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

[wdwfan4ver]

Hollywood Studios is in a similar distressed position, they clearly do not know what to do with it at this point, closing the landmark Backlot attraction pretty much put the nail in the coffin for the concept of this park. They need to just start over with a new idea because honestly for the money you pay to enter the park there is not anything close to enough to do to justify it, and year by year, it becomes less and less. Again, many of the attractions have nothing to do with the park's concept or theme (Rock n Roller Coaster comes to mind).

The concept of the park already was gone before the Backlot Tour was closed. The park had an identity crisis for years after it being a true working studio in the the early 2000's. Stuff was films at DHS up that point such as Professional wrestling matches. I think the final thing the working studios had was Brother Bear.

Disney actually has a plan for DHS. People including WDW1974 has mentioned that Disney is planning on a redo of the park. The sorcerer hat being taken down actually is part of their plan of the redo.

The Backlot Tour area closed actually is for a Toy Story Land according to different insiders on this forum, but Disney hasn't any announcements yet on that.

 

[Maelstrom Troll]

There are 263 pages of people who haven't already forgotten the old Norway pavilion. I don't think that anything Frozen in Norway can surpass the original pavilion.

 

[danlb_2000]

There are 263 pages of people who haven't already forgotten the old Norway pavilion. I don't think that anything Frozen in Norway can surpass the original pavilion.

It will probably surpass it in attendance, but that's shouldn't be the only criteria on which new attractions are built.

 

[FigmentJedi]

I think the final thing the working studios had was Brother Bear.

The Animation unit anyways. The last live-action project was Kermit's Swamp Years, a mediocre DTV Muppet prequel project with groan-worthy prequelisms like Kermit briefly running into a young Jim Henson.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Those materials and designs are far beyond what we see in an attraction amd it's appx 1/4 of the price Disney is spending. So where does the money go? Disney uses faux materials and animatronics can't cost them too much. They use old AA's from other rides all the time as well. So even considering that Disney hires design teams and set directors and what not, how does it cost $75 million? The track and ride system are already in place so it can't be too much for technical stuff. And what's crazy is that $75 million is on the low side for what an average attraction costs.

Think maybe the cost to build that type of a structure in the middle of a swamp might have an impact?

 

[jensenrick]

I did ? Darn! I plan to see him on monday morning!!

Cool. I am sure I saw Marie in France at the last F&W fest as well.

 

[Tom]

Where does the freaking money go? Just for fun I looked up multi million dollar homes for sale. Here is a sprawling estate that's waaaaaaay larger than the Norway pavilion and has a massive home with top shelf luxuries. Take a looksie.
View attachment 79499
This house is for sale for $18 million dollars. Keep in mind it's on 29 acres and the home is appx 23,000 sq feet. The land and the home are way larger than the size of the Norway pavilion and the ride it has. Keep in mind that 18 million is the selling price so we know it cost even less than that to.build it. The home has stone walls, hand scraped wood floors, extraordinary custom woodwork, intricately laced ceiling patterns, custom wrought iron, wine cellar, and salon. Grounds include outdoor kitchen, infinity pool, 8-car garage, well-stocked pond, vegetable gardens, and fruit trees.

Those materials and designs are far beyond what we see in an attraction amd it's appx 1/4 of the price Disney is spending. So where does the money go? Disney uses faux materials and animatronics can't cost them too much. They use old AA's from other rides all the time as well. So even considering that Disney hires design teams and set directors and what not, how does it cost $75 million? The track and ride system are already in place so it can't be too much for technical stuff. And what's crazy is that $75 million is on the low side for what an average attraction costs.

I didn't bother to read anything after this post, so I'm not sure if it's been confirmed as being sarcastic. Because if it's not, it's the most ridiculous thing I've read in a long time.

 

[wdisney9000]

Think maybe the cost to build that type of a structure in the middle of a swamp might have an impact?

Im sure it does.

I didn't bother to read anything after this post, so I'm not sure if it's been confirmed as being sarcastic. Because if it's not, it's the most ridiculous thing I've read in a long time.

I was just looking at it from a perspective of what $20 million can buy. If Disney is spending 75 mil I thought it would be a good comparison. I'll be the first to admit I could be way off. I Probly am. That's why I was asking.

