New pavilion coming to Epcot and it's not a real country

[PACVII]

I look at frozen fitting in at Epcot like Avatar land fitting in at animal kingdom. Neither make sense if you think of the concept but am still looking forward to the new attractions.

Any time they can build and grow should be looked at it as a plus. But people in general don't like change. People I work with freak out when we did a MS Windows upgrade. Really people that is all you have to do for the day is to complain you can't find your IE favorites.

I trust Disney to make it great. Sure we have seen examples of them just 'phoning it in' but overall they really have been putting some capital back into the parks and looking at the past few years it's real nice to be seeing some improvements and changes being done. Sure it takes Disney twice the time to build a parking garage then it does in the real world but it's there world we just visit it. Like Walt said "Happiness is a state of mind. It's just according to the way you look at things. "

 

[clsteve]

This only solidifies my decision to never enter Epcot again. I have wonderful memories of a great park and I'd like to keep them that way.

So far it appears that the "doom and gloom" crowd were right. Unfortunately.

Come on Planogirl, this is awesome news! Now I don't have to shell out all that cash to visit the real Arrendale.

Have you seen what round trip airfare costs just to get there....??!!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I admit, I will probably go over once to ride the Frozen ride when it opens just so I can say how bad it is, because I know it's going to be bad.

But other than that, I am so done with Epcot. I couldn't care less if I ever went over there again. It's just a festival grounds at this point and I don't drink.

 

[jlwhitney]

I also hate the changes that continue at Epcot. What was always my favorite park, and I'm sure the same is true for many adults is going to be gone for good.
It's a shame.

Im looking forward to the changes. Epcot as is is not our favorite and usually the park we skip.

 

[Reddog1134]

It going to be around 13,000 sq ft, Haunted Mansion is around 37,000.

But to be fair, HM is that big because of that one REALLY long hallway.

 

[robinb]

I'm going to jump in here and say that I think this is a *good* thing. We'll get both an attraction and a meet and greet.

 

[rteetz]

But at that time most people assumed the M&G would be park of the existing pavilion and not totally new construction on this scale.

Correct they didn't specify a brand new building would be coming.

 

[rteetz]

I look at frozen fitting in at Epcot like Avatar land fitting in at animal kingdom. Neither make sense if you think of the concept but am still looking forward to the new attractions. Any time they can build and grow should be looked at it as a plus. But people in general don't like change. People I work with freak out when we did a MS Windows upgrade. Really people that is all you have to do for the day is to complain you can't find your IE favorites. I trust Disney to make it great. Sure we have seen examples of them just 'phoning it in' but overall they really have been putting some capital back into the parks and looking at the past few years it's real nice to be seeing some improvements and changes being done. Sure it takes Disney twice the time to build a parking garage then it does in the real world but it's there world we just visit it. Like Walt said "Happiness is a state of mind. It's just according to the way you look at things. "

Now I disagree with avatar I think it fits. Avatar is a fictional land yes, but originally AK was supposed to have a fictional land but budgets were cut and we got camp Minnie Mickey. Avatar has an overall message of conservation and protection of land. AK has an overall message of conservation and protection.

 

[rteetz]

I'm going to jump in here and say that I think this is a *good* thing. We'll get both an attraction and a meet and greet.

You know what would be a great thing? A frozen attraction and meet and greet in MK.

 

[dwbrewster]

You know what would be a great thing? A frozen attraction and meet and greet in MK.

I'm sure a frozen ride at MK will happen next...don't worry

 

[rteetz]

I'm sure a frozen ride at MK will happen next...don't worry

I really think that's doubtful with one going in Epcot. Disney isn't that crazy to do one in Epcot and one in MK. Once the meet and greet opens tho I'm sure more princess will come to Princess fairy tale hall.

 

[alievans719]

I still think probably this at DHS might've worked a bit better, but I'm not too bothered by the whole thing. From how I read it, it wasn't going to be a pavillion but the building. I would love a waiting line queue(because we know there needs to be a good one) that's interactive and shows Arendelle. I mean, I've embraced it. Yeah, it's different than what World Showcase originally was, but all the parks have changed, a lot. I'm trying to be positive and be excited for it. lol

 

[robinb]

For those of you who are mourning the loss of any kind of "national purity" of the Norway pavilion, that Viking ship sailed years ago.

 

[Pumbaa7287]

I really think that's doubtful with one going in Epcot. Disney isn't that crazy to do one in Epcot and one in MK. Once the meet and greet opens tho I'm sure more princess will come to Princess fairy tale hall.

Yes Disney would never do two rides for the same franchise in different parks. BTW, do you have a higher score on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin or Toy Story Midway Mania?

 

[ThurlFan]

I've pondered this a bit, and have this notion: Although I don't believe Arendelle belongs in World Showcase, at least they're putting it in next to Norway instead of completely retheming Norway. I have hope that the Meet & Greet building includes a Frozen gift shop, which could potentially keep that merch (somewhat) sequestered from the true Norway pavilion.

Final thought: Since it's between Norway and Mexico, if and when the Frozen fervor runs out, they can retheme the M&G building to Mexico and put in the Three Caballeros (or at least Donald).

At least that's my "It's morning, I had a good night's sleep and a nice cup of coffee already, and feeling like a glass-half-full person at the moment" impression. As always (to paraphrase the financial services industry), past posts are no guarantee of future opinions...

 

[wallrock]

For those of you who are mourning the loss of any kind of "national purity" of the Norway pavilion, that Viking ship sailed years ago.

It was never about 'national purity' as it was/is understood that these pavilions were always watered down versions of the real thing.

And before the argument starts again there's also no issue with a Frozen attraction.

The issue is where the attraction is being placed. Epcot represented science, technology and culture. Fantasy and movies was regulated to either the Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. By 'crossing the line' so to speak it pretty much eliminates the 'theme' concept in the theme parks. Now it's just plug whatever into wherever. Might as well call them 'appliance' parks instead.

This matters not to some people and to others it's an unfortunate turn of events.

 

[rteetz]

Yes Disney would never do two rides for the same franchise in different parks. BTW, do you have a higher score on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin or Toy Story Midway Mania?

Ok yes I got your point but thematically does TSMM fit in MK? Maybe in storybook circus but not really. Basically anything at this point fits in at DHS. If you were to build another frozen ride at MK what would it be? All indications are that the frozen ride will be a dark boat ride at Epcot.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

I too find the idea of sticking a fictional land in the World Showcase to be a bad idea...even Eisner didn't do that...just gave us the wand and BAH.

Of course, with the economies around the world, getting other countries to help pony up money is a lost cause I guess, but would have much rather seen Australia, South Africa, Brazil, and India come on board to represent areas of the globe missing from the showcase.

 

[Virtucomp]

Come on Planogirl, this is awesome news! Now I don't have to shell out all that cash to visit the real Arrendale.

Have you seen what round trip airfare costs just to get there....??!!

I thought you had to take a ship to Arrendale. Oh wait, you probably want to stay away from Arrendale ships.

 

[robinb]

It was never about 'national purity' as it was/is understood that these pavilions were always watered down versions of the real thing.

And before the argument starts again there's also no issue with a Frozen attraction.

The issue is where the attraction is being placed. Epcot represented science, technology and culture. Fantasy and movies was regulated to either the Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. By 'crossing the line' so to speak it pretty much eliminates the 'theme' concept in the theme parks. Now it's just plug whatever into wherever. Might as well call them 'appliance' parks instead.

This matters not to some people and to others it's an unfortunate turn of events.

My point is that Norway was already a fantasy location when Disney turned Akershus into "Akershus Royal Banquet Hall" with princesses.