Frozen ride replacing Maelstrom?

[wdisney9000]

I don't understand why people are upset. What if its frozen presents Norway? I don't mind if its something like that.

Upset? No, just dissapointed. Its a very slippery slope. Where does it end? How far should they go in utilizing characters? To the point where WS looses its identity and becomes MK 2.0? There are sooooo many places in WDW that the characters are present. Why cant WS remain a unique tour around the world? Its about culture, not cartoons. It brings a good balance, a good break from the characters we see everywhere else. If Imagineering cant come up with a way to make it interesting without using Frozen then they should just call it quits, or hire better Imagineers.

 

[lazyboy97o]

If Imagineering cant come up with a way to make it interesting without using Frozen then they should just call it quits, or hire better Imagineers.

This is what always baffles me about the "It's Disney crowd that demand more characters." If Walt Disney Imagineering is this great group of creatives why are they so dependent on others creatives to come up with something decent?

 

[Magenta Panther]

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 "Norwegianness" in place. Yes the pavilion is going to be revised and 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.

 

[NYBaloo]

Then explain the lack of people watching the movie at the end of the ride.

Geez, I love the Norway movie! We watch it every time we go. And the design of the theater seats is amazing. I'd take a dated Norwegian movie over Harry Potter World anyday

 

[Magenta Panther]

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....

Bingo!

 

[Magenta Panther]

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 ?

I think you've hit on something. If TDO left Maelstrom as it is - aside from some major refurbing, that is - but injected Anna, Elsa, Olaf et al into a new Norway film that nonetheless respected the rich heritage of that country...hey, I'd be okay with that. Personally, I love the Norway film. But I wouldn't be turned off by a bit - just a bit - of Frozen in it. And that would, I admit, put more butts in seats. And that would be a neat compromise, I think.

 

[flyerjab]

On our most recent trip in July 2014, we made a point to ride Maelstrom 3 times and we also visited the church. I must say that upon entry, I was entirely not appalled. I think that the addition of the Frozen references to the exhibits are just that - references.

I have no problem with this, and the church exhibit was busier than I have ever seen it. To me, though, the real trick is can they maintain this more subtle approach with the ride? I don't know. In my opinion, because of the ridiculous popularity of this movie that just does not seem to die down, Frozen demands a more complete, well-themed, and much larger attraction. Maelstrom is over before it begins. Even the rumor about changing the ride layout to add more time to the ride length will not be enough. This movie and these characters need something the length and scope of POTC, if a dark water ride is what WDW is gunning for. I still think that Arendelle could support a land of its own in NFL.

 

[Mawg]

I wonder if we'll see history repeat itself and they'll call it Maelstrom under New Management and then the Frozen craze will wear and there will be a fire and they'll return it to the Original Maelstrom?

 

[aladdin2007]

What I would like to see them do is instead of stuffing in a meetngreet again.(the pavilion really cant handle the mass crowds I dont care how they reconfigure things, you wont be able to even get into the square of the pavilion, but Disney doesnt care about the guest anymore or flow)..but put in the Frozen characters in Akershus instead, at least it would be more fitting. Then you have the meetngreet and character meals in one so to speak,,,keeping store space for both frozen and Norwegian items. Surely they have thought of this, if not then they really are blind. But that would make too much sense of course, and half the time Disney refuses to make sense because every penny they have to nickel and dime.

 

[aladdin2007]

I wonder if we'll see history repeat itself and they'll call it Maelstrom under New Management and then the Frozen craze will wear and there will be a fire and they'll return it to the Original Maelstrom?

doubtful, I dont think we will see Maelstrom ever again like it is now. I would like to know how they plan on changing the viking boats. I want my viking boat, not princess boats.

 

[Magenta Panther]

What I would like to see them do is instead of stuffing in a meetngreet again.(the pavilion really cant handle the mass crowds I dont care how they reconfigure things, you wont be able to even get into the square of the pavilion, but Disney doesnt care about the guest anymore or flow)..but put in the Frozen characters in Akershus instead, at least it would be more fitting. Then you have the meetngreet and character meals in one so to speak,,,keeping store space for both frozen and Norwegian items.

Great idea!

 

[aladdin2007]

I think you've hit on something. If TDO left Maelstrom as it is - aside from some major refurbing, that is - but injected Anna, Elsa, Olaf et al into a new Norway film that nonetheless respected the rich heritage of that country...hey, I'd be okay with that. Personally, I love the Norway film. But I wouldn't be turned off by a bit - just a bit - of Frozen in it. And that would, I admit, put more butts in seats. And that would be a neat compromise, I think.

Agree. I hope thats somehow implemented to some extent.

 

[wdrive]

What I would like to see them do is instead of stuffing in a meetngreet again.(the pavilion really cant handle the mass crowds I dont care how they reconfigure things, you wont be able to even get into the square of the pavilion, but Disney doesnt care about the guest anymore or flow)..but put in the Frozen characters in Akershus instead, at least it would be more fitting. Then you have the meetngreet and character meals in one so to speak,,,keeping store space for both frozen and Norwegian items. Surely they have thought of this, if not then they really are blind. But that would make too much sense of course, and half the time Disney refuses to make sense because every penny they have to nickel and dime.

What makes it harder for me to understand is they could add $10 to every meal at Akershus and get rid of all the Princesses and only have Anna and Elsa and it would be fully booked for months. More money coming in and less spent on having more Princesses. Sometimes I really think I should work at TDO.

 

[acishere]

If Imagineering cant come up with a way to make it interesting without using Frozen then they should just call it quits, or hire better Imagineers.

I think the Imagineers must have plenty of original ideas. The issue is the people who ultimately greenlight new concepts are only paying attention to the ideas that incorporate existing Disney owned characters. So that kind of creativity that led to attractions like PoC and Jungle Cruise, just keeps getting pitched less and less because they need to present ideas that get made so they can keep their jobs.

 

[danv3]

I would like to know how they plan on changing the viking boats. I want my viking boat, not princess boats.

Who says they'll change the boats? Personally, I'm expecting the cheapest possible refurb.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

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.

There was no freak fire. The Tiki Gods finally had enough and sent their message with a lightning bolt.

 

[Gomer]

There was no freak fire. The Tiki Gods finally had enough and sent their message with a lightning bolt.

Well maybe when the Tiki gods and the Norse gods meet at the water cooler to discuss god stuff, they'll pass along the idea.

 

[Mike S]

There was no freak fire. The Tiki Gods finally had enough and sent their message with a lightning bolt.

The Tiki Gods send a lightening bolt, Odin will send Maelstroms to all bodies of water in Walt Disney World.

 

[Matt_Black]

The Tiki Gods send a lightening bolt, Odin will send Maelstroms to all bodies of water in Walt Disney World.

Doubtful. Remember, Disney is now Odin's boss!

 

[plaz10]

What I would like to see them do is instead of stuffing in a meetngreet again.(the pavilion really cant handle the mass crowds I dont care how they reconfigure things, you wont be able to even get into the square of the pavilion, but Disney doesnt care about the guest anymore or flow)..but put in the Frozen characters in Akershus instead, at least it would be more fitting. Then you have the meetngreet and character meals in one so to speak,,,keeping store space for both frozen and Norwegian items. Surely they have thought of this, if not then they really are blind. But that would make too much sense of course, and half the time Disney refuses to make sense because every penny they have to nickel and dime.

I never thought of having Anna and Elsa added to Akershus meals! That is a fantastic idea! Do this and leave Maelstrom alone! Norway can't hold large crowds for meet and greets OR a Frozen attraction