First, Frozen in Epcot. Now, Actually in Norway. Good or Bad?

[JimmyV]

I guess if it boosts sales, it is "good". But if you are taking your family on a vacation to see the "real world" instead of Disney's mock up, is this really a good idea? One of the things that I like about DCL is the way it transitions guests away from "Disney" and into "reality". At least as far as port visits are concerned. But the lines appear to blur here. This will no doubt be popular, so in the end, maybe that is all that matters.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...disney-cruise-line-port-adventures-in-norway/

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...e-norway-celebration-with-anna-elsa-kristoff/

 

[cakebaker]

It's just an excursion- you don't have to take it and it doesn't affect the actual port experience at all.

 

[DisneyFive]

Yeah, definitely keeping you in the Disney "bubble"

Like you, not sure how I feel about this. It's still Norway and all, just more staged. I think you will still get the feel of what Norway looks like, and get to visit a few shops and such. Kind of like any other day at port, but there is a staged show if you want.

I suppose it's not all that different than taking an excursion to a dolphin encounter, or something similar. That's all staged too.

Dan

 

[JimmyV]

...it doesn't affect the actual port experience at all.

??? It is the port experience, if this is the experience you sign up for.

 

[JimmyV]

I suppose it's not all that different than taking an excursion to a dolphin encounter, or something similar.

I suppose there is truth to that. Although, most dolphin encounters are done at places that are less unique and culturally significant. If you "miss" seeing Nassau because you were petting dolphins, I'm not sure you have missed anything. But spending your day in Alesund in the Disney bubble seems like a lost opportunity. It is a choice, no doubt. And people don't have to choose it. But I just wonder what the Norwegians think of all of this. Especially the ones whose income is largely derived from cruise ship tourists in the summer.

 

[DisneyFive]

If you "miss" seeing Nassau because you were petting dolphins, I'm not sure you have missed anything. But spending your day in Alesund in the Disney bubble seems like a lost opportunity.

Yeah, totally agree about Nassau. Pretty crappy port IMO. I'm kind of surprise Disney has it on so many of their itineraries.

I can see your sentiment... along the same lines as if one of these Disney towns popped up in our national parks. ( I know that can't happen, but just sayin...)

In any case, I don't see it as a big deal. Now, if Disney starts doing this at most ports, well then things might be different.

Dan

 

[Planogirl]

If I were to finally go to Norway, I would want to see Norway and not a Disney fantasized something. I realize that this will make some people big money but it's sad when people can no longer be satisfied with reality when they actually go to real places.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

what's the deal? If you don't want to do it, don't sign up for it. There are lots of other excursions available without any Frozen character participation. Or are we going so far as to say it shouldn't be offered at all. and I am sure that if the Norwegians make money too they are fine with it.

 

[ModernArtist]

what's the deal? If you don't want to do it, don't sign up for it. There are lots of other excursions available without any Frozen character participation. Or are we going so far as to say it shouldn't be offered at all. and I am sure that if the Norwegians make money too they are fine with it.

Exactly. It's one excursion out of many. Also...LOL at the price! Seriously?

 

[JimmyV]

what's the deal? If you don't want to do it, don't sign up for it.

Well, I can conjure up a whole host of things that would be inappropriate that, under this logic, should still be offered under the concept of "if you don't want to do it, don't sign up for it". "Come spend the afternoon living like a real live injun' fighter, riding horses and hunting down redskinned savages!" Now, don't get me wrong. I am not suggesting that Disney's Frozen excursion would be anything like that, or could ever approach that level of cultural insensitivity. (Historical inaccuracy? Maybe). I just merely point out that: "what's the deal? If you don't want to do it, don't sign up for it" isn't always the right answer. I do agree that the price is astonishing. A family with 2 parents, an 11 year old and a 7 year old would pay $1,376 for 3.5-4 hours!!

 

[mrp4352]

I know that my nieces would be far more engaged in the excursion if they already had an emotional investment in the activity. Frozen would provide that for them. Is it going to be the same as if we wandered the city and got lost and met people who helped us, visited with us and showed us a great restaurant? Of course not - but they'll still get something good out of it.

 

[DisneyFive]

I do agree that the price is astonishing. A family with 2 parents, an 11 year old and a 7 year old would pay $1,376 for 3.5-4 hours!!

Holy BLEEP! I didn't even see the pricing! Seems like price gouging to me, but if people are willing to pay it (we'll see), then that's just economics 101. ...but still, dang!

Dan

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Good grief. Like this offering is spitting on the culture of Norway. Which it is not. I wouldn't do it and it's way too freaking expensive but if anybody wants to do it, I have no issue whatsoever with them doing it.

 

[JimmyV]

I know that my nieces would be far more engaged in the excursion if they already had an emotional investment in the activity. Frozen would provide that for them. Is it going to be the same as if we wandered the city and got lost and met people who helped us, visited with us and showed us a great restaurant? Of course not - but they'll still get something good out of it.

Agree. And that is why the question posed was: "Good or Bad?" This is certainly the good.

I do find it a bit odd, however, that there is so much gnashing of teeth over Disney turning "fake" Norway in Epcot into a Frozen experience and so little over Disney melding Frozen into the "real Norway". The complaint with respect to Epcot appears to be centered on ignoring and transforming the true culture of Norway into a fictional place. So Epcot's Norway is sacrosanct but real Norway is not. But I definitely see your point, and there will be people spending over $1,000 to agree with it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It is two totally different things. There is just a little bit of Norway in Epcot. Taking some of that away to showcase fictional characters means there is less of it. With one Disney character event in Norway there is still the entire country to choose from for an experience, and having the character meet for an afternoon will not change the culture or character of the country of Norway in the least.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't care if people want to do this or not. I can only speak for myself. I'm personally very proud of Norway and sick of Frozen and if others don't agree that's fine.

 

[IrishNYC]

Meh. IMO most people going on cruises (any cruise, not just Disney) are only getting a few hours close to port and not much of a "real world" look at things anyway, so it's no big deal to me.

 

[cakebaker]

??? It is the port experience, if this is the experience you sign up for.

Yes, IF you choose it. You don't have to. They aren't changing Norway, just creating a fantasy within what is supposedly a pretty accurate setting.