Frozen ride replacing Maelstrom?

[doctornick]

People will hate me for this, but I think it's time to let go of what Epcot has been from opening up until recent years. It's not a place to showcase the up and coming, it's not a jaunt around the world's countries... it's barely a decent representation of the countries themselves. It's time to let it go (sorry) and start thinking of Epcot as it is and, it seems, what it will become: a place where certain character's countries and lands are showcased.

If they are going to do that, I would hope that they go all out and actually build a lot more attractions. Put a Tangled ride in Germany and a Mulan one in China, add Remy or a Sleeping Beauty ride to France, go and actually use the empty show building in Japan, etc. If you aren't going to be limited by having something be a "proper fit", at least give guests a lot of things to do.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

I guess the Disney people responsible for this stupidity took "Let it Go" to mean letting their bowels go all over this pavilion.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

If they are going to do that, I would hope that they go all out and actually build a lot more attractions. Put a Tangled ride in Germany and a Mulan one in China, add Remy or a Sleeping Beauty ride to France, go and actually use the empty show building in Japan, etc. If you aren't going to be limited by having something be a "proper fit", at least give guests a lot of things to do.

It's really the only way it would work. More rides in pavilions along with the redos of the pavs themselves. So, yep, it should be either not at all or all in. No in between, half arsed, half baked concept and park.

(and for the record I'd love to see Germany get a ride and Rapunzel/Tangled get a ride and if the stars align and a whole characterization relaunch of Epcot is the way, then... it's better than letting the park rot entirely. IMHO.)

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Will it still serve beer?

 

[bhg469]

I agree Tatooine would be a huge stretch even if there were a Tunisia pavillion. A movie based on Norway (even if the book was Danish the movie was not) could be used to bring kids an educational experience about Norway if done right. As it stands now people walk right past the movie and through the gift shop.

I am all for Norway having more of a draw but if it's not Norway anymore, that's just sad. Again, countries belong here not fictional locations.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Will it still serve beer?

Therein lies the problem.

 

[John]

I am just wondering... and while I don't agree with adding Frozen to Norway...If the Russian pavilion had been built, the attraction was to be a sleigh ride through Russian fairy tales...And that sparked no controversy... So if Frozen had been based on an actual Norwegian tale would we feel adding an attraction based on that tale would still be out of place? In general I do not care for standard Disney Princesses invading World Showcase, but if they are integrated in a meaningful way...showcasing culture and heritage, is it still such a bad thing? If in adding Frozen to Maelstrom the ride is lengthened and has a completed storyline....which seamlessly blended with a new film... I don't know... Initially I hated the idea, but the more I think of the possibilities...Maybe it would not be so bad....as long as they use the characters as a window into Norwegian culture...
I know everyone hates the idea of Ratatouille in France, but again, any new attraction in World Showcase that integrates into the theme of the pavilion...and is a window into the culture would not be bad...and truly that film was all about being in the culinary world of Paris...which is appropriate... As long as they do not remove things like Impressions De France to do that... so there is still a full cultural picture of France and it's culture...

There is an awful lot of if,ands or but's in your post. Difficult to speculate on things that don't exist. Some here say we are just speculating that Maelstrom is getting an overlay. IMO I don't think they will replace Norway. But I do believe its probable that Frozen it going to make its presence felt.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Therein lies the problem.

They could serve Guinness Extra Cold to keep with the theme

 

[Lucky]

I'm waiting for the next, much-shorter edition of this book.

"We've redesigned Epcot to be the Overflow Park for Magic Kingdom! The End."

 

[xdan0920]

I'm waiting for the next, much-shorter edition of this book.

"We've redesigned Epcot to be the Overflow Park for Magic Kingdom! The End."

Well crafted!

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I'm waiting for the next, much-shorter edition of this book.

"We've redesigned Epcot to be the Overflow Park for Magic Kingdom! The End."

Yep, pretty much what I'm thinking is going to happen....

 

[Nemo14]

available in the gift shop for $99.99...

 

[xdan0920]

All of that was just my speculation on what they might do. I'm not an 'insider', nor do I pretend to be one one the internet.

They might rip out Maelstorm and put a completely different ride there. In my opinion, it will likely be 'Frozen' themed because Frozen is a big deal and Norway seems like a pretty good place to plop it. I imagine that if they can work a Frozen story into the current layout, they will. After all, Maelstrom is not a bad ride.

