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

[lazyboy97o]

its still San Francisco with a Japanese overlay.

And Frozen is still an American film, made by an Anerican studio, with American voice actors. It is Americana. Nothing about the story or themes are specifically Norwegian. It's the aesthetic. Frozen is an American film with a Norwegian overlay.

 

[Communicore]

Careful now, they might rename 'World Showcase' to 'Disney's World Showcase' and fictionalize them all...

I'm all for that!

 

[Phicinfan]

considering they have so many empty slots (in World Showcase, and even entire pavilions empty) where they can build stuff. And also have a long line up of attractions that were NOT BUILD due of $$$..
yeah right...

Here is your flaw, you are assuming the research came back that there is wanting more of the same. Perhaps this move is to show that the data has come back and they don't want more of the same.

We don't have the data. Folks here assume because they want more, most everyone else does. That is flawed logic.

My guess, being in the world where we have to react to consumer research that data is trending that folks want more movie tie ins, or IP in Epcot, not just a shopping trip or visit to outdated country pavillions or just more alcohol.

 

[Phicinfan]

Your exactly right. It is a HUGE market. So what does Disney do for it? The minimum. And Im glad the parks werent created with the "fastest way" method. Epcot was not in desperate need of anything like this. It may have needed an ADDITIONAL attraction to help with wait times around the park, but alas, it still has the same amount, and now, that ride will have an even higher wait time. Big gain there! You can keep thinking that Im missing your point and then resort to insults, it mostly confirms you have no other logical reasoning left.

Again you see minimum, I see a quick hit to increase interest until more changes can be made. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither is any major expansions in Disney.

 

[Travel Junkie]

And Frozen is still an American film, made by an Anerican studio, with American voice actors. It is Americana. Nothing about the story or themes are specifically Norwegian. It's the aesthetic. Frozen is an American film with a Norwegian overlay.

Which is one of the reasons Frozen doesn’t belong in WS. The film isn’t representative of Norwegian cultures and traditions. It is an American film that just so happens to take place in a snowy climate that contains some geographical features similar to those in Norway. Frozen does not represent what Norway is and that is the purpose of WS.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Here is your flaw, you are assuming the research came back that there is wanting more of the same. Perhaps this move is to show that the data has come back and they don't want more of the same.

We don't have the data. Folks here assume because they want more, most everyone else does. That is flawed logic.

My guess, being in the world where we have to react to consumer research that data is trending that folks want more movie tie ins, or IP in Epcot, not just a shopping trip or visit to outdated country pavillions or just more alcohol.

This new attraction is more of the same. Iger has said he has only one vision for the parks: franchises.

 

[Rodan75]

Here is your flaw, you are assuming the research came back that there is wanting more of the same. Perhaps this move is to show that the data has come back and they don't want more of the same.

We don't have the data. Folks here assume because they want more, most everyone else does. That is flawed logic.

My guess, being in the world where we have to react to consumer research that data is trending that folks want more movie tie ins, or IP in Epcot, not just a shopping trip or visit to outdated country pavillions or just more alcohol.

So something I've learned on these boards is that there is no point in debating folks on the Epcot Theme. Folks are very passionate about it and rarely swayed by any other feedback/discussion.

I think Disney is doing a disservice to these fans by not announcing their long term intentions with a park that desperately needs attention because it isn't giving folks the ability to mourn. Old Epcot fans are just stuck in this state.

 

[spacemt354]

Again you see minimum, I see a quick hit to increase interest until more changes can be made. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither is any major expansions in Disney.

Wasn't built in a day, but the notion that Epcot was built in 3 years and one frozen overlay will be completed in 1.5 is kinda sad.

Sure the Norway/frozen will be popular at its inception, but unless the attraction is quality it will only appeal to the "Frozenites" after time.

They aren't off to a good start shoehorning frozen into a 3 minute boat ride within a country that the film doesn't take place in.

