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

[novawildcat18]

I posted this on http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/predict-frozen-in-epcot.890118/page-2#post-6326031

It will probably just be an overlay..
Olaf's head greets you as you come on the chain lift, then you're in Arendelle and it's covered in snow then you pass by Anna who's going the direction you're going to look for Elsa. Doors open to reveal Elsa and Anna arguing and she strikes her with the magic sending your boat backwards, as you go backwards on your left side, the trolls are singing "fixer upper" and then, what used to be a waterfall is now the window of the room where olaf comes to help rescue Anna and get him to Kristoff. Then Olaf says "come, this way!" and you go down this small drop and there's a wall blocking two small scenes, one where Elsa is crying over Anna's frozen ice body, then it goes dark and you hear Olaf say "An act of true love thaws a frozen heart" dah dah dah dah dramatic music, final scene, waving as passengers go to the station (such as little mermaid) the end.

The overlaid attraction.


Although I like your marshmallow backwards sequence better! :3

People may disagre...But I actually really like this idea, minus the Fixer Upper scene. That will probably be replaced with something else, since that seems to be the least popular song from the movie.

 

[WondersOfLife]

People may disagre...But I actually really like this idea, minus the Fixer Upper scene. That will probably be replaced with something else, since that seems to be the least popular song from the movie.

Maybe that's where Marshmallow will be..

 

[Mike S]

Love ya Mike, but unless they were building a brand new attraction on a brand new plot of land (which I think we all agree would have been preferable, though again, that wasn't enough for TLM), it really was the most logical place to go.

It's not that I don't think Disney is cheap. It's not that I'm not disgusted overall by the situation that they have allowed the parks to turn into. And it's not like I won't miss Maelstrom (quirky dark rides are why I love theme parks).

But...in this case...if you cut through all the WS baggage, they are doing several things folks have said they wanted - put more modern non-Pixar attractions in the park (specifically C/D dark rides) in particular - it's just that Disney is doing it in a place they don't like. It ain't perfect, but while I understand and believe that some folks are truly upset about the ride itself going away, as you are, a large portion of the folks jumping out of the woodwork on this I doubt have even ridden it this decade.

Characters are also all over WS, and have been for 30 of the park's 33ish years (thanks to the folks earlier who corrected me, the characters weren't there in '82 for a few more years when the Character Bus started, and character meet and greets have been there for decades as well). Folks are qualifying it now "well this is the first time in a ride (oh wait, Mexico)...well, the first fictional place (oh wait, Maelstrom already was a fantasy ride with fictional characters and locations)...well, the first time there is a fantasy ride with characters!"

That said - again - I am totally with you and understand your affection to the ride. My comments have been directed more towards the extreme hyperbole. I know the feeling - SWSA is derided by most but it was my absolute favorite ride anywhere ever. But now there is a ride that "sort of" replaced it in SDMT, and will probably be enjoyed by more guests (though I wish they would have kept both of course).

So really, I feel ya - I already have been searching out the best videos I can find since I won't be able to get down for a last ride. I'm not happy it's going away, and pointing out the more critical things about it isn't pleasant for me, because I do like it quite a lot - but...I feel like some folks posting who don't care as much about the ride itself are revising history just a bit already.

SWSA is a ride I miss as well and SDMT can never truly replace it. My trips to Magic Kingdom haven't been quite the same since it closed and I made the trip to ride it the week of its closure (couldn't make it the day of). There's one memory of the ride I'll always have with my uncle. As the Witch turned around he exclaimed loudly "(insert name of his wife here) when did you get here"?!?!?!?! We were DYING. Sadly, this same thing will now happen in Epcot. It will never be the same for me without that ride on Maelstrom and hearing the Trolls telling me to "disappear, disappear"!!!!!! The true salt in the wound is the fact that Tokyo is getting exactly what we should be as well, not this stupid "refurd". Every addition to WDW is being done in the cheapest way possible and frankly I'm sick of it. Not sure if I'll be renewing my annual pass in November.

 

[Phil12]

Are they the only country to cease participation in their Epcot counterpart?

Is this going to set a precedent?

