Is Disney Bringing a 'Frozen' Attraction to EPCOT's Norway Pavilion?

OnePrincessMom

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From Moviefone.com:

Anyone who saw this winter's wonderful animated adventure "Frozen" probably thought that the story, about a pair of princess sisters, one of whom has locked her kingdom in a frosty perpetual winter, was ripe for a Disney theme park attraction. The movie already felt so classic that a ride, potentially in the "dark ride" mold of things like Peter Pan's Flight or Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, seemed like a foregone conclusion. And you know what? It kind of is.

Disney historian Jim Hill, while appearing on the Disney Dish Podcast with Touring Plans founder Len Testa, described what the Mouse House has planned for "Frozen," at least when it comes to its theme park presence. Apparently the first place the movie, which just beat out "Monsters University's" $268 million gross by a few million, is first headed to the Norway pavilion at Florida's EPCOT.

This makes sense, of course, considering the movie's Nordic setting and the fact that the Norway pavilion has been home to both exclusive "Frozen" merchandise and the all-important Elsa and Anna character meet-and-greets since before the movie even premiered.

"That's really filtering out. They're already looking at 2014/2015 and where does that fit into our holiday plans," Hill explained. "Those of you who love the Maelstrom might want to go visit it." Hill is referring to Norway's boat ride attraction the Maelstrom, which, like "Frozen," features tons of trolls. It seems that the ride might not be long for this earth, which is a shame because, since opening in 1988, less than a decade after EPCOT Center opened its futuristic doors, the Maelstrom has been one of World Showcase's brightest spots. Not that it has aged terribly well or anything.

"Disney's not going to make the mistake they made with "The Little Mermaid" again. They're not going to wait 20 years to get a ride," Hill went on to explain, referencing the Ariel's Undersea Adventure attraction that opened in Disney California Adventure on May 26, 2011 and in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland on October 12, 2012, more than 20 years after "The Little Mermaid" debuted in theaters. Hill went on to address the advanced timetable: "There will be something in the next 18 months. Supposedly there's something larger in the works for Disneyland but that's in line behind the Marvel and the 'Star Wars' stuff."

So, in brief: expect a "Frozen"-themed attraction for Norway at EPCOT very, very soon and in Disneyland sometime a little bit later. Sound burrrrrr-iliant!
 
Is he notoriously inaccurate? I don't know who he is. :confused3

Hmm. I would just say I've noticed a pattern of aggressive predictions, I think coming a little too early in an attraction's planning stages and before critical realities such as cost and schedule (and managerial decisions based on same) are determined.

I enjoy listening to his historical perspective and honestly would love to see more of his predictions come true.
 

Hmm. I would just say I've noticed a pattern of aggressive predictions, I think coming a little too early in an attraction's planning stages and before critical realities such as cost and schedule (and managerial decisions based on same) are determined.

I enjoy listening to his historical perspective and honestly would love to see more of his predictions come true.

My thoughts exactly! Great storyteller with good ideas but accuracy could be a bit better.

With that in mind, while Disney certainly is pleased with the return from Frozen, it's a little too soon to see how much lasting impact this film has. Although I'm sure it does have an impact and an attraction will be built, I'd be surprised if it was happening so soon. Serious doubt.
 
I hope this is true. I loved Frozen and wasn't a fan of Maelstrom :duck:, I would love to see it re-themed to Frozen. It would be cool to float through a shimmering ice world and the backwards section would work perfectly to avoid the huge snowman.

I still want one of the sweaters in the exit shop, why couldn't they be $100 instead of $250?
 
/
We really like Maelstrom. I kind of hate seeing changes in the oldies, BUT in this case...it "might" be cool if it was Frozen themed...here's hoping the "bigger endeavor" they speak of planned for the film at Disneyland is NOT a re-themeing of the Matterhorn (doesn't get much "bigger" than that, eh?) No, no NO! Just because the mountain has snow does NOT mean the 55 year old gem should be turned into an agglomeration of Olaf themed crap! They messed the mountain up enough already with the new sleds! Are you listening Disney?! Step AWAY from the Matterhorn! LEAVE it ALOOONE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY!! :rotfl2:
 
I understand the cost but they have the space why not just create another ride all together instead of replacing a supposed "tier 1" ride that a lot of people like to still ride on.... With the issues of not having enough top rides I don't understand taking out one of your better rides.
 
I understand the cost but they have the space why not just create another ride all together instead of replacing a supposed "tier 1" ride that a lot of people like to still ride on.... With the issues of not having enough top rides I don't understand taking out one of your better rides.

Theming. There is not the space in Norway to put a second attraction. Germany has the space, but theming usually wins.
 
I think Disney is missing their chance if they don't take advantage of the huge popularity of Frozen. I think re-theming Maelstrom is an awesome idea! I hope it really happens!
 
I am so opposed to this! Norway is an interesting country that doesn't deserve to be buried under princesses. Enough already.
 
God no, not again. When will they stop taking classics and destroying them. Heck TT wasn't even a classic and look what happened.

I never got why thy didn't add more rides to WS. I love it for the whole world fair feel but traditional world fairs had rides/attractions. That spot that has Africa in it could fit something. Build a new ride don't "refurb" an old one I'm so sick of that fot many reasons.
 
I understand the cost but they have the space why not just create another ride all together instead of replacing a supposed "tier 1" ride that a lot of people like to still ride on.... With the issues of not having enough top rides I don't understand taking out one of your better rides.

I love Maelstrom, but I wouldn't categorize it as one of the "better" rides. It's more a case of it being one of the "only" rides.
 
Theming. There is not the space in Norway to put a second attraction. Germany has the space, but theming usually wins.

Not sure I understand why this HAS to go into Norway? Its a Disney based theme ride not a country specific one? I would think it would be a good start to a Disney country based theme park area.

Disney Country (small replica of the country area with smaller pond possibly?):
Frozen (Norway), Ratatouille or Beauty and the Beast (France), A Christmas Carol (UK), Atlantis, Mulan (China), Hercules (Greece), Aladin (Egypt / Saudia Arabia?)
 
I personally have a problem with a Frozen boat ride. C'mon, guys, you know what frozen means? Did we all see the movie?
 
I can't count the number of things Jim Hill said were coming that never even got close to reality. I have no doubt he has some sort of inside information, but I think it comes from early on in the imagineering process - like the blue sky ideas, where only a small percentage ever get a green light.

Theming. There is not the space in Norway to put a second attraction. Germany has the space, but theming usually wins.

If they forgo the sector between Mexico and Norway for a new country, they could build a ride building out that way.
 

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