Say Good Bye to Maelstrom....A 'Frozen' Ride is Definite

[TexasErin]

I understand Disney's desire to capitalize on Frozen's undeniable popularity, but I am firmly against making the Norway Pavilion in World Showcase its epicenter. There is absolutely zero correlation between the movie Frozen and the intended purpose of the World Showcase pavilion, sans the fact that the movie's scenery is based on Norway's countryside. That to me is not a sufficient enough reason for plunking it there. It is largely understood that Disney's interpretation of Cinderella (one of their most popular animated movies of all time) is based in France. Snow White... Germany. Mulan... China. Why stop at Norway... Let's just blow up World Showcase as we know it and turn it into New Fantasyland-2. Lord knows the MK version is rather unimpressive... maybe they'll get it right in EPCOT. (that's my effort at a little sarcasm)



I'm not sure what's so confusing about the ride? It takes you through time, from the days of the Vikings up to present-day Norway, much like Spaceship Earth takes you from our start as woolly-mammoth hunting Neanderthals to modern-day astronauts. Sure, the trolls aren't factual, but are definitely a part of Norwegian folklore. I won't argue the fact that the ride feels a little dated (OK, maybe that's an understatement).



World Showcase is not, nor has ever been the problem in EPCOT. Future World, on the other hand, is abysmal. The Imagination pavilion has about as much demand as an ejection seat on a helicopter. Universe of Energy / Wonders of Life pavilions are totally stagnant. The only two draws within all of Future World are TT and Soarin', and that, my friend, is the problem within EPCOT. Lack of investment, lack of Imagineering and lack of innovation in what is supposed to be the portion of the park focusing on technological innovation (how ironic) has led to this. World Showcase, on the other hand, was meant to focus on international culture. Explain to me again how converting Maelstrom into a Frozen ride fits this bill?



Much like us adults can get quite bored in say, New Fantasyland? The majority of MK is geared towards kids. World Showcase is the one area in all of Disney World's theme parks that really is geared towards adults. There has to be some balance, yes?



We can only hope that this is true, and I suppose I should reserve judgment until we see the finished product, but I just can't help overcome the notion that a Frozen ride just doesn't fit in World Showcase. As I previously mentioned, New Fantasyland I feel to be a snoozer, with the exception of SDMT. That would be the perfect place to put a Frozen attraction, and they could have had a blank slate to start with, rather than trying to fit a round peg into a square hole by working with whatever the Maelstrom platform can offer them.

AMEN!!

With the key word being highlighted in bold. I would argue that Hollywood Studios is in more dire straights than EPCOT, albeit by a thin margin. Lots and lots of rumors have been floating around, but nothing is in stone, and even if something regarding Starwars Land is ever announced, we'll be lucky to see anything by 2019...




Again, this is where I firmly disagree with you. Future World is completely under-utilized, and crowds mass in one of two locations: Test Track or Soarin', period. Every other pavilion - Imagination, Wonders of Life, Universe of Energy, Living Seas... have little to no demand by comparison. WS, on the other hand, has very evenly distributed demand by comparison. There is no one single country that constantly has a "blob" of people (aside from say, a hit band performing in Canada or UK, which are now going by the wayside... but that's for another thread ).

I have absolutely nothing against the notion of Disney adding a Frozen attraction into their portfolio. I also would have no issue with Disney "refreshing" Maelstrom. However, I do have a major issue with the decision to scrap Maelstrom, use it's "guts" to churn out a "quick hit", and put something in its place that has 1/10th the relevance of the previous ride. Wouldn't you rather see them start with a blank slate and truly Imagineer something new and innovative? I imagine we're going to have the same exact boat ride, and rather than trolls and oil rigs, we're going to see icicles and snowmen. Again, I ask "How does this fit into the World Showcase theme?". The simple answer is "it doesn't". New Fantasyland would have been a much better selection for a new Frozen ride. Building something truly innovative in Future World would be where I would focus my efforts within EPCOT. And the aforementioned Starwars Land is what HS really needs. Your opinion may vary...