 

[Phicinfan]

So something I've learned on these boards is that there is no point in debating folks on the Epcot Theme. Folks are very passionate about it and rarely swayed by any other feedback/discussion.

I think Disney is doing a disservice to these fans by not announcing their long term intentions with a park that desperately needs attention because it isn't giving folks the ability to mourn. Old Epcot fans are just stuck in this state.

Yes, I have noticed

That being said, I can understand it. Epcot as they point out was not to be "another theme park" it was meant to be different. I am of the opinion, that there will be a change, a revamp to make it more "themeish" is that a word? It is a shame, but again, with all the global travel that is more prevalent, a park set aside to showcase different lands is a bit outdated. Just my opinion granted.

But I think with the changes that are happening, you will see a change in theme at Epcot in the not too distant future.

 

[Rodan75]

Yes, I have noticed

That being said, I can understand it. Epcot as they point out was not to be "another theme park" it was meant to be different. I am of the opinion, that there will be a change, a revamp to make it more "themeish" is that a word? It is a shame, but again, with all the global travel that is more prevalent, a park set aside to showcase different lands is a bit outdated. Just my opinion granted.

But I think with the changes that are happening, you will see a change in theme at Epcot in the not too distant future.

I agree...and I think the powers that be would be wise to let the gnashing of teeth officially begin by giving the insiders this knowledge so they can start the grieving process. Frozen may be the first foray into that, but without an overall idea of what is happening in WS...it isn't enough.

 

[Cesar R M]

And Frozen is still an American film, made by an Anerican studio, with American voice actors. It is Americana. Nothing about the story or themes are specifically Norwegian. It's the aesthetic. Frozen is an American film with a Norwegian overlay.

swing and miss.

using that silly excuse, then all disney cartoons are "American" and thus fit in the US pavilion.

 

[Cesar R M]

Here is your flaw, you are assuming the research came back that there is wanting more of the same. Perhaps this move is to show that the data has come back and they don't want more of the same.

We don't have the data. Folks here assume because they want more, most everyone else does. That is flawed logic.

My guess, being in the world where we have to react to consumer research that data is trending that folks want more movie tie ins, or IP in Epcot, not just a shopping trip or visit to outdated country pavillions or just more alcohol.

you're implying its "more of the same".
And also you're forgetting that EPCOT is not for these kind of stuff.
If they wanted kid fantasy stuff.. theres Magic Kingdom for that.

to resume, you're moving goalposts and excusing it as "marketing research" to sound educated.

 

[Travel Junkie]

swing and miss.

using that silly excuse, then all disney cartoons are "American" and thus fit in the US pavilion.

They don’t belong in ANY WS pavilion. They belong in lands that focus on fiction.

 

[DisDan]

And Frozen is still an American film, made by an Anerican studio, with American voice actors. It is Americana. Nothing about the story or themes are specifically Norwegian. It's the aesthetic. Frozen is an American film with a Norwegian overlay.

Ironic...now are we getting an American ride with a Norwegian overlay....lol

 

[George]

Uh no, a kick in the shin is an attack, this is a move to change, which most probably feel is positive, unlike some here.

I don't know if this is true. My kids (11 and 9 are unsure of this, in part, because they liked Maelstrom). The 9 year old in particular is a huge Frozen fan. I just hired a new lab tech. He found out I was from Florida and we wound up talking about theme parks. He, asked me, if I had heard about the "Frozen in Norway thing, because it didn't make any sense to him and his wife".

I also have a fundamental disagreement with surveys and the like that everyone is bringing up for two reasons. 1) Disney's surveys don't seem to be completely unbiased and 2) Disney was and is at its best when they doing something so well that you didn't even know you wanted it. "Huh, a ride based on the Twilight Zone. Who cares about that old show? (later in the day) Holy carp on a stick. That was the greatest thing ever."

If they don't have the cajones to maintain EPCOT and try thematically appropriate things just rename the place, "Magic Kingdom II, with a little residual weirdness left over from a prior time spent as a cutting edge place before we made wee wee in our pants if we had to try something a little different because it made us all scared."