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

I can't say for sure that things said on message boards and social media as a whole don't make their way back to Disney management, but even if they don't why should it make a difference? I am not going to express a different opinion just because I can't effect the outcome of something.

I can almost promise you that Disney does not care if you personally like Frozen or not.

Expressing an opinion is a page 1 through 20 kind of thing. Repeating that same opinion for 263 page is obsession not expression. And every time you hit "post" a little baby sheds a tear. Stop making the baby cry!

 

[Tom]

Im sure it does.


I was just looking at it from a perspective of what $20 million can buy. If Disney is spending 75 mil I thought it would be a good comparison. I'll be the first to admit I could be way off. I Probly am. That's why I was asking.

My house is about 2100sf. It was $160,000 when I built it. I'm the Project Manager for all of the projects at my local hospital. The remodel or build-out of a physician's practice office will range anywhere from $300,000 - $400,000, depending on the size (from about 2,000 - 4,000sf). And that's a minor example of how commercial costs FAR exceed residential costs.

The markup on residential is astronomical. The builder of a home like that one would easily have 15-20% profit on it. Whereas the GC running a $75 million job would have maybe 3% fee on it, if he's lucky. The rest is cost.

There are actual specs to follow in commercial construction, and heavy duty materials have to be used. You can build a complete house by going to Lowes or Menards, where you pay 100% mark-up on inferior building products.

We're about to build a small warehouse for a client, and it quickly got to the $2M mark, with just the sitework and the building shell (4 walls and a roof). And it doesn't have any special mechanical or electrical systems going to it.

Costs add up very quickly on commercial construction, and cannot be compared to residential construction in any way, shape or form.

 

[danlb_2000]

I can almost promise you that Disney does not care if you personally like Frozen or not.

Expressing an opinion is a page 1 through 20 kind of thing. Repeating that same opinion for 263 page is obsession not expression. And every time you hit "post" a little baby sheds a tear. Stop making the baby cry!

I never said Disney cared about what I personally think, but they may be influenced by the aggregate opinion of a large number of people.

Can I assume that you also intended to stop saying that you don't have a problem with the Frozen additions? Because if I am not allowed to express my opinion, neither are you.

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

I never said Disney cared about what I personally think, but they may be influenced by the aggregate opinion of a large number of people.

Can I assume that you also intended to stop saying that you don't have a problem with the Frozen additions? Because if I am not allowed to express my opinion, neither are you.

Isn't it the aggregate opinion of a large number of people that is bringing Frozen to World Showcase in the first place? I think hardcore Disney fans, like those of us here, are a lot less influential than we like to think and are in the minority most times when it comes to our opinion of changes in the park.

Look it. I was perhaps frustrated yesterday by the repetitive nature of this thread and its focus on moaning rather than on actual news about the attraction. So, I know I was more harsh than I needed to be. I, in no way, meant to suggest that you or anyone else is not entitled to share your opinion. My original point was just that I don't see why you feel you need to say the same thing over and over again.

But now I see that I am, in fact, doing the same thing so I will stop now and return to using these boards for positive, helpful
discussion and information about WDW.

 

[GhostHost1000]

although I'm not a fan of Ranch Dressing... I got a nice chuckle out of your forum name - well done

@Ranch Dressing

 

[danlb_2000]

Isn't it the aggregate opinion of a large number of people that is bringing Frozen to World Showcase in the first place? I think hardcore Disney fans, like those of us here, are a lot less influential than we like to think and are in the minority most times when it comes to our opinion of changes in the park.

Look it. I was perhaps frustrated yesterday by the repetitive nature of this thread and its focus on moaning rather than on actual news about the attraction. So, I know I was more harsh than I needed to be. I, in no way, meant to suggest that you or anyone else is not entitled to share your opinion. My original point was just that I don't see why you feel you need to say the same thing over and over again.

But now I see that I am, in fact, doing the same thing so I will stop now and return to using these boards for positive, helpful
discussion and information about WDW.

The bottom line is whether my opinion is influencing anyone or not, that is still not a reason to change my opinion.

I don't randomly come in to a thread and post my point of view. It is always in response to others. If someone has a point of view different then mine, then I don't see a problem with expressing my view. That is what a discussion is.

