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

[Wikkler]

No, Lightning McQueen, or Rusteez But you've got the spirit!

That was sarcasm.

 

[DisDan]

Just because MK has capacity differences with other parks does not make it ok to shoehorn an attraction in somewhere it doesn't belong. And if this Frozen expansion was done right, on Disney construction timelines, it wouldn't be done for 5+ years. By that time, DAK will have opened it's expansion, DHS hopefully will be rebuilt. Two major changes to help that crowd-spreading problem.

And the plans for DHS are not public yet. In fact, they seem to be changing for most of the previous year. Frozen could have been worked into the plans at any point last year.

Again without rehashing the same debate about "doesn't belong" I will say this. It's obvious Disney is trying to capitalize on the Frozen craze in the near term. My assumption all along is that Disney is looking at this as "Where can we get Frozen into our parks RIGHT NOW?". EPCOT, being the only park without and short term plans that we know of, is in dire need of something new to attract people in. That is why I said while you may or may not agree with it, it really is the only reasonable place to put an attraction that fit the timeline they wanted. That, and there were already issues with funding for the Norway pavilion.

 

[Phicinfan]

spoilsport

 

[wdisney9000]

this is really the only reasonable option to do a Frozen attraction RIGHT NOW!.

So, for the sake of "RIGHT NOW" people will sacrifice a better attraction in a more appropriate setting? Thats the instant gratification mentality that plagues the world today. We live in a 'quick fix' society. If I have to go to the bathroom "RIGHT NOW" should I just soil myself since there is no restroom around? It would be the only reasonable option, right?

-He who seeks order shall find gratification. He who seeks gratification will only be disappointed.

-Moshe Safdie

 

[Zac Skellington]

There's so many expansion pads in the WS though that the loss of one really doesn't make a difference. It's not like there are tons of other plans coming down the pike that will have to be cancelled due to not having space now.

In fact, due to China and Norway being right next to each other, the expansion pad between Mexico and Norway would probably be the last one used if they were adding multiple countries.

Hi, Doctor Nick!

I know what you're saying, but giving this a pass because it's better than nothing doesn't sit well with me. Once one plot falls, others are sure to follow. While there is a possibility we could get them back, we know that won't happen.
Maybe they are to scale, but this illustration makes the plots seem larger than they appear on an actual map. The plot being used for the M&G (#1), is actually quite large by comparison. Seems like a waste to me.

#1, #7, and #8 are all pretty much gone.
#2 has a weird shape that would probably make it merge in with #3.
That takes us down to 4 plots: #'s 2/3, 4, 5, and 6. Instead of expanding existing countries to the rear, any one of these remaining plots could be used for adding attractions instead.

 

[Rodan75]

I guess I am too open minded. I am a huge disney fan, and have spent the last 6 years visiting Disney world.

That being said, Epcot is my least favorite. Why? Lack of changes.

For those here who are purists I get it, I understand the frustration of change for change sake, and the loss of the main theme for which WS was developed. That being said, I hope you don't lose the fact that Disney in and of itself is a world of fantasy. Meant to be a way to get away from what is, and focus on what could be.

Deep in my heart, I am hoping beyond hope, that this is a trend. What trend? A tie in to what IS Disney to what IS the real world.

My point: Norway was not the whole model for Arendell for Frozen. But it is a close match. So could this be the plan....take an existing foriegn land, and find the tie in with a fantasy movie that is close? I hope so.

I hope that way we see maybe in the future:
England - and an attraction to Peter pan or Mary Poppins...OH WAIT - isn't there a Mary Poppins M&G now?? Hmmm..

China and Mulan would be great to have some type of tie in
Canada and Brother bear??
American Pavilion - oh heck we could choose many, but a classic like lady and the Tramp?

My point is, they need to update this, and do it in Disney style. Make the tie in so you SEE what the real world is like and other cultures, but also tie in some fantasy items like what Disney films tie in.

I know this is not a popular idea, and there are many purists who will frown on this. But I think this would be a great way to revitalize a lagging park, and bring even more younger families in.

then my hopes are the Baymax tie in with Innovations rumors are true, as that would be a great tie in and fit as well.

