Norway College Program kids alerted to pavilion closing?

[Angel Ariel]

As one of Norwegian heritage, this makes me incredibly sad if.frozen overtakes the pavilion. There is so much more to.Norway. it doesn't deserve to be overrun by frozen. Update maelstrom, yes...even include frozen characters...but making the whole pavilion essentially a meet and greet? Not cool,.Disney, not.cool.

 

[michsig]

I'll definitely be sad to see it go. It's always a must do for us after eating lunch in Mexico. I'm thankful I will be able to ride it one last time in September (and have FP+ for it too ) !

 

[BugsDaddy]

As one of Norwegian heritage, this makes me incredibly sad if.frozen overtakes the pavilion. There is so much more to.Norway. it doesn't deserve to be overrun by frozen. Update maelstrom, yes...even include frozen characters...but making the whole pavilion essentially a meet and greet? Not cool,.Disney, not.cool.

While I think there is little doubt that a much needed refurb is coming to Norway, the amount of that which will be dedicated to Frozen is entirely speculation mostly created on this board. I am sure there will be a Frozen presence though.

 

[BrianL]

Also for those who don't like it, think about this. A frozen attraction will definitely be teir 1 on FP+. So it'll pull people away from grabbing soarin and test track ones. . I will miss Maelstrom though. But interested in seeing what Disney does.

This is true, and Epcot needs another "Must do" attraction, but it would also be LOSING a fairly popular one in Maelstrom. What they need to do at Epcot is ADD an attraction for a net gain, not just a wash. And what about the weeks (months?) that Maelstrom is down? I don't wanna be at Epcot during THAT!

 

[Jennasis]

This is true, and Epcot needs another "Must do" attraction, but it would also be LOSING a fairly popular one in Maelstrom. What they need to do at Epcot is ADD an attragtion for a net gain, not just a wash. And what about the weeks (months?) that Maelstrom is down? I don't wanna be at Epcot during THAT!

Yup...epcot needs to ADD...not "plus" existing attractions.

 

[bookgirl]

I love Maelstrom, it's my must do along with Grande Fiesta.....but

The film is dated, the ride is dated, it needs an overhaul. Anna and Elsa comes in second to a better pavilion actually about the region. However it's a popular theme and as long as they keep a cultural vibe in the main areas I'm okay with the ride changing.

People gripe and gripe about upgrading rides and then they talk about doing it and people freak out.

 

[leebee]

This makes me so sad. I love Maelstrom and the movie after. Yes, dated, but such a different ride and such a cool movie. Update, don't change. I love the CMs in Norway. They're always so friendly and polite. Put A&E over in DHS with the rest of "the movies." Arendelle is a fantasy town and DOESN"T belong in World Showcase. It's so sad Disney is disappointing us once again, making it easier to book our next vacation elsewhere.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here you Go.....

Top Grossing Disney Films Adjusted for inflation and Rank (list as of 12/31/2013) from the top 200 films list..

#10 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs $888,350,000 1937
#18 The Lion King $726,543,200 1994
#22 Fantasia $676,804,300 1941
#25 Mary Poppins $637,181,300 1964
#30 The Jungle Book $600,491,300 1967
#31 Sleeping Beauty $592,309,900 1959
#39 Pinnochio $549,337,200 1940
#46 Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest $526,721,200 2006
#48 Bambi $519,256,200 1942
#53 Finding Nemo $502,234,700 2003
#70 Lady and the Tramp $454,239,300
#83 Swiss Family Robinson $438,535,200 1960
#89 Aladdin $427,405,100 1992
#90 Toy Story 3 $425,445,300 2010
#95 Pirates of the Caribbean-Curse of the Black Pearl $412,788,500 2003
#100 Monsters Inc. $402,241,400 1989
As of the end of 2013, Frozen was #101

Some of the highest grossing box office films as adjusted for inflation have never had a ride associated with them. Some have not even had a temporary attraction or Meet and Greet.

This list is taken from a list of 200 of the highest grossing box office films as adjusted for inflation. I didn't list past 100 except the "Frozen" notation. I don't think I can post the link. But a google search worked. It is an interesting list. A whole bunch of films featured at US/IOA are also in there. I do like movie tie-ins to theme park attractions...

BUT NOT IN WORLD SHOWCASE.

http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm

 

[Planogirl]

If box office is what counts then I expect to hear less fuss about Avatar.

I don't believe that anyone really minds Frozen there in some capacity. However Disney has been treating Norway like it's disposable and many, many countries don't get involved in the finances of these places. so that's a lame reason. First Akershus is turned into a Princess palace and then they take away Norwegian beer. Then the museum has to be about Frozen and now the ride and who knows what else. It get tiresome.

Besides I still think that Norway is too little for something as popular as Frozen. Unless they do away with Standby then the lines are going to swamp the area. Plus the ride itself is very short and I'm not convinced that Frozen fans will be happy with something so minor.

