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

lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
‹Skippy› said:
I saw the exhibit in Norway last time I visited but I cynically assumed it opened after the film garnered the immense popularity it did. In fact it opened just before the film's wide release. That improves my personal opinion of the exhibit a bit.

Looking back at the related thread on wdwmagic, it looks like that small change got the same criticism repeated in this thread. Personally, I am in the camp that is okay with the exhibit - it still tries to enlighten guests on some Norwegian history/culture. Much like The Gran Fiesta Tour still attempts to promote Mexico (The reimagining, however, was unimaginative, boring, and forgettable - as proven by the lines which are no longer than the previous version (apparently a wait of 0 was hard to beat)). Often in order to get an audience interested in learning new things, you have to find a way to relate using something they find enjoyable.

So if the Frozen attraction that is replacing Maelstrom makes an effort to focus on spreading the culture and history of the country it has been (tenuously) placed in, fantastic! At that point I imagine you will see fewer complaints about it's 'right' to be there. Grumbles about the true spirit of the park dying will always remain and have merit, but more tolerance than there is in this thread.

The reason there isn't that kind of wait and see attitude at the present is because it's hard to fathom an attraction featuring Frozen could possibly focus on anything other than the movie, Arendelle, and the characters in it.
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The ride will not be about Norway. (Tom Staggs has said it will be about the scenes and music of Frozen)
The table service restaurant is not about Norway.
The expansion will not be about Norway.
The gift shop most likely will not be mostly Norway.
Where will people discover Norway? The snack counter?
 
Skippy

Skippy

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
The ride will not be about Norway. (Tom Staggs has said it will be about the scenes and music of Frozen)
Click to expand...
I was curious to read what you were referring to, undoubtedly mentioned way earlier in this thread, but here it is from Disney Parks Blog:

"The new attraction, which replaces Maelstrom, will take our guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. The pavilion will also include a royal greeting location where Anna and Elsa can meet our guests. We think these 'Frozen' elements are great complements to the Norway Pavilion, which showcases the country and region that inspired the film."

Take them to Arendelle, a great compliment to Norway. Sounds quite like take them to Arendelle to forget they're in Norway.

lazyboy97o said:
The table service restaurant is not about Norway.
Click to expand...
The food still is, right? But princesses, princesses everywhere; I get the point. When did Akershus start doing character dining? I think I recall hearing that was a change from it's original setup, but I can't seem to easily find the history.

lazyboy97o said:
The expansion will not be about Norway.
The gift shop most likely will not be mostly Norway.
Where will people discover Norway? The snack counter?
Click to expand...
If I could put money down, I would agree with all of these points. However.
I think there is little benefit to treating our worst fears as certain fact before we even have so much as concept art. I am whole-heartedly behind discussion of those fears and how safe we are in assuming their reality.
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
‹Skippy› said:
I was curious to read what you were referring to, undoubtedly mentioned way earlier in this thread, but here it is from Disney Parks Blog:

"The new attraction, which replaces Maelstrom, will take our guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. The pavilion will also include a royal greeting location where Anna and Elsa can meet our guests. We think these 'Frozen' elements are great complements to the Norway Pavilion, which showcases the country and region that inspired the film."

Take them to Arendelle, a great compliment to Norway. Sounds quite like take them to Arendelle to forget they're in Norway.


The food still is, right? But princesses, princesses everywhere; I get the point. When did Akershus start doing character dining? I think I recall hearing that was a change from it's original setup, but I can't seem to easily find the history.


If I could put money down, I would agree with all of these points. However.
I think there is little benefit to treating our worst fears as certain fact before we even have so much as concept art. I am whole-heartedly behind discussion of those fears and how safe we are in assuming their reality.
Click to expand...
What would concept art show that would be a surprise? Olaf pointing at a map of Norway? The track isn't that long to incorporate more beyond a few songs, and theyd be even dumber to not dedicate a sizable chunk to "Let It Go."
 
NearTheEars

NearTheEars

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
The ride will not be about Norway. (Tom Staggs has said it will be about the scenes and music of Frozen)
The table service restaurant is not about Norway.
The expansion will not be about Norway.
The gift shop most likely will not be mostly Norway.
Where will people discover Norway? The snack counter?
Click to expand...

Agree on all points but the gift shop. It's still heavily Norway right now. And still quite fragrant. Then you move through a couple of rooms and Frozen R Us throws up all over. I think they'll continue to keep it separated.

Obviously all conjecture.
 
Cesar R M

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
The ride will not be about Norway. (Tom Staggs has said it will be about the scenes and music of Frozen)
The table service restaurant is not about Norway.
The expansion will not be about Norway.
The gift shop most likely will not be mostly Norway.
Where will people discover Norway? The snack counter?
Click to expand...
biggest smackdown ever.
Might need a "mic drop" emoticon.
 
