musuem. We enjoyed the Chocolate Museum, especially the chocolate fondue. My husband and daughter had a private tour of 4711 Fragrance House which even had a cologne fountain.

Then back on the boat for lunch and the teen pool party. The adults had Fruhschoppen, a German tradition of pretzels and sausages. We also had a lesson on the area's history by our Adventure Guide Daniel as we sailed down the Rhine. We sailed right by Daniel's home town of Dusseldorf.

Tonight we had our Captain's Cocktail party before our meeting about the next day’s events. It was a great time and we thanked all our staff and adventure guides for such an amazing trip thus far.

We had an exceptional Gala dinner followed by trivia night. Now I will brag a bit, my husband and I are very good at Disney Trivia. Well, after many trivia losses on Disney cruises we were vindicated and Team Schnitzel won!! After celebrating off to bed.

Day 7 - Amsterdam, Netherlands

We docked in Amsterdam for the next two days. We had an early morning start with a canal cruise

around town. There are 2.5 bikes per person in Amsterdam and bike lanes on all roads. So watch your

step so that you don’t get run over by a bike!

Amsterdam was so clean, nice and friendly. After the canal cruise we visited the Van Gough Museum. We saw Sunflowers , The Potato Eaters , Almond Blossom , and Irises . It was amazing to see them in person.

Then we went back to the ship for a light lunch of burgers and pizza. After lunch it was off to Zaanse Schans, an open air museum with working windmills and shops. We toured a windmill, ate cheese and more gelato, and decoupaged clogs. We learned that area of the Netherlands is called Holland. Holland is an area of the Netherlands, but not all of it.

On the way back our Adventure Guides had Stroop Waffles for everyone. They were filled with honey and were so fresh and delicious. We made it back in time for our evening meeting about departing tomorrow, then dinner. After dinner my daughter and I relaxed in the lounge and listened to some local musicians.

Day 8 - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sadly, the Adventures by Disney part of our trip had come to an end and it was time to leave the beautiful AmaLucia . Everyone had been assigned different times to disembark depending on when their flight or taxi was arriving. We were taking an afternoon train, so we had a taxi pick us up at 8:30am and take us to the train station to put our luggage in lockers.

After our luggage was secured, we walked around town and got lunch at a café. The food was very good. My husband and I shared a grill platter. They brought out a propane stove and placed a heaping tray of various delicious meats and veggies on it. We could have shared with the kids it was so much food, but they had grilled cheese with pineapple and a burger. We had a little time for shopping before catching our train to Paris to continue our adventure.

Our river cruise was so wonderful and exciting. The towns were gorgeous. The food was delicious. The staff was beyond helpful. What a wonderful way to experience Europe! I highly recommend Adventures by Disney to everyone.

For more information or to book your own Adventures by Disney vacation, contact Christie Wilson or your favorite Diserella Travel Advisor .

About the Author:

Christie Wilson's family motto is family motto is Life is an Adventure, get out and see the world . An avid Disney fan and traveler, Christie has experience with Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney.

Scrapped Pavilions

Over the years there have been several countries rumored to be coming to EPCOT’s World Showcase. Switzerland, Denmark, Venezuela, United Arab Emirates, and Costa Rica are some counties that were rumored to be joining the World Showcase lineup. However, there were three pavilions that were advertised, at the time EPCOT opened in 1982, that were set to join the lineup in the following years. These countries were Equatorial Africa, Israel, and Spain.

Equatorial Africa was one of the countries advertised at EPCOT’s opening and was set to be part of phase 2 of the opening. In the original proposal, the pavilion would have been placed between China and Germany (where the Refreshment Outpost currently sits). The land even had a model built and would have included 2 films called The Heartbeat of Africa and Africa Rediscovered. Unfortunately, due to the lack of sponsoring countries and political unrest in the region, the Equatorial Africa pavilion never came to fruition. Fortunately, we can now see Africa represented at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Israel was the second pavilion that was set to open in phase 2 of EPCOT’s opening. It was even advertised on billboards for two years following the park’s opening. The pavilion would have included a stage, theater attraction, and open-air restaurant and would have sat between Morocco and Japan. It would have represented ancient Jerusalem. While Israel did sign an agreement with Disney to sponsor the pavilion, the deal eventually fell through, and the pavilion was never constructed.

The final pavilion that was planned when EPCOT first opened was Spain. This pavilion was also advertised on billboards. It would have featured a representation of both Madrid and Barcelona and a boat ride similar to Gran Fiesta Tour in the Mexico pavilion. A film and restaurant were also planned. Like the other pavilions, it lacked sponsorship and therefore was never built.

There was a fourth pavilion that was thought up by Imagineers. However, this was not a country-based pavilion for World Showcase. In an effort to compete with the upcoming Universal Studios park, Imagineers came up with the idea for a movie pavilion that would have focused on Hollywood and the movies. While this idea never came to be at EPCOT (and thankfully so) it did lay the groundwork for what became Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disney’s MGM Studios at the time.

The Lost River Cruise Rides

There were two river cruise rides that were proposed for two of the current World Showcase Pavilions. These river cruise rides were Rhine River Cruise for the Germany pavilion and the Thames River Cruise for the United Kingdom pavilion.

The Rhine River Cruise in the Germany pavilion would have taken riders on a cruise over many of Germany’s different rivers including the Rhine, Tauber, Ruyr, and Isar. It would have also included scenes from the Black Forest, Oktoberfest, Heidelburg, and Ruhr Valley. It is unknown why this ride never came to be, but it was likely due to financial concerns. Many believe the entrace labeled "Snacks" was meant to be the entrance to the lost ride. You can actually enjoy a cruise on the actual Rhine River with Adventures by Disney.

