Why is Frozen attraction closed today? [Dec 25]

[mshanson3121]

Well put. This is absolutely true! I've seen every kind of guest, and there were many who just arrived and were already prepared for the worst vacation ever. I never understood that. Even if you know you're going during the hottest, most crowded day of the year, and then the curveballs get thrown at you, your attitude determines whether you have fun or are doomed to waste your vacation.

True enough. The negativity could be a good thing I suppose - we can go prepared for the worst and be pleasantly surprised. That happened last time with the heat and crowds - we went summer leading up to July 4 and were told how miserable the heat and crowds would be. We didn't find it as bad as we had been led to believe.

 

[DekrRini]

I was there November 28th to December 9th and had one of the most amazing trips I've ever had. The CMs I encountered were friendly and engaged. The sole 'meh' CM was the server at Tusker House when I went there for breakfast. But I figure everyone has a bad day.

I'm sorry your trip was so disappointing OP. Definitely let Disney know the issues you encountered. They can't fix what they don't know is broken.

I can't imagine what the CMs go through on the week leading up to Christmas and the week between Christmas and New Years. Immense crowds lead to testy guests, constant complaints, and mechanical failures. I'm not defending the CMs simply because Disney can do no wrong, but I do sympathize and understand why they might not be at their best. I know I wouldn't want to work there through all that!

 

[DisneyOma]

I can't imagine what the CMs go through on the week leading up to Christmas and the week between Christmas and New Years. Immense crowds lead to testy guests, constant complaints, and mechanical failures. I'm not defending the CMs simply because Disney can do no wrong, but I do sympathize and understand why they might not be at their best. I know I wouldn't want to work there through all that!

Not only is it crazy-busy there now, but most of the CMs working Christmas Day are the college program ones - kids who probably have never had a Christmas Day away from their families. That's got to be hard on them. I know they signed up for the program, but they're in their late teens, early twenties, and alone at Christmas.

 

[Boski]

I've had really great trips in the past couple of years. The mood of the board ebbs and flows, but I just keep in mind that the people here are the uberfans who are the most critical (and loving) of the WDW experience. And I say that with great respect for the contributors here. But negativity here absolutely doesn't translate into disappointment for the typical guest.

I've been saying this a bit lately. Pretty much everyone on this forum is here because we love Disney. You'll see posters who dish out criticism and concern yet are going multiple times a year. I can't think of anyone who would spend the kind of money Disney asks, for a vacation they are not going to enjoy. These posters simply want Disney to be the very best it can be.

I also agree with your thoughts regarding the boards. I've seen this trend of people trying to "define" the DIS boards. Its a constantly shifting landscape, but critical posts about Disney have always been here. Its what makes a discussion board a discussion board.

 

[jhaig]

Maelstrom broke down a lot. I personally don't base my entire trip on one ride, particularly this one. It's not that great of a ride. As far as negativity, we receive what we put out. I see a lot of people on the boards who start their trip off already in a bad mood. It's hard to make up for that and sometimes becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. I am not being a Disney apologist either. I just still find more positive at WDW than negative. However, each to his own.

I must have always had good luck at Maelstrom because in the 40-50 times I rode it I never experienced a breakdown, not even a closure. It was always up and running.

 

[jhaig]

Just curious - does Universal have this much trouble with ride breakdowns and closures?

 

[jhaig]

To me this ride is just a bunch of nice animatronics connected by long stretches of nothing. Worth seeing once, if you're lucky enough to find it operating. No cohesive story, just something Disney rushed to get open by a certain date, only to be plagued with problems for months afterwards.

I still miss the trolls...

 

[Vijoge]

I have FP's for FEA in January as my 6 y/o granddaughter is a Frozen nut, but she doesn't know this ride exists and I'm not telling her ahead of time because it's just too iffy if it will even be running.

 

[jhaig]

I have FP's for FEA in January as my 6 y/o granddaughter is a Frozen nut, but she doesn't know this ride exists and I'm not telling her ahead of time because it's just too iffy if it will even be running.