 

[Prince Thomas]

Reading some of these posts are just so cringe worthy...

 

[Mike S]

Isn't it the aggregate opinion of a large number of people that is bringing Frozen to World Showcase in the first place? I think hardcore Disney fans, like those of us here, are a lot less influential than we like to think and are in the minority most times when it comes to our opinion of changes in the park.

Look it. I was perhaps frustrated yesterday by the repetitive nature of this thread and its focus on moaning rather than on actual news about the attraction. So, I know I was more harsh than I needed to be. I, in no way, meant to suggest that you or anyone else is not entitled to share your opinion. My original point was just that I don't see why you feel you need to say the same thing over and over again.

But now I see that I am, in fact, doing the same thing so I will stop now and return to using these boards for positive, helpful
discussion and information about WDW.

A hardcore Disney fan on this site started a thread about Disney not doing a celebration for Epcot's 25th anniversary that blew up so much it actually made Disney change their plans and make a big event.

Isn't that right, @Figments Friend?

 

[Phicinfan]

Other than Magic Kingdom, I feel like all of the parks are suffering from serious issues. Disney doesn't seem to know what to do with the parks other than to throw in attractions based on the movies. Now, at least in Magic Kingdom most of the time it has made sense, albeit other times not, like Stitch's Great Escape (how the heck has that not been closed yet? Didn't the Stitch fad wear off?

I can't argue with you there, there seems to be a huge disconnect on what should or should not be in the parks. I think that is changing though, with Carsland in DLCA, and with the expansion of Fantasyland, I personally feel this is a trend to update and upgrade the parks. Just my opinion though..

Definitely, EPCOT is having a major identity crisis. Future World is full of pavilions that need help. Most of them do not even reflect the original intents, and those that do desperately need updating, like Journey into Imagination and to a lesser extent Ellen's Energy Adventure. Now they are throwing Frozen into Norway where they know perfectly well it only very loosely fits, but they just had to cram it in. A meet and greet I'm OK with, and they could even make the ride something special by theming it as a tour of Norway guided by Frozen characters - we all know that's not gonna be the case.

At some point, folks that are truly against this need to open their eyes here some. Maelstrom was in desperate need of a revamp, and this is one way to do it, and pay it off by converting it to a very popular theme. Again, they are NOT closing and revamping the whole Norway pavilion. They are adding a new M&G and restaging a ride that is "loosely" based on that area. I don't see anyone complaining on the M&G meals they have been having in the pavilion so far. For those saying the Pavilion is now based on a non-existing land...it is not. It is based on Norway, with an added updated ride and M&G.

Hollywood Studios is in a similar distressed position, they clearly do not know what to do with it at this point, closing the landmark Backlot attraction pretty much put the nail in the coffin for the concept of this park. They need to just start over with a new idea because honestly for the money you pay to enter the park there is not anything close to enough to do to justify it, and year by year, it becomes less and less. Again, many of the attractions have nothing to do with the park's concept or theme (Rock n Roller Coaster comes to mind).

Here I disagree. Here is where I am the most hopeful. DHS has not been a working studio for a long time, and as such, a revamp into more focus on the animated side which is more prevalent was much needed. I am very excited if they move forward with the changes rumored - the expansion of Pixar world, and Star Wars land put this back into a must see type category if done well. If they really add to the park and add more than just meet and greets, then this park is once again a major draw. I am also hoping at some point they update Great Movie Ride and some areas of the park to pay homage to the classic movies of Disney and characters like Herbie, Mary Poppins, Bed Knobs and broomsticks and even Davy Crockett. No idea if this is the plan, but I am excited that change is coming.

Animal Kingdom, the one park that was relatively untouched with the "based on movie" nonsense (other than the Bug's Life show but at least that kind of fits), is getting Avatarland. I never saw Avatar, so I can't speak to whether it is a good movie or not. As far as I can tell though, it has absolutely nothing to do with Animal Kingdom in essence. They are just putting it where they have tons of room, it seems like, and to attract people to the park.

Again, I disagree here. I have not seen the whole movie, only bits and pieces of it. But the focus of the movie I believe is care of the world and conservation, which is the main focus of AK. To me, I am hoping this is taking Avatar land and making it the AK of the future, or what a Alien AK would look like. That would be a great addition, I still wonder how dino land in AK fits in, and no one has issues with that.

