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

[Planogirl]

Okay, I'll say it. I like the idea. I don't mean to be contrarian; but, I think a little bit of "Frozen" is exactly what the World Showcase needs. I always hate to see any attraction removed; but, I have to agree with another poster in that the ride just seemed confusing and horribly dated. Epcot as a whole is in desperate need of another Tier 1 attraction. Yes, Epcot and the World Showcase are more adult oriented to begin with; but, it is still Disney. Smaller kids, particularly girls can get bored with Epcot relatively quickly. I have no doubt the Imagineers can tastefully blend a Frozen ride into the rest of the Norway pavilion and breath a little fresh air into a stale area. My guess is some people just need to work on their suspension of disbelief a little bit. The pavilions have always been Disneyfied versions of the countries they represent, not scale replicas of the country. I don't see a talking snowman and a princess or two ruining the Norwegian feel of the pavilion. Quality wise, as long as the ride is re-done along the same lines as SDMR and they don't just slap on some fresh paint and TV screens I think a Frozen ride will be a huge addition by subtraction.

1. Norway is too small
2. Some say that the ride or even Norway will be completely taken over by Frozen and Arendelle is not a nation, Disney version or not
3. The restaurants and stavekerk museum have already been princessified
4. WDW was not just created for little girls

It's kind of fun to make a list even though the same things keep being said on both sides of the discussion.

One more comment, I don't see what's so confusing about Maelstrom. It simply shows off some actual Norwegian culture which seems pretty simple. I can't argue that it could use refurbishment though.

 

[Planogirl]

As much as I love Epcot and especially the old stories of Epcot Center, I have accepted that the ride was coming. Although nobody on this board can deny that it will have HUGE lines.

And that could cause big problems in a small pavilion.

 

[ChrisFL]

After riding, we came to the conclusion that it was one of the worst rides in the park. It was so short and really did not hold our interest. It also had a confusing storyline. (From trolls to oil rigs??? What on earth?) I think anything will be an improvement... even Frozen.

I can answer this! I think....

I came to the conclusion about what the storyline of the ride is. It is a bit abstract, definitely...but heregoes:

You start out on a normal boat ride in Norway's heyday of Vikings, then you see the trolls....notice there's a very large trolls head on the left. The three headed one puts a curse on you or something and you go backwards "over the falls"...but as you're going backwards...you're also traveling through time (!!), while also traveling through other parts of the Norway countryside, passing Valhalla, Polar bears and other things.

Notice when you start to move forward again, you see the same big troll you saw at the beginning of the ride, except the landscape has been changed a bit and you splash down in modern times, next to the oil rigs.




________________________


Now, I agree with the question about the queues, but I JUST had a thought....maybe that is why they're doing these new (crazy) queue-less fastpass-ish tests at Soarin', etc.

 

[cbg1027]

OP Here.

I meant this thread as a place to discuss and lament the loss of of Maelstrom. I appreciate those of you who have taken it in that direction. Lots of good puns here! (Frozen Fjord Fiesta )

But I really don't appreciate the few of you who are being condescending and rude. I have been a member of the DIS for five years. I am not some random troll. You can state that you have no reason to believe me without being rude.

I believe the Frozen ride to be a definite...thus the thread title. There is no need to insult me in the process of explaining your opposing viewpoint.

 

[siskaren]

I believe the Frozen ride to be a definite...thus the thread title. There is no need to insult me in the process of explaining your opposing viewpoint.

The fact that you believe it to be definite doesn't make it so, though. Until there's an official announcement from Disney, it's still a rumor.

 

[Disneychick75]

At the rate, Epcot is going we'll have Buzz Lightyear's Golf Ball in Space before too long. Who cares about history when more toys can be sold?

 

[wallrock]

At the rate, Epcot is going we'll have Buzz Lightyear's Golf Ball in Space before too long. Who cares about history when more toys can be sold?

Sadly Epcot is already marching towards becoming a park far and away from its early 1980s splendor.

The Living Seas used to be an impressive pavilion that showed you the true wonders of the ocean. Now it's been whittled down to having a chat with a hippie turtle and a gift shop loaded with clown fish stuffed animals. I cringe at the thought of the Impressions de France being phased out in favor of a cartoon short centered around cooking with the cast of Ratatouille.

If the change to Maelstrom turns out to be true then count on the conversion of half the shops in the pavilion into a Frozen shopping mecca.

 

[skier_pete]

To the OP: Any time you say something is definite in the title and then post that it's something you heard from someone but can't say who, you are going to be accused of trolling or worse. Not saying you are, just have seen this many times before.

Does anyone recall about 18months ago when the DIS admins posted that Carsland to DHS was definite. They had a VP source as well, and in the end it didn't happen. I'm just saying you're better off saying "heard from reliable source", as you will likely get harassed.

I think the strongest source that this is true is the way the fastpass+ have ended. I am kind of surprised Disney hasn't said anything yet. To that fact, it is still not Definite.

I am amused by how worked up people get over this, when there are absolutely no details about changes. I think you could incorporate these characters into a story about Norway without losing the basis for world showcase, in education. I have no problem with the use of nemo characters in the seas, nor Donald and co. In Mexico. The living seas was an early part of my daughter's strong interest in zoology/marine biology. Using characters as a stepping stone to education is a good thing. If Olaf tells us the history of Norway, I don't think that's so bad.

 

[TraderE]

To the OP: Any time you say something is definite in the title and then post that it's something you heard from someone but can't say who, you are going to be accused of trolling or worse. Not saying you are, just have seen this many times before.

If anyone is going to accuse the OP of trolling, they should also be willing to apologize when they are proven correct within the next month or so.

