Frozen ride replacing Maelstrom?

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

And that doesn't even begin to take into account other things, like how the soundtrack did gangbusters, or how well the merchandise moved, and it's going to KILL on DVD. Wouldn't at all be surprised if it puts up Finding Nemo numbers.

I've already preordered it.

I was going to host a "Frozen" party (bought a new 55 inch TV and blu ray last night! WOOT) but so far, EVERY friend I've invited via FB this morning has already preordered it as well. That's 16 people and counting!

It is certainly going to blow DVD/blu ray sales out of the water.

But don't forget the digital download... it's being released TOMORROW!

 

[willtravel]

Does anyone know if this is true? I have heard from multiple sources with Disney (not basic staff employees) that they are debating re-doing malestrom to be a frozen ride or completely get rid of it to make a real meet and greet similar to what they have in MK for the princesses. They have told me it is a 100% that it will be changed but it is between the two decisions. Again does anyone else have information on this? The person I spoke with is one of the highest in Disney, but still IDK.

...............

 

[doctornick]

Had this thought about a Frozen ride in WDW....

It would be great if they could use the undeveloped land north of Fantasyland (inside the railroad berm) to create a "winter" part of fantasyland. I'll call it "Winter Wonderland" for lack of a better name. It would be themed to having snow and ice, somewhat like Blizzard Beach.

You access Winter Wonderland via a path between Mermaid and the circus going north, this will be a bridge that goes over the access road below. Lining this walkway, there will be artificial flora that goes from brightly in bloom to an autumn look to having bare trees with artificial ice cycles and the like.

The land itself would have a Frozen dark ride, maybe an omnimoveer for high capacity that would showcase the songs from the film. There would be a standard M&G nearby, hopefully with Olaf in some form (AA or meetable fur character). The other large attraction would be... the Matterhorn, with its snow covered peak providing a "weenie" in the back of the park advertising this new land. Persumably, there would also be some food (got to have ice cream and other frozen treats) and merch in the area. Certainly another small ride would be great as well, themed to the cold and snow, but I'm pushing it as is knowing TDO.

Furthermore, to be particularly engaging, I'd propose that the northern half of the MK RR be shut down during this development for any or all of the following builds:
1. The Matterhorn be build over the railroad, so that when you are riding the railroad through the mountain, you can see the bobsleds of the ride zooming around. Similar to how the RR goes through Splash.
2. You can build an additional railroad stop specifically for this land. That way, there is another entrance/exit beyond just the one path
3. MK could finally get a diorama built similar to other castle parks. Something that you could pass through during the long (and somewhat boring) part of the ride between Frontierland and Fantasyland -- the Grand Canyon diorama would be quite apprpriate to tie into Frontierland or thery could do something new.

I just think a big scale thing like this would be great in anticipation of MK's 50th anniversary.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Had this thought about a Frozen ride in WDW....

It would be great if they could use the undeveloped land north of Fantasyland (inside the railroad berm) to create a "winter" part of fantasyland. I'll call it "Winter Wonderland" for lack of a better name. It would be themed to having snow and ice, somewhat like Blizzard Beach.

You access Winter Wonderland via a path between Mermaid and the circus going north, this will be a bridge that goes over the access road below. Lining this walkway, there will be artificial flora that goes from brightly in bloom to an autumn look to having bare trees with artificial ice cycles and the like.

The land itself would have a Frozen dark ride, maybe an omnimoveer for high capacity that would showcase the songs from the film. There would be a standard M&G nearby, hopefully with Olaf in some form (AA or meetable fur character). The other large attraction would be... the Matterhorn, with its snow covered peak providing a "weenie" in the back of the park advertising this new land. Persumably, there would also be some food (got to have ice cream and other frozen treats) and merch in the area. Certainly another small ride would be great as well, themed to the cold and snow, but I'm pushing it as is knowing TDO.

Furthermore, to be particularly engaging, I'd propose that the northern half of the MK RR be shut down during this development for any or all of the following builds:
1. The Matterhorn be build over the railroad, so that when you are riding the railroad through the mountain, you can see the bobsleds of the ride zooming around. Similar to how the RR goes through Splash.
2. You can build an additional railroad stop specifically for this land. That way, there is another entrance/exit beyond just the one path
3. MK could finally get a diorama built similar to other castle parks. Something that you could pass through during the long (and somewhat boring) part of the ride between Frontierland and Fantasyland -- the Grand Canyon diorama would be quite apprpriate to tie into Frontierland or thery could do something new.

I just think a big scale thing like this would be great in anticipation of MK's 50th anniversary.

I really like your ideas and especially for a big-scale project for MK 50th. I don't really want a Matterhorn in WDW, though. I think the hourly capacity wouldn't hold up well with the crowds at MK, but I could be wrong about that.

