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

[Disneyhead'71]

There was a lot of behind the scenes negotiations going on with the Norwegian Gov't prior to the Frozen phenom. Maelstrom has the lowest guest satisfaction rating in the park. The tourism film is painfully dated and the Norwegian Gov't refused to fund an upgrade. This is a not so subtle message to the other WS countries to "cooperate" with Disney.

 

[Matt_Black]

Exactly. Let's not blame Disney; the various businesses that had sponsored the pavilion share just as much blame. It's like how people complain about Wonders of Life- MetLife ceased it's sponsorship, so the money ran out. And before you start with "Disney has plenty of money", please try and understand that it's a bit more complicated than that.

 

[PhilharMagician]

not this gem again...

LOLZ
ETA: epcot-experimental prototype community of tomorrow (except its not)

Soon to be renamed

EPCOT : Experimental Prototype Cartoon of Today

 

[Wikkler]

Nailed it.
I'm already not the least bit interested in ''toons. This whole mess is turning me into:

Spoiler: SPOILER

But... he was a toon.
"Remember me Eddie? WHEN I TALKED JUST LIKE THIS?

Can you put images in spoilers? I have way too many tabs open and I don't want to go on another one because I'm lazy and arrogant.

 

[Lucky]

. This is a not so subtle message to the other WS countries to "cooperate" with Disney.

Save your village or we'll destroy it?

 

[Monkee Girl]

There was a lot of behind the scenes negotiations going on with the Norwegian Gov't prior to the Frozen phenom. Maelstrom has the lowest guest satisfaction rating in the park. The tourism film is painfully dated and the Norwegian Gov't refused to fund an upgrade. This is a not so subtle message to the other WS countries to "cooperate" with Disney.

Exactly. Let's not blame Disney; the various businesses that had sponsored the pavilion share just as much blame. It's like how people complain about Wonders of Life- MetLife ceased it's sponsorship, so the money ran out. And before you start with "Disney has plenty of money", please try and understand that it's a bit more complicated than that.

I don't think this makes any difference and personally think it’s a ridiculous excuse for Disney to be lazy.


This is Disney’s theme park and ultimately their responsibility to maintain and keep the park working and within it’s theme. And if, for some weird business reason, Disney can’t do this because they HAVE to have the country pay out money, then maybe they should close Norway all together and put in another country that will.

But none of that matters since none of the other countries sponsor their pavilions, right? Does Mexico pay? Does China? When the American pavilion decides not to pay, will we get Tiana’s restaurant, Tiana’s ride, Tiana’s dancers and meet and greet there? I doubt it.

 

[Magenta Panther]

It depends on where you read.
Because in my opinion.. very few wanted him.

Well, he got 48% of the vote. Not unsubstantial.

But I agree that the Facebook comments regarding Maelstrom, while kind of gratifying to read, won't have any impact, unfortunately. TDO's been through this before with Mr. Toad. It's gonna do what it's gonna do.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I don't think this makes any difference and personally think it’s a ridiculous excuse for Disney to be lazy.


This is Disney’s theme park and ultimately their responsibility to maintain and keep the park working and within it’s theme. And if, for some weird business reason, Disney can’t do this because they HAVE to have the country pay out money, then maybe they should close Norway all together and put in another country that will.

But none of that matters since none of the other countries sponsor their pavilions, right? Does Mexico pay? Does China? When the American pavilion decides not to pay, will we get Tiana’s restaurant, Tiana’s ride, Tiana’s dancers and meet and greet there? I doubt it.

I personally think it's petty and cheap. Which, btw, is TDO's new mantra.

 

[FigmentJedi]

This is a real traffic sign in Norway located on the Trollstigen. The signs are there to help draw tourists to the area. Obviously, Norway understands and embraces the concept of using fictional characters to improve guest attendance.

Cool sign!

But again, the difference is that trolls, Norse Gods and any other fictional characters like these are part of Norway's history. Part of their Culture. At one point in history, these characters were believed to be real. This sign isn't a picture of Elsa to bring in tourists. It's a picture of one of their own Norwegian creations.

Additionally, folkloric belief in some cultures is strong enough to persist to today. Japan still has signs by rivers, canals and streams warning about Kappas to keep kids from drowning.

 

[Wikkler]

You're gonna have to get over whatever this feeling is you've got. Let me play you a song.
View attachment 66216
On my really, really small violin.

 

[Lee]

And before you start with "Disney has plenty of money", please try and understand that it's a bit more complicated than that.

Actually, it isn't more complicated than that. Blaming sponsors is a cop-out.
It's Disney's park. The onus is on them to invest in rides and attractions, and to frequently and regularly update them. Sponsors are are entirely unnecessary luxury.

 

[BigTxEars]

This thread sure has legs.

And in FaceBook is a great example of the feelings of the public on this then I guess me and like 7 people are going to have really short lines to wait in when this opens

 

[BigTxEars]

Actually, it isn't more complicated than that. Blaming sponsors is a cop-out.
It's Disney's park. The onus is on them to invest in rides and attractions, and to frequently and regularly update them. Sponsors are are entirely unnecessary luxury.

And now it will have Disney characters in it, see it all works out in the end

 

[Mike S]

And now it will have Disney characters in it, see it all works out in the end

I'm really starting to think you're purposefully trying to get a rise out of people.

 

[Lucky]

I'm really starting to think you're purposefully trying to get a rise out of people.

And that qualifies him for my ignore list.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I'm really starting to think you're purposefully trying to get a rise out of people.

I took it as an agenda oriented joke. It wasn't quite LOL funny, but it made me smile.

I just think they should go ahead change the name of the Pavilion to Princesslandia to really give the faithful an aneurism.

 

[Lucky]

By the way the debates on this thread shouldn't be characterized as critics versus fans. Nearly everyone whether they realize it or not is criticizing Disney management - either current management, or past management for its idea that Epcot and the other later parks should be distinctive instead of just overflow parks for MK.

 

[Mr Anderson]

And before you start with "Disney has plenty of money", please try and understand that it's a bit more complicated than that.

Actually, it isn't more complicated than that. Blaming sponsors is a cop-out.
It's Disney's park. The onus is on them to invest in rides and attractions, and to frequently and regularly update them. Sponsors are are entirely unnecessary luxury.

I wholeheartedly agree, @Lee . Actually, I've agreed with pretty much everything I've seen you post on this thread thus far.

So, if I may piggyback... the theme park ticket prices are the same across EPCOT, AK and DHS (MK is more expensive), so Disney is not hurting for $$$ to invest in their own rides, attractions, and in the case of World Showcase, pavilions. If admission to EPCOT was cheaper, that would be a different story. Do you hear Disney blaming lack of sponsorship for rides/areas going away in any other park?

 

[flynnibus]

Exactly. Let's not blame Disney; the various businesses that had sponsored the pavilion share just as much blame. It's like how people complain about Wonders of Life- MetLife ceased it's sponsorship, so the money ran out. And before you start with "Disney has plenty of money", please try and understand that it's a bit more complicated than that.

Yes it is... When you have an addict... They don't just go cold turkey and spend their own money when they are convinced someone else should give it to them. It is complicated

 

[spacemt354]

And now it will have Disney characters in it, see it all works out in the end

I didn't know Disney started removing the trolls from maelstrom already...

Stop. This is not troll country.