 

[profdsny]

The fact that you believe it to be definite doesn't make it so, though. Until there's an official announcement from Disney, it's still a rumor.

Until it is officially announced, all the rumors in the world are just that, no matter how good the source.

 

[cbg1027]

To the OP: Any time you say something is definite in the title and then post that it's something you heard from someone but can't say who, you are going to be accused of trolling or worse. Not saying you are, just have seen this many times before.

Does anyone recall about 18months ago when the DIS admins posted that Carsland to DHS was definite. They had a VP source as well, and in the end it didn't happen. I'm just saying you're better off saying "heard from reliable source", as you will likely get harassed.

I think the strongest source that this is true is the way the fastpass+ have ended. I am kind of surprised Disney hasn't said anything yet. To that fact, it is still not Definite.

I am amused by how worked up people get over this, when there are absolutely no details about changes. I think you could incorporate these characters into a story about Norway without losing the basis for world showcase, in education. I have no problem with the use of nemo characters in the seas, nor Donald and co. In Mexico. The living seas was an early part of my daughter's strong interest in zoology/marine biology. Using characters as a stepping stone to education is a good thing. If Olaf tells us the history of Norway, I don't think that's so bad.

I know now this. I guess I've never posted anything like this before. It's the first time I've ever felt insulted by people on the DIS. I know people have no reason to believe I know something Disney hasn't officially announced, but, like I said....you can express an opinion without insulting someone.

And come to think of it all.....the words the VP used were 'putting a Frozen ride in Norway'. He didn't specifically say Maelstrom is going, just that Frozen is coming. But, that's grasping for straws on my part.

I do believe they can still keep the 'spirit of Norway' in the ride with a Frozen theme. The part I dislike the most is the crowds and lines I'm anticipating!

 

[Planogirl]

I know now this. I guess I've never posted anything like this before. It's the first time I've ever felt insulted by people on the DIS. I know people have no reason to believe I know something Disney hasn't officially announced, but, like I said....you can express an opinion without insulting someone.

And come to think of it all.....the words the VP used were 'putting a Frozen ride in Norway'. He didn't specifically say Maelstrom is going, just that Frozen is coming. But, that's grasping for straws on my part.

I do believe they can still keep the 'spirit of Norway' in the ride with a Frozen theme. The part I dislike the most is the crowds and lines I'm anticipating!

I hope that I didn't offend you somewhere because we are definitely on the same page.

 

[crazymomof4]

I know now this. I guess I've never posted anything like this before. It's the first time I've ever felt insulted by people on the DIS.

In my 1st post, I tried to warn you of the impending doom. Looking back, I should have used stronger words like: "BRACE YOURSELF FOR IMPACT!!" or "DUCK, NOW!"
There should be a little smilie icon of a person putting on a flame-retardant suit that can be used in just such circumstances!
FWIW I believe you.... don't want to .... but I think most of us see the storm clouds on the horizon in Norway Pavilion.

 

[TraderE]

I know now this. I guess I've never posted anything like this before. It's the first time I've ever felt insulted by people on the DIS. I know people have no reason to believe I know something Disney hasn't officially announced, but, like I said....you can express an opinion without insulting someone.

And come to think of it all.....the words the VP used were 'putting a Frozen ride in Norway'. He didn't specifically say Maelstrom is going, just that Frozen is coming. But, that's grasping for straws on my part.

I do believe they can still keep the 'spirit of Norway' in the ride with a Frozen theme. The part I dislike the most is the crowds and lines I'm anticipating!

FYI, you did nothing wrong. People just like to get their panties in a bunch over nothing.

 

[skier_pete]

I know now this. I guess I've never posted anything like this before. It's the first time I've ever felt insulted by people on the DIS. I know people have no reason to believe I know something Disney hasn't officially announced, but, like I said....you can express an opinion without insulting someone.

And come to think of it all.....the words the VP used were 'putting a Frozen ride in Norway'. He didn't specifically say Maelstrom is going, just that Frozen is coming. But, that's grasping for straws on my part.

I do believe they can still keep the 'spirit of Norway' in the ride with a Frozen theme. The part I dislike the most is the crowds and lines I'm anticipating!

And I hope I didn't seem to be piling on. It's just watching the way people respond to rumors/certainty statements.

 

[mesaverdefan]

It will be interesting to see if the rumor is confirmed in the future. I've always enjoyed the Maelstrom and it would be a shame to see it go and be replaced with a Frozen attraction.

 

[cbg1027]

I hope that I didn't offend you somewhere because we are definitely on the same page.

In my 1st post, I tried to warn you of the impending doom. Looking back, I should have used stronger words like: "BRACE YOURSELF FOR IMPACT!!" or "DUCK, NOW!"
There should be a little smilie icon of a person putting on a flame-retardant suit that can be used in just such circumstances!
FWIW I believe you.... don't want to .... but I think most of us see the storm clouds on the horizon in Norway Pavilion.

FYI, you did nothing wrong. People just like to get their panties in a bunch over nothing.

And I hope I didn't seem to be piling on. It's just watching the way people respond to rumors/certainty statements.

Thank you folks. None of you made comments I found offensive.

 

[lbart]

It will be interesting to see if the rumor is confirmed in the future. I've always enjoyed the Maelstrom and it would be a shame to see it go and be replaced with a Frozen attraction.

What is maelstrom?

 

[mesaboy2]

What is maelstrom?

The only ride-type attraction in Norway and the subject of this rumor.

 

[TraderE]

It will be interesting to see if the rumor is confirmed in the future. I've always enjoyed the Maelstrom and it would be a shame to see it go and be replaced with a Frozen attraction.

They'll probably confirm it at the last minute in case some folks want to re-schedule their trips to avoid a Maelstrom closure!