Instead of an extended area off of Fantasyland, have you considered a nice big spot in DHS for Frozen? Your ideas would fit well with an entire "frozenland" piece of the park and it would bring much needed love and crowds to DHS instead of the already overcrowded MK. Just a thought. I'd love to see a Frozen omnimover (as they are solid peopleeaters) but I think a family friendly coaster (think mine trains, but much longer) -indoor, to be air conditioned as well- would be fantastic with the snow monster and a speed ride through or past the ice castle. Just a thought.

I love #3 on your list. Please let this happen, Disney. I love the grand RR but it could use a little more to look at in certain spots, this being one of them. It would tie nicely with BTMRR.

 

[michmousefan]

Had this thought about a Frozen ride in WDW....

It would be great if they could use the undeveloped land north of Fantasyland (inside the railroad berm) to create a "winter" part of fantasyland. I'll call it "Winter Wonderland" for lack of a better name. It would be themed to having snow and ice, somewhat like Blizzard Beach.

You access Winter Wonderland via a path between Mermaid and the circus going north, this will be a bridge that goes over the access road below. Lining this walkway, there will be artificial flora that goes from brightly in bloom to an autumn look to having bare trees with artificial ice cycles and the like.

The land itself would have a Frozen dark ride, maybe an omnimoveer for high capacity that would showcase the songs from the film. There would be a standard M&G nearby, hopefully with Olaf in some form (AA or meetable fur character). The other large attraction would be... the Matterhorn, with its snow covered peak providing a "weenie" in the back of the park advertising this new land. Persumably, there would also be some food (got to have ice cream and other frozen treats) and merch in the area. Certainly another small ride would be great as well, themed to the cold and snow, but I'm pushing it as is knowing TDO.

Furthermore, to be particularly engaging, I'd propose that the northern half of the MK RR be shut down during this development for any or all of the following builds:
1. The Matterhorn be build over the railroad, so that when you are riding the railroad through the mountain, you can see the bobsleds of the ride zooming around. Similar to how the RR goes through Splash.
2. You can build an additional railroad stop specifically for this land. That way, there is another entrance/exit beyond just the one path
3. MK could finally get a diorama built similar to other castle parks. Something that you could pass through during the long (and somewhat boring) part of the ride between Frontierland and Fantasyland -- the Grand Canyon diorama would be quite apprpriate to tie into Frontierland or thery could do something new.

I just think a big scale thing like this would be great in anticipation of MK's 50th anniversary.

I do feel that the best place for a Frozen M&G would be the MK or the Studios, and your concept seems to "round out" the new fantasyland to make it something really special, but feel that TDO seems intent on keeping it on site at Epcot. If all they are going to do is build a new M&G, then use the pad adjacent to Norway and have an access path from within Norway. Keep Malestrom the way it is... except replace that movie with something fresh and new.

 

[DisneyConstruction23]

I do feel that the best place for a Frozen M&G would be the MK or the Studios, and your concept seems to "round out" the new fantasyland to make it something really special, but feel that TDO seems intent on keeping it on site at Epcot. If all they are going to do is build a new M&G, then use the pad adjacent to Norway and have an access path from within Norway. Keep Malestrom the way it is... except replace that movie with something fresh and new.

From what I have heard repeatedly from a few sources, their is basically a 0% chance that Malestrom remains the same. They will be doing something with it, but what is done is still up in the air.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

From what I have heard repeatedly from a few sources, their is basically a 0% chance that Malestrom remains the same. They will be doing something with it, but what is done is still up in the air.

Can the ride (track/flume?) itself be extended to make the ride longer? Maelstrom, at least when I was there last May, was in dire need of repair. Visible mold, mildew smell... I wonder if this is reason enough to call for a complete gutting (and redoing, or even remaking) the entire ride. I don't think they would gut it only to rebuild it in the same manner as it was.. I could be wrong.

 

[FrankLapidus]

From what I have heard repeatedly from a few sources, their is basically a 0% chance that Malestrom remains the same. They will be doing something with it, but what is done is still up in the air.

If that's true then a Frozen overlay is really the lesser of two evils for me, personally I'd much rather keep an attraction than see another one go the way of Snow White's Scary Adventures and be converted into another M&G.

 

[aladdin2007]

If that's true then a Frozen overlay is really the lesser of two evils for me, personally I'd much rather keep an attraction than see another one go the way of Snow White's Scary Adventures and be converted into another M&G.

This, but its cheaper to not have ride maintence and upkeep etc etc, def worried now. I dont understand why they cant use the space next door and build a meetngreet, a new country is eons away from happening anyway. It all comes down to $$$$. out with rides, in with meetngreets.

 

[rudyjr13]

Am I the only one here that thinks redoing the ride as Frozen theme is a good idea and the current ride is terrible except for the fun drop?

 

[aladdin2007]

Am I the only one here that thinks redoing the ride as Frozen theme is a good idea and the current ride is terrible except for the fun drop?

