Maelstrom's crappy new exit

[aladdin2007]

The movie is probably on its way out in the not so distant future. Im sensing a layout change on the way.

 

[captainkidd]

Not really sure why they haven't just done this already. Seems like a no brainer.

Only way I can think of is to have people that do not want to watch the movie stay in the boat and unload at the loading area, and walk out through the fastpass entrance. This would cause backup problems though.

 

[Epcotdad]

There is nothing magical about being held captive after the ride.

This is the best -- and clearly most popular resolution to a decades old problem.

If you sit in the back row, you aren't bothered by anbody walking through. I would venture to say 90% of guests are much happier with the current situation over the previous.

It is a clear violation of "courtesy" to lock you in a holding pen until the previous show ends.

I think that POWs were held captive. If the most irritating thing you have to do at WDW is wait five minutes in a AC environment while people are watching the movie, then you have had a good trip.

 

[Master Yoda]

I think that POWs were held captive. If the most irritating thing you have to do at WDW is wait five minutes in a AC environment while people are watching the movie, then you have had a good trip.

Where is that like button?

 

[ChrisFL]

Honestly, on Sunday I was there with a friend who had never seen the movie, so we saw that the doors were open, and the theater was actually about 1/2 full!!

I've never seen so many people sitting down and watching it! It might seem like a bad solution, but somehow more people were sitting there.

 

[T-1MILLION]

I think that we miss the point. We all here have been multiple times and seen the same show over and over. We are lucky enough to do so, but what about the first timers or the people who just go every 5 years are so. Disney needs to cater to them as well. We all could wait the extra five minutes to let it be magical for those people.

This post has me cracking up. But even if the person has only has gone to the park a few times over the last two decades they have already seen this horribly dated film multiple times.

I understand nostalgia believe me but there is nothing magical as others have said about being stuck in a theater after a dark ride attraction. It is not the same as Carousel of Progress or Country Bear Jamboree at all. Those are THE attractions themselves. This one gives you a pretty bland idea of Norway 25 years ago and is just a bland theater after your ride is already over.

 

[ChrisFL]

This one gives you a pretty bland idea of Norway 25 years ago and is just a bland theater after your ride is already over.

I agree with this as well, the worst part is of all of the movies in the World Showcase, that one should be the easiest to update! It's not a 360 or 180 degree film with multiple cameras, and it's shocking to see the mid 80's fashions and monochrome computers.

 

[RSoxNo1]

The fact that you're detained in this holding area has never sat well with me. Couple that with the fact that the video is so atrocious it doesn't make it worth it. The option needs to exist that you can opt out of the video, but it shoudn't be at the cost of those people that want to see it.

There were rumors (I believe raven brought them up) of a refurbishment to Maelstrom in the future - perhaps this will be addressed. I would think the approach would be to make the theater smaller and have a walking area behind the theater that doesn't interfere.

 

[MAF]

I just don't see what the big deal is if you have to wait in that village for 5 minutes. Have one of the Norway CM's play a game with the guests about Norway or something.

No.

 

[sublimesting]

I assume you're being sarcastic. At least, I really hope you are.:lookaroun

Usually am.:wave:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I noticed this on my last trip. It's not a great setup. It was near closing, so I wasn't sure if they only did it to let people walk outside to find an IllumiNations spot. It felt like we were being subtly encouraged to get out.

But the previous setup wasn't great either. People expect to wait to get ON a ride, not to LEAVE it. It just violated some pretty basic unwritten attraction rules...and there wasn't enough going on in that holding area to justify the curveball.

 

[twinnstar]

How is it any different than the Country Bear Jamboree, O Canada, Impressions of France, Reflections of China, Carousel of Progress, One Man's Dream, American Adventure, Hall of Presidents? Is it that difficult to sit down and wait for 5 minutes?

I agree, it wasn't perfect the way it was before, but this way certainly isn't a good solution.

