Disney confirms 'Frozen' makeover coming to Epcot's Norway Pavilion

[danlb_2000]

This meaning the Frozen replacement? So that means the ride will be open in a year?

Permit doesn't say exactly what it is for, but the Frozen attraction seems likely. Since the permit doesn't have an explicit expiration date I would tent to think this work will rake well under a year. Of course this dosen't mean that there won't be other permits that take longer.

 

[Gomer]

I think it does still matter. Like it or not frozen is happening, theres nothing that can be done about that now. But if they would at least integrate it with Norwegian contexts and not just a movie storyline, then it would be better. And nexus summed it up perfectly: Its about the execution of it at this point.
In regards to the Frozen attraction, I once again have to say how I think it completely comes down to the execution of it. Disney can create a high-end, well-crafted and "elegant" attraction, both aimed at Frozen fans and fitting to the country it's in, enjoyed by kids and adults like. And they can completely screw it up, making a low-budget, outdated attraction that's too aimed at kids and doesn't respect the country it's in

Maybe I’m overly pessimistic, but if they were going to execute properly, I think they would have picked a different location.

Outside of the mismatch argument. The space is too small for a well executed ground breaking ride. It’s a space for a small ride (no offense to small rides, as they are often my favorites). But if you (meaning Disney)are going to convince everyone that a frozen ride belongs in Norway, you better blow people away with that ride. And this doesn’t feel like a blow people away sort of move. More of a, let’s see how we can milk Frozen for all its worth with as little cost as possible.

 

[Mike S]

Sounds like the Little Mermaid at the MK

And this apparently has an even lower budget than Mermaid had. That speaks volumes for what to expect.

 

[MichWolv]

Maybe I’m overly pessimistic, but if they were going to execute properly, I think they would have picked a different location.

Outside of the mismatch argument. The space is too small for a well executed ground breaking ride. It’s a space for a small ride (no offense to small rides, as they are often my favorites). But if you (meaning Disney)are going to convince everyone that a frozen ride belongs in Norway, you better blow people away with that ride. And this doesn’t feel like a blow people away sort of move. More of a, let’s see how we can milk Frozen for all its worth with as little cost as possible.

For what it's worth, I don't think Disney has any intention of trying to convince us any further that the ride belongs in Norway. They're going to put it there. Staggs has already given the Company's explanation. It doesn't convince most of us here. It will convince many others. And many others won't care.

Heck, Frozen is closer to belonging in Norway than Aladdin is to belonging in Morocco (which is only about 3,000 miles from Saudi Arabia, and at least 2,500 miles from anything associated with the arabian desert.

The ride could still be a huge triumph -- I really think Disney will try to make this one a great "ride through the movie", but I don't think they'll do anyting more about making it fit in Norway.

I have a small dream that somebody will win TDO or Imagineering over with a proposal to add more grounded content to all the WS pavilions that lack it -- exhibits and information on the history, art, economy and culture of the countries. If they choose to do so, the first room of the queue would make a wonderful place for a slideshow/movie/multimedia presentation with narration about Norway. Something we see and hear as we wait, much like the reel of movie trailers in GMR. Then the second room would start the "Frozen" content of the queue -- chapter 1 of the story of the ride, as it were, explaining how the history and culture of the area inspired the story (that'd be a stretch) before introducing us to the characters.

But I do not in any way think that it will happen, nor would it cure the bad placement of the ride if it did.

 

[Gomer]

And this apparently has an even lower budget than Mermaid had. That speaks volumes for what to expect.

I’d venture a guess that a significant portion of the Mermaid budget was spent on the façade and queue area though. Something that won’t be required for Maelstrom. So, it may not be an apples to apples comparison.

 

[Gomer]

For what it's worth, I don't think Disney has any intention of trying to convince us any further that the ride belongs in Norway. They're going to put it there. Staggs has already given the Company's explanation. It doesn't convince most of us here. It will convince many others. And many others won't care.

Heck, Frozen is closer to belonging in Norway than Aladdin is to belonging in Morocco (which is only about 3,000 miles from Saudi Arabia, and at least 2,500 miles from anything associated with the arabian desert.

The ride could still be a huge triumph -- I really think Disney will try to make this one a great "ride through the movie", but I don't think they'll do anyting more about making it fit in Norway.

I have a small dream that somebody will win TDO or Imagineering over with a proposal to add more grounded content to all the WS pavilions that lack it -- exhibits and information on the history, art, economy and culture of the countries. If they choose to do so, the first room of the queue would make a wonderful place for a slideshow/movie/multimedia presentation with narration about Norway. Something we see and hear as we wait, much like the reel of movie trailers in GMR. Then the second room would start the "Frozen" content of the queue -- chapter 1 of the story of the ride, as it were, explaining how the history and culture of the area inspired the story (that'd be a stretch) before introducing us to the characters.

