POLL: Maelstrom or Frozen?

[Tink2Day]

Frozen was loosely based on Andersen's "Snow Queen" he wasn't Norwegian, so make Norway more Nordic or Scandinavian but don't try to say it's Norway/Norwegian.


The movie may have been the highest grossing animated movie of all time ($10 tickets vs. .25¢ tickets when some of the classics came out, of course it's going to be more of a moneymaker.)but even Eiger says they'll get five years out of it's popularity. I'm a small stockholder so I'm all for profit but if it affects the integrity of the attraction and it's just a short term attraction, not so much.

Part of it may be that Norway has no sponsor, which is the way most Disney sponsorships are going of late.

As for making Epcot more 'kid friendly', I've read so much on here about the drunks in Epcot during F&W and the fact that there is plenty of alcohol available in Epcot, and the outrage when alcohol became available on a limited basis in MK, should it really be kid friendly?

 

[Bluegrrl]

I've made my opinions on Frozen well known - I thought the movie was "meh" at best, and I do really think its a fad. Similar to Beauty and the Beast, I love that movie to death, but the fans tended to die out after a while.

But I'm sorry to all the Froze-Geeks when I say this: Arendelle is NOT real. It's not real. Let me repeat that: IT IS NOT REAL. WS was based on real places, with beautiful attention to detail. Norway IS real. You can go there, you can touch and feel it, you can take a boat to it. The myths from the country are real - based on real legends. Heck, I would accept an actual Thor/Marvel or even a better version of Maelstrom here before Frozen.

Can you do that for Frozen? No. You cannot visit it - there are no real girls to base Anna and Elsa on. It's all super-fictional, and belongs in either Magic Kingdom or DHS. NOT WS. Just not.

At this point Disney - turn France into Maurice's village, make Mulan's version of China, throw Pochauntus into the American Adventure - whatever Disney.

There is no logic here anymore.

 

[Princesca]

I'm very disappointed. I have always been enamored with Norse culture, and though I did believe Maelstrom was in need of an update, I wanted it to remain a tribute to Norway.

I have always felt that EPCOT was the most broadly educational of the parks. I'm disappointed to see it being 'dumbed down' with yet another cartoon movie ride. I liked Frozen, and would have loved to see an attraction devoted to it, but like many have said, just not there.

From what I have read, Walt highly valued education, and Disney is better than anyone I can think of at presenting education in a way that's fun and exciting for kids. So am I happy that a ride about the culture, commerce, mythlore, and people of Norway is being replaced by a fictitious story about a woman who can shoot icicles out of her fingertips and a talking snowman, however much I may love them? Not so much.

 

[Princesca]

Understand the sentimentality but IMO, Frozen is a no brainer. Need some more modern and kid friendly attractions.

I don't see a pressing need for specifically targeting kid-friendly in EPCOT, though I wholeheartedly agree on the modern. Frankly, I like having my 'more adult' park. Let the kids run rampant over Magic Kingdom, which already unabashedly caters to them - it just means less crowds, and more adult-oriented exhibits and attractions at EPCOT. Kids can have their multiple days in MK, and DH and I can stroll the world showcase, sipping beer in (comparative) peace.

And anyway, World Showcase was my favorite thing about WDW as a kid. I was completely in love with Morocco... it was a big reason why I grew up with a pressing urge to travel.

 

[Princesca]

What kind of food did they eat there?

Sandwiches and chocolate fondue!

 

[Helium]

Frozen was loosely based on Andersen's "Snow Queen" he wasn't Norwegian, so make Norway more Nordic or Scandinavian but don't try to say it's Norway/Norwegian.

Great point, Tink! If memory serves, the story was set in Finland actually!

 

[DisUniversal]

...Frozen is a no brainer...

Nothing more really needs to be said on the subject.

 

[Retro Magic]

Maelstrom and ADD a new Frozen land area with an attraction ride.

STOP taking away from Epcot and add/fix/update!

Not to mention Frozen deserves more than this. Like it or hate the movie, its popularity deserves more.