Phicinfan

Phicinfan

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
You already agreed that Japan and China can be mixed and matched. You've killed any chance of being believed that you understand World Showcase or an appreciation of different cultures and peoples.
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I did not say the two cultures could mix and match, I merely said, that if China were lacking, Mulan COULD have a M&G in Japan.

What is to understand about world showcase. It is a showcase of different worlds. Pretty clear to most.

One point raised earlier...I am not sure by who...
But it was stated "you forgot the word World before showcase....meaning in this world." Again, not an exact quote, my apologies if I misread. But where does it state any where that this means "in this world?" If it said Earth Showcase, I would see the absolute clarity. I think to assume world means only this world is a bit of a stretch.
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
Phicinfan said:
I did not say the two cultures could mix and match, I merely said, that if China were lacking, Mulan COULD have a M&G in Japan.

What is to understand about world showcase. It is a showcase of different worlds. Pretty clear to most.

One point raised earlier...I am not sure by who...
But it was stated "you forgot the word World before showcase....meaning in this world." Again, not an exact quote, my apologies if I misread. But where does it state any where that this means "in this world?" If it said Earth Showcase, I would see the absolute clarity. I think to assume world means only this world is a bit of a stretch.
Click to expand...
:facepalm:
 
DisDan

DisDan

Well-Known Member
Well, I think World Showcase will eventually be renamed to Disney Showcase and will feature lands of this earth and integrate them with Disney IP. Wait a sec..... that is already happening.
 
Phicinfan

Phicinfan

Well-Known Member
George said:
That would explain why instead of a nation state or continental entry point the next pavilion is going to be the "moons of Jupiter". Even though we can assume that Io and Europa will draw the biggest lines, I hear tell they have some pretty big things planned for Amalthea.
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Not quite what I meant, but you make a point. Just saying that World could encompass actual geography as well as history of the area and its legends.
 
SpaceMountain77

SpaceMountain77

Well-Known Member
If you were to review my previous posts, then you would see that I was incredibly dismayed by the rumors and subsequent announcement of Frozen's presence in Norway. However, after my December 2014 trip to WDW, my perspective has significantly changed.

Epcot's World Showcase is far from Epcot Center's World Showcase. What once was a celebration of people, cultures and the arts is now a hodgepodge of what used to be and generic Disney. Sure, you can still visit Bijutsu-kan Gallery and Mitsukoshi, in the Japan Pavilion, and experience what Epcot Center was supposed to be. However, spaces, like this, have become more of an exception rather than a rule.

We will not get Epcot Center back. Moreover, we are now living in a time that is far different from that of the 1980s. Disney is a for-profit corporation. It is not the responsibility of the Walt Disney Company to nurture cultural awareness and understanding. If we truly want to inspire our children and future generations, we should take them to these countries and regions. Alternatively, if we cannot afford international travel, we should explore local museums. If you live in the Philadelphia area and truly want to experience Scandinavian culture, visit the American Swedish Historical Museum : http://www.americanswedish.org/ Curious about China and live in the NYC area? Visit the Museum of Chinese in America: http://www.mocanyc.org/

Museums educate. Theme parks entertain. Although Epcot's World Showcase has the potential to inspire, it should not be the sole basis of one's knowledge and understanding of world history and culture.
 
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DisDan

DisDan

Well-Known Member
SpaceMountain77 said:
If you were to review my previous posts, then you would see that I was incredibly dismayed by the rumors and subsequent announcement of Frozen's presence in Norway. However, after my December 2014 trip to WDW, my perspective has significantly changed.

Epcot's World Showcase is far from Epcot Center's World Showcase. What once was a celebration of people, cultures and the arts is now a hodgepodge of what used to be and generic Disney. Sure, you can still visit Bijutsu-kan Gallery and Mitsukoshi, in the Japan Pavilion, and experience what Epcot Center was supposed to be. However, spaces, like this, have become more of an exception rather than a rule.

We will not get Epcot Center back. Moreover, we are now living in a time that is far different from that of the 1980s. Disney is a for-profit corporation. It is not the responsibility of the Walt Disney Company to nurture cultural awareness and understanding. If we truly want to inspire our children and future generations, we should take them to these countries and regions. Alternatively, if we cannot afford international travel, we should explore local museums. If you live in the Philadelphia area and truly want to experience Scandinavian culture, visit the American Swedish Historical Museum : http://www.americanswedish.org/ Curious about China and live in the NYC area? Visit the Museum of Chinese in America: http://www.mocanyc.org/
Click to expand...

I 100% agree with your post.
 

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