I think that's different because in those things you are GOING to see the film/show. So its like, the same as telling you that you cant get off Splash Mountain in the middle of the ride. But for Maelstrom, most people are going on it for the ride portion, not the film portion. I agree with others, even though its a crappy solution, its a better solution than taking you hostage!

 

[Oddysey]

There is nothing magical about being held captive after the ride.

This is the best -- and clearly most popular resolution to a decades old problem.

If you sit in the back row, you aren't bothered by anbody walking through. I would venture to say 90% of guests are much happier with the current situation over the previous.

It is a clear violation of "courtesy" to lock you in a holding pen until the previous show ends.

Its funny that you say that. My wife and I were trying to be considerate when we walked through, and did not want to walk in front of the front row. We went to the back of the theater, and walked through the second to the back row because there were people in the very back row. I felt really bad for having to walk right in from of them and disturb them. Although you are correct, most people just walked through the front.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Its funny that you say that. My wife and I were trying to be considerate when we walked through, and did not want to walk in front of the front row. We went to the back of the theater, and walked through the second to the back row because there were people in the very back row. I felt really bad for having to walk right in from of them and disturb them. Although you are correct, most people just walked through the front.

We do the same. We almost never watch the movie anymore so we always try to be considerate of people trying to watch the movie and head to the back of the theater and around.

 

[CDavid]

Again, no good answer that will make everyone happy at this point, unless they made a separate hallway exit for non-movie watchers.

There already is a separate hallway (or something) for those who wish to skip the movie, or at least there was. A few years ago we were getting off literally moments prior to Illuminations, and the CM was directing those who wanted to catch Illuminations out through a door located somewhere behind their control station, as I recall. We were the only two people to wait for the movie, and were thus treated to a private showing.

Now, I have no idea where that door led - backstage, or maybe back into the queue area (???) or somewhere which would be too congested to use as a normal exit. Point is, there is/was a way out other than through the theater. Which therefore begs the question - why leave the theater doors open all the time if there is another way out?

That's really bad show - allowing, even encouraging, people to casually walk in front of others there for the movie.

 

[MichWolv]

It is pretty bad show, but I've skipped that movie several times myself.

Here's hoping the revamp of Maelstrom, if it happens, results in seeing the movie first, moving into the village area for the ride load, and includes a new show scene or two in the old load area as you go by, with the unload happening back in the same village and leading to a new exit. It'd be logistically challenging to figure out how to get the load and unload group of people not to cross, but I'm guess somebody could figure it out.

 

[the-reason14]

I saw this in January. Me and my dad were happy they did this as now we can just walk out instead of waiting to walk out. I think it's an improvement!!

 

[ChrisFL]

I have an idea...why not have the movie on TV's in the ever-so-immersive queue, and then convert the exit area by removing the theater and turning it into a larger "village" area with other things like museum props or something

 

[raven]

There is nothing magical about being held captive after the ride.

Maelstrom isn't the only attraction in WDW like this. Up until recently, One Man's Dream at DHS would have you waiting in the model area before you were let into the theatre at the end. Now they let people out a side door if they want but you still have to ask.

Personally I'd rather wait outside those doors in the exit area at Maelstrom than to be dropped into the crowded shop at the end of Pirates. Trying to navigate through there is enough to test anyones temper.

 

[raven]

There already is a separate hallway (or something) for those who wish to skip the movie, or at least there was. A few years ago we were getting off literally moments prior to Illuminations, and the CM was directing those who wanted to catch Illuminations out through a door located somewhere behind their control station, as I recall. We were the only two people to wait for the movie, and were thus treated to a private showing.

Now, I have no idea where that door led - backstage, or maybe back into the queue area (???) or somewhere which would be too congested to use as a normal exit. Point is, there is/was a way out other than through the theater. Which therefore begs the question - why leave the theater doors open all the time if there is another way out?

That's really bad show - allowing, even encouraging, people to casually walk in front of others there for the movie.

The door leads to a hallway that curves left back to the load area. A door on the right side of this hallway opens into the area on the left just as you come out of the theatre. A door to the left a few steps further goes to an office, the load area and the boat path turn into the load station.