The Thames River Cruise was meant to be a full-scale water ride featuring many London landmarks like the Tower of London, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. It would have been a very elaborate multi-level ride, and therefore would have taken up a lot of space. The scale of the ride is likely why it never was constructed.

How about Project Gemini and the failed Meet The World Project?

Amanda is a self-proclaimed Disney adult and lover of all things theme parks. When she's not keeping track of theme park news, watching Disney vlogs and documentaries, or working on her next article, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs, Sulley and Ellie. She also spends time helping others plan their theme park vacations at www.discoverthemagicvacationswithamanda.com

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Hidden Secrets of EPCOT

The Walt Disney World theme parks have some of the most devoted and knowledgable fan bases in the world, with books, websites, and Twitter accounts dedicated to seemingly everything one can imagine about them.

However, even with all of that, there are still a litany of Disney secrets hiding in plain sight . Today, we’ll be looking at the hidden secrets of EPCOT.

Spaceship Earth’s Structural Secrets

Spaceship Earth is not only the icon of EPCOT, it’s also one of the most architecturally impressive structures in the world. The 180-foot-high geodesic sphere is one of the largest structures of its type in the world. However, it’s appearance is also a bit of architectural trick: Instead of being one monolithic sphere, the structure is actually two domes built on top of each other and connected by a massive steel box-shaped ring.

Spaceship Earth’s outer shell is covered in 11,324 silver facets, with 954 partial or full flat triangular panels covering its surface. There are 1-inch gaps between the panels, which allow rainwater to flow through them, and drain into a gutter system built into the structure’s six legs, meaning no water pours off the sphere when it rains.

The Massive Living Seas

The pavilion now known as The Seas with Nemo and Friends contains one of the largest aquariums in the world. It holds 5.7 million gallons of saltwater. At the time of its opening it was the largest in the world, and remains 7th on the list nearly 40 years later.

Man on the Moon…

While Mission Space is one of the more… controversial EPCOT attractions to many, it’s undeniable how well the pavilion pays tribute to the history of space exploration. Case in point, the large replica of the moon outside the attraction’s entrance features 26 gold markers on its surface, each representing the location of the manned and unmanned moon landings the U.S. and Soviet Union respectively launched between 1959 and 1979.

Around the World Showcase

Let’s begin our trip around the World Showcase with the only correct place to start: Mexico. The Mexican pavilion holds the distinction of being the only World Showcase pavilion to be located completely inside a show building, allowing it to eternally be a beautiful moonlit night inside. The entire pavilion is housed inside the facade of a 36-foot-tall Pre-Columbian pyramid, modeled after the Aztec Temple of the Feathered Serpent located in the ancient holy city of Teotihuacán – AKA the “City of the Gods” near Mexico City.

The Norway Pavilion is one of the most deceptively detailed in the whole World Showcase, with numerous touches added by Imagineers. These include that one of the first visible buildings had a roof made of sod, which was common in Scandinavian countries.

Norway also has examples of both real Norwegian history and the EPCOT pavilion’s history on display for those who know where to look. The former can be found inside the Stave Church, where one can find a museum of Norwegian artifacts including a 1000-year-old sword. The latter can be found on a series of Imagineer-created rune-stones that depict scenes from the dearly departed Maelstrom attraction.

EPCOT’s China Pavilion is separated from the World Showcase promenade by a massive ceremonial gate based on the real Yunhui Yuyu Archway (loosely translated to Glowing Clouds and Holy Land Archway) at Beijing’s vaunted Summer Palace and gardens.

EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion’s best-kept secrets are little things, sometimes literally. The first is the large model train set-up next to the entrance. While most guests have likely seen this, there are many small hidden details in the sprawling model for those who take the time to closely examine it, including festive holiday decorations on the miniature buildings at the appropriate times of year.

When venturing into the pavilion, guests can find numerous little secrets hidden in the shops. These include luxury Steiff plushes on sale, and the pickle tree. What is the pickle tree you ask? Well, there’s allegedly a tradition in German culture (some claim this is more an American invention) that says that a pickle hung on one’s Christmas Tree will bring luck. So, the Christmas shop in EPCOT’s Germany features a tree decorated with nothing but pickle ornaments.

While these little secrets are certainly worth finding, the biggest hidden secret of the German Pavilion is what’s not there. As we’ve discussed in the past , the pavilion was originally scheduled to contain a dark ride, a river cruise down the Rhine that was described in the 1976 Disney Annual Report as “… 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.” In fact, the attraction was scheduled for inclusion for so long that a show building and its entrance were constructed before it was scratched, and both lay dormant to this day.

EPCOT’s Italian Pavilion features elements of several of the country’s grand cities folded into its design. The overall design is reminiscent of Venice’s St. Mark’s Square, complete with the massive entrance columns, one topped with a winged lion and the other with St. Theodore, both important symbols in Venetian history. However, the pavilion’s massive Neptune Fountain is meant to evoke the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Even Italy’s restaurant features references to Italian Landmarks, with the Via Napoli pizza ovens named Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvio, each after one of Italy’s well-known volcanoes.

The American Adventure

The massive show building at the heart of The American Adventure – and at the center of the entire World Showcase – is actually 5 stories tall. However though the magic of forced perspective, it’s disguised as being just 3 stories tall, so as not to overwhelm guests and the other pavilions.