If all four parks are just going to be a mismosh of ideas, with no real theme and purpose, that's fine, but you may as well just call them Magic Kingdom A, B, C and D. I am tired of movie based tie-ins for every new attraction. What was the last attraction Disney opened that had nothing to do with a movie, recent or otherwise? Movie tie-in attractions have always been an important PORTION of their offerings, but it is no longer a portion, it's the whole pie.

This sentiment I fully understand. I too don't want total tie ins with movies. I would love to see a re-vamp of tomorrow land in MK that really reflects tomorrow. I would love to see an update to world of energy, and not just ellen's world. Imagination needs serious help, but not at the expense of Figment. But the big money maker for Disney is their movies, so tie ins will happen. I for one can live with it, if it means change and upgrade of what is existing.

If Disney wants to successfully continue to charge so much to enter their parks they need to set themselves apart and make the parks unique and special, not just a bunch of movie tie-in rides that scream "cash grab"! Inventing original stories to base attractions on is what Disney was known for. It was what set them apart. Iconic rides at the Magic Kingdom - Jungle Cruise, Small World, Carousel of Progress, to name a few, are based on nothing other than Disney's creativity and originality, not a movie tie in. Can we go back to that?

True, but look at what happened, an iconic ride got made into a huge movie franchise with POC.

I am curious what happens if the real life new movies coming out this year for Cinderella and Jungle book do well. Could be a huge change again.....hmmmm.....

 

[Figments Friend]

A hardcore Disney fan on this site started a thread about Disney not doing a celebration for Epcot's 25th anniversary that blew up so much it actually made Disney change their plans and make a big event.

Isn't that right, @Figments Friend?

Yep.
The key with our 'movement' was that is was done in a positive manner.
It was not presented as a 'bunch a grumpy fans making demands'.
It was presented in a way that was not meant to come across as a 'protest'.

That was one of the reasons why our planned Event was seen as positive, and was separated from becoming perceived as being just a 'fan uprising' or 'unruly mob of disgruntled people' trying to make trouble.
Because of the positive approach, it turned into something quite wonderful for everyone in the end.

Disney was also approached behind the scenes in a positive way that encouraged this idea of it being a positive gathering..and it eventually grew into something far bigger and better then i think any of us involved in it could have possibly imagined.
It also has to be said that the press and online coverage it was getting made them rethink the situation as well.
People CAN make a real difference, but it is in your tone of approach to the matter that is key to making actual real changes.


I remember clearly stating in that famous first post that got the ball rolling that the gathering of fans i was proposing NOT turn into a 'fan protest', with people showing up with signs and pitchforks.
Wanted to make that very clear right from the start.
At the time, there were plenty of ticked' off fans who were upset Disney seemed to be blowing off EPCOT's 25th Anniversary.
The suggestion i made to come together and celebrate in our own way peacefully was what turned all that disappointment into quite a joyful experience.
A small group of people came together to help make it happen, and the thousands of fans who attended certainly did as well.
The end result is what history now tells.

It was a shared victory.
Many people came together to make it happen so i cannot in any way take sole credit.
We all shared in that experience.
I am still amazed at how it all happened, and i am happy to see some here still remember it.
It was a true 'one-off'.

 

[AMartin767]

Those who keep harping on the Norway ride as "old" and "forgotten" are missing the point. You update Norway's ride to make it fresh, you don't replace it with a completely unrelated set of Disney Princesses that, I'll say it once again, BELONG IN MK WHERE ALL THE OTHER PRINCESSES ARE! I'm sorry, but if you think this is a good move then I have to say I believe you are dead wrong.

 

[Phicinfan]

Those who keep harping on the Norway ride as "old" and "forgotten" are missing the point. You update Norway's ride to make it fresh, you don't replace it with a completely unrelated set of Disney Princesses that, I'll say it once again, BELONG IN MK WHERE ALL THE OTHER PRINCESSES ARE! I'm sorry, but if you think this is a good move then I have to say I believe you are dead wrong.

In a Pavilion that already HAD a princess M&G meal set up. Where was the protest for that?