Maelstrom is a PART of Norway. To take it away is very, very sad. Terrible.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Maelstrom or Frozen...

The biggest disappointment is that the net number of attractions at EC will stay the same.

 

[baldy6060]

We only rode maelstrom to make fun of it. We enjoyed it like a cheezy horror flick. I'm not much of a Frozen fan either but something had to be done. It's bad business if they DON'T capitalize on the movie's success & this is a no brainer, natural fit. Either way I'm making fun of anything involving trolls.

 

[Planogirl]

Great point, Tink! If memory serves, the story was set in Finland actually!

I thought that it was Denmark?

I think that Disney thinks that one Scandinavian country is as good as another. Lazy.

 

[Planogirl]

We only rode maelstrom to make fun of it. We enjoyed it like a cheezy horror flick. I'm not much of a Frozen fan either but something had to be done. It's bad business if they DON'T capitalize on the movie's success & this is a no brainer, natural fit. Either way I'm making fun of anything involving trolls.

They COULD have capitalized on the movie's success by building a brand new ride and they could have avoided taking away an existing ride while destroying the theming of World Showcase.

It looks like Frozen will be everywhere now. Why not just turn Epcot into Frozen World? I have some ideas....

 

[wareagle57]

I wish I was a Disney Exec because I think I just came up with the perfect solution.

What if they new ride started out with you in the loading area of Maelstrom as you know it. For 2 years the secret about this ride has been kept under wraps. It is heavily advertised as the new Frozen ride at Epcot.

Disney Vets eager to see the new ride are confused. Why does everything look exactly the same. Well almost everything. The old Viking boats are now sleds. You ascend up the slope and arrive in Arendale where you go on a 8 minute journey through the movie Frozen and all the hit songs and characters are there including Olaf, Marshmallow, and Oaken. Just when you think it's over, you start to ascend a dark tunnel and here the familiar "You are not the first to pass this way" You realize you are now on the original ride Maelstrom. But when you get to the Trolls, the hill you go down is 10 times as tall as the original. You even end the ride in the same unloading dock and enter the store just as you remember it. Well, with the addition of may Frozen memorabilia.

Families there for the first eager to ride the new attraction are confused by the odd theming in the queue and entering the boat. "Are we in the wrong line?" is often thought by visitors. They bored confused but they are already here so they might as well. "You are not the first to pass this way, Nor will you be the last" What in the world kind of ride are we on!? Olaf then interrupts and takes over as narrator, apologizing for the creepy intro. They are entertained by great jokes from Olaf as well as musical sequences from the film, and experience thrills such as falling off the cliff being chased by Marshmallow (The original small drop from Maelstrom) Then at the end, they hear the creepy voice from the beginning. They are now on the original Maelstrom with 10x the drop and updated with current Norway history. Making an educational ride out of the fairy tale adventure small children came to see.

It surprises every first time rider if they are unspoiled. And makes everyone happy. A new ride without sacrificing the old.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

They COULD have capitalized on the movie's success by building a brand new ride and they could have avoided taking away an existing ride while destroying the theming of World Showcase.[\B]
..

Seriously???? I have devastating news for you, Donald Duck is not from Mexico.

 

[TraderSam]

I am absolutely crushed by the announcement today. Maelstrom has been a family favorite for many years. Having Norwegian heritage, it was a must do every WDW visit we made. I wish I could get back to ride it one last time before it closes! I am heart broken. I don't know how I will break the news to the kids.

 

[Planogirl]

Seriously???? I have devastating news for you, Donald Duck is not from Mexico.

And I have news for you. That ride is still about Mexico with just the Three Caballeros added. The article indicates that the Norway ride will be completely about Frozen. Just a bit different wouldn't you say?

 

[BugsDaddy]

I've made my opinions on Frozen well known - I thought the movie was "meh" at best, and I do really think its a fad. Similar to Beauty and the Beast, I love that movie to death, but the fans tended to die out after a while.