Will you marry me, lol??

To me, Maelstrom isn't dated-----I just consider it charming and Old World. I love everything about it....down to the 1982 Apple computers in the film (yes, I know those are very dated---but I can't help loving it).

And if I were queen of the world, FW would be brought back to it's former glory with Horizons and the original Figment/Dreamfinder Imagination ride. But I would keep Soarin' and Test Track!

 

[Andrew015]

Will you marry me, lol??

I am technically still a bachelor for 29 more days... so we're going to have to get to know one another rather quickly!

To me, Maelstrom isn't dated-----I just consider it charming and Old World. I love everything about it....down to the 1982 Apple computers in the film (yes, I know those are very dated---but I can't help loving it).

Maelstrom is no more "dated" from a technological standpoint than say Carousel of Progress, The American Adventure, Jungle Cruise or Pirates of the Caribbean. If the integration of Frozen into Maelstrom was done in a similar fashion to Johnny Depp being airlifted into POTC, while I wouldn't be thrilled, I'd be happy to at least have some semblance of the ride as we know it today. However, my understanding of the rumor is that it is going to be completely revamped. Can you imagine the uproar if any one of those iconic rides were scheduled to be bulldozed in favor of something featuring the latest "flavor of the month" animated movie? (OK - I concede that Frozen is more than just a "flavor of the month", but you get my point). Walt himself would descend from the heavens and permanently place anyone involved in that decision on Small World for an eternity.

Look, I get it. Some people - like ourselves - love Maelstrom. Other's could take or leave it. Different strokes for different folks. It's not the most exciting ride found within WDW, nor has it changed much (if at all) since it opened in 1988. But is that really such a bad thing? For those of you that don't like Maelstrom and are in favor of a Frozen ride, if you had to make a list of ALLLLL the attractions within WDW that you'd blow up in order to get a Frozen ride, would Maelstrom really top the chart??? I could easily rattle off 20 other attractions that I would gladly deep-six before Maelstrom. Maelstrom is falling under the axe simply because it has a weak connection to Norway, and that is a real shame.

"Here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland...the blessing of size. There's enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine." - Walt Disney

Unfortunately, Disney's vision has been clouded by shareholders' desire for profitability and bottom-line results. Gone are the days of "building new" and creating something truly innovative, because that costs too much money. Instead, the current regime will just destroy classics like Maelstrom in favor of something to get the teenies clamoring so they can line their pockets with a few extra bucks. I get it, I really do. This is the way the world works. That doesn't mean I have to like it.

 

[sabrecmc]

I fall into the 'couldn't care less about Maelstrom' pile. Bring on Frozen. DD(8) will love it.

That being said, I am sympathetic to those who do love the ride and hate to see it go. I adored 20,000 Leagues, though I know it was extremely dated, had ridiculously long waits, etc. Still, I loved it. The Nemo version at Disneyland is cute, but not the same. But...DD loves the Nemo version, and when it comes down to it, that's what its about (for me).

 

[BDL]

I am definitely in the "Leave Maelstrom as it is" camp. I like the journey. Have since I was a little kid.

That being said, if they can keep the spirit the same while adding ingredients from Frozen, I will not be totally crushed. If Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf can guide me through the history, customs, mythology and society of the Scandinavian nation, it could be interesting (I am 1 of the few that actually enjoys the Ellen World of Energy). But if they make it a strictly Frozen ride, along the lines of the old Snow White ride, I am not a fan.

 

[jcnewton]

Lets all be honest, why is disney doing this. They can probably repurpose this into Frozen for a few million, at most, and create a hugely popular ride that has hour+ waits. People know what to expect, based off of Maelstorm, and will compare it to that and it will be an improvement over a 30 year old ride.