According to Yesterland, national governments have never had any involvement with the World Showcase Pavilions: (except for Morocco)
http://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html

 

[dstrawn9889]

Of the eleven pavilions, Norway and Morocco were not present at the park's opening, and were added later. Each pavilion contains themed architecture, landscapes, streetscapes, attractions, shops, and restaurants representing the respective country's culture and cuisine. In an effort to maintain the authenticity of the represented countries, the pavilions are primarily staffed by citizens of the respective countries as part of the Cultural Representative Program through J-1 visa agreements. Some pavilions also contain themed rides, shows, and live entertainment representative of the respective country. The only pavilion that is directly sponsored by the government of its respective country is Morocco, the remaining pavilions are primarily sponsored by private companies with affiliations to the represented countries. Pavilions for Russia, Switzerland, Spain, Venezuela, United Arab Emirates, and Israel have occasionally been rumored as potential future pavilions but have never made it past the planning phases to date. ---wiki YES YES YES I now it is wikipedia...

 

[AEfx]

I believe Norway has pulled out of the pavilion.

Interesting...

They did go out of their way in the PR release (well DisneyBlog post, same diff, LOL) to say "complement" to Norway. So I'm still not expecting it to actually change the pavilion name/facade, but...interesting nonetheless.

I'm going to get pummeled for even putting this into words, but can you imagine if they really did replace Norway with Frozen's castle, and then proceeded to do the same to every single pavilion after each associated princess - and put rides in all those empty ride slots we know exist. The facades largely could even stay thematically - it would be the most themed Fantasy-land of them all, LOL.

Now, I'd never actually want that to happen - number one reason, Disney would cheap out and it would be done sans rides and "World Showcase...of Princesses" would be underwhelming, if they did go all out and spend a billion bucks to do it - three things would happen. One, CityWalk would have to build a new parking structure immediately, as well as more room for standing taxi's. Two, half of Disney fandom would require serious medical attention. Three, they'd make Potter's wand wilt in comparison for driving theme park attendance.

Sad, but you know it's true.

 

[AEfx]

The true salt in the wound is the fact that Tokyo is getting exactly what we should be as well, not this stupid "refurd". Every addition to WDW is being done in the cheapest way possible and frankly I'm sick of it. Not sure if I'll be renewing my annual pass in November.

The thing about Tokyo is - that one we just have to get used to. It's been that way a long time. And, when it comes to Fantasyland, HM, and PotC - Paris is pretty stunning in dark ride tech. It will be that way until Disney gets it's head out of it's behind and figures out that it's original theme parks need to be the flagship parks again.

That's why I also hear you about the AP thing. Living over 1,000 miles away, I still had an AP for most of my adult life until a couple of years ago. Just wasn't going down as much - prices went up, quality going down, nothing new and exciting - and that's when I started visiting Disneyland. They aren't Tokyo, but they get a lot of quality stuff there, are a lot easier to manage, and have some awesome stuff in the general LA area to visit as well.

 

[flynnibus]

They aren't replacing it with Ratatouille or Stitch. They are replacing it with a film so appropriate for the pavilion, it was so obvious a fit that according to the posts above, even Jim Hill predicted it.

You confuse 'appropriate' with 'predictable'

When the fool is predictable.. it doesn't make the fool a genius.. it makes him more a fool.

 

[JWG]

I think Norway pulled out long ago, isn't that why they're a character dining experience and have been for some time?

 

[FutureCEO]

I don't know who said it, saw it on here somewhere. But is Norway leaving? I mean with Frozen, why should Norway be there?

edit: found my information


I don't understand the value of having a country to pay for a ride like a corporate sponsorship? I wonder how much sponsorship pays off, if it does?

 

[aladdin2007]

I think Norway pulled out long ago, isn't that why they're a character dining experience and have been for some time?

the funding stopped around 02-03. There have been several (and a couple big) attempts since but to no avail. Most recent and last, was last month.

 

[aladdin2007]

I don't know who said it, saw it on here somewhere. But is Norway leaving? I mean with Frozen, why should Norway be there?

Where do I begin lol. someone else please?

