The Norway Pavilion Epcot

New Years Firework seen from the Norwegian Pavilion.

I worked New Years Eve in the Bakery, and when the clock turned nearly midnight, there was no Guests in the pavilion, so everyone went outside. We saw the amazing firework before returning to work.

Today we had a new termination of a guy from Stavanger. So in under 1 month we lost three people from Stavanger/Sandnes except me… It feels weird.

Its now been 1 1/2 month, and we already lost two of our members from my arrival group.

- December: One girl was terminated/deported as she stole from other cast members (over 500 dollars, ipod touch etc) and was by the police arrested for stealing makeup from Walmart. Good riddance!

- One boy was suppose to come with us the 7th, but left the group in London as he changed his mind. He regretted it and got a new appointment to come in the end of January, but now he disappeared from facebook and dont respond to any mails. I dont think he will come…

Two down. 7 to go.

To Norways Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, from Alexander Sjursæther, a Cultural Representative working in the Norwegian Pavilion in Epcot 2010-2011.

The Norwegian Pavilion was opened the 3th of June 1988, brand new and shiny, but since the official Norway and government abandoned the pavilion in the 90s, the pavilion has fallen completly in the hands of Walt Disney World. Its a little piece of Norway, a little piece of faded Norway that will remain a showcase about our country to over 6 million people every year. Something needs to be done… Now.

I have read a lot about the pavilions history and know a lot about the exitment and enthusiasm that existed when Norway got its own pavilion in World Showcase in Epcot. It was the courage and vigor of a lot of individuals and good economical times that gave little Norway a place with the rest of the world, we cant just give it up.

Ive been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they told me that there was no plans for Norway at the current time to do anything with the pavilion from the governments side. I also know that the Ministry of Industry just turned down a request to support the pavilion, this was exactly how is was in 1984 as well, the ministries would not support anything, it had to be taken hand of by the government officials. Therefore, I strongly urge you to do something and change the course of where this pavilion is heading.

Since Norway stopped the 200.000$ contribution in 2002, against all recommendations, no one knows what will happen to it, and we have nothing to say about it anymore.

In 1998 it was estimated that the Norwegian Pavilion gave Norway about 15% tourist increase from USA. Even though a lot of companies and government have left the pavilion,  some still remains, Geir Ness for example sells a lot of his products in the pavilion and is often there himself to promote his products and Norway, which is particular for his product Laila. The total sales amount for Norwegian companies in the pavilion should be over 40 million NOK every year.

Every year, over 150 Norwegian youths get to work in the pavilion and for Walt Disney World, one year in USA working for one of the worlds largest companies, this is a valueable experience for all youths accepted into the program, Norway as a business-nation should also appriciate the work, experience and training these great youths get while theyre on their Cultural Representative Program. If Norway had more control or did anything for the pavilion, we would have more influence on who was actually representing out country and we could do a better following up program for the Norwegian Cast Members.

When the pavilion was sold to Disney in 1992 for 26 million dollars, Norway lost somewhat control over the pavilion, but the government and the Norsk Eksportråd managed to make an agreement so that the Norwegian profile would still dominate the pavilion. This agreement however was only valid for 10 years, and I believe that this has a connection with the annual contribution of 200.000$ the government gave to Walt Disney World.

I would like to thank some of the most important persons and companies that contributed to the realisation of the Norwegian Pavilion: Lars A. Christiansen, Erik Sande, Knut Kloster Sr, Paul Lødøen, Arne Mansåker, King Harald of Norway, Henrich Nissen-Lie, Gunnar Jerman, Klosters Rederi AS, Selmer-Sande AS, Den norske Creditbank, Vesta Gruppen AS, AS Norcem, AS Kosmos, Det norske Veritas, Norsk Data AS, Frionor Norsk Frossenfisk AL, Norway Foods Ltd. AS… If Norway still had spirits like these individuals and companies, things would be a lot easier.

We dont have the same enthusiasm today as we did back in the 80s for the Norwegian Pavilion, which is very sad with the impression guests gets from visiting the showcase. Ofcourse, its nothing like the 80s work that has to be done to get Norway back on track again, its just some courage and finances that needs to be in order. Personally I would like for official Norway to buy back the pavilion, but if the government agrees with Walt Disney World and finance/contributes the pavilion like nearly all the other countries does, we will definitely have something to say about the operation. This is for sure, since after Norway stopped contributions in 2002, the Information shack was shut down and the Akershus was filled with princesses and became a storybook dining.

