mesaverdefan
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2014
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Remembering Epcot Center's Norway: A Look Back to 1988
Press Photo, Norway Pavilion Concept Art, (c) 1987 The Walt Disney Company
Today, October 5, 2014, the doors to Norways Maelstrom will close permanently. Guests will no long be able to experience a trip through troll country, a nighttime Norwegian Village, or plunge into the North Sea. So what better time than now to look back at what the Norway pavilion used to be like during its first few months of operation.
The Norway Pavilion had a bit of a stormy start back in the 1980s. The pavilion was originally envisioned as a more generic Scandinavian pavilion that incorporated the architecture and culture of a number of countries including Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Fate, or business partners who could not reach a consensus, would have otherwise. Instead, the pavilion is based on the culture and people of Norway alone. The country of Norway along with private businesses spearheaded the effect to get the pavilion built at Epcot. The majority of the money used to build the pavilion came from a coalition of Norwegian businesses know as NorShow contributing over $30 million to the project.
Construction of the Norway Pavilion stated in 1986 and took about two years to finish. And when Norway was finished, it was an excellent addition to World Showcase. Not only did the pavilion bring a new cultural experience to Epcot Center, but 5.7 million people rode the Maelstrom during its first year of operation and the pavilion generated over $10 million in merchandise and dining sales.
The Norway pavilion became the 11th nation to join Epcot Centers World Showcase, right in between Mexico and China. Norway had its soft opening on May 6, 1988 though the Maelstrom did not open until July 5. On October 5, 2014 Norway will be changing from how it was originally envisioned. The Maelstrom will become Frozen and other parts of the pavilion will likely change also.
Over the next couple days Norway will be remembered here through images and text. Please share your stories about what you loved about Norway; the ride, the atmosphere, the dining, and the stores. Debate the merits of the change; though much debate has been had and continues in the News and Rumor forum.
To begin with, below is Disneys press release announcing the addition of the 11th country to World Showcase:
(c) 1988 The Walt Disney Company
(c) 1988 The Walt Disney Company
(c) 1988 The Walt Disney Company
(c) 1988 The Walt Disney Company
Upcoming Updates:
Merchandise Locations and Mini-Museum
Dining and Character MeetnGreets
Maelstrom & Movie
Final Thoughts
The images posted are press photos and releases that were sent out to media to publish and promote the attraction. The photos are posted for educational purposes.
Press Photo, Norway Pavilion Concept Art, (c) 1987 The Walt Disney Company
Today, October 5, 2014, the doors to Norways Maelstrom will close permanently. Guests will no long be able to experience a trip through troll country, a nighttime Norwegian Village, or plunge into the North Sea. So what better time than now to look back at what the Norway pavilion used to be like during its first few months of operation.
The Norway Pavilion had a bit of a stormy start back in the 1980s. The pavilion was originally envisioned as a more generic Scandinavian pavilion that incorporated the architecture and culture of a number of countries including Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Fate, or business partners who could not reach a consensus, would have otherwise. Instead, the pavilion is based on the culture and people of Norway alone. The country of Norway along with private businesses spearheaded the effect to get the pavilion built at Epcot. The majority of the money used to build the pavilion came from a coalition of Norwegian businesses know as NorShow contributing over $30 million to the project.
Construction of the Norway Pavilion stated in 1986 and took about two years to finish. And when Norway was finished, it was an excellent addition to World Showcase. Not only did the pavilion bring a new cultural experience to Epcot Center, but 5.7 million people rode the Maelstrom during its first year of operation and the pavilion generated over $10 million in merchandise and dining sales.
The Norway pavilion became the 11th nation to join Epcot Centers World Showcase, right in between Mexico and China. Norway had its soft opening on May 6, 1988 though the Maelstrom did not open until July 5. On October 5, 2014 Norway will be changing from how it was originally envisioned. The Maelstrom will become Frozen and other parts of the pavilion will likely change also.
Over the next couple days Norway will be remembered here through images and text. Please share your stories about what you loved about Norway; the ride, the atmosphere, the dining, and the stores. Debate the merits of the change; though much debate has been had and continues in the News and Rumor forum.
To begin with, below is Disneys press release announcing the addition of the 11th country to World Showcase:
(c) 1988 The Walt Disney Company
(c) 1988 The Walt Disney Company
(c) 1988 The Walt Disney Company
(c) 1988 The Walt Disney Company
Upcoming Updates:
Merchandise Locations and Mini-Museum
Dining and Character MeetnGreets
Maelstrom & Movie
Final Thoughts
The images posted are press photos and releases that were sent out to media to publish and promote the attraction. The photos are posted for educational purposes.
