Frozen ride replacing Maelstrom?

[dadddio]

I think the whole point is this is a rumor thread and one should not be afraid to come here and share info rumor or not without being beat up by a newbie on a rampage against "insiders". Rumors by definition may not be true. No reason to start pages of arguments over a rumor. This is a discussion forum for having discussions about WDW rumors and news. You have provided nothing to the discussion other than pointing out other poster's flaws. It is OK for someone to be wrong. It is also OK for others to believe someone who has a track record of being right. Let it go.

I kind of agree with you. This is the rumor board and we should be free to have fun discussing the pros and cons of each rumored change. The problem is when self-styled 'insiders' present rumor and speculation as fact. When this happens, each person has to determine for themselves whether the claim is plausible. I see nothing wrong with someone calling shenanigans when an apparent whopper is thrown out as fact.

 

[dadddio]

I definitiely think that Epcot -- and IMHO the WS in particular -- needs new rides to be more interesting and entice guests. However, the argument is that you could build culturally relevent rides in the WS that could be enjoyed by all ages without having to resort to established IPs. Stuff like the planned Rhine River Cruise or Mt. Fuji ride. Rides that -- like Maelstrom! -- actually fit for the mission of the World Showcase. I can tell you that my young sons enjoy Maelstrom even without it featuring toons they know; but, who doesn't enjoy trolls and vikings?

I read somewhere that one entity that didnt care for the trolliness of Maelstrom was the country of Norway.

 

[michael.fumc]

There's an area in DHS called Animation Courtyard, at the end of Mickey Ave, which celebrates Disney animated features. Why wouldn't Frozen fit there thematically?

It could work, if they are showing how animation, has changed over the years, and how it was done for this film. But if they just simply put a dark ride that immerses riders in the story, has a castle, character restaurant and M&G with the characters, I don't see how that fits with DHS. Of coarse as I am typing this I understand that is what, Star tours, and TSM already do that so maybe I am wrong. My opinion is that MK is where you meet the Princesses, they live there it is magical, it seems to cheapen them if they are at DHS. But as the park changes with Star wars, and more pixar,(both just rumors) maybe it will be a place for them

 

[Fox&Hound]

MK still needs more rides, particularly Fantasyland. Its potential capacity is far from tapped out and Fantasyland especially is still lacking a TON of rides compared to the likes of Disneyland or even Disneyland Paris. Just within Fantasyland there's still visible space to either expand or re-purpose existing space (space being squandered on low capacity/efficiency BS like meet and greets and such). The problem is that the Fantasyland expansion arguably didn't even address the inherent capacity problems much at all in terms of attractions. The only two rides that were "added" were merely replacements for prior rides. We can say that the Mine Train replaced Snow White (whose original show building is now being squandered by a meet and greet) and Mermaid replaced 20k Leagues (which has been gone for a decade but during that time never had an actual ride to take its place). So really, we kind of only broke even in terms of rides. And there's still plenty of space to expand considerably even within Fantasyland (not even to mention the other lands).

I think Lee or Martin or someone mentioned to tear down the circus tents and use that space for a new ride (it's about as big or bigger of a space as Mermaid, and you can put something like Frozen there). And it looks like there's still enough space to do a dark ride at the Beauty and the Beast area behind Small World (which should have been part of the plan from the beginning). The old Snow White show building should have been used for any new dark ride (Sleepy Beauty, Cinderella, Tangled or anything that fits) instead of wasting precious show space on an absurdly long lined princess meet and greet that further clogs up the park and makes a mess of things... Adding more rides does wonders for capacity and efficiency in a park. Helps to disperse people better.

