Frozen ride in Epcot

[davish562]

Unlike DHS they could easily take that approach in Epcot. How many pavilions are standing empty right now?

Probably more than that are open!

 

[sachilles]

The key is being able to get construction equipment in, and not hinder the guest experience. You also have only so many construction assets in the area. Given how much other stuff is going on, it could spread other projects thin.
I think another simulator, sort of fits in character with the place, and could be re-purposed if they re-theme the area. I know folks here are not big into sims like star tours, but it definitely could eat up some capacity.

 

[Eoghann]

The key is being able to get construction equipment in, and not hinder the guest experience. You also have only so many construction assets in the area. Given how much other stuff is going on, it could spread other projects thin.
I think another simulator, sort of fits in character with the place, and could be re-purposed if they re-theme the area. I know folks here are not big into sims like star tours, but it definitely could eat up some capacity.

Ah, but if you aren't revamping Future World in a thematic sense then the scale of the construction equipment you need drops a lot. DHS is being worked on at a structural, theming and (I hope) guest flow levels. In Epcot potentially you're just revamping one pavilion at a time and you know... putting something to do in them.

 

[sachilles]

Ah, but if you aren't revamping Future World in a thematic sense then the scale of the construction equipment you need drops a lot. DHS is being worked on at a structural, theming and (I hope) guest flow levels. In Epcot potentially you're just revamping one pavilion at a time and you know... putting something to do in them.

I agree with you on that. The question is whether the buildings stay in place with a gut and replace, or a new building is required. In most cases, you'd need to rebuild from the ground up. You'd then need infrastructure changes. It is doable, but not as quick and easy as we'd like. To do quick and easy, likely ends up with a compromised result.

I'd like to see them do something with the building pad near Germany, and I think one other world pavilion could use a "new" attraction. Something to send the kids off to, while mommy and daddy enjoy a tasty beverage and have a seat. Maybe something that puts that child in a nice lengthy line. Maybe put a traditional roller coaster at the US pavilion somehow, themed as Americana. I think the days of a country trying to sell their tourism industry by using the world showcase, has come to an end.

 

[Magickingdomprince]

I realllllyyyy hope it's open when I visit - 22 May - 5 June, however I bet the queues will be crazy!

IM ALSO GOING IN THAT TIME TO. I hope its open as well!!!

 

[ToniClifford]

IM ALSO GOING IN THAT TIME TO. I hope its open as well!!!

Let's keep our fingers crossed!!!!

 

[Spacedog1975]

Ah, but if you aren't revamping Future World in a thematic sense then the scale of the construction equipment you need drops a lot. DHS is being worked on at a structural, theming and (I hope) guest flow levels. In Epcot potentially you're just revamping one pavilion at a time and you know... putting something to do in them.

I would favor reusing & revamping existing buildings. There is (to my knowledge) nothing wrong with them. Fill them up with must-do attractions!

 

[Disney Von Drake]

I would favor reusing & revamping existing buildings. There is (to my knowledge) nothing wrong with them. Fill them up with must-do attractions!

I agree. A small minority of people get hung up on theme being all important when in fact it has little importance. Go-karts have been in Tomorrowland since Walt's days so theme has never been an issue except to a few misguided zealots. In reality you can put most any attraction in any location and call it anything that fits.

Roller coasters are a great example. You can call them trains, planes, space ships, pirate boats or name them after a geographic area. They're still just roller coasters. Same goes for omnimovers, spinners, water rides, log flumes, motion simulators and any other ride.

Go-karts would work in Future World just fine if they put some laser guns on them and provided flying saucer targets.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree. A small minority of people get hung up on theme being all important when in fact it has little importance. Go-karts have been in Tomorrowland since Walt's days so theme has never been an issue except to a few misguided zealots. In reality you can put most any attraction in any location and call it anything that fits.

Roller coasters are a great example. You can call them trains, planes, space ships, pirate boats or name them after a geographic area. They're still just roller coasters. Same goes for omnimovers, spinners, water rides, log flumes, motion simulators and any other ride.

