Plans for a new pavilion announced for Epcot

[Reddog1134]

That's a whole different issue, speed of building...would have been great if they had a new Star Wars land open in time for the new movie announcement...but they have been designing it...sure teh new Frozen section will open first, but it is just a meet and greet...if all we get out of the new SW land is a meet and greet I will be mad. To get rides takes longer...HP world took several years as well...it is open NOW, sure...but why complain that WDW is building an area that appeals to girls when they have MANY areas that are boy friendly, if not all out mostly appealing for boys?

Based on the rumors I’ve heard, the reason we don’t yet have an Star Wars announcement is that Iger decided he wanted the new area to be based on the new films. So my questions are, how much about the new films do the Imagineers know? And are they allowed to start designing? Obviously, they don’t want to spoil movies details to the general public, but have the Imagineers been been given any info?

 

[Reddog1134]

Oh yes, that I am well aware of, movies really have no relevance to the enjoyment of a ride. However I do think it can help to have it be popular though in the end the sustainability has nothing to do with a movie.

The best example of this is the Waterworld show at Universal Studios Hollywood. It's considered one of the worst movies ever but one of the greatest theme park shows.

 

[DisneyFive]

Hopefully I'm not striking anyone's nerve, but I think Maelstrom was at best a middling attraction for most. I am, probably naively, hopeful that something much cooler (no pun intended) is coming.

We never understood why Maelstom was a FP ride. Our first trip to WDW was in 2010, and stumbled across Maelstrom after lunch at Akerhus.

We saw the FP machine, grabbed some FP's and then noticed that the standby line was a 5 minute wait. We went standby and walked on, then wondered why this was a popular ride that required FP. We thought is was o.k., but not what we were used to by that point from other FP attractions.

Dan

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

The best example of this is the Waterworld show at Universal Studios Hollywood. It's considered one of the worst movies ever but one of the greatest theme park shows.

Is there even a "Space Mountain" movie? Or Expedition Everest? The main factor is just the enjoyment of the ride/attraction. I wasn't that big of a fan of Maelstrom anyway so for me anything is likely to be an improvement for that (realizing this is different than the Frozen attraction there).

 

[hiroMYhero]

Based on the rumors I’ve heard, the reason we don’t yet have an Star Wars announcement is that Iger decided he wanted the new area to be based on the new films. So my questions are, how much about the new films do the Imagineers know? And are they allowed to start designing? Obviously, they don’t want to spoil movies details to the general public, but have the Imagineers been been given any info?

Imagineers have access. The sneak peek trailer was released in theaters last month. Beauty and the Beast in DHS opened the day the film was released: "It is based on the popular animated film Beauty and the Beast (the show opened on the same day as the film's premiere), including many of the original songs and characters." (Wikipedia)

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Imagineers have access. The sneak peek trailer was released in theaters last month. Beauty and the Beast in DHS opened the day the film was released: "It is based on the popular animated film Beauty and the Beast (the show opened on the same day as the film's premiere), including many of the original songs and characters." (Wikipedia)

I think this is the point I was making above. While obviously (I didn't think I needed to say it) a ride/attraction doesn't need a movie to be successful or relevant, however, if it coincided with a movie release I think it would help both (though the ride more as far more will see the movie than ride the ride). But obviously with rides like Space Mountain and Expedition Everest (no movies at all) you don't need a movie to be successful.

 

[goodgodmrsmolly]

That's a whole different issue, speed of building...would have been great if they had a new Star Wars land open in time for the new movie announcement...but they have been designing it...sure teh new Frozen section will open first, but it is just a meet and greet...if all we get out of the new SW land is a meet and greet I will be mad. To get rides takes longer...HP world took several years as well...it is open NOW, sure...but why complain that WDW is building an area that appeals to girls when they have MANY areas that are boy friendly, if not all out mostly appealing for boys?

It was about how to get kids excited. All I meant was it is hard to tell a boy about something upcoming when there isn't even a plan yet. At least with this frozen thing, there is something to go on even if it will be a few years before it is open.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

After reading just one page of the comments, I decided there wasn't much to see or learn --- if it's JUST an addition to put Frozen and the connected characters into the area even more than they already are, it's NOT a new pavilion at all.
I'm not sure what the final structure will look like or what it will house, but seriously suspect (since I don't have any daughters and my granddaughter isn't quite one year old yet) that only the Frozen fans will truly care.
I think they're missing the boat -- no pun intended -- because if they're spending lots and lots of $$, they could have done something that would appeal to more than the frozen fans.
Just my opinion of course.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I think this is the point I was making above. While obviously (I didn't think I needed to say it) a ride/attraction doesn't need a movie to be successful or relevant, however, if it coincided with a movie release I think it would help both (though the ride more as far more will see the movie than ride the ride). But obviously with rides like Space Mountain and Expedition Everest (no movies at all) you don't need a movie to be successful.

I agree with what you are stating. I was answering his Iger/Imagineer question.

 

[BrianL]

The best example of this is the Waterworld show at Universal Studios Hollywood. It's considered one of the worst movies ever but one of the greatest theme park shows.

Oh, it IS the best theme park stunt show ever! Amazing! And based on a crappy, old movie too that people don't even remember unless it's for how bad it was. I don't really like Harry Potter, but I still enjoy the theme park attractions.

 

[jbish]

Every time someone says this I can't help but point out - Splash Mountain. Most kids probably don't even know it's based on a movie, but still love the ride regardless. If it's done WELL, that's what matters.

Of course Splash/Expedition Everest/Space Mountain don't need a successful generation-spanning movie to make it a great ride. But really, this is a huge M&G building specifically tailored to one movie. For that, the movie does have to be relevant to the kids of the future. Now, I can see Frozen having a following for years to come. But could you imagine if they built a whole M&G building for Lilo & Stitch? (Just the first example that came to mind.) Sure, there will always be people that will go see them - but enough to justify devoting one pavilion's worth of land with a 13,000 sf building?

If the quote that FLchick was referring to was more of a reaction to the Maelstrom conversion (i.e. for the "Frozen themed ride"), sure, that could still be fun, regardless of how popular the movie is in 15-20 years. But a themed M&G building seems like a bit much.

For what it's worth, I am neutral on Frozen. We enjoyed the movie, but my daughter is beyond the princess phase (*sniff*) and so we are not obsessed with it as she has been for other movies when she was younger. So, for me, it's hard to see it always being this gigantic phenomenon it is right now. Popular with a following? Sure. But it will temper over time.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I'm not sure what the final structure will look like or what it will house

As for what the new construction will house, that information was part of the plans that were released. A Frozen character meet and greet, a women's restroom, and a few backstage parking spaces.

 

[Skywise]

"Seasons Greetings from the USA!"
"Happy Holidays from the land of Arendale!"

...

Naah...