Maelstrom
Maelstrom at Epcot is one of two attractions in the World Showcase, and a charming one at that. Maelstrom explores the history of Norway, while also providing riders with a view towards the mythological side of Norway. However, the attraction is deemed by many to be "dated" or "campy". Though, the attraction will be plussed in quite a few ways, and here is how...
Queue
The queue will remain generally unchanged, in order to preserve the vibe that you're going on a more educational adventure through Norway's history, rather than just a thrilling adventure with Vikings and trolls.
Some changes will be made, however, but are more along the lines of general touch ups. The ceiling in the loading area will be replaced, and painted black, instead of white/grey. The large mural will stay completely intact and remain where it is, though will be touched up so it is brighter. The queue in the loading area be a little bit darker, whereas the mural will have increased lighting, in order to direct guest's attention to it even more. More touch-ups will be made throughout the queue, such as new paint, etc.
Ride Experience
Lift Hill - The walls around the lift will be replaced with jagged rock work, and will feature things such as stalagtites above rider's heads. A dense mist will roll down the lift hill, as the boat moves up through it. The lighting effects in this scene will remain the same. The face of Odin (which protects the lighting effects) will be replaced with an fluid audio-animatronic head, which has eyes that will follow riders when they pass under.
First Scene - Very few major noticeable changes will be made to the first scene of the ride, as I wanted to preserve the emphasis importance of the sea to Norway's culture. All effects will updated, such as:
- All of the AAs (the seafarers by the fire, on the boat, etc.) will be replaced. Replacing them, will be updated AAs, with motions as fluid as Captain Jack Sparrow, as they will interact with one another in a more realistic manner.
- The dated backdrops (the views of the churning ocean, the view of the mountains and the village) will be replaced with HD screens that are successfully able to give off the desired 3D effect without the need for glasses. This is to compliment the addition of the fluid AAs, as it helps to make the scene feel all the more realistic.
- The high trumpet sounds heard in the scene will be replaced with lower trumpet sounds. The sounds of a churning sea and the crackling of the fire will now be present.
Second Scene - One of the more famous scenes of the ride is this one, "the troll scene". Many things will be improved in this scene.
Riders will enter the scene and see dense foliage surrounding three trolls, similar to how the ride currently is. The trolls will once again be replaced with far more advanced, and fluid AAs.
Troll 1: "What is this? You wish to discover the spirit of Norway!?"
The foliage around the trolls begins to shake and sway back and forth with the anger of the troll.
Troll 2: "Be gone!"
Troll 2 smashes the staff on the ground, emitting sparks. The foliage around the trolls reacts by getting blown back, then it returns to its original state.
Troll 1: "I cast a spell!"
Lightning effects (similar to those used on Journey to the Center Earth) surround riders. At the same time, simulated wind and water effects whip around the boat, before all coming to a simultaneous halt.
Troll 2: "Disappear! Disappear!"
All sense of lighting fades away, leaving the room completely void of light. Quickly, stars begin to form all around riders. As the final star begins to form, both of the troll's eyes emit a glowing, green glow. The stars disappear quickly, leaving just the glowing eyes as the only source of light in the room.
Troll 2: "Over the falls, over the falls!"
At the last word, one final lightning bolt effect cracks through the room, and the glowing eyes disappear. Seconds later, riders are plummeting backwards through the ride's first drop.
Third Scene
A short, but sweet portion of the ride, this scene will get a similar treatment to the second scene.
- Once again, the AAs will be replaced by fluid and far more advanced AAs. The first polar bear scene will have it's head under the ice once riders approach, but will then lift it out of the ice and roar at the riders as they pass by. The polar bear that stands upright will also be replaced. It will be moved even closer to the boat, and will be slightly bent over so that when the boat passes by, it can take a swipe at the riders, providing a slight thrill.
- The puffins will stay in the same position, and will be once of the few AAs in the ride to not get completely swapped out for newer ones.
- The backdrops in this scene will once again be replaced by HD screens which provide riders with a sense of a 3D image.
- Wind effects and fake snow will be used, to simulate a snow flurry that the boat will pass through.
Fourth Scene
When riders move out of the arctic section, they emerge into a more forest type of area. All of the rock work lining the walls in this area will be completely redone. All of the fake vegetation will be replaced too. Right now, it looks far too cheesy and fake. The rocks will be given more detail and will be mossy.
- The murals in this section will be covered with mossy rocks, in order to completely immerse riders into their surroundings, without the unnecessary murals.
- The "pop-up" troll will be touched up, given a new "skin", new eyes, etc.
- The final drop will be more "closed in". Once the boat rotates, riders come face to face with an ominous, fog-filled cave entrance (instead of clearly seeing the drop ahead). The narrator speaks, and says "So, have you discovered the Spirit of Norway?" At that moment, the boat rolls forward, and drops into the dark, mist-filled cave.
- The boat will emerge from the cave, and enter the oil-rig scene, which will practically stay the same. The large backdrop will once again be a curved HD screen, in order to stay consistent with the rest of the ride. Riders will still be passing oil-rigs, which they can see in the distance, and of course, the large "real" once. The unload area (themed to the small seaside fishing village) will stay the same as well, and will just receive some touching up.
I did not want to plus Maelstrom so much, that it would be a completely different ride. I originally had an idea completely re-do everything, with an actual storyline with. much more elaborate theming. However, I realized that Maelstrom at heart was to educate and showcase Norway (well, maybe not the trolls). I didn't want it to turn into some almost E-Ticket attraction that focused only on trolls and Vikings. I wanted to keep it true to itself, and make sure that it served its same purpose. All Maelstrom needs is some major touching up, new effects, some new theming elements, etc., and that's exactly what I did.
(I also did this really fast and in a rush because I really procrastinated this until like, 45 minutes before my shift started today, hahaha)
beep) Styracosaurus (the Styracosaurus is trying to move a fallen tree off of his body. As the rover passes he stares us down with a defensive growl)
