Nick Wilde
Well-Known Member
$400,000,000 on DA. Heard this on Yahoo and Orlando Informer.
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Disney confirms 'Frozen' makeover coming to Epcot's Norway Pavilion
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Mr. Peabody
Well-Known Member
Song of the South was re-released to theaters in 1986 for the film's 40th anniversary and to promote the then-upcoming Splash Mountain. This was back when home video was still relatively new, so the movie wasn't exactly obscure when Splash Mountain opened in Disneyland three years later.
But your point is well taken. Most Disney guests today probably only know Br'er Rabbit and the rest of those characters because of the ride without realizing that they came from a movie. Splash Mountain has had incredible longevity because it is a quality attraction. It has achieved its status as a quintessential part of the Disney experience in the 21st century without needing familiar IP to do so. If Splash Mountain can stay popular in this day and age, who's to say that a new, Frozen-less Norway ride couldn't also be popular on its own merits?
Perhaps Epcot just isn't a good choice for your family at this point. If your kids aren't interested in Epcot, why not just take them somewhere else?
RayTheFirefly
Well-Known Member
Right. So saying $75mil is a third of that is extremely incorrect.
Sure. Until official confirmation was given by the company, it was still a rumor. Just like it was an unconfirmed rumor when an 'insider' stated that they were going to totally remove Norway from the pavillion and officially make it an 'Arendelle' pavillion. Insider rumors are awesome, but they aren't confirmed until the company confirms them. The insiders actually benefit from this take on it because they are allowed to save face with the understanding that sometimes companies change their plans.
DisUniversal
Well-Known Member
I've seen it reported as 250 million, 256 million and 400 million so not sure. I think Jimmy Fallon announced it as 256 million, but he may have confused it with Hogsmeade. Either way, $75 million should be enough to do the job right. That's about $74.9 million more than I would have expected them to spend.
Magenta Panther
Well-Known Member
In other words, Disney's going to cash in on Frozen by doing things fast and CHEAP.
And TDO, if you're reading this, EVERYONE KNOWS IT. Some choose not to care because FROZEN!!!!! But your reputation as ride-developers just took another hit with this cut-and-paste-Maelstrom-makeover farce.
RayTheFirefly
Well-Known Member
You're correct there! What I read was that Hogsmeade was around $250 million, and they refused to say how much DA cost. I think it cost MUCH more than what most people think, personally. Still doesn't change the fact the Disney should be able to do more with less in WDW.
elchippo
Well-Known Member
In trying to curb this wound, I've been looking for hope somewhere....here's the best I've got. Say what you will about Gran Fiesta Tour, at the end of the day it's still about Mexico (in a roundabout way). Might the same be said of the Maesltrom change? That it might NOT become a superficial "FROZEN:THE RIDE" akin to Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, etc. but maybe more along the lines of "Spirit of Norway: Featuring Olaf"? I'm using what they did to the stave church as a jumping off point....still about Norway, but we use Frozen to sell it?
Why not expose your children to the beauty and cultures of World Showcase while they are young? If you let them think its ALL about riding rides then thats what they will grow up thinking and they will miss out on so many wonderful things. Ive seen children (my nephews as well) as young as 2 years old watch Matsuriza in pure amazement, or stare in wonder at the dolphins and fish swimming in the aquarium. There is still a lot of educational value in EPCOT for children AND they have fun while doing it, you just have to make the tiniest bit of effort. It is what EPCOT Center was built for. It was never supposed to be ALL about rides.
RayTheFirefly
Well-Known Member
It was already announced by Disney that the ride will take you through the fictional land of Arendelle.
I sent emails to Staggs, Crofton, and Holmes expressing my disappointment and the response I received from Disney services said "the ride will take you along your favorite scenes and songs from the movie", so I dont think there will be much of anything about Norway unless they just flat out lie and claim that the movie takes place in Norway.
GoofGoof
Premium Member
Disney budgets do tend to end up bloated so its hard to compare to Universal.
Apples to apples - Test Track 2.0 in 2012 had a lower budget. I think around $60M. It also took less time. If the budget and timeframe are accurate it should be a more substantial retheme than Test Track, but not by a whole lot. Probably in the same ballpark.
BrerJon
Well-Known Member
The $400M figure comes from analysts estimates, not Universal themselves, but sounds right given the cost included building a brand new team parking structure, the Hogwarts Express lines, a new station in Hogsmeade and the whole of Diagon Alley's shop, ride, and London facades.
It still makes New Fantasyland look like poor value for money. The original Wizarding World cost $256M though, so as long as Frozen's $75M gets stuff as good as 1/4 of Hogsmeade, we'll be good.
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Gomer
Well-Known Member
Between my two kids, I have taken them to Epcot at every age from 11 months to 10 years old. Neither of them has ever been bored. They will find interesting what you make seem interesting to them. Sometimes it takes significant effort on the part of the parents. But when I see my 3 year old gleefully smiling through Reflections of China or my 10 year old adventurously exploring the winding paths in Morocco, it’s worth it.
BrerJon
Well-Known Member
Well hopefully since the Frozen craze is so just that - crazy -, they'll try a little harder on this one. And since they sort of tried to help the DCA Mermaid, they must be aware of the reception of the Mermaid ride as a whole. Maybe they'll use it as a learning experience.
Trying to be positive here, people.
Let's hope if there's a giant Marshmallow animatronic it's more like the genie in Sindbad than the Yeti in Everest.
BrerJon
Well-Known Member
But society used to be about exposing children to new ideas and new horizons, instead of slavishly giving them whatever they want for fear of the slightest tantrum. Parents used to say 'eat your vegetables', now they ask 'would you like more candy?'.
Mike S
Well-Known Member
IMO Test Track 2.0 looks pretty cheap. The old environmental rooms and the robots were much better than the empty scanning rooms there now. Also remember that part of Frozen's budget will be used on the M&G, store and maybe the bakery and restaurant as well. Plus unlike Test Track there will be animatronics so that will cut into even more of the budget. $75 million will go pretty fast and not all of it on the ride.
ratherbeinwdw
Well-Known Member
The Disney Insider says, "The ride promises to take quests through the fictional landscape of Arendelle and right into the scenes and songs from the movie. There'll be music, light and probably some breathtaking animatronics."
It then asks for input on what scenes you would like to see in the ride.
It then asks for input on what scenes you would like to see in the ride.
RandomPrincess
Keep Moving Forward
Just want to weigh in on the "I have kids and they hate WS" thing I prepped my kids 2 and 4 for Epcot (and all the parks). We always spend one day in WS and one in FW. My kids love both. My DD's favorite park is Epcot. She loves trying all the different foods. Talking with the CMs from around the world, getting her passport stamped, watching the shows, meeting characters etc. They know it won't be a ride heavy day it will be about exploring the countries and learning about the world. If you make it fun it is fun!