I didn't suggest that they will build a Frozen store per se. That being said, exiting a ride into a gift shop seems like a good business idea that they've repeated over and over. Frozen ride and Frozen swag seem like a good match.

A Frozen meet and greet also seems like a good plan, in my opinion. It would certainly be popular and there are other princess meets in World Showcase, so it's not much of a stretch.

OK, so no sources. Which is fine btw.

But you keep taking little digs at these "insiders". Who are you referring to?

 

[morningstar]

That example falls apart because there is not a strong, contemporary aspect of the culture that still ties France to Rome and is further weakened because the Roman Empire allowed local cultures to remain so long as they did not interfere with Roman rule. Islam as a culture transcends political boundaries and Islam, unlike the Roman Empire in France, is still an dominate and active influence in Morocco.

If we count religion, then the Catholic Church is still a strong cultural influence that ties France to Rome. But as I said I don't see how religion counts, because there is nothing about Islam in Aladdin.

The Muslim conquest allowed local cultures to remain as well.

I really think your perception of the subtle differences between France and Rome is based on familiarity with the history and culture of Europe, and your unawareness of the differences between Morocco, Arabia, and Persia, is simply because you are an outsider to those cultures.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Even if you're somehow ok with a ton of character overlays for EPCOT (which i'm most definitely not) and justify excuses with hypothetical scenarios cool and quality new rides regardless of how inappropriate they are, NO ONE should be ok with value engineered on the cheap versions of character rides shoved in to cash in on the kiddie market with not even a sense of quality to speak of. From what pheneix is saying, it sounds like we're getting a value engineered overlay. So we get a double dose of fail, both an inappropriate overlay and what sounds like one done on the cheap.

I'm currently thinking of all the horrors that could be inflicted upon the American Adventure now with the same people who are responsible for this overlay having run of the place...

 

[Mike S]

Even if you're somehow ok with a ton of character overlays for EPCOT (which i'm most definitely not) and justify excuses with hypothetical scenarios cool and quality new rides regardless of how inappropriate they are, NO ONE should be ok with value engineered on the cheap versions of character rides shoved in to cash in on the kiddie market with not even a sense of quality to speak of. From what pheneix is saying, it sounds like we're getting a value engineered overlay. So we get a double dose of fail, both an inappropriate overlay and what sounds like one done on the cheap.

I'm currently thinking of all the horrors that could be inflicted upon the American Adventure now with the same people who are responsible for this overlay having run of the place...

Thankfully they don't have the rights to Marvel in Orlando or else we would get an on the cheap Captain America Adventure

 

[Next Big Thing]

Therein lies the problem.

Are you guys serious with this? Epcot stays in business in large part thanks to Food & Booze sales. I can't imagine them going completely dry on one country. I can't really imagine that Norway will ACTUALLY become Arrendelle either. It's an overblown rumor at this point imo.

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

I haven't been to universal since about 1993 ish. Back then it was very dofferent and I appreciated it while I was probably 13 yeas old.
Fast forward to March of this year. I was blown away and I do not see how anyone could bash what they're doing. Springfield isn't mentioned too often but it is really neat if you're into the simpsons. Even if you arent, Moe's tavern is impressive.

The potter stuff is beyond well themed but it's really congested and busy, but that's just an indication of its success.

Twitter is full of people that refuse to go there and I have to say that it is beyond silly to skip it.

Potter is very well themed...but it felt like it was built to handle about 1,000 people when I was there...and it seemed like there was 100,000...you could not move at all. Claustrophobia to the max, and I don't even have that fear.

 

[pheneix]

"Value engineered overlay" may be a little undeserving for this ride since it is entirely different in concept and narrative. But using same ride profile/set swaps/screen based efx and small AAs will allow them to save loads of time and money. And that is currently the plan.

I can sling crap at WDW all day for taking forever to get new projects open. But WDPR will not wait 3 years at a minimum before monetizing Frozen in a big way inside their parks. They will get this done as soon as possible.

 

[bhg469]

Potter is very well themed...but it felt like it was built to handle about 1,000 people when I was there...and it seemed like there was 100,000...you could not move at all. Claustrophobia to the max, and I don't even have that fear.

I agree, it feels very tight. I don't even know that they expected people to just want to hang out there.