As guests approach EPCOT’s Japan pavilion, they’re greeted by two massive architectural structures, each of which is symbolically important. The massive pagoda at the front of the pavilion features five stories, which represent the five elements many Buddhists believe make up the building blocks of all life: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Sky. Just across the promenade from the pagoda, a red Torri gate sits in the waters of the World Showcase Lagoon. These structures are common in both the religions of Shinto and Buddhism.

A less spiritual, but equally fascinating to explore hidden gem of the Japan Pavilion can be in the Mitsukoshi Department Store. First off, the store itself is the only of its brand in the United States, and carries a litany of Japanese products and pop culture souvenirs unavailable anywhere else on this side of the world. Furthermore, located within is the popular and recently returned pick-a-pearl ceremony, which allows guests to pay a small fee to choose a clam which in-turn may feature a pearl of varying size. The store is also connected to the Bijutsu-Kan Gallery, which features a museum exhibition dedicated to kawaii culture and merchandise.

Due to its lack of attraction or well-known restaurant, the Morocco Pavilion tends to be ignored by some EPCOT guests, which is a shame as it’s full of tiny hidden treasures. For example, there are numerous beautiful mosaics, each of which features a cracked or flawed tile on purpose, as only Allah could create perfection. Why was this element of Moroccan culture so closely adhered to? Because the whole pavilion was paid by the Moroccan government, who sent a team of designers to oversee its construction.

There’s allegedly a much larger hidden secret to the Moroccan World Showcase pavilion. According to some sources, the backside of Hollywood Studios’ Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction, which is visible behind the Morocco Pavilian in the distance, is painted and ornamented to blend with the pavilion.

For starters, the most visible and recognizable hidden secret of the France Pavilion ties into its version of the Eiffel Tower, which only stands 1/10th the size of the original.

World Showcase’s France Pavilion features numerous secrets and Easter eggs tied to the recently opened Remi’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction. These include manhole covers, iron railings, park benches, and a fountain adorned with rats, and wine bottles adorned with the dates 2007 (the release of the original film) and 2014 and 2021 (the opening dates of the Walt Disney Studios Paris and EPCOT versions of the attraction, respectively).

Beyond its newest attraction, the France Pavilion also holds the distinction of being the only area of World Showcase open prior to its posted 11:00 a.m. opening time, thanks to Les Halles serving breakfast.

United Kingdom

The first UK Easter egg can be found when traveling from France to the United Kingdom, when guests cross over a bridge meant to represent crossing the English Channel between the two countries in real life.

Further into the pavilion, you will find the Rose & Crown Pub, whose name stems from a survey of the British Isles which found that the most common words used in pub names across the region were “rose” and “crown.”

The Canada Pavilion’s biggest hidden secrets are behind two of its most recognizable landmarks. The large totem pole located at the pavilion’s entrance was carved by a renowned Tsimshian Indian carver, David Boxley. Its three stories feature the story of a Raven tricking the Chief of the Skies to release the sun, moon, and stars.

Canada’s massive waterfall contains its own hidden, yet much less secret meaning. It exists to hide the appearance and noise of a huge generator situated directly behind it.

Hidden Secrets of Magic Kingdom

Want to learn more about epcot’s massive transformation we can help.

Opening Timeline Confirmed for Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana
Details You’ve NEVER Noticed About the Moana Attraction Coming to EPCOT
Learn About the NEW Areas Coming to EPCOT’s World Celebration
Get a Look at the New Walt Disney Statue Coming to EPCOT
FIRST LOOK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT
Details Shared About a NEW Character Meet-and-Greet Spot Coming to EPCOT
A Figment Meet-and-Greet Has Been Announced for EPCOT
EVERYTHING You Need to Know About the BIG Changes Coming to EPCOT

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Currently there is not a separate opening time. All areas of the oak open at the sane time

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All About Germany in Epcot

Germany is an Epcot World Showcase pavilion at Walt Disney World featuring Biergarten restaurant, gift shops, and more. In this post, we’ll share some tips and info about design, merchandise, and dining in the Germany pavilion.

Our intention here is to mostly focus on the Germany pavilion’s shopping and architecture. We’ve already reviewed Biergarten, and there are no attractions in Germany (although we’ll discuss the unbuilt Rhine River Cruise here!), so that’s primarily what’s left to cover.

We think shopping is one of the overlooked aspects of World Showcase, as many guests assume that if they don’t want to buy anything, the stores don’t hold a lot of appeal. This couldn’t be further from the truth in most pavilions, and we think its especially true in Germany, where there are tons of cool details and beautiful items for sale–calling them souvenirs doesn’t do them justice–that are worth seeing even if you have no intentions of purchasing anything…

Let’s get started with a look at the Germany pavilion’s architecture, the story behind its presence in World Showcase, and what could have been.

Architecture & Backstory

In terms of architecture, the Germany pavilion features inspiration from a number of real cities and monuments around the country, but leans most heavily on the Bavaria region. Within that, one city was especially significant for the Imagineers: Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

We visited Rothenburg ob der Tauber during a trip to Germany, and the similarities were uncanny in places. As I wrote in this blog post about Rothenburg ob der Tauber on TravelCaffeine, which I’d recommend you check out if you want to see my photos of the real Rothenburg , the charming village is like stepping into a fairytale. It’s a place from a bygone era that is truly enchanting. It’s easy to see why so much of the idealized Germany that Disney’s Imagineers created pulls heavily from the similarly romanticized Rothenburg.