Not even to mention the other lands. There's still room in Adventureland apparently that was once being considered for a new E ticket coaster during Eisner's later years (Fire Mountain I think) and I don't know whether there are more plots of lands for other things. There should also still be some space in Frontierland as well, a thread by whylightbulb for example a while back mentioned a pitch to reignite the Western River Expedition concept with a show building somewhere above Haunted Mansion. May also be some space above Big Thunder across the water that could potentially be used in some manner or another (dunno). There's also the cast member parking lot tucked between Tomorrowland and Main Street that I think has been considered for expansion (it looks like a lot of space in there, maybe around as much as the Speedway for the entirety). Not to mention Tomorrowland as it is needs a big overhaul (especially for particularly unpopular attractions such as Stitch).

Now I wasn't really trying to give my take on a wishful thinking sort of armchair imagineer. But I did want to explain that Magic Kingdom still has a TON of space to expand and build new rides that would help crowd levels immensely. There's plenty of room for expansion and improvement in the other parks as well, but it should be done appropriately and respectfully instead of turning them into a Fantasyland spillover...

I agree that MK has the space, but not the need, at the current moment. HS, EPCOT, and AK need more rides and things to do well before MK. No one walks around MK and complains there is not enough to do. I think MK will see these unused areas tapped at some point (especially in Adventureland and the area north of Mansion) but right now they do not need to expand the park more. I like doctornick's idea of a critter country type area in AK. I think EPCOT needs a lot of love. Why would you take a huge hit like Frozen and put it in your most crowded park? Maybe thematically it is the best fit, but from a business perspective it doesn't make financial sense. People will already go to MK. But, if you put something like Frozen in EPCOT or HS, guests who might have taken a day to check out Universal, are now forced to go to that other Disney park to take their kids and see Frozen. Cause their kids certainly won't "let it go" =) I could see Disney spreading the love too: M&G in one park, ride in another, musical stage show in yet another. Guess guests will have to hit several to get the Frozen experience.

Whether or not it is appropriate for EPCOT aside, I wonder if Disney would consider taking Maelstrom and the unused space behind it for a larger ride footprint if they do indeed change it to Frozen or just stick Olaf into the current Maelstrom and call it a day?

 

[Bocabear]

Maelstrom is WAY too short...it is popular because it is in a park with very few rides...but if they were doing a Frozen attraction, I sure hope they would figure out a way to increase the footprint for a fuller experience...and then figure out a way to make the travelogue portion actually connect thematically to the ride experience...and make it fun... Maybe the Sisters give us a tour of Modern Norway and all the wonders of the real country with 3-D or in-theater effects......but not a cartoon feature...Make people really want to see the movie instead of run through the open doors...

 

[Captain Chaos]

Well, my mother just came to me asking about various changes. Considering my mother doesn't scour the internet and isn't an insider, that leads me to believe that actual credible outlets are reporting this and it made it's way to her. So, regarding Maelstrom getting Frozen, that seems plausible. The rest about Norway? Still speculation, apparently.

Also, she mentioned Soarin' (which we've heard about here), the waterfalls at the Polynesian (ditto), Captain EO (hadn't heard about that, but it was inevitable), and the Great Movie Ride (huh wha?!?).

Is your mother a member on Intercot? Someone over there posted the same exact rumors... I haven't seen any of those, only this Frozen garbage nonsense.... Hmmm....

 

[Captain Chaos]

It made its way around after the Orlando Examiner did an unsourced story about it... click-bait material IMO... and it got passed around like a Vista Way girl at Motions. The story mentions everything your mother is discussing. Completely unsourced.

Well nevermind @Matt_Black Dave just confirmed where that Intercot member heard, or read, these rumors from.

 

[Lee]

Maybe the Sisters give us a tour of Modern Norway....

But why would those sisters, from some sort of fictional kingdom not named Norway, know anything about Modern Norway? That's still a matter of forcing the IP into a place where it doesn't belong or fit.

Cultural integrity for the poor Norwegians...demolished.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

But why would those sisters, from some sort of fictional kingdom not named Norway, know anything about Modern Norway? That's still a matter of forcing the IP into a place where it doesn't belong or fit.

