Norway College Program kids alerted to pavilion closing?

[ChanFO]

I am really not bothered by this. I wouldn't put Frozen's story up there with the Disney movie greats but I thought the music and art design were both fantastic, and the sentiment and characterization resonated with people.

Norway is a pavilion that, after thoroughly exploring it once, I never really bothered with again beyond a check-in at Maelstrom each park visit, which I tended to just ride because it was the only ride in World Showcase. The post-show film was more entertaining for spotting outdated things than it was for the content anymore.

I realize I am sitting in the unpopular opinion corner, but it just doesn't bother me if they put in movie tie-ins. This is Disney World, after all. I have been wishing for a long time that they'd put The Great Mouse Detective in the UK pavilion...

 

[MakiraMarlena]

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?

Every once in awhile they STILL sell Adventurers Club merchandise. It's been gone nearly 6 years.

 

[plumsiren]

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.

Thanks for this!

 

[tyniknate]

Disgraceful.

Enough of the Frozen mania. Was it a cute movie? Yes. Worth all the hype? No.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Sounds like the whole pavilion is closing to be redone, not just the ride.

First, have they EVER shut down an ENTIRE PAVILION to refurb?? Sounds a bit extreme...

My two (four?) cents: I get the temptation of the Norway tie-in, but my first choice would be for them to leave world showcase alone altogether and build a REAL, NEW, FROM SCRATCH Frozen attraction elsewhere. A Maelstrom overlay or M&G in WC just messes with the character of the area for me.

Hey -- we'll live, whatever they do, but I don't like the idea of Frozen in WC.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I really don't think any of us are the target audience -

kids will be thrilled to have Frozen in Norway.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Kids kids kids. World Showcase was the last place at WDW that had stuff for everybody and wasn't entirely and completely geared toward kids. Doesn't matter to quite a few Disney guests what kids think.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

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.

Spot on.




World Showcase features 11 different countries: Canada, United Kingdom (okay, not technically a country but it is a soverign state made up of actual countries so it counts for my point), France, Morocco, Japan, United States, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico. These are all actual countries of the world that are showcased here. Hence the name, World Showcase. If we take away Norway and add in Arendelle, it is no longer about actual countries. Now, I admit that I like the Norway pavilion... a lot. But, I'd feel this way even if it was happening to a pavilion I do not frequent, such as China. I'd feel the same way if they decided to turn Morocco into Agrabah or (gulp) Tattoine, I'd be annoyed, as well. If Disney wants to retheme World Showcase to incorporate fictitious countries, that is certainly within their right. I don't agree with the decision, but it is within their right. But don't call it World Showcase. And don't have 10 actual countries that one can go visit right here on Earth and then some nonexistent land.


As others have said, it belongs in either Magic Kingdom or in Hollywood Studios. Personally, I like the idea of Hollywood Studios. As I have said to anyone who would listen, I'd love to see a major DHS expansion to increase attractions and help with the theming of my beloved park as I can see it is clearly suffering from an identity crisis. By expanding it and giving it 5 major areas - Hollywood Studios, Disney Studios, Pixar Studios, Muppet Studios, and Lucas Studios - it would help it with the identity crisis. It would be like walking through different studios and then, when you enter an attraction, you are part of the movie or show. Anyway, Frozen would have a wonderful home in Disney Studios. It would have the current Disney stuff at DHS (One Man's Dream, Animation Academy, etc.) as well as bringing in treasured rides no longer in the parks such as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Snow White's Scary Adventures. A child's play area themed after Frozen with an audioanimatronic Olaf who interacts would be excellent. Bring in a show, as well, and make a ride similar to the old Fantasyland rides that were similar to the movies (such as the ones mentioned above). It all fits there. It doesn't fit in Epcot. Though, if you do want to do something with Frozen in Epcot, why not do a 3D show (because we know EO can't last forever) where Elsa shows us all that she accomplished via her imagination, and Anna, Olaf, and Kristof (with Sven, of course) all show us the powers of their imagination through magic that the trolls have, but end up getting into a bit of trouble. It fits with Journey into Imagination, since it is in that pavilion, and features Frozen.

 

[agavegirl1]

I currently go to WDW without any kids. I spend most of my evenings at Epcot for dinner and a romantic, scenic setting. I really dislike the idea of navigating around lines of people crowding the Arendell Pavilion to ride Frozen, buy princess dresses and meet a couple of characters who have no connection to an actual country.

I loved the CMs in Norway (being half Norwegian) and really enjoyed my conversations with them about traditions my family brought over from their country of origin. My grandparents could speak Norwegian fluently and made many traditional dishes (most of them bland ) but traditional. The idea that most of the CMs are going away to be replaced by princess stuff sales people really bugs me.

Kids, kids, kids is right....

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The idea that most of the CMs are going away to be replaced by princess stuff sales people really bugs me.

If Frozen hadn't turned out to be a sales juggernaut with people beating on each other to get Elsa merchandise and 7 hour meet and greet lines stretching into China then none of this would have happened. But it's going to happen.

