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

[dstrawn9889]

two separate buildings, divided by basically an alleyway wit ha front door. no interaction between the two buildings. alleyway is already there, in fact, just down past the restrooms IIRC.

 

[DisDan]

No, they would have to show something like that on the plans. You can also see that the new building doesn't go up next to the Maelstrom building. So to connect them they would either have to connect to the existing gift shop, or run a structure further back to connect to the Maelstrom building. Both of these options would cut off the access path next to Norway.

I just figured that somehow they would Tie-In the Meet-N-Greet with the Attraction kinda like how LM does it at MK with the Grotto.

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

Since so many people have begun to claim "this will get children interested in Norway", I feel the need to ask how they expect that conversation to go down without confusing the child? What kid is gonna ask anything about Norway when they are in a fantasy world of Arrendelle? You would have to force upon them the fact that they are in a pavilion designed to resemble Norway which is what Arrendelle was 'inspired' by. So while your kid is wetting their pants with excitement about seeing Anna and Elsa they are supposed to soak up knowledge you force upon them that is also somewhat confusing to them. Or you could tell them while your waiting in line for an hour to ride the new ride... because that is a great time to teach your kid a history lesson. /sarcasm

Any kid that visits the Norway pavilion will want to visit Arrendelle, not Norway, but even if you do take them to Norway, now they will be expecting to see ice castles, princesses and snow monsters....because thats what they saw in the (Frozen) Norway ride at Disney World .

Luckily not all children are completely stupid.

 

[wdisney9000]

Luckily not all children are completely stupid.

yet according to so many, they need a fairy tale land to make them interested in Norway...

Its like expecting a kid to be interested in Chevy after riding Test Track, or a kid having a sudden desire to learn about aviation after riding Soarin'. They wont. To a kid, its just a ride.

 

[Horizons1]

Luckily not all children are completely stupid.

Most kids today are.

 

[wdisney9000]

Most kids today are.

Indeed. The lazy parents who expect someone else to get their kid interested in something arent helping either.

 

[lazyboy97o]

yet according to so many, they need a fairy tale land to make them interested in Norway...

Its like expecting a kid to be interested in Chevy after riding Test Track, or a kid having a sudden desire to learn about aviation after riding Soarin'. They wont. To a kid, its just a ride.

I know when I think music and Los Angeles traffic, I think Hanes® t-shirts.

 

[George]

I believe Disney is addressing the question by building a gated Arrendelle, Norway now. They are currently interviewing potential residents. The good news is that if you resemble any of the narrated denizens of Arrendelle from the film, even a character that is just in the background of a group scene, you have a shot. Plus, you will be allowed to be out of character for 45 minutes a day (you'll be living there after all!). Hooray for Disney for finally recognizing the problem with this addition!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

That is sick.

What have these vandals done to my beloved World Showcase!?

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Since so many people have begun to claim "this will get children interested in Norway", I feel the need to ask how they expect that conversation to go down without confusing the child? What kid is gonna ask anything about Norway when they are in a fantasy world of Arrendelle? You would have to force upon them the fact that they are in a pavilion designed to resemble Norway which is what Arrendelle was 'inspired' by. So while your kid is wetting their pants with excitement about seeing Anna and Elsa they are supposed to soak up knowledge you force upon them that is also somewhat confusing to them. Or you could tell them while your waiting in line for an hour to ride the new ride... because that is a great time to teach your kid a history lesson. /sarcasm

Any kid that visits the Norway pavilion will want to visit Arrendelle, not Norway, but even if you do take them to Norway, now they will be expecting to see ice castles, princesses and snow monsters....because thats what they saw in the (Frozen) Norway ride at Disney World .

Perhaps, yes.

Sadly, the idea is that Frozen, or mr. Toad, or the Lion King, get you interested in the culture of Norway and the UK and Africa, which you can then visit idealised versions of in Disney. So your kids progress from toon to broad general idea to eventually the real thing.

The idea is not that your kids grow up imbeciles who think Frozen represents Norway, Africa has talking warthogs and the UK car-driving toads.

 

[THPFanatic]

Lol, it seems Disney will do all they can to make a quick buck and milk a movie that I thought was overrated when I saw it. I don't know how many people actually enjoyed it, but I actually went to it just about every time I was in EPCOT, and I'm not surprised, like many of the posters have said, that they have decided to ditch a ride that ACTUALLY represented WS and Norway, for a ride that is INSPIRED by Norway. Will be very dissapointed when I go to WDW next and see the Frozen attraction completed, but I expected this of Disney as of late.

 

[wdisney9000]

Perhaps, yes.

Sadly, the idea is that Frozen, or mr. Toad, or the Lion King, get you interested in the culture of Norway and the UK and Africa, which you can then visit idealised versions of in Disney. So your kids progress from toon to broad general idea to eventually the real thing.

The idea is not that your kids grow up imbeciles who think Frozen represents Norway, Africa has talking warthogs and the UK car-driving toads.

Very well said, and I agree that a process such as what you described could very well be the outcome for a child. If so, thats AWESOME! I only take issue with the claims that a child will leave Norway pavilion with some type of unbridled passion for Norway sparked by the animated film Frozen which therefore justifies their acceptance of whats currently happening. I just picture somebody convincing themselves that the education for the children is the reason why this cheap overlay is such a good idea, and if that person so happens to be a parent...well,.......Al Qaeda wins

 

[Cesar R M]

I believe Disney is addressing the question by building a gated Arrendelle, Norway now. They are currently interviewing potential residents. The good news is that if you resemble any of the narrated denizens of Arrendelle from the film, even a character that is just in the background of a group scene, you have a shot. Plus, you will be allowed to be out of character for 45 minutes a day (you'll be living there after all!). Hooray for Disney for finally recognizing the problem with this addition!

all fun and hilarity until you imagine Disney trying that for the DCL destinations.

