Norway not happy with Disney wanting to replace Maelstrom with Frozen ride

[FutureDis]

I don't think it is unreasonable to ask Norway to bring the money to the table, NOR do I think it unreasonable for Disney to put a Frozen spin on the pavilion. Frozen has increased Norway's tourism:

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/06/disney-frozen-boost-norwegian-tourism

Norway itself has embraced Frozen and made money off of it. Given that, why is it horrible to ask them to give a bit back to Disney to update the pavilion?

 

[sonofanarchy]

My issue is that if they revamp the existing attraction then they are not actually increasing capacity, all they are doing is giving a ride which already runs at full capacity a makeover. If they built a seperate Frozen ride, wherever it is, then they are increasing the number of attractions and thus the capacity.

Welcome to Epcot!

 

[sonofanarchy]

I don't think it is unreasonable to ask Norway to bring the money to the table, NOR do I think it unreasonable for Disney to put a Frozen spin on the pavilion. Frozen has increased Norway's tourism:

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/06/disney-frozen-boost-norwegian-tourism

Norway itself has embraced Frozen and made money off of it. Given that, why is it horrible to ask them to give a bit back to Disney to update the pavilion?

That's like saying Forks, WA (real town from the Twilight films) saw an increase in tourism after the Twilight movies came out, so New Line Cinema has a right to ask the town to contribute to the next movie.

 

[Patience]

If Disney wants Frozen in Norway, maybe Disney should consider replacing the princesses at Akershus with Frozen characters. There's already a princess meal at the castle with the same princesses and Cindy and the gang at 1900 Park Fare. So put Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff at Akershus. Belle used to be the feature princess at Akershus for the picture (is she still?) and Belle doesn't have one thing to do with Norway. The Frozen sisters are at least based upon Norway and would make more sense there. Plus, I think boys would be more interested in a Frozen meal than the princess meal because of Olaf and maybe Kristoff.

 

[surferdave]

Is anybody surprised they haven't added other countries? Maybe it's not for lack of asking. Maybe they asked Peru and they replied "so we pay for an exhibit of our country in your park, and if we stop paying the 'protection fee' you turn it into The Emperor's New Groove ride? Uh, yeah......maybe you should talk to Australia, they might like to fund The Rescuers Down Under pavilion instead."

 

[momof2n2]

Is anybody surprised they haven't added other countries? Maybe it's not for lack of asking. Maybe they asked Peru and they replied "so we pay for an exhibit of our country in your park, and if we stop paying the 'protection fee' you turn it into The Emperor's New Groove ride? Uh, yeah......maybe you should talk to Australia, they might like to fund The Rescuers Down Under pavilion instead."

LOL.

You know - if that's the way they want to move Epcot - ok. Whatever. But just do it over the table. Wrap it up in a big campaign of exciting new tie-ins, or what have you. Just doing it "covertly" here and there is pathetic.

(Epcot is fine as it is, but I really don't care if they replace culture with pop-culture.)

 

[jco_direwolf]

That's like saying Forks, WA (real town from the Twilight films) saw an increase in tourism after the Twilight movies came out, so New Line Cinema has a right to ask the town to contribute to the next movie.

Not really the same thing.

But film companies often get tax breaks and other incentives to film at one location over another.

So they may well have helped with the making of the first films.

 

[swebb0310]

I don't think it is unreasonable to ask Norway to bring the money to the table, NOR do I think it unreasonable for Disney to put a Frozen spin on the pavilion. Frozen has increased Norway's tourism: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/06/disney-frozen-boost-norwegian-tourism Norway itself has embraced Frozen and made money off of it. Given that, why is it horrible to ask them to give a bit back to Disney to update the pavilion?

Yes! I was wondering why no one else was thinking this too!

 

[tfc3rid]

Here is the point. Norway has not spent a dime on the pavilion in years. However, the folks in NOR are very angry that Disney wants to change a representation of their nation into a fictional kingdom from a movie...

And this, of course, flies in the face of the purpose of World Showcase and EPCOT Center itself... I know this formula is being strayed from but still I think it is an exceptionally bad idea and a clear money grab. A real Frozen attraction (not the funland nonsense) would fit perfectly in the worst park in WDW, Hollywood Studios.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Not really the same thing.

But film companies often get tax breaks and other incentives to film at one location over another.

So they may well have helped with the making of the first films.

With all due respect, what's different about it?

Norway has seen an increase in tourism and benefited from Frozen.
Forks, WA has seen an increase in tourism and benefited from Twilight.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I found this part of the article particularly hilarious...

The report claims that Disney has offered Norway the opportunity to pay roughly $9 million to update and maintain the pavilion as a promotional platform for the country -- instead of the hit movie

Seriously?? Am I reading that correctly? They want Norway to pay 9 million to help finance the makeover??