 

[concertkatie]

I AM wondering, though, if Maelstrom would be a GOOD FP+ choice when my booking window opens tomorrow - perhaps if it does close, I will get a magical "any ride" FP in it's place?

We are going September 28 - which is when Maelstrom is scheduled to go down and it was not even an option when we went in to book FP+ at the end of July.

 

[DisLee]

Maelstrom is our favorite ride at EPCOT.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I don't believe that anyone really minds Frozen there in some capacity. However Disney has been treating Norway like it's disposable and many, many countries don't get involved in the finances of these places. so that's a lame reason. First Akershus is turned into a Princess palace and then they take away Norwegian beer. Then the museum has to be about Frozen and now the ride and who knows what else. It get tiresome.

Besides I still think that Norway is too little for something as popular as Frozen. Unless they do away with Standby then the lines are going to swamp the area. Plus the ride itself is very short and I'm not convinced that Frozen fans will be happy with something so minor.

Remember the ship? Wasn't happy when that went away either. There might be room behind the Pavillion.

We actually stayed for the movie this summer. Yea, it was that hot outside. Boy is THAT dated!! I was actually thinking that they should team up with the History Channel and piece together some of the beautiful shots from the TV show "Vikings". Watch it when you get the chance.

The bakery need expansion and more CS seating is needed. I bet something similar will happen like in France.

 

[mimomlile]

I'm not a huge fan of Frozen. I thought it was a cute movie with a cute twist ending. I thought Tangled was a much better movie. Best since Beauty and the Beast.

That being said...I don't mind that they are doing a refurb to include Frozen. I hope that the big scope of the project is only so they can properly position their additions to Norway (meaning do the layout correctly the first time), rather than do an entire Frozen overhaul. I think Disney knows what they are doing-most of the time. I wouldn't be surprised if they plan on making the area for the M&G huge for the crowds now, but easily transformed into something else (a few?) years down the road when the draw isn't what it is now.

 

[clsteve]

I love Maelstrom, it's my must do along with Grande Fiesta.....but

The film is dated, the ride is dated, it needs an overhaul. Anna and Elsa comes in second to a better pavilion actually about the region. However it's a popular theme and as long as they keep a cultural vibe in the main areas I'm okay with the ride changing.

People gripe and gripe about upgrading rides and then they talk about doing it and people freak out.

Because it's the World Showcase - not the Fictitious World Showcase.

Beyond the specific issue with Norway - where does it end? It's a strategic shift from the original purpose.

So, if they turn this into Arendelle instead of Norway - what imaginary vineyard do you highlight at the next F&W? What fake beers from which imaginary brewery do you sell? What fake celebrity Arendelle chef do you have featured at the breakouts...? See the issue?

Having characters around is one thing and not an issue for most. Changing the main attraction of a country to a fictitious country with a story that is not part of their culture is another thing. Gran Fiesta still features Mexico, at least.

Frozen is not Norway.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

They will have a "Scandinavia" booth at the festival, they've had it before. I don't see that as an issue. I'll just be skipping Norway/Arendelle from now on and spend double time in Mexico on the drink around the world. Not that Disney has a problem with my doing that. I assume Arendelle will still have a restroom so there's that.

 

[ttintagel]

So very sad. Norway was one of the pavilions where you could really feel the strongest connection to the host country. I know time marches on and 21st-century corporate America is all about short-term profits on the bottom line rather than creating customer loyalty out of consistency and tradition, but I mistakenly thought Norway was beloved enough as it is to avoid this sort of thing.

One of my best EPCOT memories was during the last time I was Illuminations. I was on the sidewalk in Norway, and all the shops and restaurants had emptied out. All the young Norway CM's in their national costumes came out, wrapped their arms around each other, and watched the finale together.

It made me think of that line from the post-Maelstrom movie, "Our spirit is in our people." I still get choked up remembering.

 

[ttintagel]

Thing is, they've got plenty of room in World Showcase to build brand-new stuff featuring fictitious countries if that's what they want. Just too cheap.

 

[agavegirl1]

http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm

Thanks Dan, I found it a fun read.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

I'm going to wait and see. I have to be honest and wondered why they sold the Maelstrom tshirt for just a few days on the Disney Store site, if they were getting rid of it why would they do that? Let's be honest, it is a big space in the Norway store and how many people have bought the high end Helly Hansen items and so on? Who is going to do that when you can get the items cheaper outside of Disney, that area cannot possibly be financially viable. Keep the sweets and food and Norway merchandising with the Disney Epcot links on them, but, perhaps do a M&G with Olaf, Sven and especially Christof! Even the Trolls as I loved them.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Thanks Dan, I found it a fun read.

Crikey, I was shocked by how many I have seen. Great read, thanks!