Now, if they were to build a new Frozen dark ride, it would probably cost 15-25 million, maybe much more depending on how elaborate you want to make it. The popularity over the next few years might be marginally higher, but not much. Meanwhile, they would still need to spend quite a bit on Maelstorm, as its horribly dated.

As long as Disney can get away with remodeling something and calling it new, they will. I'm afraid the only new attractions we see this decade in Epcot are "New" Test Track, "New" Soarin, and "New" Maelstorm (now Frozen).

Just because they can, doesn't mean they should. I'd rather they did NO rehab at all, than brand it with with this cash grab obsession. The deluge of traffic to Norway (or whatever it'll be after this) alone will be enough to keep some people away entirely.

 

[profdsny]

Just because they can, doesn't mean they should. I'd rather they did NO rehab at all, than brand it with with this cash grab obsession. The deluge of traffic to Norway (or whatever it'll be after this) alone will be enough to keep some people away entirely.

Good point. Will a new Frozen ride bring in lots more cash to the park? I really doubt it. Some, yes. But on the other hand, you will now have long lines of people waiting to get on who won't be spending money on anything while they are there, unless there are vendors working the crowd.
Meanwhile Univ went and built two big new theme areas in two parks that are bringing in lots and lots more people. And HP very likely will be popular for a very long time.
And what happens when Frozen becomes old and replaced by the new flavor of the month? Remember Roger Rabbit? No, and hardly anyone else does either.

 

[Tinker Callie]

Good point. Will a new Frozen ride bring in lots more cash to the park? I really doubt it. Some, yes. But on the other hand, you will now have long lines of people waiting to get on who won't be spending money on anything while they are there, unless there are vendors working the crowd.
Meanwhile Univ went and built two big new theme areas in two parks that are bringing in lots and lots more people. And HP very likely will be popular for a very long time.
And what happens when Frozen becomes old and replaced by the new flavor of the month? Remember Roger Rabbit? No, and hardly anyone else does either.

I can count on one hand how many times I have been on that ride. I've never liked it, never will. I cannot understand why there is always a HUGE line for it. Anything they do would be an improvement. Not sure I would go with the Frozen thing though. I'm torn on that as well.

 

[TraderE]

I can count on one hand how many times I have been on that ride. I've never liked it, never will. I cannot understand why there is always a HUGE line for it. Anything they do would be an improvement. Not sure I would go with the Frozen thing though. I'm torn on that as well.

It's not the greatest ride in the world but it's a great time killer before a Dinner ADR.

 

[MuddyTires]

And what happens when Frozen becomes old and replaced by the new flavor of the month? Remember Roger Rabbit? No, and hardly anyone else does either.

Yeah, that's a logical comparison.

 

[Donna3271]

The rumor I heard… (yes, I know, more hearsay)….

Disney wanted Norway to update the attraction, they would not fund it. Therefore, Disney is putting in what they want (rather than promote Norway on their dime).

Final day for Maelstrom is Sept 28.

I personally loved it, especially on a hot day. It was so cool in there, and I found the narrators voice soothing (albeit not as soothing as Dame Judy Dench in Spaceship Earth-which I can ride all day).

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The rumor I heard… (yes, I know, more hearsay)….

Disney wanted Norway to update the attraction, they would not fund it. Therefore, Disney is putting in what they want (rather than promote Norway on their dime).

Final day for Maelstrom is Sept 28.

I personally loved it, especially on a hot day. It was so cool in there, and I found the narrators voice soothing (albeit not as soothing as Dame Judy Dench in Spaceship Earth-which I can ride all day).

Ok...

I don't like character overlays in epcot... Especially not the showcase.

I'm not anti frozen or anti kids offerings...
Buy they have to be tastefully/carefully done in EPCOT.

... It was supposed to be so much more...and it is so disheartening/disappointing that either:
1. People can't "tolerate" the concept any longer - that learning/immersion is good
2. The clown suits in charge can't tolerate to support it with a piggy bank the size of mcducks...

