Maelstrom vs. Backlot Tour

[JIMINYCR]

I think also guests saw Maelstrom as an attraction they rode which drew them in and was still somewhat fun whereas the Backlot Tour was an add on, something else to do after they did everything else, not perceived as a fun thrill and as other said had gotten stale.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I personally (and yes this is a personal post) feel that Futureworld at EPCOT should not be nostalgic. Yes we all miss TT, Horizons, and WOM but it was meant to be a continuing cutting edge presentation ala a "worlds fair". The mere stagnation speaks to its level of failure for me.

WS...well I get the classic staticness of it. Would be nice to see the areas left for expansion used but I would embrace some groundbreaking new technology in Futureworld...I long for the day when I walk into and attraction and my breath is taken away once again. Maybe I have gotten too jaded for that to even happen but DANG I sure miss that feeling!!!

I agree.

 

[WondersOfLife]

How about the American Adventure & Canada?

Yea American Adventure.

I wouldn't include O' Canada. It's been modernized with Martin Short.. But, I prefer it that way. :3

 

[Goofyernmost]

Yea American Adventure.

I wouldn't include O' Canada. It's been modernized with Martin Short.. But, I prefer it that way. :3

So do I, but, China was updated as well.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

It is caused by multiple factors.

1.) People actually wanted the Backlot Tour gone for years. The fact is the Attraction was going done hill for years. That is not the case for Maelstrom

2.) People already said Frozen really doesn't fit Norway unlike Maelstrom.
3.) I think people are suffering from Frozen Burnout based on how Disney is milking frozen.

 

[Goofyernmost]

It is caused by multiple factors.

1.) People actually wanted the Backlot Tour gone for years. The fact is the Attraction was going done hill for years. That is not the case for Maelstrom

2.) People already said Frozen really doesn't fit Norway unlike Maelstrom.
3.) I think people are suffering from Frozen Burnout based on how Disney is milking frozen.

Well, it appears that we, on the boards, are burnt out, but, the general public doesn't seem to have had their fill yet.

 

[FettFan]

Well, it appears that we, on the boards, are burnt out, but, the general public doesn't seem to have had their fill yet.

And unfortunately the general public is a bunch of bass-ackwards simpletons when it comes to WDW.

You know the kind I mean...the ones who show up at guest relations wanting to know where Harry Potter Land is.

 

[Monkee Girl]

Well, it appears that we, on the boards, are burnt out, but, the general public doesn't seem to have had their fill yet.

I have no problem with the people who love Frozen. But I think the hype is coming, not from actual fans, but from Disney themselves constantly throwing it in our face and a very select few people who want to be 'a part of history.' Those are the same people that go out Thanksgiving night at 8pm to go shopping. Not because they need anything but because they want to be a part of the media frenzy that is Black Friday. and for some reason, those are the ones who get catered to. Sure Frozen can be a part of the parks (in the right places) it just doesn't need to be over saturated the way Disney is currently doing it.

It reminds me of the Muppets Most Wanted theme. If the majority of fans wanted an in door running of the bulls, should Disney do it?

 

[WondersOfLife]

So do I, but, China was updated as well.

Didn't know that. I never go there, I think it's boring. At least Canada's has some comedy with Martin

 

[FettFan]

The saddest thing about Backlot was that it was allowed to linger for so long after the park quit being a working movie studio. To think there are thousands of people who visited the park between 2004 and 2014 who never had any idea that it was ever anything more than "The Catastrophe Canyon Ride".

Bee gone. ​

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Both Maelstrom and Backlot Tour are tired and have run their courses.

However, Frozen belongs is MK. In Fantasyland. I could even handle them putting it in DHS

I think the problem most fans are having with it is that it does not belong in Norway. If Maelstrom were getting updated into something equally Norwegian, no one would have a problem with it. I think there are those of us who would have less of a problem if they made it more like Three Caballeros. Even though those are fictional characters, and two aren't even from Mexico, it still manages to incorporate Mexican culture. If Anna and Elsa were showing you the glorious Norway, I think there would be people, while not thrilled about it, who would tolerate it more than doing what they are now, which is completely taking away the culture, save what's in the Stave Church, which still has Frozen inspiring it.

The Backlot Tour was a long ride that everyone recognized had run its course. That's a lot of space that could be used to put in quite a few more rides. And since, like others have said, it's no longer a working movie studio, there's not much point to it anyway anymore.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

I have noticed a lot more attention devoted to the closing of Maelstrom more than the closing of the Studio Backlot Tour. My question is:

Why was the attention to the farewell so different?

Is it because the Backlot had run its course?
Is it the surprise that Maelstrom is closing? (although it had been rumored for months)
Is it the replacement attractions?

For me, I think it is a combo of all of the above. The Maelstrom was never a ride with too long of a wait, nor was the Studio Backlot Tour. You can argue that both rides needed change, but I find it somewhat odd that Backlot (which I always made a point to ride every trip to WDW, and I enjoyed it) didn't receive the same kind of goodbye.

