Walt Disney Company Files Permits for 1.08 Acre Expansion to Epcot's World Showcase

I think part of the problem is that Disney is now breathlessly announcing "attractions" that a few years ago didn't merit more than a quick nod on a guidebook schedule. Now, granted, Disney has always been a bit loose with the definition of an "attraction," (bathroom of the future, anyone?) but it wasn't that many years ago that characters were simply streetmosphere, and, while kind of neat, not something you would write home about. Also, granted, the meet and greet areas are now themed to the hilt, but I think maybe folks would have really liked those funds to go to a real "attraction" that pushes the envelope a bit more.

I'm sure the pavilion will be done well and it's not like they are using a ride pavilion for it (i.e., Snow White's Scary Adventures to Princess M&G). It was an empty lot that will now allow access to a very popular and in-demand Disney IP. With a sequel coming, etc., I don't see the Frozen popularity to dissipate anytime soon with its young fans.

As for the conversion of Maelstrom to the Frozen ride, that I am not on board with.

joonyer;2444770 wrote: I don't think of it so much as "hating" on the meet 'n greets, as it is expressing disappointment that a long awaited "expansion" in Epcot is not going to be a new country pavilion, exposition hall or major attraction. If anything, Epcot has contracted with the closure of some attractions (WoL). Plus, you have to consider than the people who post on these boards about Disney's plans are not little kids, and while many of them do have small children, waiting in line for a really long time to see a character doesn't hold the same level of excitement and anticipation as it does for their little ones.

I agree and would like to add a little about the negativity towards the meet and greets.

The meet and greets with the characters mostly only appeals to a narrow window age group. I know some will disagree but for the most part it is young girls around ages 6 to 13 or so. Any younger and many are scared of them. A 6ft mouse is sort of scary to small children that don't yet grasp it is a character. Most boys including mine could not have cared less about the characters. They, like myself, felt we were wasting valuable real attraction time while standing around waiting to get a pic with characters. We would much rather the money be spent on real attractions.

The upside to the meet and greets, though, is they pull a lot of the huge strollers off the paths and our ankles for a little while so we can walk around with skin intact.

VWL Mom;2444345 wrote: Thanks Jason!

While I've long wanted an addition to the WS, a meet and greet just wasn't what I was looking for. :(

Ditto....Disappointed is an understatement!

Janmac;2444347 wrote: Agreed. My first thought was finally! Then, oh :(.
Jan

Agreed...

1DisneyNut;2444355 wrote: I got all excited and then discovered it was a Frozen meet and greet........in the world showcase.

Strmchsr;2444358 wrote: Given repeated evidence we pretty much need to face facts: Disney is no longer a visionary company wanting to give guests unique and exciting experiences. They are pandering to the lowest common denominator with cash grabs. They still do their guest service things well, but the days of imagination and innovative experiences are gone.

VacationDisney;2444363 wrote: Like mentioned above got really excited then found out it was a meet & greet and that was the end of my excitement:mad:

Stu29573;2444385 wrote: Wow. Epic fail on SO many levels...

And speaking of "fails," I just saw where the Avitar movies are being pushed back.. again... I never thought that was a good wagon to be hitched to anyway...

Stu29573;2444388 wrote: You know, I liked the movie, but good lord, I didn't like it THAT much! I guess long gone are the days when Disney takes the profits from a smash hit and invests them all back into the creative side of the company. Now its all stockholders and CEO's...

joonyer;2444770 wrote: I don't think of it so much as "hating" on the meet 'n greets, as it is expressing disappointment that a long awaited "expansion" in Epcot is not going to be a new country pavilion, exposition hall or major attraction. If anything, Epcot has contracted with the closure of some attractions (WoL). Plus, you have to consider than the people who post on these boards about Disney's plans are not little kids, and while many of them do have small children, waiting in line for a really long time to see a character doesn't hold the same level of excitement and anticipation as it does for their little ones.

All of the above and more. I hope they have more in mind than just this. How can they compare Maelstrom to a meet and greet? Ohh my aching feet thinking of just being in that line. I don't think I could do it. :(

Pally

Past Trips

Pop- Dec 2015
Portofino Bay-(Club)Universal Dec, 2015
Pop - Oct 2012
Pop- Aug/Sept 2009
Wilderness Lodge - Dec. 2006
Portofino Bay-(Club)-Universal- Dec 2006
Sheraton Vistana Villages- May 2003
Sheraton Vistana Villages- April 2002
Off-site-May 1989-

 

Pally;2445098 wrote: How can they compare Maelstrom to a meet and greet? Ohh my aching feet thinking of just being in that line. I don't think I could do it. :(

The Meet and Greet is NOT the replacement for Maelstrom. That is something completely different, even if it IS themed to Frozen. The Meet and Greet is an addition in the space between the Norway and Mexico pavilions. We have yet to see much for detail on the Maelstrom replacement other than it uses pretty much the same footprint as the original ride (+/- the film area???)

....saddest part of all this "anticipated excitement" regarding the 'expansion' ...is that ...given the normal attention span of a person in this day and age (equal to that of a harried gnat) ...the whole Frozen popularity phenomenon will soon be a distant memory.

.....unless Disney intends to pop out something like "Frozen II: The Thaw Continues" ...in the very near future.

JerseyDad;2445200 wrote: ....saddest part of all this "anticipated excitement" regarding the 'expansion' ...is that ...given the normal attention span of a person in this day and age (equal to that of a harried gnat) ...the whole Frozen popularity phenomenon will soon be a distant memory.

.....unless Disney intends to pop out something like "Frozen II: The Thaw Continues" ...in the very near future.

Oh, don't worry, there WILL be sequels, . . .

Frozen IV: Global Warming

Janmac;2444347 wrote: Agreed. My first thought was finally! Then, oh :(.

And then I thought at least the meet & greet might keep the congestion down inside Norway itself.

Jan

Definitely how my thoughts went, too. I actually really enjoyed the movie Frozen, but I am so disappointed that when the WS finally gets an "expansion" it is to insert *another* Frozen themed thing.

They are tying to make EPCOT appeal more to families. I like it just the way it is, a few more countries would be nice. NOT more meet and greet.

cajunmickey;2445238 wrote: They are tying to make EPCOT appeal more to families. I like it just the way it is, a few more countries would be nice. NOT more meet and greet.

....yes ....that's a possible reason behind all the "expansion". However ....I ...myself ....being the "Non-Believer-in-Chief" ....think it's only about the $$$$.

...I too love EPCOT ...and the World Showcase ...as it is. I don't need to be dazzled ...to appreciate the cultural aspects of the countries that exist there. And ...I may also add ...that the World Showcase ....and Epcot in general ...have been the favorite WDW destinations of my two daughters ...since our first visit in 2004. The only "meet/greet" that my oldest daughter (now 26) ever desired to seek out ...was one with "Genie" from Aladin ....only because it was a Halloween costume she wore when she was about 7 yrs old.

....my youngest daughter ...now 18 yrs old ...never gravitated toward meet/greet venues ....yet ...loved all the cultural aspects of the World Showcase.

Why am I not surprised. Another Meet and Greet....No imagination at all.