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

[Seabasealpha1]

TWO THINGS

A.) I can get over this new overlay (sorta) if it gets screaming brats and their (hopefully) money laden know-nothing parents to spend a day (and $$$) at Epcot. Hopefully it will help foster the notion that "hey, maybe we should spend some money on this 'ole park and make 'er awesome again".

B.) I can (sorta) forgive the blatant a**holery that is being shown towards Norwegian culture with this sacrilegious pile of puke if they would potentially leave the stave church as a bit of cultural heritage for both Norway and Epcot. A little surprise exhibit teaching us SOMETHING about Norway.

Though, I still can't get over any of this...it's the Living Seas done over again. Hopefully this overlay looks like someone actually spent some time designing it...unlike the Seas where 'ole Bob thought it out while getting Aquanet blasted into his hair before an interview...

Darn. Fumes.

Oh...Norwegian Wood. There. I said it.

 

[ThemeParkJunkee]

I wonder if part of the perceived 'kid problem' at Epcot comes from Future World being so decimated? In the olden days, when Future World was operating at full force, most people spent most of the day there, then did World Showcase late afternoon, into the evening.

Nowadays they rattle through Future World so quickly that there's a lot more time spent in World Showcase, making it the central feature of the park instead of a gentle wind down from the wonders of existence.

YES! This....I was able to explain why my son needed to take his ADHD meds after viewing Cranium Command. Body Wars made my (now ex) DH very ill however. The kids and I rode twice. A team from NASA was demonstrating how the Mars Rover worked in the pavilion near the fountain. Innoventions took way more time than I thought. By the time we got to World Showcase, I was actually stunned and surprised that they enjoyed this area most of all. When we got home, I found out their favorite place was World Showcase. They basically said, it made them want to travel the world. They spent all their allowance money there. They were 9 and 11. By unanimous vote, a 9 and 11 year old voted Epcot their favorite park.

 

[Admiral01]

I thought when WDW refurbished Test Track that maybe someone had finally figured it out. That EPCOT was a unique theme park that should contain unique attractions that wouldn't fit in a place like Magic Kingdom. That the crowd that EPCOT naturally attracted wasn't interested in a 3 minute ride through a cartoon. They had screwed up Imagination, screwed up The Living Seas, messed with Mexico, let Energy get stale, screwed around with SSE, and sent Horizons to the history books. But, TT 2.0 indicated that something had changed...

Now I see I was totally wrong. WDW doesn't care about EPCOT, or the guests who have spent a lifetime loving (and spending money in) that unique, architecturally brilliant worlds fair of future and world culture.

This Frozen "refurb" isn't going to be anything unique or worthy of such a space. It will do nothing to attract me back to the park. In fact, this is going to be another reason that I don't need to waste any more money at WDW. It has been a year since I last visited WDW - since then I've been to Tokyo Disneyland once and Disneyland (Cali) 5 times, but not once to WDW. From the looks of this, I don't need to make any rush to get back there.

Maelstrom is a 24 year old classic. I always get to WDW late in the day, and usually make my first visit to EPCOT that first evening, where Maelstrom is the first ride we do. That is always the plan. No longer.

Why haven't we ever seen plans to refurb Pirates of the Caribbean into a Princess and the Frog themed ride...or Haunted Mansion into a Tangled themed ride...or Small World into a Little Einsteins themed ride...or Space Mountain into an Planes themed ride...or Big Thunder Mountain into a Lone Ranger themed ride...

This sucks for EPCOT, and is offensive for those of us who love EPCOT the way is is supposed to be. Parents who complain about EPCOT not having enough for them to do with their kids - go to Magic Kingdom and stop complaining. "There is nothing for my kids to do in World Showcase..." Then don't spend time in World Showcase until you and your kids learn how to appreciate something different. I love EPCOT, its atmosphere, its attractions...the whole thing. I don't love Magic Kingdom. Never have, never will. And, the more Disney turns EPCOT into another Magic Kingdom the less I will ever want to visit either.

Outside of a work trip to Central Florida where it is convenient for me to visit WDW, I'm done. I don't know why I would give any more money to WDW when it is clear they don't respect or desire customers like me.

