‘Frozen Ever After’ in Epcot News & Rumors
‘Frozen Ever After’ is an attraction opening in June 2016 at Epcot in Walt Disney World. Disney officially announced that Maelstrom in Norway at the World Showcase will be replaced by a Frozen attraction.
Disney has set an official date for the attraction to open, and it is June 21, 2016. (Additionally, it’s rumored to be soft-opening by June 17, 2016–the same day as Soarin’ Around the World.) Once Frozen Ever After officially opens, expect the Norway pavilion to open at the same time as Future World. The adjacent Royal Sommerhus, Anna and Elsa’s new meet & greet location, will also open on June 21, 2016.
Starting June 21, the Norway Pavilion will open at 9 a.m., along with the Future World area of Epcot. FastPass+ for Frozen Ever After will be available for booking starting May 21, and you will want to be up early ready to book if you’re traveling this summer, as these will be the hot FastPass+ to score.
The attraction will likely be a Tier A FastPass+ attraction, giving Epcot 3 highly coveted top selections in Test Track, Frozen Ever After, and Soarin’ Around the World. Given its lower capacity as compared to Soarin’ and Test Track, we’d recommend using FastPass+ on it. Alternatively, making a pre-opening ADR for Akershus would and rope dropping Frozen Ever After would be a good alternative. We’ll update our 1-Day Epcot Ideal Day Plan to reflect this. Expect Frozen Ever After wait times to exceed 120 minutes for much of the summer, so yeah…you’ll definitely want a plan.
Once FastPass+ become available for Frozen Ever After, we’ll also update our Guide to FastPass+ at Walt Disney World post, too. Basically, what you should know is that Frozen Ever After will be the best and most highly sought-after FastPass+ in all of Walt Disney World. Capacity for this attraction is low and demand is very high, which will be a recipe for it “selling out” of FastPass+ as soon as that 60-day window opens.
Want some more info about the new attraction? The new ‘Frozen’ attraction 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.
To date, few details have been released, but the Wall Street Journal offered a sneak peak at the attraction, and it should be noted that the italicized text below could constitute spoilers, as it is basically a scene-by-scene description of the ride through:
“Once [guests] board their logs, ‘Frozen Ever After” riders will first see goofy snowman Olaf and equally goofy reindeer Sven setting up the Winter Festival premise.
Next is a stop at Troll Valley, where Grandpappy Troll tells a gathering of children the story of how Anna and Kristof met, before the log goes up a ramp to find Olaf again, singing a song while ice skating, right next to Anna and Kristof, who are singing with their friend Sven.
Behind a set of doors is the moment any visitor is sure to be waiting for: Elsa, on a balcony, singing “Let It Go” in her ice castle. It’s the centerpiece of the ride…and it features elaborate effects to create simulated snow crystals soaring around the room.
Visitors will next ride by Marshmallow, the giant, formerly evil snowman from “Frozen” and his miniature Snowgie pals…
Marshmallow himself yells “Let It Go” in time with Elsa’s song before the log travels through a mist cloud and reaches the final scene, which includes fireworks and a wave from Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven and Kristof.”
Imagineering creative executive Kathy Mangum, who oversees the Walt Disney World Resort, informed the Wall Street Journal that Maelstrom had been gutted, with only the original water flume track remaining, and the attraction otherwise being re-made from scratch.
With that, here’s our original post written prior to the announcement of ‘Frozen Ever After’ that predicted a Frozen attraction coming to Norway, and what we’d like to see happen if one came…
There was a time when Disney characters in World Showcase seemed less likely than pigs flying or…uh…certain ‘things’ freezing over. Well, it seems Epcot’s Norway is about to be Frozen over. Maelstrom closed in 2014 to make way for a Frozen attraction, which would essentially be a quick conversion of Maelstrom into a Frozen attraction, rather than an entirely new attraction in its place.
These plans have already proven quite divisive among Disney fans. The consensus among EPCOT Center fans is that Maelstrom should not be replaced by anything-Frozen, which is not set in Norway and is disrespectful to World Showcase. Fans of the addition are generally excited about anything coming to World Showcase, which has had plenty of restaurants and shops added over the years, but hasn’t seen a new attraction since Maelstrom in 1988.
I’m a big fan of movies, and one thing that really fascinates may is how the critical consensus of a film can radically differ from the audience consensus. In terms of Disney attractions, I think the same often happens in terms of the fan consensus versus the average guest consensus. Many Disney fans have expressed frustration regarding the Frozen Ever After announcement in the last couple of years, but my guess would be that the general public largely won’t notice or won’t mind Frozen in Norway at Epcot.
