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

[bhg469]

According to @WDW1974 this may not just be for Anna and Elsa, might be rotating princesses along with Anna end Elsa.

Well at least they're going all out.

 

[wdisney9000]

Omg I can't wait!!!!!!!! This is gonna be so much fun! A new ride AND a fabulous new meet and greet area/building!!!! Arendelle is gonna be in full effect in 2016 at Epcot!!! Can't wait for the special events they will prob end up having there! #FROZEN@EPCOT2016 ️

Allow me to preface this by saying while I may disagree with those who are for Norway becoming Frozen, I respect the opinions of others so please dont take my post as a trying to pick an argument.

Serious question. If you knew that waiting 5-10 years would yield a bigger and better attraction and maybe even an entire area much larger than Norway pavilion, would you choose that over what is happening? Not a loaded question, just curious.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Every grown ups nightmare.

Unfortunately, my darling bhg, we need to realize that the Epcot of today is not the Epcot of yesterday, and the Epcot of tomorrow will be dumbed down for the kids, but guaranteed adult beverages for the older crowd.

I honestly wonder if they aren't thinking of adding more animated movie based pavilions and attractions to all of Epcot, and revamping the park, little by little, into a "new" epcot where every pavilion features characters from that general region. We are already seeing it happen.

This might be the beginning of Arrendale, and actually proving the theory correct.

Regardless, I'm sad to say that I'm happy something is coming to Epcot. Their rock work and scenery has been amazingly done as of late, I'm sure it'll look fantastic when it's done, but hopefully the surrounding pavilions get a bit of a facelift to match (wishful thinking, I know)

Even if it's just another meet n greet, a total waste of space, it's better than nothing, or losing more of Norways charm.


Edit because my iPad is really digging the idea of randomly capitalizing letters tonight.

 

[djkidkaz]

Didn't original Epcot almost bankrupt Disney? Cause when people showed up they didn't like it because it wasn't anything like MK? I look at Epcot Center fans as the same people who only like music bands no one has heard of. As soon as that band starts to play music that hits national radio, thus actually making real money by playing music the masses enjoy, the band is a sell out in their eyes.

 

[Mike S]

Didn't original Epcot almost bankrupt Disney? Cause when people showed up they didn't like it because it wasn't anything like MK? I look at Epcot Center fans as the same people who only like music bands no one has heard of. As soon as that band starts to play music that hits national radio, thus actually making real money by playing music the masses enjoy, the band is a sell out in their eyes.

It probably would've if it failed because of the shear cost of building it but then it was a huge success. It was a huge risk they took and it payed off. Check your facts next time, okay?

 

[bhg469]

Unfortunately, my darling bhg, we need to realize that the Epcot of today is not the Epcot of yesterday, and the Epcot of tomorrow will be dumbed down for the kids, but guaranteed adult beverages for the older crowd.

I honestly wonder if they aren't thinking of adding more animated movie based pavilions and attractions to all of Epcot, and revamping the park, little by little, into a "new" epcot where every pavilion features characters from that general region. We are already seeing it happen.

This might be the beginning of Arrendale, and actually proving the theory correct.

Regardless, I'm sad to say that I'm happy something is coming to Epcot. Their rock work and scenery has been amazingly done as of late, I'm sure it'll look fantastic when it's done, but hopefully the surrounding pavilions get a bit of a facelift to match (wishful thinking, I know)

Even if it's just another meet n greet, a total waste of space, it's better than nothing, or losing more of Norways charm.


Edit because my iPad is really digging the idea of randomly capitalizing letters tonight.

Well i have a simple solution for that. March first, when I'm down for work and I have my day off, I'm going to have a duff beer in the second best newly themed land in Orlando.

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

People no longer have to accept this decision than they have to accept your supposed rationale for the changes. Open discussion and all that....

1. I'm not giving rationale for anything. I care very little about this change one way or the other.
2. Ummm...you kind of have to accept the decision. What other choice do you see?

But if we embrace or tolerate it then we are sending the message that these types of changes are ok.

Who exactly do you think you are "sending a message to"?