 

[Magenta Panther]

I wonder if part of the perceived 'kid problem' at Epcot comes from Future World being so decimated?

I think the "kid problem" at Epcot has more to do with parents thinking that Walt Disney World is a giant day-care center, and that if their little monsters aren't entertained every single damn minute, if every ride isn't geared towards THEM, then, WELL, it's the PARK'S fault the brats are bored.

 

[NeXuS1000]

so what you re saying is you re going to wait before you judge...interesting

I know, I'm crazy!

 

[Sped2424]

Earlier today, I received my Disney Insider e-mail. Although the focus of the e-mail is on the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, there was a link for the Frozen announcement. Have you seen the latest wording?

"If you’ve always wished you could visit Arendelle, now’s your chance. Just this morning, it was announced that a Frozen-themed attraction will soon grace the Norway Pavilion in Epcot at Walt Disney World. The ride, which will replace Maelstrom, promises to take guests through the fictional landscape of Arendelle and right into scenes and songs from the movie. There’ll be music, there’ll be light, there’ll probably be some breathtaking animatronics."

The wording is truly shameless. Clearly, there is blatant disregard for the world's cultures and, specifically, shared beliefs, attitudes and practices. Instead of providing experiences that foster an understanding of the common thread that unites us all, World Showcase pavilions will now be facades for Magic Kingdom dark rides.

I guess I am glad they are putting animatronics instead of cardboard figures in there.

 

[danlb_2000]

at least its something new

At least it's something new ....

 

[lazyboy97o]

Has all of this been confirmed or is this just rumor?

I've been in and out of this thread so I don't know if anything has been added except for what was initially announced.

I'm not saying the $75 million won't go quick, I'm saying what is it being used for and what's the priority? Seems like a lot of stuff is being built but where?

The $75 million figure comes from @Lee, who also said it was for the entire project and not just the ride.

 

[lazyboy97o]

at least its something new

So was Stitch's Supersonic Celebration.

 

[Monkee Girl]

So was Stitch's Supersonic Celebration.

The only difference between the birthday castle and Stitch's supersonic celebration (and meet and greet characters around EPCOT) is that they are temporary entertainment. How long did the birthday castle last? The castle also went through some other changes but is currently back to normal. Stitch is no longer there either and should TPB ever decide that Aladdin doesn't belong in Morocco, they can take him out with very little effort. That's why there's never a complaint about it. even with The Grand Fiesta Tour...all the Donald stuff is on screens. Should they ever decide to change it back, the most likely could with very little effort. But Maelstrom will be permanently Frozen. That's not cool.

 

[Monkee Girl]

I have two young daughters and the world show case is painful with children. The beer helps and this will help even more.

I don't believe this in entirely true. I have been going with my little cousin since she was 3 and she never had a problem with Showcase. The CMs always gave her attention (like they do with many of the kids) and gave her something to be interested in. On girl in Morocco came over and let her play with one of the drums she was holding. she then proceeded to sing her a song in her language. My cousin was mesmerized. The girl then brought her a piece of paper and wrote her name in Arabic. It was one of the coolest experiences and my cousin, till this day (she's 12 now) still remembers it.

The ride stuff, kids hardly care about the rides. They just want stuff to do. I guarantee that if you made the old playground area a frozen playground they would rather be there than on the ride whether it was Frozen themed or not. Ever walk by the 'African' outpost? Try and get your kids away from the drums.

And besides the Agent Q stuff (which I also wish they would get rid of) there is the KidCot. Kids LOVE the KidCot. anything that involves a game; pass ports, stamps, pressed coins...if you say 'we have to collect these as we go around the country' the kid it hooked and entertained the rest of the day. And all for free. So there is plenty for the kids to do and if they aren't interested in any of that stuff, then maybe they should be taken back to magic kingdom.

 

[BigTxEars]

The only difference between the birthday castle and Stitch's supersonic celebration (and meet and greet characters around EPCOT) is that they are temporary entertainment. How long did the birthday castle last? The castle also went through some other changes but is currently back to normal. Stitch is no longer there either and should TPB ever decide that Aladdin doesn't belong in Morocco, they can take him out with very little effort. That's why there's never a complaint about it. even with The Grand Fiesta Tour...all the Donald stuff is on screens. Should they ever decide to change it back, the most likely could with very little effort. But Maelstrom will be permanently Frozen. That's not cool.