Go-karts would work in Future World just fine if they put some laser guns on them and provided flying saucer targets.

In my opinion theme is what primarily keeps the Disney and Universal parks from being like just any amusement parks. You could argue that theme only belongs on the ride itself but I sure wouldn't agree that it has little importance.

 

[ryanogs]

I actually think that if done right, the Frozen attraction could be a fantastic way to get kids interested in Norwegian culture.

I remember World Showcase as a kid was always the most boring part of the day, being dragged around locations and shops I didn't care about or understand (this was before Disney introduced any of the activities they do now). Maelstrom was one of the only parts I liked and I learnt a lot by riding the attraction and watching the movie afterwards. Now I am obviously older and I love World Showcase but can you imagine if the Imagineers actually use the attraction to get kids even more interested in the point of World Showcase, exploring other cultures - now that would be fantastic.

I for one don't see any reason why this isn't already happening and am looking forward to seeing what Disney come up with (though Maelstrom was one of my favourite attractions).

 

[DanBoris]

I actually think that if done right, the Frozen attraction could be a fantastic way to get kids interested in Norwegian culture.

I remember World Showcase as a kid was always the most boring part of the day, being dragged around locations and shops I didn't care about or understand (this was before Disney introduced any of the activities they do now). Maelstrom was one of the only parts I liked and I learnt a lot by riding the attraction and watching the movie afterwards. Now I am obviously older and I love World Showcase but can you imagine if the Imagineers actually use the attraction to get kids even more interested in the point of World Showcase, exploring other cultures - now that would be fantastic.

I for one don't see any reason why this isn't already happening and am looking forward to seeing what Disney come up with (though Maelstrom was one of my favourite attractions).

Unfortunately there is no indication that the ride will be using the Frozen characters to teach us about Norway. Everything we have heard make is sound like a pure Frozen themed ride.

 

[ryanogs]

Unfortunately there is no indication that the ride will be using the Frozen characters to teach us about Norway. Everything we have heard make is sound like a pure Frozen themed ride.

We shall see, I'd be very surprised if some educational aspect wasn't added in, even if it is in the new surrounding area to the attraction.

 

[Disney Von Drake]

In my opinion theme is what primarily keeps the Disney and Universal parks from being like just any amusement parks. You could argue that theme only belongs on the ride itself but I sure wouldn't agree that it has little importance.

Let me provide a specific example. Back in 1983 Epcot and the Imagineers learned a valuable lesson about theming. You had Horizons, Spaceship Earth, Journey Into Imagination and World of Motion all using the ominmover system. The thinking was that as long each had a strong theme, the ride vehicle didn't matter. They learned quickly that putting four omnimovers in such close proximity was a mistake and that all the theming in the world couldn't save those attractions as guest visits for each of those rides began to plummet. Thankfully when they removed Horizons and World of Motion and replaced their ride systems, Spacehip Earth's guest visits returned to a respectable number.

Also let's take the spinners in the MK. You've got the dueling Dumbo's, the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, the Astro Orbiter and also Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. They all spin around in a circle. If they need a new ride in Frontierland they could gussy up a spinner so that the passenger pods look like hay bales and call it the "The Bucking Hay Ride". That would be a good attraction to replace CBJ.

But no matter what you call it or how you theme it, it's still a spinner.

 

[Disney Von Drake]

We shall see, I'd be very surprised if some educational aspect wasn't added in, even if it is in the new surrounding area to the attraction.

Indeed, they need something to take your mind off the fact that it's another boat ride. You go to Mexico and sit through a boat ride and then go next door to Norway and get another boat ride! Perhaps they could theme the boat to be a giant jet ski or maybe an ice boat.

 

[Planogirl]

Let me provide a specific example. Back in 1983 Epcot and the Imagineers learned a valuable lesson about theming. You had Horizons, Spaceship Earth, Journey Into Imagination and World of Motion all using the ominmover system. The thinking was that as long each had a strong theme, the ride vehicle didn't matter. They learned quickly that putting four omnimovers in such close proximity was a mistake and that all the theming in the world couldn't save those attractions as guest visits for each of those rides began to plummet. Thankfully when they removed Horizons and World of Motion and replaced their ride systems, Spacehip Earth's guest visits returned to a respectable number.

