Frozen Attraction Coming to Epcot - Replaces Maelstrom

[AgentC]

It's Official - Disney Parks Blog 9-12-14

When Walt Disney promised that Disneyland would never be completed, so long as there is imagination left in the world, he made a promise to our guests that we take seriously at all our locations around the world. This year, one particular product of imagination — Disney Animation’s blockbuster hit “Frozen” — captured the hearts and minds of people around the world and gave us a new opportunity to make good on Walt’s pledge.

We’ve made “Frozen” a part of the guest experience in a number of ways already and our guests have both loved them and asked for more. So I’m pleased to say that we’re starting construction at Walt Disney World Resort on a brand new “Frozen” attraction at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot. The new attraction, which replaces Maelstrom, will take our guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. The pavilion will also include a royal greeting location where Anna and Elsa can meet our guests. We think these “Frozen” elements are great compliments to the Norway Pavilion, which showcases the country and region that inspired the film.

“Frozen’s” popular characters will also have a bigger presence at Magic Kingdom Park this holiday season. In addition to the ongoing character appearances, Queen Elsa will use her powers to transform Cinderella Castle into an ice palace every night starting in early November. And Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party-goers can see Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf in “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”

We’re extending some favorite elements of Frozen Summer Fun LIVE!, too, so that guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can continue singing along to “Frozen” songs with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna. Wandering Oaken’s will set up shop closer to the show through the holiday season and will feature a larger play area with real snow (in Florida!).

From the moment we screened the film several months before its release, we were inspired by the possibility of bringing this great story to life for our guests. Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! has been extremely popular, and now we’re looking forward to doing even more to allow our guests to experience the “Frozen” phenomenon.

[Buttercup]

Ugh. World showcase is not supposed to be another fantasyland. It's supposed to teach you about other countries and give you authentic cultural experiences. NOT take you on a ride through a fictional land that slightly resembles something Norwegian.
Epcot has once again lost its direction and is becoming a mishmash of random weird stuff strung together.
It's so sad, given what it was supposed to be.

[yankeesfan123]

This is the first I'm hearing of all this

[EeyoresBestFriend]

Ugh. World showcase is not supposed to be another fantasyland. It's supposed to teach you about other countries and give you authentic cultural experiences. NOT take you on a ride through a fictional land that slightly resembles something Norwegian.
Epcot has once again lost its direction and is becoming a mishmash of random weird stuff strung together.
It's so sad, given what it was supposed to be.

Oh look - ANOTHER M&G!!

I agree ~ sad.

[Tekneek]

To all who come to this place of joy, hope of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all. May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere in the world.
—E. Cardon Walker, October 24, 1982

They had a decent run, but Disney proved itself incapable of maintaining it. They've been unable to establish and maintain working relationships with foreign nations to keep World Showcase vibrant or expanding. They've been unable to maintain or create lasting relationships with industry to supply innovation for Future World. Worse than simply maintaining the status quo, Epcot has been receding over the past decade.

Frozen taking over the Maelstrom is not the problem. It is just another symptom of the problem.

[Septbride2002]

To all who come to this place of joy, hope of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all. May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere in the world.
—E. Cardon Walker, October 24, 1982

They had a decent run, but Disney proved itself incapable of maintaining it. They've been unable to establish and maintain working relationships with foreign nations to keep World Showcase vibrant or expanding. They've been unable to maintain or create lasting relationships with industry to supply innovation for Future World. Worse than simply maintaining the status quo, Epcot has been receding over the past decade.

Frozen taking over the Maelstrom is not the problem. It is just another symptom of the problem.

With as fast as technology changes I think it would be dang near impossible to stay ahead of it. Heck - my cell phone is out of date a mere 6 months after I purchase it. That is why I think you see the focus being more on "going green" as that is technology that is still be developed.

[Terra]

No, please tell us, what DO you mean?

I may be a bit dense, but I don't understand either.
Teekneek, what is the correlation if he likes the movie?

With as fast as technology changes I think it would be dang near impossible to stay ahead of it. Heck - my cell phone is out of date a mere 6 months after I purchase it. That is why I think you see the focus being more on "going green" as that is technology that is still be developed.

Now that is the truth!

[NJGIRL]

With as fast as technology changes I think it would be dang near impossible to stay ahead of it.