I'm with ya! I hope the Baymax rumor is true, and going further that the rat makes its way into France and that the Day of the Dead movie that Pixar was/is working on takes over some of the Mexico theme and even lead to a Day of the Dead type party/event.

 

[Mike730]

 

[DisDan]

So, for the sake of "RIGHT NOW" people will sacrifice a better attraction in a more appropriate setting? Thats the instant gratification mentality that plagues the world today. We live in a 'quick fix' society. If I have to go to the bathroom "RIGHT NOW" should I just soil myself since there is no restroom around? It would be the only reasonable option, right?

-He who seeks order shall find gratification. He who seeks gratification will only be disappointed.

-Moshe Safdie

Yep! and therein lies the problem. Disney is not in the business of well thought out long term plans for WDW anymore. None the less, the masses are screaming for Frozen and this is what Disney is delivering.

 

[danlb_2000]

I guess I am too open minded. I am a huge disney fan, and have spent the last 6 years visiting Disney world.

That being said, Epcot is my least favorite. Why? Lack of changes.

For those here who are purists I get it, I understand the frustration of change for change sake, and the loss of the main theme for which WS was developed. That being said, I hope you don't lose the fact that Disney in and of itself is a world of fantasy. Meant to be a way to get away from what is, and focus on what could be.

Deep in my heart, I am hoping beyond hope, that this is a trend. What trend? A tie in to what IS Disney to what IS the real world.

My point: Norway was not the whole model for Arendell for Frozen. But it is a close match. So could this be the plan....take an existing foriegn land, and find the tie in with a fantasy movie that is close? I hope so.

I hope that way we see maybe in the future:
England - and an attraction to Peter pan or Mary Poppins...OH WAIT - isn't there a Mary Poppins M&G now?? Hmmm..

China and Mulan would be great to have some type of tie in
Canada and Brother bear??
American Pavilion - oh heck we could choose many, but a classic like lady and the Tramp?

My point is, they need to update this, and do it in Disney style. Make the tie in so you SEE what the real world is like and other cultures, but also tie in some fantasy items like what Disney films tie in.

I know this is not a popular idea, and there are many purists who will frown on this. But I think this would be a great way to revitalize a lagging park, and bring even more younger families in.

then my hopes are the Baymax tie in with Innovations rumors are true, as that would be a great tie in and fit as well.

If they can get the rights from Universal I think American Adventure should be re-themed to Captain America: The First Avenger because kids today need to be taught about how the US helped defeat Red Skull.

 

[danlb_2000]

Again without rehashing the same debate about "doesn't belong" I will say this. It's obvious Disney is trying to capitalize on the Frozen craze in the near term. My assumption all along is that Disney is looking at this as "Where can we get Frozen into our parks RIGHT NOW?". EPCOT, being the only park without and short term plans that we know of, is in dire need of something new to attract people in. That is why I said while you may or may not agree with it, it really is the only reasonable place to put an attraction that fit the timeline they wanted. That, and there were already issues with funding for the Norway pavilion.

And this is what is wrong with today's Disney, they are looking at short term gain and easy ways to make a quick buck.

 

[Figment2005]

If an Occupy World Showcase was organized against this to take place in front of the expansion pad I would attend.

So you would pay Disney to enter the park so that you could then protest? Sounds logical to me...

 

[Magenta Panther]

PUPPEHS!

 

[PhilharMagician]

actually that is only connected to the pad along the side and around the back, not in it. If your referring to the two big ones next to Germany. For those who dont know, theres two there together, and then one between Ger and It.

No, I understand that the expansion pad is not in the canal. The fire barge docks and refills along the canal which boarders the expansion pad #2.

 

[wdisney9000]

I guess I am too open minded. I am a huge disney fan, and have spent the last 6 years visiting Disney world.

That being said, Epcot is my least favorite. Why? Lack of changes.

