Norway College Program kids alerted to pavilion closing?

[Mommy2Corinne]

This makes me so sad. I'm (or really my kids are) a huge Frozen fan, but this is a terrible idea.

We love Malestrom and the Norway pavilion as is!

Proof? I just paid a fortune to have this custom made for DD to wear on our Epcot day, lol. I suppose it'll be considered "vintage" now?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If it's for FROZEN, then it's a disgrace and an outrage.

Brace yourself. Winter is coming.

 

[Skywise]

Brace yourself. Winter is coming.

Heh... Disney teaming up with Game of Thrones in Epcot as part of a new "adult themed" theme park to compete with Universal... THERE'S a concept!

 

[mousekatool]

Totally agree. I watched it with my husband one night (he fell asleep) and when it was finally over I was like Did I miss something? I get that the song is catchy and well written, but a song that alludes to divorce does not make a great classic Disney movie.

Weird...I've seen the movie two dozen times and I never saw or heard any reference to divorce.

I loved the movie. I think it is probably the best thing Disney has turned out in years, and I get that it is a cash cow for them. But I think that placing a Frozen overlay in Norway really defeats the purpose of World showcase in general. It would be much better suited to Magic Kingdom or Hollywood studios.

 

[Mikie]

A PP mentioned the irate vacationers if this happens with such relatively little notice. I would definitely be one of those folks! I am increasingly frustrated with the amount of advance planning necessary to make a successful trip, and I was up before dawn at 180+ days out to make my reservation for my group of 12 to dine at Akershus in Oct. I'll have to not get to worked up over unconfirmed details, but changed park hours, changed EMH days, potentially closing country pavilions are wreaking havoc on the plans I was reluctant to have to make so early in the first place. I really don't know how disney could make up a sit down meal like this to "make it right" for me - there has been no dining available at reasonable meal times during my trip for months.

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?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I assume the previous poster was referring to Let It Go as alluding to "divorce," which I don't get because Elsa wasn't married or even thinking about it. She sings that song to celebrate that she doesn't have to hide anymore because either she might hurt somebody or they'd call her a freak. (Both of which happen anyway).

Lots of people are reading all sorts of things into that song though, beyond the plot line of the film.

 

[Cold71]

We enjoy the Norway pavilion, the architecture looks great. However the Maelstrom needs a referb very badly, I rode it last year and all I could smell was mildew. On top of that the ride has never made a lot of sense to me, it's an odd mix of Norwegian folklore and what I assume to be Norway through the decades? No issues here with a Frozen themed ride as long as Disney doesn't half-*** it.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

I don't know how I feel about this. It's difficult to try and argue the sanctity of the World Showcase, because nothing at Disney is sacred, everything is subject to change, subject to tie-in, subject to marketability and the whims of the current demographic they are trying to reach.
But on the other hand, Epcot has always seemed to me like the most grown up of the parks, and I think that's why it kinda bothers me. The kid pandering happens everywhere else (it happens at Epcot too, but it seems like more a way to keep the kids occupied instead of everything being for them) and that's fine, it's Disney for crying out loud. . .but Epcot, it just seems wrong. What are they going to do for Arendelle food and wine festival? Elsa's ice shot glasses? Wait, never mind, this is a good idea. Let it snow.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We are not fans of Maelstrom and do not bother to ride it. When they made it into a fastpass ride we thought that was a joke.
I like the idea of Frozen there. Look at the lines for Peter Pan. Beauty and the Beast came out over 20 years ago and still has how many shows a day at DHS. Mermaid has lines all day and is older too so I can see people enjoying Frozen at Epcot in 20 years--and a huge improvement over Maelstrom.
I also think bringing characters to Epcot is wise because it offers something to children. Our kids did not care for Epcot until they were older and offering things for children is good marketing strategy.
This could cause many families to spend a day at Epcot that might not otherwise. Families with young kids and no park hoppers might not plan an Epcot Day. This ride could cause them to go. Those who oppose the change will still go to Epcot because they love it. Win win for Disney.

 

[BugsDaddy]

I'm sorry, but this is very short-sighted. What are all the other Disney movies that were 'the most successful movie in the history of Disney'...until they were toppled by something else?