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

yet according to so many, they need a fairy tale land to make them interested in Norway...

Its like expecting a kid to be interested in Chevy after riding Test Track, or a kid having a sudden desire to learn about aviation after riding Soarin'. They wont. To a kid, its just a ride.

Most kids today are.

Wow...this is the first time I have been offended by these boards. Speak for the children in your own life...most children are not stupid.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Wow...this is the first time I have been offended by these boards. Speak for the children in your own life...most children are not stupid.

It's a view Disney shares.

 

[danlb_2000]

This is going to go nowhere good.

 

[wdisney9000]

Wow...this is the first time I have been offended by these boards. Speak for the children in your own life...most children are not stupid.

You would only be offended if it rang true in some way for you. The children in my life have been enjoying and learning from WS for years without the aid of fictitious worlds. I don't see how this Frozen addition will be anything other than a new ride put in the wrong park. Any adult using 'education' as a justification for this is even more ignorant than the kids in the aforementioned post. The kids at least have the benefit of youth and a long life ahead of them to become more intelligent. The adults, I fear, are stuck with stupid.

 

[DisDan]

This whole Frozen in WS move was very smart on Dinsey's part. If you look at it from a purely business move, Frozen fans will flock to EPCOT, EPCOT will certainly see a HUGE bump in attendance and Disney did not have to spend much to do it.

That is what is upsetting most of us on here... it's obvious this is another cash grab.

In an ideal world MK gets a beautiful Arendele land expansion with Frozen E-Ticket and Elsa Ice castle with restaurant and shop. DHS gets it's rumored Pixar place expansion and Star-Wars land. AK gets it's AK expansion and general park refurb and night time entertainment making it a full day park. EPCOT gets a full park refurb adding a couple E-tickets in Future World and WS gets refurbs across the board.

That's probably what WDW deserves. Not sure how much that would all cost, I am no expert, but I would guess we are talking easily 5b+ for that sort of plan.

Or they could just spend 75 mil at EPCOT, AK expansion is underway, they keep stringing us along on the idea of a DHS redo, and MK just got NFL, sooooo.... yea we all have a right to be ed about this.

But we certainly shouldn't be bickering with each other about the merits of World Showcase.

 

[Phicinfan]

You would only be offended if it rang true in some way for you. The children in my life have been enjoying and learning from WS for years without the aid of fictitious worlds. I don't see how this Frozen addition will be anything other than a new ride put in the wrong park. Any adult using 'education' as a justification for this is even more ignorant than the kids in the aforementioned post. The kids at least have the benefit of youth and a long life ahead of them to become more intelligent. The adults, I fear, are stuck with stupid.

Other than being an elitest snob, perhaps you can look at the big picture, I know, I doubt you can...but lets try anyway.

First and foremost, I have not seen ONE, not ONE person who says you have to eliminate the foriegn lands aspect altogether, but instead enhance it to make it more small children prefered.
Second, IF you have had or have small kids, and by this I am stating 10 and under, and they are really fascinated by learning about foreign lands....then good for you, my guess is they didn't get it from you though.

At some point, some of you "purists" who sit on your ivory towers and judge what TWDC should do or should not do without a modicum of business sense or understanding of the current market need to face reality. Reality is things change, WDW changes and HAS to change to be up to date and relevant. This is one minor way to appeal to the younger kids, and at the same time maintain the same features for those who are older. Win/win.

I am fascinated by how many poster IN this thread, and others who bemoan the fact Disney is not doing anything for the parks, and then when something is announced...pounce on it and do nothing but complain about what they have done. Really?

Folks, Disney is a business. ALL businesses change to what the majority audience or consumer wants. Yes, they have stepped away from what the original plan and hope was, but so has their consumer. Maybe you should pay attention to that.

 

[Phicinfan]

This whole Frozen in WS move was very smart on Dinsey's part. If you look at it from a purely business move, Frozen fans will flock to EPCOT, EPCOT will certainly see a HUGE bump in attendance and Disney did not have to spend much to do it.

That is what is upsetting most of us on here... it's obvious this is another cash grab.

In an ideal world MK gets a beautiful Arendele land expansion with Frozen E-Ticket and Elsa Ice castle with restaurant and shop. DHS gets it's rumored Pixar place expansion and Star-Wars land. AK gets it's AK expansion and general park refurb and night time entertainment making it a full day park. EPCOT gets a full park refurb adding a couple E-tickets in Future World and WS gets refurbs across the board.

That's probably what WDW deserves. Not sure how much that would all cost, I am no expert, but I would guess we are talking easily 5b+ for that sort of plan.

Or they could just spend 75 mil at EPCOT, AK expansion is underway, they keep stringing us along on the idea of a DHS redo, and MK just got NFL, sooooo.... yea we all have a right to be ****ed about this.

But we certainly shouldn't be bickering with each other about the merits of World Showcase.

While I don't disagree, I would point out the following:
1) WDW just did a huge expansion in MK.
2) WDW is working currently to restage DTD
3) WDW has started a huge expansion and major changes in AK.
4) WDW has plans to expand, and thus has closed attractions in DHS to make room for these.

Now, does Epcot need love to...I could agree with most that it may need it more, although I prefer money spent in DHS first. That all being said, does anyone really expect WDW to suddenly start doing total rehab and rebuild of Epcot...while all the above is happened or happening?

Yes, this is a cash grab. yes this was a way to attract more young kids. It is also a lower cost way to get more new folks into Epcot, while the above is happening. Hopefully this isn't the only thing.