For those here who are purists I get it, I understand the frustration of change for change sake, and the loss of the main theme for which WS was developed. That being said, I hope you don't lose the fact that Disney in and of itself is a world of fantasy. Meant to be a way to get away from what is, and focus on what could be.

Deep in my heart, I am hoping beyond hope, that this is a trend. What trend? A tie in to what IS Disney to what IS the real world.

My point: Norway was not the whole model for Arendell for Frozen. But it is a close match. So could this be the plan....take an existing foriegn land, and find the tie in with a fantasy movie that is close? I hope so.

I hope that way we see maybe in the future:
England - and an attraction to Peter pan or Mary Poppins...OH WAIT - isn't there a Mary Poppins M&G now?? Hmmm..

China and Mulan would be great to have some type of tie in
Canada and Brother bear??
American Pavilion - oh heck we could choose many, but a classic like lady and the Tramp?

My point is, they need to update this, and do it in Disney style. Make the tie in so you SEE what the real world is like and other cultures, but also tie in some fantasy items like what Disney films tie in.

I know this is not a popular idea, and there are many purists who will frown on this. But I think this would be a great way to revitalize a lagging park, and bring even more younger families in.

then my hopes are the Baymax tie in with Innovations rumors are true, as that would be a great tie in and fit as well.

Wouldnt all of that just turn Epcot into MK 2.0? Why not just put another Peter Pan ride in HS and AK while theyre at it? Would people ride it? Of course, but it does not make it proper. Diversity is a wonderful thing. Its what distinguishes one park from another.

I love walking through WS with my niece and nephews and watching them speak with the CM's from other countries and learn how to say hello and goodbye in another language. We watch the videos in the countries and they ask me questions. They learn things at WS and have fun doing it. A CM speaking to them in French is just as cool as Peter Pan. Resorting to characters in WS is just plain lazy and completely not needed.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

But they DID remove Maelstrom to stick Frozen in there. Besides, Frozen has most certainly not earned a place at EPCOT. I'm not a fan of putting up with something for a quarter century because TDO is cheap and lacks understanding of proper theming. Norway was good before. Now it is getting a cartoon ride.

You are right about TDO in terms of their past, but it isn't true in this case.

TDO actually can't be blamed for Maelstrom. Photodave219 and people in the know on the forums have typed that TDO no longer has that say in terms of rides in past threads. Based I what I read TDO's say has diminished for the last 2 to 4 years at least when it comes to attractions being added. This makes it not the same TDO that turned down the Monster Inc. Door coaster.

Out of anything, this is on Burbank or Glendale. Burbank/Glendale has been making the decisions on adding or getting of rides according insiders like Spirit, Photodave and others.

 

[danlb_2000]

Wouldnt all of that just turn Epcot into MK 2.0? Why not just put another Peter Pan ride in HS and AK while theyre at it? Would people ride it? Of course, but it does not make it proper. Diversity is a wonderful thing. Its what distinguishes one park from another.

I love walking through WS with my niece and nephews and watching them speak with the CM's from other countries and learn how to say hello and goodbye in another language. We watch the videos in the countries and they ask me questions. They learn things at WS and have fun doing it. A CM speaking to them in French is just as cool as Peter Pan. Resorting to characters in WS is just plain lazy and completely not needed.

Now they will learn how to say hello and goodbye in Arendelleese

 

[FigmentsFangirl]

Seeing the proposed plan for the project site my only thought in my artisty mind is to make a picture using a Once Upon a Time screenshot of Arendelle and write on it "Arendelle is coming" Or just use a map of World Showcase instead and do the same thing.....

 

[wdisney9000]

Now they will learn how to say hello and goodbye in Arendelleese

Sadly, there are parents who would prefer this over an actual language, cuz you know, thats just boring...

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Way to dilute the World Showcase even further - and take up space for potential country expansion. Ugh.

 

[flynnibus]

Out of anything, this is on Burbank or Glendale. Burbank/Glendale has been making the decisions on adding or getting of rides according insiders like Spirit, Photodave and others.

You know what they say... "you'll never know unless you ask..." - applies to park management and getting upgrades and funding too