But I do not in any way think that it will happen, nor would it cure the bad placement of the ride if it did.

Like any decision based purely on the popularity of a fad, it’s not about convincing the masses. It’s about what happens down the line. The decision may appeal to the majority of guests who don’t have a stake in the message of epcot now. But, in 5-10 years that will come back to haunt them. As the appeal wanes and it becomes just another one of the Disney pantheon of movies, people will start to notice. Maybe only subconsciously. But they will start to say…oh huh, its kind of funny that this is here. And it will start to wane in popularity. People will say its dated, or that it doesn’t belong. People will be on this very message board crowing about how they were right in this thread 10 years ago, and no one will care, because 99% of us won’t be here to notice. And Disney will hold onto it for way too long until they have no choice but to change it again.

I’ve said it many times on this subject and I’ll say it again. Any entertainment company making decisions based on the current whims of the consuming population is already behind the times and is not built to last. Disney and Epcot are not meant to be reactive. They used to be better than that. They created new things that you never even knew to ask for. When you start just giving people what they ask for, and not what they don’t know to ask for, then your product becomes temporary and fragile.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I’d venture a guess that a significant portion of the Mermaid budget was spent on the façade and queue area though. Something that won’t be required for Maelstrom. So, it may not be an apples to apples comparison.

This - and if they are recycling the ride path, boats and not altering the structure of the building and show rooms, that's even less money to spend.

 

[Mike S]

I’d venture a guess that a significant portion of the Mermaid budget was spent on the façade and queue area though. Something that won’t be required for Maelstrom. So, it may not be an apples to apples comparison.

After a quick bit of searching the forum the $100 million figure seems to have been for the DCA version of Mermaid which doesn't have our admittedly cool facade. @Lee said Frozen will be around $75 million.

 

[MichWolv]

After a quick bit of searching the forum the $100 million figure seems to have been for the DCA version of Mermaid which doesn't have our admittedly cool facade. @Lee said Frozen will be around $75 million.

That is a heckuva budget, particularly if the ride path and mode of locomotion isn't being changed.

 

[Gomer]

That is a heckuva budget, particularly if the ride path and mode of locomotion isn't being changed.

Yeah, I’m actually impressed by that. Still hate the idea in principle, but that sounds like a decent budget for what could amount to an extravagant overlay. If nothing else, that should mean animatronics and not video screens maybe?

 

[Lee]

After a quick bit of searching the forum the $100 million figure seems to have been for the DCA version of Mermaid which doesn't have our admittedly cool facade. @Lee said Frozen will be around $75 million.

That figure would be for the entire Norway project, not just the ride. They aren't spending that on the ride.

 

[Mike S]

That is a heckuva budget, particularly if the ride path and mode of locomotion isn't being changed.

Yeah, I’m actually impressed by that. Still hate the idea in principle, but that sounds like a decent budget for what could amount to an extravagant overlay. If nothing else, that should mean animatronics and not video screens maybe?

Yes it does sound impressive but Disney has a history of overblown budgets. If I remember correctly New Fantasyland apparently cost around $500 million and didn't include any really jaw dropping attractions. Universal spent around half of that on Diagon Alley which imo is the best themed land in Orlando. I'm sure that includes the Hogwarts Express too which travels between two theme parks.

 

[Mike S]

That figure would be for the entire Norway project, not just the ride. They aren't spending that on the ride.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[MichWolv]

That figure would be for the entire Norway project, not just the ride. They aren't spending that on the ride.

Is there that much more to the project than the ride? I know there's a meet and greet, but anything else substantial?

 

[Lee]

Is there that much more to the project than the ride? I know there's a meet and greet, but anything else substantial?

The M&G, retail, possible retheme of dining, signage, tearing out the existing ride, refurbing the space to get it ready for the new additions....

It's WDI. $75 mil will go quickly.

 

[ABQ]

The M&G, retail, possible retheme of dining, signage, tearing out the existing ride, refurbing the space to get it ready for the new additions....

It's WDI. $75 mil will go quickly.

They'll probably spend a cool 5 million just ripping out the waterfall they spent how much repairing over the past year?

 

[MichWolv]

possible retheme of dining

Well, that doesn't sound promising. Akershus had already been decimated. What else is left to do?

 

[ScoutN]

Akershus had already been decimated.

That in itself was a heartbreak.

 

[wm49rs]

Well, that doesn't sound promising. Akershus had already been decimated. What else is left to do?

Akerhus and the bakery....

 

[ScoutN]

Akerhus and the bakery....

....DDP....