The Norwegian Pavilion needs an update, Walt Disney World have tried getting Norway in on updating the movie Ive read, thats really something that should be done, as well as the ride should been modernised and updated. But Norway has said no, because its not so likely that people from USA will have the money to visit Norway. I would like to remind the government and PM that we use many million NOK every year on posters and other adverting tricks for for example German camping tourists, if it is so much easier for Germans to come camp in Norway, it should be a goal to get Americans and all other nations that visits Epcot to come to Norway as well when they visit Germany, there is also a lot of Germans visiting Epcot. And one estimate shows that the pavilion increased the visits from USA with 15%. Anyway, if thats the only real reason the government wont contribute, its sad, the Norwegian Pavilion will stay in Epcot for many years (I hope, even though Ive heard rumors about cutting us out under the finance crisis) and the pavilion will remain a showcase about Norway to all of the over 6 million guests who visits our pavilion every year…

Its also very weird that Norway gave 150 million NOK to the Expo in Shanghai, a pavilion that had way fewer visitors and only lasted six months. I would like for you to come visit the pavilion yourself and see what we really are showing the world about Norway, I can get you admission for free.

Yours sincerly,
Alexander Sjursæther
8201 Patterson Woods Drive apartment 2307, Orlando, Florida 32821
+1 407 666 0394

Oh my, I just got really sick. The cold. Noooo…

Felt it two days ago, my throat was really sore and it was hard to speak. So took to help the throat ease up, but it didnt get better. Yesterday evening I also started sneezing and got a running nose. Working today was terrible, my nose ran all the time, had to dry myself every second minute.  There is a lot of people all over the world being sick at the moment, me and my roommate (Joey) is both sick in out apartment.

Thought about calling in tomorrow, which means you call in sick and get one remark on your record card, but I think if Im a bit better tomorrow I will go to work. Have 1.5 points already.

When working for Walt Disney World, there is a lot of things to think about. You are a representative for a worldwide company which is bigger then you can ever imagine, I was shocked to see how much Disney really owns and operates… You are representing a legacy passed through decades before you, and working towards a goal, aim for the stars. You are representing your country, and a lot of the Guests who visits will never be closer to your country than this. You are representing the magic that Walt Disney used his life to create…

Working for Disney includes some tough routines and training. The Disney Look, a booklet about how you have to look like to appear neutral for our Guests has to be followed at all times. As a Cast Member and Cultural Representative you also get to meet people from all over the world, which often includes partying, and for those over 21, alcohol. It is important to not let the party ruin a Guests experience, it is my belief that anyone appearing to work in a bad hangover or drunk condition should be terminated asap. Monday is the international party-day of the week, which was created by the Norwegians (surprise). Tuesdays are often ruined by call ins, which means people call in “sick” to get a day off at work… When someone uses a call in on tuesday, I believe that everyone knows the real reason, and its something you should get terminated for if youre not really sick, just sick after yesterdays party.

Staff morale is important, and I want to advise everyone applying to the CRP, to keep party and work separate. Just a small thought from my side, we are not here to party only.

So, time for a video post! YEEEY! Now everyone can see my perfect english skills…

Hi everyone! I see that even though I been very bad with updating this blog the last days, people still visits, a lot of people.  Overall, this blog has over 2600 individual visits since the start, so thank you very much for that! It really inspires me to keep updating you with everything. I also know Im bad at posting pictures on this blog, but its only because I believe its hard to do, and all pics are on facebook anyway, so if you want to see some of the pictures, go on my picture links in the posts.

Lifes good atm! Had my first day off today now, and also day off tomorrow. Today I was with Gunnhild, Kristoffer and Audun in EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, we visited all the pavillions in EPCOT and also saw Captain EO, which was great. Michael Jackson in a 1986 3D-movie. Then we saw the firework in MK at 8…

I have a bit sore throat right now, so hope I get better in the morning, when I will take my Florida Drivers License. Hope Ill pass!

I also got a mail yesterday from Kjell Brataas, which was one of the opening crew cast members in the Norwegian pavillion. He is visiting Orlando and EPCOT the 23th or 24th of February, and wants to meet me. Thats awesome. Im looking forward talking to someone who actually opened the Norwegian pavillion and go over it and see if there has been any big changes, which I dont think it has… But anyway, will be great meeting one true Disney-fanatic.