Didn't original Epcot almost bankrupt Disney? Cause when people showed up they didn't like it because it wasn't anything like MK? I look at Epcot Center fans as the same people who only like music bands no one has heard of. As soon as that band starts to play music that hits national radio, thus actually making real money by playing music the masses enjoy, the band is a sell out in their eyes.

I believe they are called Epcot Hipsters. "I liked Epcot before it was cool."

 

[jensenrick]

I'm with ya! I hope the Baymax rumor is true, and going further that the rat makes its way into France and that the Day of the Dead movie that Pixar was/is working on takes over some of the Mexico theme and even lead to a Day of the Dead type party/event.

I would also love to see some type of Dia de Los Muertos event at the Mexico Pavilion. That would make up for a lot of what they did to Rio del Tiempo.

 

[jensenrick]

You're being facetious, but a small exhibit about comics in WWII might be nice. Before Pearl Harbor, most of America was incredibly reluctant to enter a war; some in this country were even sympathetic to Germany. The comic industry was the first major media to say, "Hitler's a jerk; we should give him what-for!'

That's an interesting idea. I sure I've heard of a exhibit like that somewhere but wonder if it wouldn't be too controversial for Disney. They like to play VERY safe with that exhibit space.

 

[jensenrick]

be our guest personally was a rip off, a tiny model on the top of the castle and all we get is the dining room at best. At least we can walk through Cindy's castle; I'd personally want Elsas ice palace be her meet and greet location

Now THAT is a beautiful idea. Just imagine that magnificent crystal ice staircase as a backdrop!

 

[wm49rs]

1. I'm not giving rationale for anything. I care very little about this change one way or the other.
2. Ummm...you kind of have to accept the decision. What other choice do you see?

No, I don't. And my personal decisions regarding WDW are just that. But thanks for your input, which went the same direction as one's output. Most the pity....

 

[Admiral01]

Didn't original Epcot almost bankrupt Disney? Cause when people showed up they didn't like it because it wasn't anything like MK? I look at Epcot Center fans as the same people who only like music bands no one has heard of. As soon as that band starts to play music that hits national radio, thus actually making real money by playing music the masses enjoy, the band is a sell out in their eyes.

No, it did not. EPCOT Center helped solidify WDW as a major destination.

 

[bhg469]

No, it did not. EPCOT Center helped solidify WDW as a major destination.

It certainly gave adults a reason to go.

 

[doctornick]

It certainly gave adults a reason to go.

MK gave plenty of reasons for adults to go. The MK of 1971 was not "kiddie centric" in anyway, but was geared to people of all ages.

 

[asianway]

Don't forget about 8,000+ square feet of magical parking lot. Expansion pad lost...

Come 2182 when the other 7 get filled up, I'm sure they could redevelop the site

 

[NearTheEars]

Not hard to make back money you barely spent.

$75 million sounds like a lot to me.

 

[Mike S]

$75 million sounds like a lot to me.

$450-$500 million, Tokyo's rumored Frozen budget, is even more.

Face it. Disney is spending the absolute bare minimum here.

 

[RSoxNo1]

$75 million sounds like a lot to me.

I don't know what work needs to be done on the ride system, but the fact that it already exists should help. Mermaid's cost was reportedly $100,000,000, and my recollection was the $75,000,000 was for the entire project. That probably means D-ticket at the level of Mermaid. That's not a bad thing in a vacuum, but in the location it's going it's a problem. Having said that, doing it this way, they can open it in half the time.

 

[Admiral01]

It certainly gave adults a reason to go.

My family didn't take a trip to WDW until EPCOT Center opened. Disneyland East wasn't a good enough reason.

 

[Mike S]

I don't know what work needs to be done on the ride system, but the fact that it already exists should help. Mermaid's cost was reportedly $100,000,000, and my recollection was the $75,000,000 was for the entire project. That probably means D-ticket at the level of Mermaid. That's not a bad thing in a vacuum, but in the location it's going it's a problem. Having said that, doing it this way, they can open it in half the time.

Anyone know what Test Track 2.0 cost? That could give us an idea since it also was a ride that was completely changed and kept the same ride system. Heck lets throw MK's Buzz in there too since it also uses the same track as the previous ride.