Frozen will probably take over maelstrom

[Polydweller]

He also said that Tom Fitzgerald coming to Epcot was a demotion not a promotion his last job was supposedly better.

And that is an example of not being accurate since Tom Fitzgerald has not left his other job and remains the lead of Walt Disney Imagineering at Disneyland Paris. Epcot has been added to his portfolio so not in anyway could this be seen as a demotion.

If anything his taking over Epcot imagineering is a sign of more effort being put into the park. There is some unconfirmed talk that the possible Anna and Elsa overlay is a first sign of this and certainly Disney wants to take advantage of the phenomenon as soon as they can.

 

[Josh Hendy]

The worst thing about the Rio del Tiempo re-do IMHO is the use of video screens. Video is just plain boring because everyone's got it at home already, on their phone, in their minivan, at the bank, and everywhere else. The whole point of a trip to WDW is to have experiences that are absolutely unobtainable at home and in our everyday lives.

Experiences which are unobtainable in our normal lives include audio-animatronics, and that really cool, transparent-3D video effect used so well by Universal in the Hogwarts queue and (formerly?) in the Disaster ride to project the Christopher Walken character into the scene (apparently this is called Musion Eyeliner technology).

So if they can introduce the Frozen characters into Maelstrom and still keep it centered on the history and culture of Norway, AND do it with very cool, original and non-humdrum technology then I say, go for it.

Possibly the movie at the end can also get a do-over, but preferably in 3D, circlevision or with some other compelling technological dimension that will convince more people to stay and watch it. After all, cool and out-of-the-ordinary entertainment is the reason why we go to WDW in the first place ...

 

[rteetz]

And that is an example of not being accurate since Tom Fitzgerald has not left his other job and remains the lead of Walt Disney Imagineering at Disneyland Paris. Epcot has been added to his portfolio so not in anyway could this be seen as a demotion. If anything his taking over Epcot imagineering is a sign of more effort being put into the park. There is done unconfirmed talk that the possible Anna and Elsa overlay is a first sign of this and certainly Disney wants to take advantage of the phenomenon as soon as they can.

That's why I think the overlay is very possible. It's being rumored September maelstrom will go down. I like to follow the spirit as he's called on wdwmagic just to see what he says. A lot of the things he rumored before it happened became true like disney springs. He is saying monsters inc is coming to DCA, DCL expansion is coming, and Star Wars isn't happening for a while at DHS probably won't see anything until 2020-2021.

 

[luisov]

That's why I think the overlay is very possible. It's being rumored September maelstrom will go down. I like to follow the spirit as he's called on wdwmagic just to see what he says. A lot of the things he rumored before it happened became true like disney springs. He is saying monsters inc is coming to DCA, DCL expansion is coming, and Star Wars isn't happening for a while at DHS probably won't see anything until 2020-2021.

What a mess. DHS needs something new like... now Really hope he's wrong on that one.

 

[rteetz]

What a mess. DHS needs something new like... now Really hope he's wrong on that one.

Well think. Lets just say disney announces Star Wars at D23 next year. Okay now that leaves to closing things and work on expansion. By the time they have land leveled and ready for something to start being built it will be mid to end of 2016 maybe early 2017. Than if you open in phases you'll get stuff sooner but if it opens all together it's 2020-2021.

Avatar announced at D23 in 2011 earlier this year just broke ground set for 2017 completion, 6-7 years of work.

 

[The Batgirl]

Years ago there was an area of Norway that had a Viking Ship playground on it. That area has now been reclaimed by foliage. Maybe they will clear that area and just add a Frozen "ride" or attraction. To me that would be better than losing Maelstrom!

I agree! Maelstrom is kind of silly, but in love it. As much as I love Frozen, I hope Malestrom stays and Frozen gets an attraction elsewhere. Seems like it'd be a better fit in Fantasyland at MK, but who knows...

 

[luisov]

Well think. Lets just say disney announces Star Wars at D23 next year. Okay now that leaves to closing things and work on expansion. By the time they have land leveled and ready for something to start being built it will be mid to end of 2016 maybe early 2017. Than if you open in phases you'll get stuff sooner but if it opens all together it's 2020-2021.

Avatar announced at D23 in 2011 earlier this year just broke ground set for 2017 completion, 6-7 years of work.

I think Avatar was a especial case due to Cameron's requests delaying the process, wasn't it?

I don't know, I mean, I'm sure they could build faster if they wanted to. If I recall, DHS's last major addition was TSMM in 2008. I just wonder if park attendance could possibly suffer after 12/13 years without any major additions. It's not like DHS has lots of rides like MK to cover the lack of investment over the last few years.

Opening in phases sound like a good idea to me at this point, but hey, I don't know the business, so perhaps they are willing to take their time.

 

[mvk]

I realize I'm almost three weeks late to this thread but I wanted to put in my 2 cents here:

I really, really, really hope this doesn't happen.

Anyone remember way, way back when in the mid-80s shortly after Epcot opened? World Showcase and much of Epcot was actually devoid of Disney characters. Can you imagine that? A whole theme park that's actually themed to looking towards the future, with a second half themed to a celebration of world culture?

How awesome is that? If you want a dose of Disney characters and theming, head over to Magic Kingdom. Want something new and completely different to that? Head over to Epcot.

Of course, as we all know, this wasn't to last. Disney characters eventually flooded into Epcot for Meet & Greets, merchandise, and other more nefarious purposes.

This was changed because all of the guests came out of Epcot and asked "Where are all the Disney characters at?"

It was a response to guest dissatisfaction.

 

[skier_pete]

Well think. Lets just say disney announces Star Wars at D23 next year. Okay now that leaves to closing things and work on expansion. By the time they have land leveled and ready for something to start being built it will be mid to end of 2016 maybe early 2017. Than if you open in phases you'll get stuff sooner but if it opens all together it's 2020-2021.