In the center of the pavilion’s plaza is a fountain topped with a statue of Saint George. While the inspiration for this would appear to be Rothenburg (pictured below), we noticed plenty of fountains like this throughout Germany. It could just as easily be inspired by another location, or a combination of fountains meant to generically evoke Germany.

In other facades, it appears the Germany pavilion is influenced by buildings in Frankfurt and Freiburg. The latter definitely serves as inspiration for at least a couple of prominent structures in Epcot, the clocktower and ‘Das Kaufhaus.’ While the Epcot clocktower could be inspired by Rothenburg, it’s more likely based upon ones found in Freiburg.

With that said, the Germany pavilion largely feels like an amalgamation of real world locations. Much of it is similar enough to Rothenburg to feel eerily reminiscent of that, but different enough that it has its own distinct sense of place. I suspect that Imagineers paid a visit to Germany while doing field research for World Showcase, and similarly found Rothenburg mesmerizing. Where else they might’ve gone and other architecture that inspired the design of Epcot’s Germany is more of a mystery.

The large fortification resembles the main keep at Eltz Castle, a medieval castle along the Moselle River, but the similarities are more vague. Personally, I think it would’ve been cool for Imagineering to draw from Hohenschwangau Castle, which stands adjacent to Neuschwanstein Castle, famed for being the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland .

For me, Germany is also home to one of the greatest unbuilt attraction stories of Walt Disney World: Rhine River Cruise. This attraction is not just fan lore or internet urban legend. The attraction was officially announced, was detailed in Walt Disney’s EPCOT Center by Richard Beard, and was discussed in other promotional materials for the opening of EPCOT.

The premise of the attraction was that it’d offer EPCOT Center guests the chance to float down the Rhine, Tauber, Ruhr, and Isar Rivers on a leisurely boat ride, affording a “visual impression in miniature of the cultural heritage of Germany’s past and highlights of its present.”

Locations were to include scenes from the Black Forest, Oktoberfest, Heidelberg, the Ruhr Valley, and elsewhere. Detailed miniatures of famous landmarks would be featured, including Cologne Cathedral. From this, it would seem that Rhine River Cruise would be akin to Storybook Land Canal Boats, except featuring real-world Germany instead of European-inspired animated film locales.

The Rhine River Cruise is also fascinating because work had begun on it before it was cancelled. While we don’t know the full extent of the progress, we do know that the attraction’s entrance (now covered over) was set, and at least part of the show building behind it was constructed. ( Per Imagineering Disney , the show building was not constructed in its entirety and it would seem the attraction was cancelled right around 1982.)

Germany Dining

Now seems like as good of a time as any to highlight one of my favorite snacks in World Showcase: the Nudel Gratin at Sommerfest. I’ve neglected to review this counter service restaurant because it’s more a glorified kiosk than an actual restaurant, and the Nudel Gratin is nothing profound, just a simple yet delicious comfort dish of macaroni and cheese.

We’re also fans of Karamell-Küche, another dining spot in Germany for which we don’t have a review. We should really do a full review of this bakery, as the menu is pretty deep, and there’s a lot we enjoy here. My favorites include the Caramel Snickerdoodle Cookie, Caramel Pecan Bar, and pretty much any dessert with salted caramel. Oddly, the things that are “meh” for me are the varieties of caramel corn and apples, which are the most popular items there.

Here are some of our other posts about dining in Germany:

Biergarten Review — Convivial atmosphere and hearty food makes for a good combination, and even if Biergarten doesn’t push the culinary envelope, it offers a Disneyfied approximation of Oktoberfest, which is much cheaper than booking a trip to Munich in the fall!
Snack Around World Showcase Tips — If you don’t have time (or stomach space) to do a trip to the buffet of Biergarten, all is not lost! This ‘culinary world tour’ includes a stop in Germany.
Drinking Around World Showcase Tips — Germany is World Showcase’s most popular drinking country, albeit (arguably) not for good reason. It’s not that German beer is bad, it’s just overrated.

While I love perusing the shops in Germany for their beautiful and authentic items that could qualify as heirlooms, there are items at the other end of the spectrum that are kind of tacky. I realize that Germany is synonymous with beer for many people, but there’s a way to embrace that in a tasteful manner.

The good news is that so many pieces of merchandise do exactly that. The steins are really cool, as is the line of Biergarten merchandise. Most of the Disney character stuff is solid, too. As with the other European countries, Germany has a huge mix of Disney and non-Disney merchandise. Perhaps the most of any country in World Showcase.

There are also ornate cuckoo clocks, expensive toy train sets, and some beautiful Christmas ornaments. Out of all of this, my favorite piece of merchandise is the Mickey Mouse Steiff plush. The quality on this is exceptional, with the price to match!

I just can’t get over this Steiff Mickey Mouse plush. It’s so classy and high quality. I feel like this is the Mickey Mouse stuffed animal that celebrities buy their kids, wanting to give them the iconic childhood toy, but a variety of which that’s a cut above what us commoners would own. You just know Blue Ivy wasn’t slumming it with the normal Mickey stuffed animal!