Its good if they do it right and not take out the Norway aspect, but now the worry is they may gut out the ride all together for a meetngreet.

 

[rudyjr13]

Its good if they do it right and not take out the Norway aspect, but now the worry is they may gut out the ride all together for a meetngreet.

That would be plain dumb. If anything WS needs more rides for kids to enjoy. Sorry purists but I've been visiting EPCOT since I was 2 (34 in June) and I hated WS as a kid due to lack of rides. I'll go out on a limb and say no way they go meet and greet in that building. Snow White ride was a special circumstance.

 

[WDWDad13]

if I get a vote:
- leave maelstrom
- build a huge new frozen attraction between mexico and norway

 

[doctornick]

Am I the only one here that thinks redoing the ride as Frozen theme is a good idea and the current ride is terrible except for the fun drop?

Some will agree with you, but I don't. Maelstrom has always been one of my favorite rides at Epcot. It's relatively short, but the content is such a fun mixture of elements of Norway's culture.

I would be very disappointed to see it go.

 

[toasty]

If something is definitely going to happen to this space and it's just a matter of whether it's a redone Maelstrom or a new A&E meet and greet, how about this:

1. Re-theme Maelstrom to Frozen
2. Convert the space that currently houses the Norway movie that no one watches into a dedicated Frozen meet & greet
3. Re-route the exit from Maelstrom appropriately.

Picturing the space in my head, it seems like there would be enough space, but I wasn't really looking at it with that in mind when I was last there, so I don't know if this is feasible or not...

 

[MikeTaylorSound]

There used to be a children's playground area by the restrooms in Norway (you can still see the Viking ship facade there next to a tree), I'm sure it'd be easy to build a "Frozen"-themed play area where it once stood, like what they have when exiting Mission: Space. Cheap, easy, get it done for the DVD release date. Something for the kids to look forward to in EPCOT other than Figment, food, and character meet n greets.

They really need to replace Captain EO with something kid-friendly, like WALL-E themed or something. Every time we say "eh, let's go watch Captain EO", there's never a line (even during its 25th anniversary year). It's time to go. Continue the walkway from ImageWorks to behind the information desk (inside the monorail track) to connect with the walkway going towards the Odyssey Center... making it easier to hit up the hot spots for the kids...

It'd be an easy path to follow for an EPCOT experience for kids, going counter-clockwise:
#1. The Seas w/Nemo & Friends, including Turtle Talk w/Crush
#2. Living w/the Land and/or Soarin'
#3. Journey Into Imagination and Captain EO replacement (jumping fountains always a hit)
#4. walk to Norway for Frozen play area w/character Meet & Greet, Maelstrom
#5. backtrack to FW for Test Track (for older kids) or Universe of Energy (for smaller kids)
#6. Innoventions and gift shops
#7. Spaceship Earth
#8. Illuminations if staying late

 

[aladdin2007]

If something is definitely going to happen to this space and it's just a matter of whether it's a redone Maelstrom or a new A&E meet and greet, how about this:

1. Re-theme Maelstrom to Frozen
2. Convert the space that currently houses the Norway movie that no one watches into a dedicated Frozen meet & greet
3. Re-route the exit from Maelstrom appropriately.

Picturing the space in my head, it seems like there would be enough space, but I wasn't really looking at it with that in mind when I was last there, so I don't know if this is feasible or not...

I would take that plan over instead of Snow-whites-adventures style gutting Maelstrom for a meetngreet. Were in danger of losing Norway here.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Completely getting a rid of Malestrom to make a real meet and greet similar to what they have in MK for the princesses would be a big mistake by TDO/Burbank.

World showcase couldn't afford getting a rid of a ride or Epcot for that matter. The other to look at is if Maelstrom is turned into a Meet and Greet, what will happen to when Soarin' is down for an upgrade.

Epcot has enough problems without turning a ride into a meet and greet. Epcot has problems in attractions that need to be upgrade or the attraction isn't that good besides the empty buildings Epcot has.

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

How about redoing the odyssey to "meet characters from around the world"?

 

[kucarachi]

I don't think maelstrom could handle the crowd that a popular frozen themed ride would initially have. I do enjoy Maelstrom and it really does make Norway one of the more unique pavillions, but it could use an overhaul and the ending is a lot to be desired. If they tore it down and had enough room to build something fantastical then i'd say go for it...but the world showcase is not really the place for amazing e-ticket rides..so im thinking if they did anything it would be a winter themed indoor play area? or a musical show...really none of the characters in the showcase have had a mega blockbuster hit like this in quite some time and it's interesting to see what happens. But if i had to bet money, i'd say whatever Frozen themed attraction is coming its going to be Magic Kingdom or the Studios....Frozen would not do well as a flume ride...but a sled ride might be a better way to go..