It's not short-sighted, it is what it is right now. I never said that there would never be a movie to top it. I just said it is the most successful animated film in the history of Disney right now. I am just pointing out that they are not changing the pavilion to add a section for an unpopular film that will have no following Ina years time.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

No issues here with a Frozen themed ride as long as Disney doesn't half-*** it.

 

[crostorfer]

Heh... Disney teaming up with Game of Thrones in Epcot as part of a new "adult themed" theme park to compete with Universal... THERE'S a concept!

Best. Idea. Ever.

However, I don't want the 7 Kingdoms dumbed down and Disney-fied. Universal would do it better.

Sorry....

Back to our regularly scheduled discussion...

 

[BugsDaddy]

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.

This must just be US box office? Frozen has made a lot more than that worldwide.

 

[tony609]

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.

101 is pretty good for a film that was only out for about 6 weeks by the end of 2013.

 

[RachaelA]

101 is pretty good for a film that was only out for about 6 weeks by the end of 2013.

Exactly. I'm sure its MUCH higher on that list now.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

My family loves Frozen, but we also love Maelstrom. I remember riding it when I was 8 years old and loving it then. When we first took my daughter back in 2012, my dad was really excited to take her on it because he remembered how much my sister and I loved it. In fact, my sister and I, unable to pronounce "Maelstrom" always called it Tricky Trolls - a name which has stuck with it and my daughter now calls it. We love the trolls, the commentary, Odin at the very beginning, and the music that plays. I'd hate to see any of that go. If there is a Frozen take over of any sort, I can't imagine that they will keep the trolls as is. After all, in the movie, the trolls aren't exactly scary and they would never cast a spell to have you "disappear disappear" over the falls or send you down to the North Sea. Arandelle is not a real place. Norway is. I'm not sure how you incorporate something nonexistent with a real place. At least Ponchita was supposed to be from Mexico City. And Jose, while not from Mexico, was from Brazil and was supposed to be part of the singing group The Three Caballeros who sing all over Mexico. It's not like they sang in Rio de Burrito. No, they at least had a connection to actual Mexico. To me, adding Frozen to Maelstrom is going to be quite different than adding in Ponchito, Jose, and Donald in scenes from Mexico.


My advice, move Belle to Cinderella's spot at Akershus. Have Anna and Elsa be the hostesses there, and call it good. Maybe add in some merchandise here and there and possibly expand the pavilion to incorporate a meet and greet of some sort, but please don't change a ride that is supposed to be about Norway - an actual country - to one about a movie. Oh, better idea! Eighty-six the movie at the end of the ride and have Frozen playing on a continuous loop.

 

[tony609]

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.

 

[EagleFlyer]

Here's my thoughts:

• I do think tha tthe Maelstrom could use a refurb.
• I do not necessarily even mind if they incorporate Frozen into it.
• I do NOT want the entire Norway pavillion to be transformed.
• Kringla better not go anywhere!
  

I agree completely with this. I remember when Small World was "rethemed" at Disneyland to include movie characters. Some people were up in arms about it, about ruining the spirit of the ride. I really didn't see what the problem was after I rode it, they just added some fun Disney movie touches to the ride. That's what I'm hoping happens in Norway, adding Frozen touches to the ride rather than completely changing the ride to be a re-telling of the Frozen movie and changing the pavilion completely.

Now if they completely redo everything in Norway to become a Frozen land and get rid of Kringla, I'm going to....I'm going to...still visit Epcot and have a great time.

 

[wareagle57]

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. Also should mak SB lines a tad shorter by putting another big ride in Epcot. I will miss Maelstrom though. But interested in seeing what Disney does.

It might help with the fast passes, but not with eating up crowds I don't think. Maelstrom already gets up to an hour wait sometimes. For it to help much, the Frozen ride would need to be even longer than that...meaning most of us would either not ride it or have to use our tier 1 on it. And there still wouldn't be a way to get both TT and Soarin. Getting one of them is not a problem right now.

 

[Cold71]

lol

What came to my mind was *puts on flame proof cape* the recent Little Mermaid ride. It comes off as such an extremely condensed version of the movie you can barley understand whats going on.. queue the dancing fish...queue the evil character appearance...queue happy ending...and it's over.