But I'm sorry to all the Froze-Geeks when I say this: Arendelle is NOT real. It's not real. Let me repeat that: IT IS NOT REAL. WS was based on real places, with beautiful attention to detail. Norway IS real. You can go there, you can touch and feel it, you can take a boat to it. The myths from the country are real - based on real legends. Heck, I would accept an actual Thor/Marvel or even a better version of Maelstrom here before Frozen.

Can you do that for Frozen? No. You cannot visit it - there are no real girls to base Anna and Elsa on. It's all super-fictional, and belongs in either Magic Kingdom or DHS. NOT WS. Just not.

At this point Disney - turn France into Maurice's village, make Mulan's version of China, throw Pochauntus into the American Adventure - whatever Disney.

There is no logic here anymore.

Fans of Beauty and the. Beast have died off? Tell that to the crowds of people trying to secure an ADR for BOG.

Do you think the other Princesses that visit the Norway pavilion are real or based on real people in real countries?

Putting Mulan in China or Pocahontas in the Americas would be perfectly ok based on your own logic. They are based on real people and are part of the mythology of those countries.

 

[dizzwizz]

And I have news for you. That ride is still about Mexico with just the Three Caballeros added. The article indicates that the Norway ride will be completely about Frozen. Just a bit different wouldn't you say?

The day when the Three Caballeros was added was the day that the Mexican boat ride died a horrible death! The seriousness and overall tone was completely RUINED with utter nonsense from Donald Duck and his friends (family or whatever the heck they are.) The ride went from a pleasant, relaxing boat cruise to a non-stop, ADD adrenaline-inducing cacophonous Disney vision of HELL!

If this Frozen ride is created with as little imagination, attention to detail and overall lack of care as the Little Mermaid ride was, it's highly unlikely we will set foot again in EPCOT. We've had it with the "dumbing down" refurbishments/replacements/eliminations of attractions that we've seen going on in EPCOT for the past 15 years or more. Like a previous poster said, Walt did NOT envision EPCOT to become Magic Kingdom Light!!! Where are the high standards that were originally set??? EPCOT is evolving into a place I'd hoped I'd never see!!!

 

[chairbear]

I wish I was a Disney Exec because I think I just came up with the perfect solution. What if they new ride started out with you in the loading area of Maelstrom as you know it. For 2 years the secret about this ride has been kept under wraps. It is heavily advertised as the new Frozen ride at Epcot. Disney Vets eager to see the new ride are confused. Why does everything look exactly the same. Well almost everything. The old Viking boats are now sleds. You ascend up the slope and arrive in Arendale where you go on a 8 minute journey through the movie Frozen and all the hit songs and characters are there including Olaf, Marshmallow, and Oaken. Just when you think it's over, you start to ascend a dark tunnel and here the familiar "You are not the first to pass this way" You realize you are now on the original ride Maelstrom. But when you get to the Trolls, the hill you go down is 10 times as tall as the original. You even end the ride in the same unloading dock and enter the store just as you remember it. Well, with the addition of may Frozen memorabilia. Families there for the first eager to ride the new attraction are confused by the odd theming in the queue and entering the boat. "Are we in the wrong line?" is often thought by visitors. They bored confused but they are already here so they might as well. "You are not the first to pass this way, Nor will you be the last" What in the world kind of ride are we on!? Olaf then interrupts and takes over as narrator, apologizing for the creepy intro. They are entertained by great jokes from Olaf as well as musical sequences from the film, and experience thrills such as falling off the cliff being chased by Marshmallow (The original small drop from Maelstrom) Then at the end, they hear the creepy voice from the beginning. They are now on the original Maelstrom with 10x the drop and updated with current Norway history. Making an educational ride out of the fairy tale adventure small children came to see. It surprises every first time rider if they are unspoiled. And makes everyone happy. A new ride without sacrificing the old.

Omg we can only hope this new crap will be half as good as your idea !!!! This would be worth a tier 1 fpp

 

[startedwithawish]

Umm, I don't think Norway is going away