I am thinking this has less to do with the kids than it does with what the parents will be willing to shell out $$ for.

 

[W.E.D.]

Disgraceful.

Indeed. I really hope this is all false, but quite frankly with the way we've seen overlays on other attractions, it's probably true. If the entire pavillion is replaced, then mark all of World Showcase as a loss. What's to stop them at one pavillion?
VERY upset about this.

 

[FargoBear]

I'm a fan, so bring on more Frozen. Woot woot.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I really don't think any of us are the target audience

Incorrect.

Lego Land is targeted at children. Disney World is targeted at all ages. Just because children generally love it does not mean it is exclusively for them.

 

[PrincessSophiasMom]

OK so I will probably have some haters out there but I like the idea of putting Frozen into the ride....I love how they put the characters into the Mexico ride!!! I honestly do not think they will change the outside and call the pavillion anything other then Norway (seriously on the map it would just look strange if they called it by a fictional name when all other countires are called what they are) and to give Anna and Elsa a spot for a meet is not so bad either, the princesses are already in the resturant, why not add 2 more?

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

OK so I will probably have some haters out there but I like the idea of putting Frozen into the ride....I love how they put the characters into the Mexico ride!!! I honestly do not think they will change the outside and call the pavillion anything other then Norway (seriously on the map it would just look strange if they called it by a fictional name when all other countires are called what they are) and to give Anna and Elsa a spot for a meet is not so bad either, the princesses are already in the resturant, why not add 2 more?

Do you have any kind of vision of how they might incorporate the characters and still keep true to Norway? I'm trying to come up with some ideas but I can't see how they will add in Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven, or Kristoff and still keep the trolls, which is the main part of the ride, or the first part about how they have always been one with the sea so look first to the seafarer. If you have an idea of how they might be able to accomplish this, please put my mind at ease by telling me your ideas. I just love those trolls. My family has even named them.

 

[W.E.D.]

OK so I will probably have some haters out there but I like the idea of putting Frozen into the ride....I love how they put the characters into the Mexico ride!!! I honestly do not think they will change the outside and call the pavillion anything other then Norway (seriously on the map it would just look strange if they called it by a fictional name when all other countires are called what they are) and to give Anna and Elsa a spot for a meet is not so bad either, the princesses are already in the resturant, why not add 2 more?

Not going to hate on you, just disagree. IMO, Mexico was bad enough. Now this. Why stop there? Let's change World Showcase to Disney Movie Showcase. We already have that at MK and DHS, but it's not enough.
Ugh. EPCOT was supposed to, in it's final iteration, be educational entertainment. Boy, I'm really upset about this. I can't even put my argument into coherent sentences.

 

[FLchick415]

I'll believe it if/when it actually happens. Until then, I can't be bothered to be upset. I don't particularly think the Frozen addition (outside of maybe a M&G or adding them to Akershus) is necessary, but I don't think it can hurt it either.

 

[mimomlile]

OK so I will probably have some haters out there but I like the idea of putting Frozen into the ride....I love how they put the characters into the Mexico ride!!! I honestly do not think they will change the outside and call the pavillion anything other then Norway (seriously on the map it would just look strange if they called it by a fictional name when all other countires are called what they are) and to give Anna and Elsa a spot for a meet is not so bad either, the princesses are already in the resturant, why not add 2 more?

I agree with you there. I bet it will still be Norway, there will still be items from Norway in the shop, still bakery items/sweets from Norway to be found. I think some people here are getting antsy as if they are turning the whole pavilion into Arandelle (sp?). I don't think that will happen. Although I do think it is possible that they could do a frozen (not Frozen) Norway if they wanted to tie in the M&G and updated ride. The movie needed an update. The ride could use some sprucing up as well. Disney is picking the right area for the best return on their investment.

The problem is when they don't give us specifics, you can only hope they do it "right". And "right" is so subjective to opinion here.

 

[NotUrsula]

As others have said, it belongs in either Magic Kingdom or in Hollywood Studios. Personally, I like the idea of Hollywood Studios. As I have said to anyone who would listen, I'd love to see a major DHS expansion to increase attractions and help with the theming of my beloved park as I can see it is clearly suffering from an identity crisis

Personally, I kind of like the idea of putting it in DAK. If we are going to base a "land" on a single movie, I think that the "Frozen North" is a whole lot more marketable proposition long-term than "Avatar's Pandora." My local zoo (one of the top 5 in the US) has a phenomenally popular penguin exhibit. People who live in the subtropical South would be very happy to get a chance to see animals that inhabit the polar and subpolar regions, and if those animals are virtually "frolicking" with folks who are denizens of the fictional Arendelle, well, as a shareholder I say, sign me up for the snowball fight. I wish Disney would just pay off Cameron and get on with building a killer simulated luge.