I'm done on this one.

 

[Planogirl]

The rumor I heard… (yes, I know, more hearsay)….

Disney wanted Norway to update the attraction, they would not fund it. Therefore, Disney is putting in what they want (rather than promote Norway on their dime).

Final day for Maelstrom is Sept 28.

I personally loved it, especially on a hot day. It was so cool in there, and I found the narrators voice soothing (albeit not as soothing as Dame Judy Dench in Spaceship Earth-which I can ride all day).

I've heard that too and I would be more sympathetic to that if it appeared that other nations were having to do the same thing. However, Disney seems to be making them more culturally accurate with Disney money rather than less which is odd.

 

[wilkeliza]

I've heard that too and I would be more sympathetic to that if it appeared that other nations were having to do the same thing. However, Disney seems to be making them more culturally accurate with Disney money rather than less which is odd.

The other pavilions don't have rides that constantly break down. Working next to Norway I would always see the water tanks over flowing either from the water fall or the actual ride. Look at the Mexico boat tour. It went from being about the country of Mexico to being a story about finding Donald.

If you talk to the international CMs most of them say the pavilions don't do their home countries justice.

 

[Planogirl]

The other pavilions don't have rides that constantly break down. Working next to Norway I would always see the water tanks over flowing either from the water fall or the actual ride. Look at the Mexico boat tour. It went from being about the country of Mexico to being a story about finding Donald.

If you talk to the international CMs most of them say the pavilions don't do their home countries justice.

It's not good that a ride has problems but there are certainly many ways to correct that. The Mexico ride really isn't all that different to me even though it's a bit silly.

I do agree that the pavilions don't do the countries justice. What is happening at Norway will only make that worse.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The other pavilions don't have rides that constantly break down. Working next to Norway I would always see the water tanks over flowing either from the water fall or the actual ride. Look at the Mexico boat tour. It went from being about the country of Mexico to being a story about finding Donald.

If you talk to the international CMs most of them say the pavilions don't do their home countries justice.

I agree that the showcase suffers from bad American 70s/80s stereotypes and that they probably are offensive to most from the homelands...

But should we then Just throw in the towel and put Pixar characters all over them and open a new same old crap gift shop in each?

just asking...I would think deeper commitment to accurate experiences would be the way to go...

 

[wilkeliza]

I agree that the showcase suffers from bad American 70s/80s stereotypes and that they probably are offensive to most from the homelands...

But should we then Just throw in the towel and put Pixar characters all over them and open a new same old crap gift shop in each?

just asking...I would think deeper commitment to accurate experiences would be the way to go...

Not saying that at all but once Kim Possible went in (now Agent P) and then the boats in Mexico were changed it established a trend. Most of the countries aren't funded by their home countries any more so now Disney is doing what it wants with them. I don't agree with it but what is happening in Norway isn't new to the World Showcase it is just more in your face than the slower changes.

 

[jcnewton]

But should we then Just throw in the towel and put Pixar characters all over them and open a new same old crap gift shop in each?

Ha! Don't give them any ideas!

 

[WDWResort]

It's really sad that Maelstrom is going. I personally don't think Frozen has any place in EPCOT, let alone World Showcase, but what can one do? For sure it's going to attract people to EPCOT, maybe for the first few months. But look at the Elsa and Anna M&G at MK. People queued for 3+ hours. I don't think queueing is gonna be a problem for people.

 

[KenDoll]

well I mean the stuff in the American pavilion is made in China. And I'm sure much of this kind of thing is true with most other countries. I think with me and most other posters it's the idea of the theme overall changing, and the 'characterization' if you will of WS

I said that as well, I would prefer it not be frozen and stay with the regular WS I was just adding that it's not actually Norway being portrayed exactly as Norway to begin with!

 

[MouseyMin]

Are there any rumors out there yet about how long it's going to be closed?