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Frozen ride replacing Maelstrom?
- Thread starter ryan1
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aladdin2007
Well-Known Member
Update---I can confirm Norway is not going away. While the official source could not go into details, the meetings did go well last week actually. Though without government support it was difficult, but sounds like something was agreed upon, just maybe not as much as Norway had hoped. But I can tell you Disney does understand the need to keep some Norwegian aspects and feelings in place. Yes the pavilion is going to be updated, but its sounding like Frozen might be a tool used to showcase Norway. Hopefully. Though the word Frozen was never mentioned in the info shared with me just words around it that I think alluded to it. There was more but it could not be shared at this time with me yet.
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majortom1981
Active Member
I don't understand why people are upset. What if its frozen presents Norway? I don't mind if its something like that.
dgp602
Well-Known Member
I think people are upset, and this is only my guess, for two reasons: One is because they object to the "cartoon-ization" ( I just made up that word!! ) of World Showcase. Currently it is viewed as mostly an adult area, and bringing cartoon princesses into this area opens the door to the re-theming other countries ( China re-themed into Mulan for example ). Two, the sudden rush to re-theme ( read: cheap overlay ) as opposed to taking some time to create a unique attraction for this very successful movie will result in a cheap re-do that will be in the form of a new paint job, cheesy audio and cardboard style characters....
Gomer
Well-Known Member
Every time I’m ready to jump off the fjord (is it jump off or jump in a fjord? The fjord is the name for the negative space right, but “jump in” sounds less impactful) you bring new hope. You’re killing me with this back and forth.
In a good way though. Thanks so much for the info! Here’s hoping this may not turn out as bad as we feared.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Why can't something Norwegian present Norway? Is Norway so uninteresting that it needs an American film to make it somewhat palatable?
majortom1981
Active Member
Gomer
Well-Known Member
People don’t watch the movie because its dated, boring, and because people just don’t like to waste 10 minutes sitting down when they could be moving onto other attractions. I don’t see why that means the only possible solution is sending in American characters to trick the Frozen Freaks into watching.
Any changes they made to that film would increase viewership, even just cleaning up the print and getting some new, better shot, stock footage.
Although, the one thing the Frozen changes are speculated to be doing that I like , is the idea of moving the load/unload to the village and adding a new scene in the old load area. If they would just do that and plus the Maelstrom ride with some new effects, I think they’d still have lines out the door for that ride. Why bother wasting frozen where it isn’t needed when Maelstrom is still pulling in crowds in a WS barren of rides.
majortom1981
Active Member
Are you sure Maelstrom gets crowds because of its content or because its one of the only rides in world showcase? IF Norway doesn't want to put in any money for the pavilion why should Disney stick to the old ride? I still doesn't see why adding Anna and Elsa narrating a ride about Norway and maybe adding them to the movie at the end would be bad? IF the ride is still about showcasing Norway with just Disney characters narrating whats the big deal ?
aladdin2007
Well-Known Member
Every time I’m ready to jump off the fjord (is it jump off or jump in a fjord? The fjord is the name for the negative space right, but “jump in” sounds less impactful) you bring new hope. You’re killing me with this back and forth.
I feel like a yo yo with it myself, but I was glad to hear that Disney knows it needs to retain some Norwegian aspects (though it should be ALL Norwegian aspects), I really dont know anything about the Frozen plan but it was sounding like to me anyway that possibly the frozen retheme will be tied into Norway. No one is speaking on that right now.
Gomer
Well-Known Member
To play this from Disney’s point of view, does it matter why its popular? I travel during the dead season and still regularly see 45 minute waits. To Disney, why it is popular is irrelevant.
As to your other point, the big deal to me is the destruction of the theme. WS is supposed to immerse you in romanticized (and typically rose colored interpretations of) world countries. They do this by enveloping you in the culture, history, and cuisine of each nation. Bringing Olaf in, to me, is no different than having Mickey narrate Reflections of China. Yes, it’s still expressing the same sentiment, but doing it in different way. And that way, changes the theming of WS from immersion into the culture, to a more removed travelogue.
Honestly, as you say, adding frozen characters to the movie would not be a big change (although I doubt that is all we’re getting). But WS is made in the details. And small details like that can have big impacts on theme.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Anna and Elsa are not Norwegian nor we they created by Norwegians. Their only connection would be Anna wearing clothes that would be familiar to Norwegians as a historical costume. Frozen isn't even inspired by a Norwegian story. I still don't understand why there was such a strong insistence on Norwegian imagery over Danish imagery or a more general Scandinavian imagery.
There are no laws that dictate that Norway must sponsor the pavilion. Disney could seek out other sponsors or just pay for it themselves.
majortom1981
Active Member
I gather you hate the princesses character meals at the Norway pavilion also ?
majortom1981
Active Member
Norway was supposed to be a combination of a couple of the countries in the area. Norway was the one who coughed up the money. So if people want to be original then Disney can add in anna and elsa and make it about all countries in the area as originally intended.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
That makes no sense. Disney has only been pushing the Norwegian angle of Frozen's inspiration. There is no mention of Denmark or Sweden, so how would adding Anna and Elsa be part of going back to the Scandinavia Pavilion concept?
xdan0920
Think for yourselfer
I do.
Gomer
Well-Known Member
Hate is a strong word. If I had my choice, I’d prefer an authentic Norwegian restaurant yes. But, I’m not unrealistic here. Princess meals are a cash cow and are pretty well hidden unless you want to partake in them. I would rather have the Akershus meal stay as is, than lose Maelstrom to a Frozen ride.
I understand that with the current Disney culture of milking its properties until they are dry and then moving on to the next, we are not likely to see WS as intended for a very long time. But, I can hope for balance so that WS retains its general intent, while still allowing Disney enough leeway to do their money printing thing.
In the end, Akershus is less offensive to me, because It could easily be removed overnight and returned to an authentic restaurant. (That would not happen if they redesign Maelstom). I wish they would do character lunches and authentic dinners, but that might be hoping for too much. Lastly, Akershus was one of the least popular restaurants in WS prior to the princess invasion even though it was in one of the most popular pavilions. Unlike Maelstrom, it’s more difficult to make an argument for keeping it when it’s not producing as Disney expects. Maelstrom, however, is doing fine without the princesses.
majortom1981
Active Member
IF they redo maelstrom like they redid the ride at mexico it would be easy to bring it back to normal. we are talking about the current Disney would rather spend the least amount of money possible. I expect anna and elsa to narrate the current Norway ride with elsa appearing the final oil platform scene and maybe them painted in the mural in the ride.
I don't expect Disney to completely take down and redo everything like everybody else expects.
I don't expect Disney to completely take down and redo everything like everybody else expects.
Gomer
Well-Known Member
That’s what people said about Tiki Room and it took what, like 15 years, horrid guest satisfactions scores, nobody seeing it for years, and a freak fire to get that one fixed.
And that attraction was insanely unpopular. I have no doubt Frozen will be popular. It will pull in a different demo than what currently frequents WS, leading to the need for more characters and more IP-centric attractions, and it will eventually change the nature of WS as we know it.
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