 

[PhotoDave219]

As I explained had you read on, Maelstrom was already considered by many to already be what folks are accusing this of being...just sans characters. Trolls and Nordic Gods? You do realize they are fantasy, right? So one fantasy ride inspired by things not even specific to Norway (trolls and nordic gods are inspired by countries in that entire region, Norway just put up the dough), being replaced by a fantasy ride inspired by the actual country in particular.

I just don't think it's much different, except that folks see "character" and go EW! Which is their prerogative, but I think folks are missing the similarities aside from that.



This is the funniest thing I have ever read on this forum. Ever. And that's saying a lot - so kudos to you!

The fact that anyone would ever call me an "apologist" is such an absurd notion that you might as well call @PhotoDave219 a monk or @marni1971 the slow kid in class who doesn't remember anything.

I'm a realist. I accept that since the beginning, WS really has been a really well-themed shopping mall. If it ever was this bastion of cultural experience that folks think it was, there would have been extensive walk-throughs in every one, and far more specific detail/information included. It wasn't. If you really go back and read what folks have said about it over the years that was "culturally enriching" it was conversations with the folks who work in the pavilions.

Disney put a grand show on - convincing folks that it was some cultural masterpiece where one went to have deep experiences, but like the best of Disney - it was an illusion.



Guys, I'm going to mark this post to refer back to whenever someone says people aren't going off the absolute deep end about this...

A monk.... That's hillarious

 

[MausCouture]

To be completely honest, I'm truly in awe that Frozen has grown to be as popular as it is.......The movie was mediocre at best. As for the overlay I'm ed!! It does not belong in World Showcase! If you want a Frozen attraction fine! but, in WS? REALLY? Why not a Frozen overlay at Blizzard Beach???

 

[AEfx]

A monk.... That's hillarious

It was the best I could come up with that was the opposite of horn dog.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

79 pages in 3 days. Must be a record...

 

[Cesar R M]

75 pages in 4 days. I understand the arguments and all, and emotionally I agree. A few memories of the past haunt. I visited Epcot in 1983 and found it to be unusual, interesting, and full of potential. The other people that I visited with (all young adults) were bored. Over the years with many visits in many groups, Epcot became my favorite park, but nobody that I knew agreed with me. Nobody. Eventually Disney added Characters to FW in response to complaints and more people came.

Recently several families I know who are planning trips are skipping a day at Epcot and planning more time at Universal. A limited sample but still interesting.

I'm guessing that Disney has gobs of data showing that Epcot has aging demographics and declining margins. They see in Frozen a single opportunity to create a demand and bring in a ton of families who might have skipped the park. And it will probably be a great attraction and do exactly what Disney wants with attendance.

I think that they do care what people think. I they fully realize it will forever alter the world showcase. I don't personally want Frozen in Norway. I also think that more characters are inevitable in the WS.

You know they have rotten Management,when they only think of Frozen as the solution for every problem.

 

[Cesar R M]

What in the heck cost them $50 mil?

The termination paychecks to those imagineers who refused the update?

 

[Cesar R M]

Over at the Disney Parks Blog, a bunch of comments critical of the Frozen attraction seem to have gotten through! Fancy that!

I picture the CM who vets the comments cartoonishly snoozing with their feet on their desk, keys dangling out of their pocket, just within reach of a scrappy gang of disgruntled Maelstrom lovers.

Wont be long before they get removed.

Frozen toilets would keep people from "sitting" too long. Keeps the line moving.

Dont forget the LET IT GO song as you flush.

 

[englanddg]

As I explained had you read on, Maelstrom was already considered by many to already be what folks are accusing this of being...just sans characters. Trolls and Nordic Gods? You do realize they are fantasy, right? So one fantasy ride inspired by things not even specific to Norway (trolls and nordic gods are inspired by countries in that entire region, Norway just put up the dough), being replaced by a fantasy ride inspired by the actual country in particular.

Yes. That country is Denmark.

Chalk up another "rewrite" for Disney because the opening song was arranged by a Norwegian of a Danish song written by a Danish composer and could be linked with a DANISH fairy tale written by a Dane.

<sarcasm> Yep, that's some solid reasoning to revamp a classic ride right there. </sarcasm>