Maelstrom Question

yankeesfan123;2429183 wrote: Maelstrom without characters: 20 minute wait.

"Maelstrom" with Ana and Elsa: 90 minute wait.

True.

Plus a "new" attraction to promote....

[QUOTE=EricJ;2429186] Especially considering Andersen was Danish. ;)

Norway wasn't happy about Disney selling the "cute troll" aspect all over the pavilion from the beginning, and think they'd be even less happy about Frozen's versions.

QUOTE]

Danish is at least better than Swedish, in this case. ;)

Yeah I had to laugh when I saw how wonderful the trolls were in Frozen. Definitely not Norwegian. I can't really think of something American to compare, unless perhaps it is folks of the opposite political persuasion.

While I don't mind an updating of the movie, the ride seems to be doing just fine as it is, except for breaking down occasionally. (trolls perhaps)

Still the question remains, what/who sponsors the Norway pavilion? Isn't that where the final decision lies?

Jan

Janmac;2429241 wrote:
Still the question remains, what/who sponsors the Norway pavilion? Isn't that where the final decision lies?

Jan

If the attraction has a sponsor, the sponsor gets a say...

Norway does not have any sponsors at the moment... Some people think the government sponsors the pavilion... it doesn't... I believe the pavilion never had just one sponsor, but a few corporate sponsors when first opened...

Since Norway has no sponsor, Disney can do what it wishes...

John has hit every nail on the head in this thread and is 100% right...

Disney officials did have successful meetings with the government of Norway... But, what do people mean by successful? Did Disney convince Norway to sponsor the attraction again, therefore saving Maestrom? Or is Norway on board with adding in Frozen?

Remember, the government of Norway has no problem with Frozen being associated with their country (despite the fact it isn't associated AT ALL), because tourism has been on the rise...

Interesting blog with a segment from a Norwegian news report blasting their politicians and tourism board for not stepping up because of apathy, and closing with an interview with a former Norwegian CM at Norway (from the part of the country my relatives come from - he must be knowledgeable) who says the ride is falling apart.

Sounds as tho the ride is history but perhaps 70% of the store won't get shifted to Frozen merchandise as the CM was mentioning - a couple of months ago.

I agree that Frozen shouldn't be at Epcot. If it's at DHS, fine.

Jan

Wow, all of this from one simple question....
My only thought is that the original ride is too short. Thats probably not going to change either way....

Stu29573;2429311 wrote: Wow, all of this from one simple question....
My only thought is that the original ride is too short. Thats probably not going to change either way....

It might get one new scene... Depends on the plan they go with... Rumor was the current load area would become the first show scene, thus making the ride one scene longer... The load would be relocated, with the theater maybe being the new load/unload area... So while the ride would be longer, it really wouldn't be that much longer...

DizHawk;2428977 wrote: But isn't that one of the original ideas behind EPCOT? As John mentioned earlier, isn't the idea of a world's fair that there will be constant change in the park, especially on the World Showcase side? Change should be accepted and even embraced at Epcot of all parks.

I think it's one of the original ideas of Future World, not necessarily World Showcase. EPCOT is a result of the marriage of two different theme park concepts so what's needed and good for one of those concepts won't always work for the other. It's not Norway's responsibility to update their pavilion just because a movie that could have been set in their country is the zeitgeist.

I guess what really stinks is that Norway is one of the few WS pavilions with a ride. And wouldn't you know it, it's the one place Frozen is "filmed" at. Don't get me wrong - I think Frozen is a great film and Disney should definitely get an attraction or two put into their parks. They did the same with Nemo, and my kids have loved them.

But Maelstrom, as classic as it is, isn't quite the crowd puller that it could be. Add Frozen and it suddenly is the E-Ticket that Epcot could use to boost their numbers. It's just a shame that it will "just" replace an existing ride. Morocco, Japan, Germany, and France are desperate for an attraction that makes the pavilions more than a KidCot stop. Instead, because of the Norway ties of the movie, we lose one attraction to get another. I'd rather just have a +1 rather than a -1/+1.

I thought the whole FP thing was debunked already. I believe FP are available now through the end of the year.

I love Maelstrom, and I have never seen Frozen (yes, you've all found the one person on the planet that has no idea what all this "Let It Go" hubbub is about), so I'm indifferent on a layover.I don't think it fits, but that whole pavilion needs such help, whatever works I guess.

I'd rather, and this is the bean counter in me, just redo the post ride movie with some Frozen kicked in there, maybe the ride exit is themed to Frozen.

mcjaco;2429564 wrote: I thought the whole FP thing was debunked already. I believe FP are available now through the end of the year.

Wouldn't they only be available 60 days out (October 17th)?

Gator..I guess what really stinks is that Norway is one of the few WS pavilions with a ride. And wouldn't you know it, it's the one place Frozen is "filmed" at.

I'm not sure it's actually supposed to be Norway..
..more like a "magical-ish Scandinavion-ish country, that's been cursed by eternal winter..(Even though their main export is ice.)"
..LOL

Melanie;2429567 wrote: Wouldn't they only be available 60 days out (October 17th)?

Maelstrom is not an available FP+ option for any day from 9/28 through 10/18 (60 days out from today). It does not show up at all. It does show up for today (but standby only). It is an available option up through Sept 27. But starting on Sept 28, it does not show up on MDE as a FP+ option.

Steve

Fangorn;2429592 wrote: Maelstrom is not an available FP+ option for any day from 9/28 through 10/18 (60 days out from today). It does not show up at all. It does show up for today (but standby only). It is an available option up through Sept 27. But starting on Sept 28, it does not show up on MDE as a FP+ option.

Steve

Thanks for clarifying, Steve. This is what's been reported from the get go.

I'll say this... I love The Three Caballeros, but I would trade that abomination of a ride for El Rio del Tiempo in a second. The re-imagining of another attraction in Epcot has me dreading the worst.

My daughters would love a Frozen attraction/area, no doubt, but it is one more nail in the coffin for Epcot as far as I am concerned. What a colossal failure that place is, in terms of what it was meant to stand for at the launch.

If it does end up turning into a Frozen based ride they better make the queue longer. It isn't super long to begin with and there's no telling how long of a wait that ride is going to have when it first opens.