Avatar announced at D23 in 2011 earlier this year just broke ground set for 2017 completion, 6-7 years of work.

There's a big difference with Avatar and Star Wars. When the Avatar deal was struck and they announced there was ZERO ground work laid for the design/rides/etc. While they certainly could move faster than it should, there has to be at least TWO years minimum to complete the design.

Star Wars @ DHS has the design work already well underway. I admit I don't know this for certain, but I will tell you this: DW and I were on the backstage magic ABD tour last year touring not too long after the acquisition. We asked the imagineer point blank about if there were any Star Wars plans in the works. His response: "I can't say, but..." with a smile and a wink "it's Star Wars." So, they are clearly working on these things already, which I would say puts them well ahead of Avatar when it was announced. If the rumors are true and they are breaking ground in 2015, then my guess would be you'll see it shortly after Avatar, probably 2018. Imagine the 1-2 punch of those expansions opening within a year of eachother? Nice.

 

[disneymac000]

I think a lot of you are projecting to have star wars land happen as soon as possible so allowing every little thing point to Star Wars. Its not coming for awhile and if it does it won't be finished being constructed for awhile calm down. As for Frozen taking over maelstrom, I don't like it and its ruining the message of EPCOT and its original purpose.

 

[ziravan]

My understanding is that a few days ago, Maelstrom stopped showing up as a FP+ at 60 days out, meaning the ride is prob not going to be open in mid-Aug.

 

[CarouselOfProgress4]

I would be disappointed to see Maelstrom go but you have to give the people what they want!

 

[mjallemand]

I could not disagree with this more. There was nothing more about Rio Del Tempo. It was a giant advertisement for travel to Mexico. And boring one at that.

Have you ever seen Saludos Amigos and the Three Caballeros? These movies were essentially a travelog of Latin America, including Mexico. These were trips/movies that the US Government asked Walt Disney to do as a favor to help stem the spread of communism, but they were part of the Walt Disney history. The changes to that ride take what was a terribly boring ride and transform it into something that both celebrates the nation of Mexico and also celebrates a piece of history within the Walt Disney company, albeit subtly to the casual Disney fan.

This isn't to say I am desperate for them to work Frozen into Norway, but if they keep much of the original intent while just using the Frozen characters to introduce folks to the history of Norway, I think that would be great.

Truth is, I can't bring myself to get worked up about rumors like this. 90% of them are wrong.

I'll be the first person to admit I'm wrong on this one, as it's been years since the original attraction was around, and even then I was much younger when I had ridden it, so perhaps my memory is failing me.

 

[CarouselOfProgress4]

Is it just me or was the Maelstrom attraction longer at one time? It seems like I remember it stopping beyond the current end.

 

[rteetz]

There's a big difference with Avatar and Star Wars. When the Avatar deal was struck and they announced there was ZERO ground work laid for the design/rides/etc. While they certainly could move faster than it should, there has to be at least TWO years minimum to complete the design. Star Wars @ DHS has the design work already well underway. I admit I don't know this for certain, but I will tell you this: DW and I were on the backstage magic ABD tour last year touring not too long after the acquisition. We asked the imagineer point blank about if there were any Star Wars plans in the works. His response: "I can't say, but..." with a smile and a wink "it's Star Wars." So, they are clearly working on these things already, which I would say puts them well ahead of Avatar when it was announced. If the rumors are true and they are breaking ground in 2015, then my guess would be you'll see it shortly after Avatar, probably 2018. Imagine the 1-2 punch of those expansions opening within a year of eachother? Nice.

It's obvious Star Wars is in the works they have a whole imagineering division on it. I hope it does open sooner. I feel that it will be likely 2020. They'll want to incorporate some of the new Star Wars movies which aren't out yet. I say late 2015 early 2016 announcement. I also imagine this opens in phases earliest phase opening late 2017 early 2018 fully complete 2020. They will have to demolish existing areas and phase things out. I don't see them just closing everything that they will over take because that park already doesn't have much. I'd love it earlier but 2020 seems like the best bet for full completion. It's also been said by micechat and the spirit that tomorrowland in DLR is getting some Star Wars I'd imagine that would be before we get Star Wars at WDW.

 

[rteetz]

I think a lot of you are projecting to have star wars land happen as soon as possible so allowing every little thing point to Star Wars. Its not coming for awhile and if it does it won't be finished being constructed for awhile calm down. As for Frozen taking over maelstrom, I don't like it and its ruining the message of EPCOT and its original purpose.

I agree disney is going to take their time with this. They acquired Lucasfilms in 2012, 2013 D23 imagineering expo shows they are working on it. Many rumors have been out. 2014 here we are still waiting, American idol is closing, Indy rumored(doubt its closing yet), and Scott Trowbridge is in charge of the Star Wars division at WDI.

 

[Planogirl]

This would disappoint me but if they keep it low key and don't have singing snowmen and dancing princesses throughout then I guess that I could handle it. I'm a quarter Norwegian and very proud of their culture (Viking cruelty aside) and I will be quite sad if they dilute this with fantasy.

Please Disney, at least leave the café alone! It would be the only thing left.

 

[Iralyn]

My understanding is that a few days ago, Maelstrom stopped showing up as a FP+ at 60 days out, meaning the ride is prob not going to be open in mid-Aug.

I had heard this, too, but I was able to get a FP+ for Maelstrom for August 19.

 

[ks13]

Hopefully they will redue the boats on malstorm if re theming, I am 6 foot 2 inches and they currently make space mountain look roomy lol.

 

[MuddyTires]

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...ney-world-guest-experience-disney-theme-parks