Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2014/09/12/maelstron-is-officially-being-turned-into-frozen-attraction-at-epcot/" target="_blank"><b>9/12/14: Maelstron is Officially Being Turned into Frozen Attraction at Epcot</b></a>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "In addition, Elsa will replace the Fairy Godmother as the character that transforms Cinderella Castle each night during the holiday season." Makes sense.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Well, I know this change will generate a fair amount of criticism here, but I welcome it. Everyone says that the Showcase has become stale and needs change. Now Disney changes one of the lamest attractions in all of Epcot and people complain. The typical problem faced when Disney tries to change anything in the parks. Everyone wants something new, but no one wants change. The same thing happened with the Fantasyland expansion. Everyone complained about losing Snow White (a three minute darkride) even though what we were delivered is probably the best themed area at the MK, and includes a very enjoyable family-friendly coaster. Go figure.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 Sounds like a good plan to me. As much as I hate the "toons" being everywhere at Disney, this one makes sense to me. The current ride is a mess, and falling apart, so I welcome the change. Hopefully they can keep some educational elements about Norway in the ride as well - to at least keep the "spirit" of World Showcase alive!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Are people criticizing change or are they criticizing Disney for shifting World Showcase away from being an educational cultural exchange toward being yet another vehicle to promote Disney character brands? I understand why Disney is making this move, but I certainly don't agree with it.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The great majority of World Showcase remains an educational culture exchange. I don't mind them adding a little something for the kids. One of the biggest complaints about early Epcot was that there was nothing for kids to do... especially in the Showcase. Despite a few "discovery games" added for the kids at various times, it remains largely true today.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Of course when they added character meetings and greetings in World Showcase that was a way to give something for the children to enjoy. I believe Maelstrom should be changed to something more exciting--just not to a theme based on Frozen or any other Disney movie. It would be better if Frozen were represented at the Magic Kingdom or DHS. The Norway pavilion should always be about Norway.
Originally Posted By magic0214 The only issue I have with this is the early 2016 date. THAT'S SO FAR AWAY! Disney can gut and create a new attraction within a year. And if this long time span ends and we enter the attraction to find that same boat path, I will be livid. I want that queue mural in my home, if that's possible...
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "One of the biggest complaints about early Epcot was that there was nothing for kids to do... especially in the Showcase." I guess one could argue that there are a million ways to add appealing for children in a place about international cultures without setting up venues for Disney Princesses, but the ship has already sailed. *sigh* "I believe Maelstrom should be changed to something more exciting--just not to a theme based on Frozen or any other Disney movie. It would be better if Frozen were represented at the Magic Kingdom or DHS. The Norway pavilion should always be about Norway." Yup.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<It would be better if Frozen were represented at the Magic Kingdom or DHS. The Norway pavilion should always be about Norway.>> They are replacing an attraction largely based on an ancient Scandinavian (not exclusively Norwegian) fable... trolls, with a story based on a somewhat more modern Scandinavian fable... "The Snow Queen" published by Hans Christian Anderson in 1844. I just don't get the outrage. If they duplicate Norwegian topography and architecture, what damage is done? Aren't they STILL presenting information about Norway? Please don't try to tell me anyone will miss the post-ride movie!!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Post #4, sentence #3. Did post #1, #2, or #3 complain?>> No, but as I knew would happen later posts here did. On several Disney-related Facebook sites the reaction is running about 9-1 against the change.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "On several Disney-related Facebook sites the reaction is running about 9-1 against the change." Until it's completed and they're all gushing about how great it all is. Same script, same cast. OAN, I don't have the stomach to follow Disney-related FB sites.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I'm not at all surprised by this announcement, but I'm disappointed to hear it. I'm sure that it will be popular with hordes of squealing girls, but I just think it's horribly out of place. Maelstrom needs some serious love and Frozen needs an in-park presence, but I just don't think that this is a good idea. Frozen is an American spin that's loosely based on a Danish story set in a fictional land; there's really no reason that it belongs in Norway. I think that the exhibit in the stave church did a nice job of explaining the film's inspiration, but anything beyond that really seems like a big breach to me. I'll miss Maelstrom and the semi-educational park that it represented I find it very curious that they waited until a Friday afternoon to announce this. Clearly it shows that they knew the sort of reaction it would get, and they've been thoroughly monitoring the Disney Parks Blog for any comments that might be anything less than ecstatic.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I believe it's last day is October 5. FP+ reservations were not available after September 27 (the end of the Fiscal Year), but in the last week or two, they added a few more days at the end; I believe that date matches what is currently available for FP+ booking
Originally Posted By dagobert Thanks Ferret! So we will miss it in January. That's bad, because I hardly remember the ride.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan World Showcase was one of the highlights of our visit back in 2009. It was very Disney in all the best ways, without an over abundance of character tie ins. But I am sure that anything Frozen will be wildly popular. What are you gonna do?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Thanks Ferret! So we will miss it in January. That's bad, because I hardly remember the ride.>> Whatever remaining memory of it you have, it is better to go with that than the present reality. It is one of the most neglected attractions in a Disney Park that I have ever seen... even worse than CoP. What can you say? Almost every Epcot attraction and pavilion had a Sponsor when Epcot originally opened. Changing economics has reduced that. Norway stopped contributing to the support of the Norway exhibit at Epcot after 2002. Disney obviously had little interest in renovating or upgrading a fairly large and expensive ride like Maelstrom... as shown by its total neglect over the past dozen years. If they were going to make a major investment in the ride, it seems obvious that Disney would only do so if it provided something for them. Increased tourism to Norway doesn't put a dime in Disney's pockets. A decision like this was inevitable. About the only remaining option would be for Disney to close the area like they did with Wonders of Life after Met Life pulled out as a sponsor at the end of 2001. Disney kept Wonders of Life open for only five years after the sponsor was lost. I'm almost surprised that they would keep Maelstrom going for a dozen. I would certainly rather have a Frozen attraction than have it closed down.