I’ll be honest: over the years, Germany has slowly fallen down my list of pavilions at Epcot. I have nothing against it (other than it seeming to be one of the top hangouts for Epcot “drinking teams”), it just seems to offer less to do and the courtyard area doesn’t really have any quiet areas to explore. Taking the time to slow down and wander through the shops gave me a renewed appreciation for the Germany pavilion, as there are so many exquisitely hand-crafted details inside the shops. It’s still not my favorite World Showcase country, but they can’t all be #1, and even my least favorite pavilions are still some of the best areas of Walt Disney World.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Did you learn anything about the Germany pavilion at Epcot from this post? Do you have any favorite ‘dream’ merchandise in the Germany pavilion that you’d love to own? Thoughts on dining in Germany? About the pavilion’s architecture? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Great information about Germany thanks for sharing with us..

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Rhine River Cruise – Adventures by Disney

Experience the enchanting beauty of Europe with Adventures by Disney’s Rhine River cruise, a journey that takes you through the heart of Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Sail along the scenic Rhine River and immerse yourself in the picturesque landscapes of Europe , dotted with charming villages, medieval towns, and majestic Gothic cathedrals. This adventure offers a feast for the senses, allowing you to savor the region’s iconic sweets and culinary delights while soaking in the breathtaking views of sweeping vineyards and historical landmarks.

As part of this exclusive sailing experience, enjoy the luxury and comfort of AmaWaterways, renowned leaders in river cruising. Their expertly crafted voyages ensure a memorable and seamless journey for every traveler. Adventures by Disney ensures that each family member, regardless of age, finds excitement and enjoyment with a range of activities designed to engage and inspire. From exploring cultural treasures to relaxing on deck amidst stunning scenery, this Rhine River cruise promises an unforgettable adventure filled with magic, wonder, and luxury. Join us for an extraordinary voyage that combines the best of European charm and Disney’s exceptional service.

Rhine River Cruise Highlights

Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands | 8 Days / 7 Nights

Black Forest Adventures Ride a toboggan through pastoral landscapes and learn to make a wooden pipe for the region’s iconic cuckoo clocks.

Heidelberg Castle Tour Uncover the history of this renowned storybook castle that dates back to 1614.

Riquewihr Excursion Enjoy this quaint medieval village with its cobblestone streets and 13th-century structures.

Amsterdam Canal Cruise See this picturesque city and its remarkable attractions as you glide down one of its 165 canals.

Rhine Gorge Castle Cruise Sail through the Rhine Gorge and the lovely shoreline that’s populated with 30 iconic castles.

Rüdesheim Gondola Ride Take to the sky via a gondola ride to Niederwald Monument for amazing panoramic views.

Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets – ‘Tis the season to set sail for festive destinations in Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands on an Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets. Get in the holiday spirit as you shop world-renowned Christmas Markets, discover the beauty of Strasbourg from aboard the famed Petit Train, add some thrills to your holiday with a visit to a unique theme park, cruise the canals of Amsterdam and much more on this very merry river cruise adventure.

Rhine River Cruise: Food and Wine – Discover 6 destinations in 4 countries on the Adult-Exclusive Rhine River Cruise: Food & Wine, an epicurean sailing with AmaWaterways, a leader in luxury river cruising. You’ll visit world-famous breweries, award-winning wineries and local pubs, all while experiencing world-class culinary delights amid some of Europe’s most scenic regions.

Rhine River Cruise Departures

2024 Season Rhine River Cruise Dates

May 23, 2024 – May 30, 2024 – Adult Exclusive
June 6, 2024 – June 13, 2024
June 20, 2024 – June 27, 2024
July 4, 2024 – July 11, 2024
July 11, 2024 – July 18, 2024
July 18, 2024 – July 25, 2024
August 1, 2024 – August 8, 2024
September 19, 2024 – September 26, 2024 – Rhine River Cruise: Food and Wine – Adult Exclusive
October 10, 2024 – October 17, 2024 – Rhine River Cruise: Food and Wine – Adult Exclusive
December 19, 2024 – December 26, 2024 – Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets

2025 Season Rhine River Cruise Dates

June 5, 2025 – June 12, 2025
June 19, 2025 – June 26, 2025
June 26, 2025 – July 3, 2025
July 3, 2025 – July 10, 2025
July 10, 2025 – July 17, 2025
July 17, 2025 – July 24, 2025
September 18, 2025 – September 25, 2025 – Rhine River Cruise: Food and Wine – Adult Exclusive
October 9, 2025 – October 16, 2025 – Rhine River Cruise: Food and Wine – Adult Exclusive
December 18, 2025 – December 25, 2025 – Rhine River Cruise: Christmas Markets

Rhine River Cruise Overview

Accommodations

AmaSiena or AmaLucia
Arrive: Basel Airport (BSL)
Return: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
7 Breakfasts
Minimum Age: 5 / Adult Exclusive: +18
Suggested Age: 8+

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Germany at Epcot’s World Showcase Nearly Had Its Own Rhine River Cruise Ride

Concept art for the Rhine River Cruise in the Germany Pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Japan has its scrapped Mount Fuji , the United Kingdom has its scrapped Thames River Ride , and Germany has — or, rather, doesn’t have — the Rhine River Cruise .

First announced as the “German Rivers Cruise” in a shareholder document in 1976, long before Epcot was open (or had been built), the attraction would have taken guests on a gentle, It’s a Small World -style boat journey through Germany and the Swiss Alps, into the Ruhr Valley, past Heidelberg, the Black Forest, Cologne Cathedral, and Neuschwanstein Castle (on which Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle is partially modeled). Unusually for a boat ride, the blueprints suggest that the riders would all have been seated sideways. This would have forced all guests to face in the same direction, and allowed the Imagineers complete control over the visual experience.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany

Rumor has it that Disney had got so far into the construction process before the Rhine River Cruise project was canceled that the show building had already been constructed. This isn’t true. But Disney did build the large wooden doors that would have led to the queue, and then, when the initiative was scrapped, had to paint them over with a mural.