Cultural integrity for the poor Norwegians...demolished.

I'm actually curious as to how Norway (the country, its people and its government) in general feels about Frozen. And especially the idea of their EPCOT pavilion being transformed into a Frozen attraction.

 

[Lee]

I'm actually curious as to how Norway (the country, its people and its government) in general feels about Frozen. And especially the idea of their EPCOT pavilion being transformed into a Frozen attraction.

Good question.
How would we Americans like to see the American Adventure hosted by Buzz and Woody?

I, for one, wouldn't bee too keen on it...

 

[SJN1279]

Good question.
How would we Americans like to see the American Adventure hosted by Buzz and Woody?

I, for one, wouldn't bee too keen on it...

If Buzz and Woody hosted it, at least the theater wouldn't be only a quarter filled at most performances.

 

[michael.fumc]

I'm actually curious as to how Norway (the country, its people and its government) in general feels about Frozen. And especially the idea of their EPCOT pavilion being transformed into a Frozen attraction.

Here is the visit Norway web site: http://www.visitnorway.com/en/games-and-more/disneys-frozen-inspired-by-norway/

I am guessing this is an american travel site however

 

[GoofGoof]

Good question.
How would we Americans like to see the American Adventure hosted by Buzz and Woody?

I, for one, wouldn't bee too keen on it...

Please, don't give them any more ideas. If we are going there though I always thought Mulan was under utilized in the parks

 

[lazyboy97o]

I read somewhere that one entity that didnt care for the trolliness of Maelstrom was the country of Norway.

So singing and dancing trolls are better?

 

[doctornick]

Please, don't give them any more ideas. If we are going there though I always thought Mulan was under utilized in the parks

Mulan actually isn't a terrible option for Epcot IMHO because she derives from an actual cultural work significant to China. Although I wouldn't want a ride/show based specifically on the cartoon to be in the China Pavilion, she would be a great "hostess" to an attraction introducing the guest to China.

 

[pheneix]

Well this thread has been fun. Sorry I haven't been keeping tabs on all developments here, but I usually only post things here when, you know, I actually have something worthwhile to say.

Frozen for Maelstrom is not a rumor. It is a confirmed attraction with a budget that was reduced by 40% before receiving approval to go ahead. Epcot is preparing to close Maelstrom in short order to make way for it. This is reality. This is what Disney is doing.

With respect to re-theming Norway into whatever the kingdom was from Frozen, this is an issue they are going to have to deal with. Whether or not they want to half- this or refresh the land and do it right, Norway is finished when Maelstrom closes. Again, reality. This is what Disney is choosing to do with their theme parks.

 

[pheneix]

Nope. Just rumors.

And boy will I be ed if we get a Frozen attraction before a Star Wars makeover at DHS.....

Get ready to get ed dude.

 

[dadddio]

I'm actually curious as to how Norway (the country, its people and its government) in general feels about Frozen. And especially the idea of their EPCOT pavilion being transformed into a Frozen attraction.

A google search suggests that Norway (at least the travel board) embraces Frozen as their own.

 

[CheekBoys]

Well this thread has been fun. Sorry I haven't been keeping tabs on all developments here, but I usually only post things here when, you know, I actually have something worthwhile to say.

Frozen for Maelstrom is not a rumor. It is a confirmed attraction with a budget that was reduced by 40% before receiving approval to go ahead. Epcot is preparing to close Maelstrom in short order to make way for it. This is reality. This is what Disney is doing.

With respect to re-theming Norway into whatever the kingdom was from Frozen, this is an issue they are going to have to deal with. Whether or not they want to half- this or refresh the land and do it right, Norway is finished when Maelstrom closes. Again, reality. This is what Disney is choosing to do with their theme parks.

So, it will be a half-assed overlay instead of an actual new ride since you said the budget was cut 40%?

 

[dadddio]

So singing and dancing trolls are better?

Perhaps they felt that 'no trolls' were better.