RIP Maelstrom

Although it's been rumored for a while, Walt Disney World officially announced today that they'll be closing the boat ride attraction, Maelstrom, in the Norway pavilion at EPCOT and replacing it with a similar ride inspired by the hit movie Frozen.  According to the Disney Parks Blog, 

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.

This comes at no surprise since Frozen is a run a way hit.  Tim and I just got back from visiting Walt Disney World last week, and although we were there in the off season when crowd counts are low, there were still long lines at every Frozen themed meet & greet, gift shop, & show.  WDW needs a Frozen attraction, simply to meet demand and make their guests happy.  I can understand why they wouldn't put it in Magic Kingdom.  That park just had millions of dollars poured into it with the New Fantasyland expansion.  Disney's Studios Park is about to get a huge Star Wars expansion (or so it's rumored).  Also, even though the "Frozen Summer of Fun" event is happening at the Studios park, it seems an odd match up.  They start the event each day with Anna and Elsa making a grand entrance into the park and being welcomed to "Hollywoodland"... it just doesn't feel like their "home attraction" should be in the park that's all about the making of movies.   Honestly, the studios park has lost it's focus-- but that's a topic for another day.



Back to Frozen.  The movie's design, visual elements and even some characters were clearly inspired by the real Norway--- so it's not too far of a stretch to slap some Frozen into the Norway pavilion in EPCOT.  Especially since World Showcase is lacking in rides.  The Germany pavilion never got its rumored matterhorn bobsled attraction and neither did Italy get it's canal boat ride.  And let's not even talk about the empty spots where new countries should be added.  Needless to say, World Showcase needs some love and something for the kids to do (other than play the incredibly fun Agent P game!).  Of course it would have been nice to keep Maelstrom and add a 2nd ride!  But now I'm just dreaming.  Replacing an existing ride is much cheaper since you're not adding the labor and maintenance a new ride.  Basically the cost of running Frozen will be roughly the same as Maelstrom.   I've heard that Disney went to the Norway people and offered to let them sponsor the pavilion-- basically paying to keep Frozen out-- but they turned down that deal.  So, why not make the Norway Pavilion Anna and Elsa's main home on property.  They aren't the first princesses in World Showcase.  You can meet Mulan in China, Belle in France, Snow White in Germany.  Of course these are just meet and greets- not actual attractions.  And these fairytales actually come from those countries... but... still, my point is EPCOT's World Showcase isn't without fantasy and fairytales already.  This just bumps it up to another level.

So- am I happy?  Well... I'm a mixed bag of emotions.  I like Maelstrom.  It doesn't hold a special place in my heart like Haunted Mansion or Spaceship Earth- but it's a fun attraction.  And I do have a bit of Frozen Fever.  I mean, it's a great movie and really speaks to the musical theatre lover inside of me.  So I'm deciding to look on the bright side.  I'm excited to ride the new Frozen boat adventure.  And while, I'll miss the trolls saying "back! back over the falls!", I can always re-experience it on youtube.

BUT-- I seem to be in the minority as an optimist.  My Facebook and Twitter feeds have exploded with Disney fans upset about this announcement.  You can read some of them below.  But what do you think?