Thoughts?

It's because Maelstrom was relatively untouched from the day it landed in the park, while the Backlot Tour was slowly disintegrated (both intentionally, and through refusal to do basic maintenance) for the better part of two decades. People had given up on the Backlot Tour, while WDW Management surprised them with the Princessification of Maelstrom.

 

[righttrack]

World Showcase should not be corrupted by characters. The parks have thematic elements that transport you places. El Rio del Tiempo was a fine addition to this and a treat as you actually got on a moving vehicle with almost no wait to get a little tour. Maelstrom, also had a bit of this escapism, together with the film that followed, gave a sense of the past and present of Norway. These rides told the stories of these countries.

Bring the Three Cabelleros in, and that ruined the theme, bring Frozen in and even worse, the same. It's like putting Big Thunder Mountain right next to Space Mountain.

What's worse. "Snedronningen" is a Danish story, not a Norwegian one.

 

[Prototype82]

I think the most depressing part of Maelstrom closing is that its replacement is further damaging what is left of the world's only permanent world's fair.

 

[BJones82]

I want to start by saying I like Frozen as a movie and think that great things can be done with it at Disney World...(Pick up your pitchforks and torches)... But.... not in WS and not in Norway... I guess I am apprehensive of replacing Maelstrom with a Frozen ride because as others have said Maelstrom may have needed some minor help but it was still serving the purpose of education, I remember when I was a kid it was where I learned that Vikings had been to the "New World" before anyone else and I was extremely proud to know that in school when it came up. If the Frozen ride still accomplishes this sense of education some how without ruining the look and feel of the pavilion I think I will be okay with this. But if they just make it like like they did with the ride in the Sea pavilion I will not be happy.

I also will miss the Backlot Tour though I agree with most it was time to go, I went on it in early September and the ride was only 20 minutes with a tape recording; it was in no way what it used to be and it doesn't fit sense there is no studio there any more and am looking forward to what will replace it.

All in all if done right Frozen may be okay in WS but I think they should have placed it in MK but sense they just had a huge update there it makes sad sense that they would not put it there and AK for better or worse is getting Pandora and the new lights show, and I am guessing ever sense they bought Lucas Films Disney has had a plan of adding a Star Wars land to DHS so that just leaves Epcot for Frozen as sad as it might be. We do need to give them a chance though, they are taking over a year to do this and it is fairly safe to assume they are not just throwing Frozen characters in Maelstrom but are completely redesigning it in some way which takes a lot of time to do.

One last thought Norway tourism has seen a massive spike in travelers because of this film (link below) and it would make sense from a tourism standpoint to want to have something in the pavilion which makes you want to visit that country which Maelstrom did not do this to people no matter how much we liked the ride we were not jumping to go visit the country.

Anyway that is all I have and I hope people give the new ride a chance before writing it off because it replaced Maelstrom though I guess it wont effect me if they don't, I'm always going to have fun at Disney because that is what I go to do

link to article about Norway travel bump sense Frozen came out:
http://www.travelweekly.com/Europe-Travel/Insights/Frozen-Norways-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/

EDIT: spelling

 

[doctornick]

For me it's simple: I really enjoyed Maelstrom and will miss it terribly. I didn't really care much for Backlot Tour in it's most recent form (and, really, didn't think it was all that great in its original glory).

I'm less bothered by the "theme" issues in Epcot than the fact that they are taking away a fav of mine.

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

Honestly, as much as I am an EPCOT "traditionalist" and a huge nostalgia fan,.....

I like Frozen in Norway.

The entire pavilion isn't getting totally redone, just the ride. It will bring some attention to the pavilion and Ws In general.

And you can't use the "fiction vs reality" argument because most of the Malestrom ride was based in fiction anyway.

 

[brihow]

Honestly, as much as I am an EPCOT "traditionalist" and a huge nostalgia fan,.....

I like Frozen in Norway.

The entire pavilion isn't getting totally redone, just the ride. It will bring some attention to the pavilion and Ws In general.

And you can't use the "fiction vs reality" argument because most of the Malestrom ride was based in fiction anyway.

Yes but at least the legend of trolls (though fiction) are part of Norways culture in some way. Frozen has nothing to do with Norway's culture.

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

Yes but at least the legend of trolls (though fiction) are part of Norways culture in some way. Frozen has nothing to do with Norway's culture.

Well, Arendelle is inspired by Norway/Norwegian themes. It fits better than say, The Lion King would have. Or pretty much any other potential replacement.

 

[WondersOfLife]

The saddest thing about Backlot was that it was allowed to linger for so long after the park quit being a working movie studio. To think there are thousands of people who visited the park between 2004 and 2014 who never had any idea that it was ever anything more than "The Catastrophe Canyon Ride".

Bee gone. ​

...That was AWESOME!! That would still be impressive today! Why, Disney? WHYY???