Also let's take the spinners in the MK. You've got the dueling Dumbo's, the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, the Astro Orbiter and also Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. They all spin around in a circle. If they need a new ride in Frontierland they could gussy up a spinner so that the passenger pods look like hay bales and call it the "The Bucking Hay Ride". That would be a good attraction to replace CBJ.

But no matter what you call it or how you theme it, it's still a spinner.

None of that is theming. I assume that you meant ride mechanics?

Did World of Motion's attendance plummet? I've always believe that Horizon's did because Disney allowed the ride to become so raggedy. After all there was a big sinkhole under the ride...

 

[Disney Von Drake]

None of that is theming. I assume that you meant ride mechanics?

I'll try again. Each attraction (Horizons, Spaceship Earth, Journey Into Imagination and World of Motion) all had excellent theming. But theming is very much like putting lipstick on a pig. When it's all said and done, you've still got a pig. Such was the case with those four attractions. They were all too similar because they were omnimovers. Even the diversity of themes couldn't save those attractions. The point being that theme is rather low on the list when it comes to attraction popularity.

Did World of Motion's attendance plummet? I've always believe that Horizons did because Disney allowed the ride to become so raggedy. After all there was a big sinkhole under the ride...

World of Motion is a great example. It was nothing more than a direct marketing advertisement for General Motors. It had a great run for about five to eight years but EPCOT became a victim of Disney/MGM Studios in 1989. Both the MK and the Studios ended up cannibalizing EPCOT attendance. The long lines for the many EPCOT omnimovers all but disappeared in the early 1990's.

I have no idea whether or not the Horizon's sinkhole theory is true or not. The real problem for Horizons was that GE dropped its sponsorship in the early 1990's. Without a sponsor that attraction was doomed and it fell into disrepair as you noted. But why did GE drop their sponsorship? Poor attendance is again the answer.

 

[rteetz]

None of that is theming. I assume that you meant ride mechanics?

Did World of Motion's attendance plummet? I've always believe that Horizon's did because Disney allowed the ride to become so raggedy. After all there was a big sinkhole under the ride...

The sinkhole rumor is false.

 

[Planogirl]

The sinkhole rumor is false.

I know.

 

[Eoghann]

None of that is theming. I assume that you meant ride mechanics?

Did World of Motion's attendance plummet? I've always believe that Horizon's did because Disney allowed the ride to become so raggedy. After all there was a big sinkhole under the ride...

Don't engage the troll.

 

[Disney Von Drake]

The sinkhole rumor is false.

Obviously there is no direct evidence to suggest that the roof problems at Horizons were due to a sinkhole problem. Disney would of course never admit to such a problem for fear of driving off tourists. The thought of staying at a Disney resort and crashing into the ground in the middle of the night with no chance of survival is not something WDW wants tourists to consider. As a practical matter we know that the geology in all of WDW (limestone with a thin cover of a sand/clay mixture) is prone to sinkholes as evidenced by the documented sinkholes in Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Osceola, Seminole and Lake counties.

And we also know of several sinkhole areas on WDW property. You may have noticed with the recent construction of Avatar (Pandora) at AK the pilings that were driven go down over two hundred feet. These friction piles spread out the weight of the buildings over a greater area and make them less subject to the vagaries of sinkhole damage.

Universe of Energy currently has a sinkhole and there are others on WDW property. Also, construction sites for some WDW buildings (such as ToT) were moved after geological assessments revealed potential sinkholes in the land area that was originally selected.

The bottom line is that WDW knows of the sinkhole problem and they have always made sure that their construction techniques mitigate the risks as much as possible. After all the resort is 43 square miles so they obviously have sinkholes. They know that one major sinkhole collapse could turn WDW into a ghost town.

Whether or not Horizons had a sinkhole is questionable but there are other known sinkholes in EPCOT in addition to UoE.