But they are not even trying. While I think the Little Mermaid attraction at the Mk is cute, it reminds me a lot of the Nemo ride at EPCOT. Nothing new or exciting...nothing cutting edge. The last time they had a cutting edge attraction was Soarin, and how old is that attraction now. They are doing a lot of cut and paste instead of coming up with new exciting things. The technology out there now is amazing.....Universal has been taking advantage of it and now the question is why isn't Disney.

[Imalismom]

[I] . They've been unable to establish and maintain working relationships with foreign nations to keep World Showcase vibrant or expanding. They've been unable to maintain or create lasting relationships with industry to supply innovation for Future World. Worse than simply maintaining the status quo,

Its not just industry. When my daughter was a college freshman, and met with the Dean of Civil Engineering at a college in Florida, the dean gave her many examples in Civil Engineering where the senior design project was incorporated with Disney, and Disney adopted and implemented that senior design. Now, they no longer work with the senior design projects. My daughter is a senior now, so it was in the last 3 years that this has stopped. Which is a shame. Imagine what could happen if the Civil Engineer students who LOVE Disney were given the opportunity to help revive World Showcase via their senior projects - and then Disney implemented some of their designs. These are the students who have Walt's dream as their dream.

[donnine]

Ugh. World showcase is not supposed to be another fantasyland. It's supposed to teach you about other countries and give you authentic cultural experiences. NOT take you on a ride through a fictional land that slightly resembles something Norwegian.
Epcot has once again lost its direction and is becoming a mishmash of random weird stuff strung together.
It's so sad, given what it was supposed to be.

I could not agree more!!! You expressed my feelings about it very well.

[JabberJaws]

Yup the rumors are finally confirmed. I understand it. It's a relatively quick and easy way to not only cash in on the Frozen phenomenon even more, but to continue to add more child-friendly offerings to WS (which is something they've been trying to do for years now).

That all being said, I loved the Maelstrom and am especially bummed that we won't get a chance to ride it one last time on our trip in early Oct (if rumors hold up that it is closing down on Sept. 30).

[PirateLover]

I've said my peace on the other threads. I think a Frozen ride is fine in general but a dumb/lazy move to put it here. Maelstrom was a quirky favorite of ours. We quote it all the time.RIP. Sad we won't be able to go back back over the falls one more time.

[Zippy 1]

Sad that they can not add this as an addition to the attractions at Norway instead of replacing one. They need to be growing in World Showcase not just replacing. Not what I would like to see

[cer]

So, it is now "official".



But on the up side, I suppose no one will have any more problems getting fast passes for Soarin'.

There's that.

[Stu29573]

Crud. Whatever.

[DonaldDuck1117]

I like it. More importantly it's a start. Epcot needs more rides and more rides that will pull people-especially to world showcase. I hope this is the start of continual addition to Epcot. Can we get the Remy ride to the France Pavillion as well? And maybe get that new country we have wanted for ages?

I understand this is not what Epcot was when it opened but things change, and parks evolve. Hopefully this is the first step in Epcot's rebirth.

[Aurora]

My DH and kids are of Norwegian ancestry. I'm sure the Frozen ride will be swell, but I'm very sad my kids won't be sent over the falls by the trolls again.

[John]

I said this was a done deal months ago - there were those who chose not to believe me.

Vindication....

[SBETigg]

I said this was a done deal months ago - there were those who chose not to believe me.

Vindication....

I took your word for it, so it comes as no surprise to me today. Which doesn't mean I'm happy about it, not really upset either. Epcot needs some freshening up. This is not the way I would prefer it to go, and I loved Maelstrom, but...

I always remain optimistic about these things until we can see what they do. The idea of bringing more character cuteness into World Showcase doesn't thrill me. This is the one area of WDW I can relax and enjoy more adult time. Not that I want to keep kids out, (WDW is for everyone) but I think it should be about Norway, not Arendelle, as others have said. Optimistically, maybe they will build a really great attraction that incorporates the Frozen elements and still keeps the spirit of Norway alive. Maybe? I can't see getting upset over it until we see how it all shakes out. I have no control over it, might as well sit back, wait, and see.

[texas211]

I said this was a done deal months ago - there were those who chose not to believe me.

Vindication....

Congratulations, you were right, the cancer is spreading..