They resolved that issue in the movie!

 

[FutureCEO]

Animal Kingdom might have moved up to number 1 on my list of Disney Parks even though Avatar is coming. Epcot would be number 2.

Rides to avoid in Epcot now: Test Track, Frozen, never really been to Innovations, Living Seas (not that I remember the old one), Mexico

I still like the Universe of Energy even though it's dated.

 

[twebber55]

Animal Kingdom might have moved up to number 1 on my list of Disney Parks even though Avatar is coming. Epcot would be number 2.

Rides to avoid in Epcot now: Test Track, Frozen, never really been to Innovations, Living Seas (not that I remember the old one), Mexico

I still like the Universe of Energy even though it's dated.

so you re saying you will continue to go to epcot but will not ride Frozen or test track?

will you also avoid pandora?

 

[PhotoDave219]

The only difference between the birthday castle and Stitch's supersonic celebration (and meet and greet characters around EPCOT) is that they are temporary entertainment. How long did the birthday castle last? The castle also went through some other changes but is currently back to normal. Stitch is no longer there either and should TPB ever decide that Aladdin doesn't belong in Morocco, they can take him out with very little effort. That's why there's never a complaint about it. even with The Grand Fiesta Tour...all the Donald stuff is on screens. Should they ever decide to change it back, the most likely could with very little effort. But Maelstrom will be permanently Frozen. That's not cool.

The birthday cake castle was several months while Stitch was ONE DAY.

 

[RayTheFirefly]

Earlier today, I received my Disney Insider e-mail. Although the focus of the e-mail is on the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, there was a link for the Frozen announcement. Have you seen the latest wording?

"If you’ve always wished you could visit Arendelle, now’s your chance. Just this morning, it was announced that a Frozen-themed attraction will soon grace the Norway Pavilion in Epcot at Walt Disney World. The ride, which will replace Maelstrom, promises to take guests through the fictional landscape of Arendelle and right into scenes and songs from the movie. There’ll be music, there’ll be light, there’ll probably be some breathtaking animatronics."

The wording is truly shameless. Clearly, there is blatant disregard for the world's cultures and, specifically, shared beliefs, attitudes and practices. Instead of providing experiences that foster an understanding of the common thread that unites us all, World Showcase pavilions will now be facades for Magic Kingdom dark rides.

Yikes. At least they said animatronics.

 

[RayTheFirefly]

Animal Kingdom might have moved up to number 1 on my list of Disney Parks even though Avatar is coming. Epcot would be number 2.

Rides to avoid in Epcot now: Test Track, Frozen, never really been to Innovations, Living Seas (not that I remember the old one), Mexico

I still like the Universe of Energy even though it's dated.

Even though Avatar is coming? Not "especially because"? I've never even seen the movie, and I'm super excited for it. It seems like they're going all out and it's going to be stunning. I think it will only add to Animal Kingdom (which is my favorite park too).

 

[Mike S]

Yikes. At least they said animatronics.

Is that really a comfort though? The current Imagination has animatronics as well. Honestly I'm expecting Mermaid level (Ariel, not Ursula).

 

[FutureCEO]

so you re saying you will continue to go to epcot but will not ride Frozen or test track?

will you also avoid pandora?

I'll probably ride Frozen once just to see it. Like the Little Mermaid ride, once is enough. Test Track was great before the refurbishment. Though part of the problem with Test Track is the beginning when you make your own car that they didn't show in the ride. At least for me. I didn't like how they Tron-ed it.

Pandora is visually stunning but the story is horrible so I will most likely give it shot.

PS. How much is Disney paying Yahoo for advertising. Past couple days for been Frozen this and Frozen that on the homepage.

 

[Mike C]

Yikes. At least they said animatronics.

At least expectations of this redo are low after little mermaid (And I sense shades of JIYI in that budget figure spread out over all the area + plus the WDI tax, but I can't imagine it being as bad as JIYI), so hopefully we'll be pleasantly surprised.