For years, Disney’s Imagineers have come close to building country-themed rides around the World Showcase, only to pull back at the last moment. (The notable exception to this rule was Maelstrom , in the Norway pavilion.) Today, they seem finally to have got the hang of it. Norway now has Frozen . France now has Ratatouille . And maybe — just maybe — one day, Germany will have its own.

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Adventures By Disney

Set sail with adventures by disney on the first disney-themed rhine river cruise presented by d23.

by Evily Giannopoulos Peros , Senior Manager, Public Relations, Disney Cruise Line

I am thrilled to share with you an exciting new Adventures by Disney experience that was just announced at the D23 Expo . This magical voyage on the Rhine River will feature Disney legends and luminaries who will offer insider insights and Disney-themed activities, all presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club . Best of all this one very special sailing is available for you to experience, whether you’re a D23 member or a nonmember.

So grab your Mickey ears and get ready to take in the stunning sights along the Rhine River as you discover six destinations in four countries on an all-inclusive cruise. This seven-night sailing, departing Aug. 9, 2020, will transport you to enchanting destinations in Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands, all with a very special Disney twist.

In addition to amazing adventures ashore like ziplining above the Black Forest and exploring medieval wine caves, your onboard experience will be distinctly Disney. You’ll be able to meet and mingle with Disney icons including Becky Cline , director of the Walt Disney Archives; renowned producer and film historian Don Hahn ; Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter ; and Bret Iwan , the voice of Mickey Mouse. These very special guests will share behind-the-magic stories about insights into the imagination of Walt Disney, inspirations for Disney’s first European theme park and the real-life locations that inspired him.

The onboard fun will continue with fireside chats, compelling presentations and more Disney-themed activities. And as always, while onboard your AmaWaterways ship, you’ll savor fresh, locally sourced cuisine, elegantly appointed staterooms and an abundance of amenities.

Need one more reason to jump onboard this one-time Adventures by Disney river cruise? Don’t miss your chance to save $750 per person* on this special sailing when you book now through Oct. 4, 2019.

This one-of-a-kind itinerary is now open for booking, along with other 2020 vacations. For more information or to book, visit adventuresbydisney.com , call 866-411-3671 or contact your travel agent.

* The per person per reservation discount is taken from the non-discounted prevailing rate as quoted on AdventuresByDisney.com on the date of booking (“Regular Rate”) and valid only for the Adventures by Disney Rhine river cruise sailing departing on August 9, 2020. Regular Rates vary by time of booking and are subject to change. Regular Rates are based on double occupancy. All guest names required at time of booking. Courtesy holds will not be accepted without compliance with standard payment terms. The number of river cruise staterooms available for this offer is limited. Excludes river cruise suites and category E staterooms. The AdventuresByDisney.com website is not updated in real time; availability is subject to confirmation at the time of booking with Adventures by Disney. Discount not applicable to deposit. Valid on new bookings only. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or promotions. Offer is not transferable or redeemable for cash in whole or in part. Void where prohibited. Offer is subject to change without notice. Offer available to U.S. and Canada residents only. Bookings subject to restrictions and Adventures by Disney’s standard terms and conditions

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'You're not fighting the crowds' in Europe when you visit on a river cruise

Europe has no shortage of marquee tourist hot spots , but Diamond Meadows’ first river cruise there didn’t include them.

The 28-year-old graduate student took a cruise along the Rhine and Moselle rivers that took her to cities like Koblenz and Trier in Germany (she supplemented the sailing with train travel around Austria, Switzerland and elsewhere).

Meadows was traveling with her mom and her mom’s boss, who uses a wheelchair. The group chose the CroisiEurope Cruises sailing for the ease of sailing with a mobility device . But she discovered other upsides.

“It takes you exactly into the heart of the city,” said Meadows, who is based in Tennessee. Their roughly 160-guest vessel offered convenient drop-offs in smaller destinations, allowing them “to access so much more.”

Many European destinations were packed with tourists last summer . But river cruises in the continent can offer a more laid-back way to travel with small ships visiting a mix of popular and less-crowded ports.

Are river cruises better than ocean cruises?

Jen Campbell Boles, founder of the travel agency Explore More Family Travel, said that while cruising in general is a “great value for seeing Europe,” river sailings are particularly immersive. “One quote we always use in the travel industry is, ‘Ocean cruise liners take you to the destination, river cruises take us through the destination,’” she said.

Passengers visit not only major cities but also quaint villages and often disembark within walking distance of attractions. When they are done exploring, they return to a ship with an average of 150 guests.

“It's more intimate, it's cozier,” said Campbell Boles. “You're not fighting the crowds, obviously.”

That was part of the draw for Jim Jones, 57, who took Avalon Waterways river cruises with his wife in 2011 and 2014.

“The smaller cities were an attraction,” said Jones, who is based in Phoenix and works for a software company. He enjoyed visiting Avignon in the south of France, for example, which was once the seat of the papacy . “I’m a total history geek,” he said. On their first cruise, he recalled, “just about every town” they visited had a farmers’ market, allowing them to sample local food.

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Unlike ocean cruise ships, with their large casinos and plentiful bars, onboard “it was very relaxed and a much slower pace.”

River cruise vessels tend to have “less bells and whistles,” Campbell Boles said (though she added that guests get a more personalized experience as a result of their small size).

Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, echoed that. He said the cruises are less about the ship than where it’s going. “This is truly an experience about itineraries.”

Are European river cruises cheaper than land-based trips?

While travelers can find land-based accommodations that are less expensive than river cruises, there are other factors to consider.

River cruises tend to bundle more costs, such as alcohol in the fare, than a mainstream ocean cruise line, Duckworth said (though exact policies vary by line). At least one excursion per day is typically included, as well, Campbell Boles added.

She said demand for Europe is still “through the roof” and land-based pricing is particularly high. “Even if you're staying in the highest category stateroom or suite, you're spending less than an equivalent hotel,” she said.

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Would you spend $14,000 on a cruise? Here's why these travelers splurged.

Transportation from one destination to another is also built into a river cruise, whereas travelers might have to take a train or make other arrangements to visit a mix of places. “I mean that really adds up in Europe, so this is a great way to see a lot more variety,” Campbell Boles said.

Passengers can also add pre- and post-cruise stays, allowing them to “get the best of both worlds.”

“What we say is that a river cruise oftentimes can be a premium product,” added Duckworth. “But for what you're experiencing – the comfort, the (lower) stress, the luxurious experience on board – we find it to be actually the best value through Europe from our experience.”

Are European river cruises kid-friendly?

Since river cruises require a certain amount of free time – most are at least seven days long – they have tended to be popular with older guests, according to Duckworth.

But in the past couple of years, he has noticed more multigenerational travel in the sector. “We're seeing grandparents bring their grandkids, we're seeing young professionals go on a river in Europe for the first time,” Duckworth said.

Some operators have offerings that are particularly well-suited to younger guests. Adventures by Disney offers river cruises with AmaWaterways, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has a Generations Collection .

How long should I go on a cruise?: How long and short cruises compare

Even if programming is curated with kids in mind, though, Duckworth cautioned that river cruise vessels don’t offer the same breadth of amenities as large ocean ships. “If your kids want to go to a waterpark and they want to go on a FlowRider and they want to play putt-putt all day, there are great lines for you, but a European river cruise is probably not one of them currently,” he said.

Some lines also don’t allow kids or have varying age requirements, so it’s important to do some research beforehand.

For those going for the first time, Campbell Boles suggested starting with a cruise on the Danube or Rhine since they are “kind of the most iconic.”

“I mean, it’s Europe,” she added. “It’s going to be great no matter what river you go on.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Rhine River Cruise
Rhine River Cruise: Epcot Center's Cancelled Attractions Part 16
"Rhine River Cruise
The 7 Best Rhine River Cruises to Book Now
Disney Reveals New Logo and New “Moana” Experience for EPCOT
EPCOT Center

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Rhine River Cruise September 2023
EP1: Day 1 to 3. Room and ship tour. Cologne and Koblenz walking tour. Rhine hiking