As for Norway, I think it will still be Norway. (Arendelle was never supposed to be a "country" in the modern sense in any case. It is a kingdom, and modern Norway encompasses at least 15 former kingdoms from the Viking era. Even the average Norwegian doesn't know the names of all of them, so for Americans the fictional Arendelle should fit in fairly easily. ) I'm guessing that this will just Disney-fy the ride, rather as the Three Caballeros now "Disney-fy" the Mexico ride. (And yes, the country has been muddled there, too, as Jose Carioca isn't Mexican, and doesn't speak Spanish, either.)

The thing is, the nations that sponsor the Epcot pavilions don't seem to be worrying too much about keeping the attractions current -- the Mexico ride's film was already becoming outdated by the time the pavilion first opened, and by the time Disney re-worked the ride it had become an anachronism. I like the Norway Shop, but face it, all that Helly Hanson doesn't sell very well in Central Florida, and even less so now that the average person can easily buy it on the web. Disney will keep the popular and profitable aspects of the pavilion and do away with the ones that are slugs in favor of Frozen-themed things. (I do hope that the "scary" trolls stay, though -- it shouldn't be too hard to work in the idea that some trolls are friendly and some are not.)

This has happened before: look at how deeply entrenched the "temporary" Festival of the Lion King now is at DAK. It's not really African in the least, but the songs are good and people adore the show, even after 18 years.

EPCOT was supposed to, in it's final iteration, be educational entertainment.

Yes, and we were supposed to want to live there, too. What it was supposed to be is yet another once-popular entertainment concept that is now all but dead: the World's Fair. Thanks to modern technology and international migration patterns we really don't need to build ertsatz miniature countries anymore: we can just go visit ethnic neighborhoods in major US cities. There is still plenty that is educational happening in the Mexico pavilion, and I do not doubt that the Norway pavilion will also retain some cultural programming. (Look at the exhibit in the Stave Church: that wasn't put in until after Frozen, and it is a whole lot more educational than winter clothing and pastry sales.)

PS: By way of explanation, I said that Festival of the Lion King isn't African because the story is English (it's Hamlet cast with animals), and other than the idea of setting it in Africa and putting a Swahili phrase in the background vocals of Circle of Life, it's all textbook American Musical Theatre, with a bit of Samoan fire dancing and Cirque du Soleil thrown in. Setting isn't equal to style or artistic origin: the original Hamlet was set in Denmark, but that didn't make it Danish literature. (Now, back to our regularly scheduled topic.)

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Personally, I kind of like the idea of putting it in DAK. If we are going to base a "land" on a single movie, I think that the "Frozen North" is a whole lot more marketable proposition long-term than "Avatar's Pandora." My local zoo (one of the top 5 in the US) has a phenomenally popular penguin exhibit. People who live in the subtropical South would be very happy to get a chance to see animals that inhabit the polar and subpolar regions, and if those animals are virtually "frolicking" with folks who are denizens of the fictional Arendelle, well, as a shareholder I say, sign me up for the snowball fight. I wish Disney would just pay off Cameron and get on with building a killer simulated luge.

As for Norway, I think it will still be Norway. (Arendelle was never supposed to be a "country" in the modern sense in any case. It is a kingdom, and modern Norway encompasses at least 15 former kingdoms from the Viking era. Even the average Norwegian doesn't know the names of all of them, so for Americans the fictional Arendelle should fit in fairly easily. ) I'm guessing that this will just Disney-fy the ride, rather as the Three Caballeros now "Disney-fy" the Mexico ride. (And yes, the country has been muddled there, too, as Jose Carioca isn't Mexican, and doesn't speak Spanish, either.)

The thing is, the nations that sponsor the Epcot pavilions don't seem to be worrying too much about keeping the attractions current -- the Mexico ride's film was already becoming outdated by the time the pavilion first opened, and by the time Disney re-worked the ride it had become an anachronism. I like the Norway Shop, but face it, all that Helly Hanson doesn't sell very well in Central Florida, and even less so now that the average person can easily buy it on the web. Disney will keep the popular and profitable aspects of the pavilion and do away with the ones that are slugs in favor of Frozen-themed things. (I do hope that the "scary" trolls stay, though -- it shouldn't be too hard to work in the idea that some trolls are friendly and some are not.)

This has happened before: look at how deeply entrenched the "temporary" Festival of the Lion King now is at DAK. It's not really African in the least, but the songs are good and people adore the show, even after 18 years.

I wouldn't mind adding it in at Animal Kingdom, either. I'd love to see them add in 3 new areas to AK: Americas, Australia, and Antarctic/Arctic. And, I agree, Frozen would work well in the Arctic area as part of other things that are native to that area. And I want penguins in that area, as well! I love penguins. Heck, I'd even take African penguins added to Africa. I just want penguins. But, that's another topic, right?


I just don't like it in Norway. It's a story written by a Dane that takes place in a fictional kingdom. Let Anna and Elsa do a meet and greet there (after they expand to make room for the demand. Have them greet at Akershus. Sell little Olaf marshmallow men, for all I care. But please don't change the ride or damage the integrity of the pavilion as a nod to the actual country of Norway due to the current popularity of a movie.