Nothing odd or wrong here.....

While I would hate to see Frozen in Norway....Disney's offer to Norway is really quite fair and a sound move. for both Norway the country and WDW.

If Norway wants to keep the Norway pavilion....NORWAY, a platform to promote the country (which I hope happens) they need to step up to the plate and contribute to the updating and maintain costs.


AKK

 

[jco_direwolf]

With all due respect, what's different about it? Norway has seen an increase in tourism and benefited from Frozen. Forks, WA has seen an increase in tourism and benefited from Twilight.

So you would be complaining if new line(?) said to WA we want more breaks/incentives if we don't get them we are moving production of our next film across the boarder to CA?

But why it's not the same thing is that Norway had been supporting the pavilion they decided it wasn't in their national interests so they stopped funding it. Disney said fine we'll retheme it. Norway said NO. Disney said your choice fund it or we have a chance to remonetization it.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I am still in shock that Maelstrom is a fast pass attraction.


Personally, I may be the only person who despised that Frozen movie. My DH and I watched it and we both thought it was ........boring.


I get that we are in the minority.

Just my cent worth.

My family did not like the movie at all either - and I saw the movie with my 2 sisters! We thought it was kind of boring too, and we were all thoroughly annoyed by the Olaf character. FWIW, we loved the other two most recent princess movies - Tangled and Princess and the Frog.

That being said, even if Tangled (which we loved) took place in Norway or any other WS country, I wouldn't want it there. We definitely aren't fans of the 3 Caballeros overlay in Mexico, but at least it's just part of the boat ride and doesn't overtake the entire pavilion. The first time we took my unsuspecting father (who LOVES WDW) on that ride after many years hiatus from Disney he was like, "What did they do to that ride?!"

 

[DizneyLizzy]

That's like saying Forks, WA (real town from the Twilight films) saw an increase in tourism after the Twilight movies came out, so New Line Cinema has a right to ask the town to contribute to the next movie.

Ha, is that true? I've driven through Forks twice as part of a road trip that included Olympic National Park, and it is in the middle of NOWHERE...literally hours from the nearest city. It's also really just one road (101) and about 3 stoplights, and you're out. I don't know what people would see there?

That being said, if it gets people visiting the local national parks, then I guess it's a good thing.

 

[DisneyHardin]

There are threads here all the time saying "What is there for kids to do in Epcot?" or "Epcot is a half day park for us because my kids don't really enjoy it."

Disney has tried to do some things to make it more kid friendly - add Donald and friends to Mexico or add Frozen characters to Norway and people are up in arms about that.

I guess the saying is true, You can please all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time, but you can't please all the people all the time.

 

[surferdave]

Not really the same thing.

But film companies often get tax breaks and other incentives to film at one location over another.

So they may well have helped with the making of the first films.

This is more like asking for money to remaster the movie for putting it out on Blue Ray.

Does anybody know what the actual commitment was from the various countries when they built Epcot? Did they agree to maintain their sections of the theme parks in perpetuity?

 

[TDC Nala]

since Norway hasn't paid a penny to support the pavilion in years, it may be acceptable for Disney to tell Norway to suck it up and they will do with it what gets Disney the best possible return on Disney's pavilion. Although I'm sure that they have people looking into what if anything it will cost them to tick off Norway.

I don't like seeing the World Showcase kiddiefied, but it's coming. At least Duffy isn't everywhere anymore.

It may mean they will no longer be hiring Norwegian youths and providing visas for them to work in the pavilion, which appears to be what is upsetting the employees there.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Nothing odd or wrong here.....

While I would hate to see Frozen in Norway....Disney's offer to Norway is really quite fair and a sound move. for both Norway the country and WDW.

If Norway wants to keep the Norway pavilion....NORWAY, a platform to promote the country (which I hope happens) they need to step up to the plate and contribute to the updating and maintain costs.


AKK

Did they ask Mexico for money when they converted the boat ride or added La Cava? Did they ask Italy for money when they refurbished Tutto Italia and added Tutto Gusto? Did they ask Japan for money when they converted Katsura Grill?

Maybe they did and I am unaware.

 

[TDC Nala]

Did they ask Mexico for money when they converted the boat ride or added La Cava? Did they ask Italy for money when they refurbished Tutto Italia and added Tutto Gusto? Did they ask Japan for money when they converted Katsura Grill?

Maybe they did and I am unaware.

None of these restaurants are operated by Disney, so likely the expansions were assisted by money from the third parties who do operate them.

 

[Mad Hattered]

None of these restaurants are operated by Disney, so likely the expansions were assisted by money from the third parties who do operate them.

What about the Three Caballeros conversion?