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Disney Abandoned Attractions: Epcot Rhine River Cruise
What is the Epcot Rhine River Cruise? The Rhine River Cruise is a boat ride through Germany's most famous rivers-Rhine, Tauber, Ruhr, and Isar-that would have passed detailed miniatures of iconic German landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral, Neuschwanstein Castle, and Black Forest.. The attraction would have taken place in a nighttime setting as it toured by lit-up miniatures placed so ...
Rhine River Cruise Mysteries
According to the Walt Disney Company's 1976 annual report, the Rhine River Cruise 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." Other accounts claim that the ride would have also ...
Rhine River Cruise: Epcot Center's Cancelled Attractions Part 16
Welcome back to Epcot Center's Cancelled attractions. If you missed any previous articles in this series be sure to check here.Today we are talking about one of the most famous canceled attractions from Epcot Center, the Rhine River Cruise, the canceled boat ride from the Germany Pavilion in World Showcase.
Germany Pavilion at Epcot
Germany Pavilion at Epcot. / 28.36806°N 81.54694°W / 28.36806; -81.54694. The Germany Pavilion is a German -themed pavilion that is part of the World Showcase, within Epcot at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, United States. Its location is between the China and Italy pavilions.
Show Buildings Still Exist For EPCOT Rides That Were Never Built
Rhine River was designed to be a boat ride and would, according to the Walt Disney Company's 1976 annual report, take Guests on a cruise down Germany's most famous rivers — The Rhine, the ...
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More details can be found on the River Cruising with Disney page of adventuresbydisney.com or by calling 833-ABD-0103 (833-223-0103). Destinations: Adventures By Disney. Today we're excited to announce our 2024 River Cruise sailings will return to three iconic European locations - the Rhine River, the Danube River and the Seine River.
Adventures by Disney Offers Three Enchanting River Cruise Vacations in
Adventures by Disney just announced a return to three enchanting rivers in 2023: Rhine, Danube and Seine. With 27 action-packed departures that include family, adult-exclusive and holiday-themed sailings, you'll experience firsthand the people, places and stories of iconic destinations. Plus, our team of specially trained Adventure Guides ...
Rhine River Cruise
Rhine River Cruise. Revel in the scenic beauty along the spectacular Rhine River. 8 Days. from $5,399. View Rates & Dates. Trip Type. Small Ship Adventures ... a third party travel document company servicing the travel industry (not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company). Contact CIBT for more information or call CIBT at (800) 406-1523.
Disney Extinct Attractions: Rhine River Cruise and Mount Fuji Roller
The Rhine River Cruise seemed like a festive affair, judging by all of the colors seen in the picture above. Unfortunately, in terms of the actual content of the ride, not a lot more is known ...
Highlights from the First-Ever Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise
Last month I was fortunate enough to set sail on the first-ever Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise.Throughout our week onboard the brand-new AmaKristina ship we stopped in charming ports in four countries - Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands.
Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise Review
Advetures by Disney partners with AmaWaterways for their river cruise adventures as the quality of their ships and level of service are a good match for Disney. We got in early and boarded the ship around 11am. We were some of the first on the boat, but couldn't check into our room until a little later.
SCRAPPED...EPCOT Attractions That Never Came To Be
Many believe the entrace labeled "Snacks" was meant to be the entrance to the lost ride. You can actually enjoy a cruise on the actual Rhine River with Adventures by Disney. The Thames River Cruise was meant to be a full-scale water ride featuring many London landmarks like the Tower of London, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament.
Hidden Secrets of EPCOT
The Walt Disney World theme parks have some of the most devoted and knowledgable fan bases in the world, with books, websites, and Twitter accounts dedicated to seemingly everything one can imagine about them. ... a river cruise down the Rhine that was described in the 1976 Disney Annual Report as "… a cruise down Germany's most famous ...
All About Germany in Epcot
For me, Germany is also home to one of the greatest unbuilt attraction stories of Walt Disney World: Rhine River Cruise. This attraction is not just fan lore or internet urban legend. The attraction was officially announced, was detailed in Walt Disney's EPCOT Center by Richard Beard, and was discussed in other promotional materials for the ...
Rhine River Cruise with Adventures by Disney
Rhine River Cruise Departures. 2024 Season Rhine River Cruise Dates. June 5, 2025 - June 12, 2025. June 19, 2025 - June 26, 2025. June 26, 2025 - July 3, 2025. July 3, 2025 - July 10, 2025. July 10, 2025 - July 17, 2025. July 17, 2025 - July 24, 2025. September 18, 2025 - September 25, 2025 - Rhine River Cruise: Food and Wine ...
Adventures by Disney Launches First Disney Themed Rhine River Cruise
Walt Disney Co. is expanding its cruises to one of the great bodies of water in the world. At its annual D23 Expo this week in Anaheim, company officials announced a river cruise offering on the Rhine River , which includes everything associated with its ocean cruises-Disney legends and luminaries who will offer insider insights as well as ...
The Best Rhine River Cruises for Every Traveler
Best Rhine River Cruise on a Budget: Gate 1 Travel. For wallet-conscious cruisers used to deals on ocean-going lines, the price of a Rhine River cruise can come as a shock. For about $1,000 less ...
Why didn't the Germany boat ride ever open?
Officially, the Rhine River Cruise got put "on hold," and the intention was to build it after EPCOT opened in 1982. But by 1983, partly thanks to the debt Disney had incurred to build the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, the company was in no position to add anything at all to its stateside parks.
Germany at Epcot's World Showcase Nearly Offered a Boat Ride
Japan has its scrapped Mount Fuji, the United Kingdom has its scrapped Thames River Ride, and Germany has — or, rather, doesn't have — the Rhine River Cruise.. First announced as the "German Rivers Cruise" in a shareholder document in 1976, long before Epcot was open (or had been built), the attraction would have taken guests on a gentle, It's a Small World-style boat journey ...
Set Sail with Adventures by Disney on the First Disney-themed Rhine
These very special guests will share behind-the-magic stories about insights into the imagination of Walt Disney, inspirations for Disney's first European theme park and the real-life locations that inspired him. ... and valid only for the Adventures by Disney Rhine river cruise sailing departing on August 9, 2020. Regular Rates vary by time ...
European River Cruises
Embark on an 8-day/7-night adventure from the lights of Paris to the historic beaches of Normandy. Rhine River Cruise. Enjoy 4 countries—France, Germany, Switzerland and The Netherlands—on an 8-day/7-night adventure. Rhine River Cruise: Food & Wine. Tempt your taste buds on an 8-Day/7-night Adult Exclusive culinary cruise to Switzerland ...
Tauck's 2025 adds river, Med cruises, River Academy for advisors
The first-ever Tauck River Academy training event for travel advisors will take place during the company's Oct. 6, 2025 sailing of its 10-day 'Three Rivers: Danube, Main & Rhine' itinerary aboard the Joy riverboat. Announced last month at ASTA's River Cruise Expo, the Academy generated more than 500 inquiries and is quickly reaching capacity.
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The 28-year-old graduate student took a cruise along the Rhine and Moselle rivers that took her to cities like Koblenz and Trier in Germany (she supplemented the sailing with train travel around ...
Food & Wine
On the 8-Day/7-Night Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise: Food & Wine, enjoy local tastings in cities that include Basel, Strasbourg, Mannheim, Rüdesheim, Cologne and Amsterdam. ... a third party travel document company servicing the travel industry (not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company). Contact CIBT for more information or call ...

Disney Abandoned Attractions: The Epcot Rhine River Cruise

Nuances of the Name

Overview of Epcot’s Germany Pavilion

What is the Epcot Rhine River Cruise?

An Imagineer’s Insights

The Rhine River Experience

The Queue & Loading Area

The Ride Vehicles

Mysteries Of The Rhine

The Swansong of Phase 2

Traces Of Rhine – 1982

The Exit Archways

The Exit Corridor

Traces Of Rhine – Present Day

The Buffet Windows

The Buffet Line

Becoming Urban Legend

Aftermath of the Rhine’s Cancellation

Impact on the Germany Pavilion & Epcot

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