Wow, now this is Disney quality. Why are we second class? Is our great attendance actually hurting us? Do they feel we will just keep coming?
Well, you sortof hinted at it yourself.
I think it will need to show some wow factor not just the same use of Malstrom with a different background. Some impressive tech will show its just not a rush to jump on the frozen craze.
As I said, that's exactly what this is. I'd feel differently if TDS wasn't getting Arendelle, but obviously they have thought that through. So, that's exactly what this is. Jumping on the Frozen craze.
@CaptainAmerica hinted at part of their reasoning (to attract guests to EPCOT and away from Magic Kingdom), but in reality they could have done a bit more with it, even if they stuck with Norway, by expanding further into the empty pad next to Norway, and possibly even a bit into the backstage area.
But, they want the ride open, and they want it open quick. So, minor track path changes, slap in some scenery and new animatronics, retheme the queue (well, they actually are moving the queue, but...)...boom...ride done.
You mentioned "Frozen haters" before (and, I'm one of them I suppose, I don't think the movie is nearly as good as others do...but <shrug>)...but that's not really what has most people upset. It's the fact that, had Disney put a little more thought and effort, even leaving it in Norway, they could have made this "fit" with World Showcase.
For example, they could have built ANOTHER ride (giving an extra ride to a park that sorely needs more attractions) at Norway on the empty pad, and had the queue path transition you from the world of "Norway" into the "stories of Norway" into Hans Christian Anderson tales into the Snow Queen and lastly Oaken's Trading shop (which is a great idea for a queue, so I'm glad they did that). And, while that would have fit better than reskinning an existing ride, it also would have added to the park ride capacity instead of just maintaining it.
But, they didn't do that. They didn't even try. Norway is now Frozen-ville. Pulled straight out of Fantasyland and slapped into World Showcase. And THAT (not the ride itself) is what people are generally upset and disturbed about.
And, seeing what TDS is getting is just Disney rubbing salt in the wound (that land could easily have been put in Hollywood Studios and fit just fine...better in Fantasyland, in terms of theme, but it could work at Hollywood Studios as well.)
