Don't replace the Maelstrom with Frozen ride?

[old lady]

They should make a Frozen ride at the Animal Kingdom and do an ice kingdom ride like Disney designers had originally attended with the Snow Queen agreeing and saying farewell.

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

Where did you see that they are changing the norway ride?

 

[JRawkSteady]

I am pretty sure its just a rumor now...I don't think they actually have this as a planned demolition. It would be a very sad modernization of the attraction if they did this. I miss when Epcot was solely about Edutainment...what happened to that? Now you got Nemo and the Three Caballeros flying around. lol

 

[BuckeyeBama]

As long as they don't change the movie at the end, I will still ride. I love that movie.

 

[OKW Lover]

I haven't heard any rumor but would welcome a change. Maelstrom hasn't changed since it was introduced in 1988. Its time.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I am pretty sure its just a rumor now...I don't think they actually have this as a planned demolition. It would be a very sad modernization of the attraction if they did this. I miss when Epcot was solely about Edutainment...what happened to that? Now you got Nemo and the Three Caballeros flying around. lol

It's in the rumor stage, but the Epcot Guest Relations CM we spoke to had certainly heard the rumor as has a survey taker. The survey taker seemed genuinely concerned that there was more to the rumor. The Guest Relations guy did absolutely nothing to assuage our fears. Said that he had heard the rumors and felt that it might actually be a good addition and assured us that it would be great if the rumors proved to be true.

Personally, I think it's an insult to change Maelstrom. Currently, the ride in the Norway Pavilion actually talks about Norway. "You are not the first to pass this way, nor will you be the last. Those who seek the spirit of Norway face peril and danger but more often find beauty and charm. We have always been one with the sea so look first to the seafarer. Long ago, Norway was a land of vikings. That was the beginning of our love for the sea. There are those who see Norway's spirit in a land of forests and mystery where trolls still prowl the waters edge." Then, you go through the whole troll scene where the trolls ask you how dare you come that way, cast a spell, and send you down "back back over the falls". Another troll then sends you down to the North Sea where you see the oil drilling and the Norwegian village. It ends with, "Norway's spirit has always been, will always be, adventure." It's all about Norway. Now they are discussing making it about Frozen which takes place in Arendale? That place doesn't even exist and isn't in Norway. And, sure, they did research in Norway to make the movie look like a lot of the landscape, but it still isn't Norway. And the story it's based off of, The Snow Queen, wasn't written by a Norwegian but a Dane. How is that not insulting to Norway?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

How is that not insulting to Norway?

I believe that the countries have to sign off on the changes, so this would not be something that Disney "forces" on Norway.

 

[magicbob]

How about expanding Fantasyland a little more to add a Frozen dark ride (complete with both the Arendelle castle and Elsa's ice palace)? I know, they really don't have the real estate to add it there, but two more castles in FLE would be awesome!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I believe that the countries have to sign off on the changes, so this would not be something that Disney "forces" on Norway.

I have never heard that a country has to sign off on the changes.

 

[china mom]

With one exception (Morocco), none of the pavilions were actually sponsored by countries so they would have no input

 

[wiigirl]

As long as they don't change the movie at the end, I will still ride. I love that movie.

 

[OKW Lover]

I have never heard that a country has to sign off on the changes.

With one exception (Morocco), none of the pavilions were actually sponsored by countries so they would have no input

Good info. Just to be clear though, Norway does have sponsors who presumably would have to be consulted.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I have never heard that a country has to sign off on the changes.

The rides are designed by Disney, but with the approval of the participating countries. Most of the Norway pavilion construction was paid for by a consortium of businesses from Norway. They have an existing contract with Disney. I seriously doubt that any country would have allowed their country's culture to be represented in any way that Disney saw fit.

Norwegian Showcase USA A/S, also called NorShow, is a consortium of 11 companies established to pay for the pavilion and represent Norwegian interests. The Norwegian government also helped pay for the pavilion.

NorShow president Gunnar Jerman said his company contributed $33 million for the pavilion. The figure includes a $2 million contribution from the Norwegian government and an $8 million government loan to NorShow.

Disney would not reveal the total cost of the pavilion. The company incurred costs because Disney Imagineering designed and built the pavilion.

Jerman said NorShow will share any profit from sales of food and souvenirs. The first $3.2 million in profit will go to NorShow, he said, and the next $400,000 to Disney. After that, NorShow will keep 60 percent of all profit and Disney, 40 percent.

link

 

[999DoomBuggies]

Any person that wants to change the ride is a horrible person.

 

[mesaboy2]

It is a Jim Hill rumor. Take that for what it's worth.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

On a related subject, I heard that the Mexico boat ride is also changing. They wanted the ride to more accurately reflect Mexico's current culture so you will now be chased through the ride by drug cartels and kidnappers.

 

[Missymouse18]

Maelstrom has been a family favorite for us since our very first trip. And that FILM! Whoa! Lol. I love the whole Norway Pavilion. I don't get bent out of shape over rumors, so until I hear something official I'm just gonna keep whistlin' Dixie!

 

[OKW Lover]

Any person that wants to change the ride is a horrible person.

Some would agree with you.

 

[Delirium]

Frankly it would be stupid to replace such a popular attraction, especially at Epcot where there is so much unused and wasted space.

Which means, Disney will probably do it.

 

[kmc]

I loved Frozen but will shed real tears if they get rid of this ride. It's one of my favorite rides at EPCOT.

I still haven't got over the fact that Horizons is gone