Good strategy. Might be a good idea to take her to the character meet and greet, which is before you even reach the ride itself and usually has much shorter wait times.

 

[Planogirl]

I must have always had good luck at Maelstrom because in the 40-50 times I rode it I never experienced a breakdown, not even a closure. It was always up and running.

Same thing here. Maelstrom was pretty dependable.

 

[DisneyOma]

Just curious - does Universal have this much trouble with ride breakdowns and closures?

The Harry Potter ones tend to have issues, that I know. We don't do much in the rest of the parks, so I have no input for that.

 

[stinkpickle]

We had three FPs for Frozen when we went last month, and it ended up breaking down for two of those.

 

[Jennasis]

I am the furthest thing from a FAN of Frozen (I actually hated the movie) but we rode the ride anyway because, hey it's a Disney ride! What a waste of space. It broke down on our first try...we were in the FP line (no WAY am I waiting on a standby line for anything Frozen). We were about 5-6 families from boarding when it broke and we watched them evac the ride and the engineers showed up. Luckily, as we left through the exit, we were given anytime paper FP's to come back. We came back a few times that evening but it was down every time. So we wound up riding it a different day.

The animatronics are well done, but man did they absolutely PHONE IN the design and story of the ride. My parents have never seen Frozen and afterwards said they had no clue what the deuce was happening. There was no story to follow. My complaint was that there were long stretches of nothing connecting the scenes, and often only ONE SIDE of the boat even had any"scene" to look at while the other was a blank wall.

I'm glad we rode it..and now we can save our FP and time for other things.

 

[Auntie_Maim]

I say that any problems the Frozen ride has are karmic payback for getting rid of Maelstrom (yes, I'm still bitter).

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Because all the parents got together and insisted.

 

[afan]

Just curious - does Universal have this much trouble with ride breakdowns and closures?

The train between the parks was down one for part of a day when we were there, which was annoying since it's at the back of the park and we were ready to hop from IOA. We had to walk to the front of the park and across to the USO entrance. It's not a long walk but frustrating. Hulk was late to open one day and down for part of the other day and then the wait was over an hour so we never rode it. There were some other rides that were down but those were the two that stood out.

Our last trip we tried to ride Rip Ride Rocket two different times and it went down both times we were in line. We finally got to ride it this time and after 2+ years of anticipation it was a bit disappointing, but that's all my fault. I think things go down at all parks, it's just a matter of is there something else to do and how much does it affect other attractions wait times.

 

[Uncranky Donald]

The last time I rode FEA,the first Olaf had BOTH eyes in the left eye socket and that was REALLY creepy!lol

Im literally crying I am laughing so hard, I can only wish that I have the same FEA experience...fingers crossed soooo tightly!!

 

[BigAlsGal]

When rides go down it's really disappointing. Pirates is the one ride if it goes down it sends me into fits and I go pretty regularly. I can't imagine a once in a lifetime trip and missing a ride you've been looking forward to.

I was a big fan of Maelstrom. I've become a FEA fan. It's the music that gets me. It's piped in so well. I get the chills and all teary eyed. I miss Maelstrom and it's cheesy goodness but I can't deny the effect FEA has on me. I've been very lucky. The 2 times I've ridden, it was working perfectly. I might not feel the same about it had it not been.

 

[dreiwhit]

It was down twice in one day during our recent after Thanksgiving trip. It was one of many rides and a monorail train set that weren't working while we were there. IMHO, Disney needs to take some of their profits and plow them back in to the rides to make them more reliable!

 

[PlainJane]

I must have always had good luck at Maelstrom because in the 40-50 times I rode it I never experienced a breakdown, not even a closure. It was always up and running.

Same thing here. Maelstrom was pretty dependable.

I don't think I ever experienced a ride closure with Maelstrom, but I did once experience a glitch. My mom and I were the only ones on the boat during EMH. The wave crashing during the last scene drenched us. Someone riding for the first time might have mistaken it for a water ride.