 

[H2O_Mouse-Ears]

The reality of WS now though is much different. The average guest doesn't see 11 countries to learn from. The average guest sees 11 bars to drink at and a few character M&Gs/Kiddie fun spots for the kids to occupy themselves while the adults drink some more.

Not to sound like an alcoholic or anything but do not really see anything wrong with this. Do not really see this as a downside to the WS in any way. Just because there are educational opportunities doesn't mean everyone needs to take this up. Nothing wrong with enjoying the parks in your own way whatever way that may be as long as it does not negatively impact other guests.

 

[wdisney9000]

So something I've learned on these boards is that there is no point in debating folks on the Epcot Theme. Folks are very passionate about it and rarely swayed by any other feedback/discussion.

I think Disney is doing a disservice to these fans by not announcing their long term intentions with a park that desperately needs attention because it isn't giving folks the ability to mourn. Old Epcot fans are just stuck in this state.

It is a misconception to believe that some people who are not in favor of this are fearful of "loosing" Epcot to characters, or that they dont want it to change. Im not mourning Maelstrom or even upset that Mealestrom is gone. I dont hate Frozen either. Emotion has nothing to do with being against the decision of Frozen in Norway, (for me at least). It was a decision born of financial factors due to other poor financial decisions, not guest enhancement, not for kids, not for Epcot. It is the way the company is ran nowadays. I agree companies must adapt over time, but straying so far away from the core principles that you got you there have never worked for any company.

People are excited for a new attraction and i understand that. I truly do. But a bad decision is a bad decision. Putting make up on it and calling it 'marketing research' , 'appealing to kids', or whatever, doesnt change that. Neither does name calling (not saying your doing that). Its a cheap move by Disney and the fans of it dont realize they are getting a lesser product than they deserve or what the company is capable of (see Disney Tokyo Frozen). They only serve to enable more financial based decisions and less based on having a better theme park.

 

[lazyboy97o]

swing and miss.

using that silly excuse, then all disney cartoons are "American" and thus fit in the US pavilion.

All Disney cartoons, except a few like Runaway Brain, are American. The other characters in World Showcase, while definitely Anerican versions, were at least created in the represented culture.

If I made a film and put the characters in sombreros, does that make it a Mexican film?

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

I think I saw a rumor somewhere they are changing over the American Idol slot to be Frozen sign along

Something different than the Frozen Sing-A-Long show that is already at DHS?

This is what happens when you appoint a CEO who is interested in profits.

A Chief Executive Officer, whose job description is to maximize the value of a corporation, is interested in profits?! I thought he'd be interested in unicorns and rainbows!

I think Disney is doing a disservice to these fans by not announcing their long term intentions with a park that desperately needs attention because it isn't giving folks the ability to mourn. Old Epcot fans are just stuck in this state.

I don't think it would matter if Disney outlined step by step the new direction they are going in. The oldtimers would still be mourning like an Italian widow. You need only look at things that have long since disappeared that the oldtimers keep crying about. They will never ever get over it.

 

[Rodan75]

Something different than the Frozen Sing-A-Long show that is already at DHS?



A Chief Executive Officer, whose job description is to maximize the value of a corporation, is interested in profits?! I thought he'd be interested in unicorns and rainbows!



I don't think it would matter if Disney outlined step by step the new direction they are going in. The oldtimers would still be mourning like an Italian widow. You need only look at things that have long since disappeared that the oldtimers keep crying about. They will never ever get over it.

I don't know. Look at the MDE stuff, 2 years ago the debate was so very heated, but folks got it out of their systems and eventually started to buy into it as it went through its implementation phase and only complain about the cost now. The system (mostly) works as designed and Disney followed through on their promise. They announced it, let folks freak out (and likely changed the plan in accordance with concerns) and it turned out okay. My theory in most thing is: Treat people like adults and they will normally behave like adults.

What freaks folks out is the unknown and apparently CEOs who try to appease wall street.