The biggest objection I see from many Disney fans with regard to Frozen in EPCOT Center is that Frozen isn’t set in Norway, and as such, isn’t a perfect fit. Having witnessed the trajectory of Epcot over the past dozen-plus years, I don’t think ‘perfect fit’ is really a realistic measuring-stick anymore. Nowadays, we aren’t learning about the depths of the oceans in Future World, we’re joining a surfer-dude turtle as he looks for a fish.
We aren’t exploring the future of energy…we’re presented a decade-plus old, biased view of it. There’s scarcely a single pavilion in Future World that does justice to its topic. Beyond Future World, World Showcase has also seen the introduction of characters, and those characters certainly do not accurately represent their host countries. Frozen may be set in a fictional location, but for better or worse, it’s about as accurate to Norway as Beauty and the Beast is to France or Mulan is to China.
Moreover, Maelstrom itself isn’t exactly the most representative or compelling showcase of Norwegian culture. I’d hazard a guess that Frozen has done far more for Norway’s tourism industry than Maelstrom ever has, plus Norway has definitely embraced Frozen. There’s plenty in Frozen that is an accurate portrayal of Norway.
Check out The Art of Frozen, which features photos from the film team’s research trip to Norway and shows some striking similarities to background art and designs from the film if you want further proof of this. It discusses how the art team for the movie pulled from the Norwegian village of Balestrand in terms of architecture and design, utilized the Norwegian patterning style of rosemaling to give texture to costuming, and the parallels to Norway’s untamed wilderness. Frozen may not be technically set in Norway, but it’s certainly “inspired by” Norway.
I am not saying this to try to justify it as being close enough–there is no changing the fact that Frozen is not set in Norway–it’s set in a fictional country. I think it was a mistake for EPCOT Center to deviate from its original mission, but that new course was set in the mid-1990s. It’d be crazy to pretend this is the first instance of Epcot going off-theme. Rather, it’s a sad trend that has been ongoing for two decades. I just hope we get a high-quality attraction out of this that makes some effort at fitting into World Showcase.
Rather than going for the low-hanging fruit and doing a CliffNotes version of the film, it would be great to see a tour of Norwegian culture and heritage, hosted by the characters from Frozen. Many Disney fans would still grumble over the presence of characters in World Showcase, but I think just as many would be satisfied if the attraction makes an earnest effort to showcase authentic culture, and does so in a way that will captivate kids. Take guests through fjords and encounter polar bears, musk ox, mosses, and trolls based on Norwegian folklore, explaining the significance of each. Bonus points here for not phoning it in with the ‘condense a movie into 5 minutes’ ploy.
I have very little faith that Disney will actually make the attraction respectful to actual Norwegian culture, but I think doing so would do a lot to blunt a lot of the outcry over the prospect of a Frozen attraction, which is actually set in a fictional country (and there are no two ways about that, regardless of how much of Frozen is ‘inspired by’ Norway), moving into World Showcase.
Just because the precedent is there and Frozen isn’t as awful of a fit as some are arguing doesn’t mean it’s a good fit. Although EPCOT Center broke from its mission statement in the mid-1990s, I’m still one of the crazy few who hopes for a return to form. Epcot isn’t beyond the point of no return. Part of me thinks that with a couple of changes here and there, Epcot could again be the park that captured the minds and imaginations of countless guests and really redefined what a theme park could do, with lofty ambitions for a park that fused education with entertainment.
Maelstrom did not age well and was overdue for a replacement, but Frozen in its place is another nail in the coffin of EPCOT Center for those of us who remember that ambitious, concept park.
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Your Thoughts…
What do you think of adding Frozen to Norway in World Showcase? Which additions would you like to see instead of this? Any other placemaking ideas for Epcot? If you have any other tips or ‘Armchair Imagineering,’ please share in the comments!
There is no denying that Epcot has been forgotten about by WDI. The latest addition of test track 2.0 was a band-aid on a gaping wound. As much as I love Maelstrom, anything new at Epcot is a welcome addition. Frozen is hot right now. There is even an ABC special coming up to talk about the future of Frozen on Sept. 2 so I bet you’ll hear news of this expansion there. If not the ride than at least the announcement of a sequel. There is room, not much, but room to make that show building bigger, but if Disney goes cheap on this one after putting out some incredible new rides(not necessarily in the US) then they are selling the fans, all of them, short. I’d love to see the Ratatouille ride make its way to the France pavilion honestly. Imagination with a refresh to be like the comic is a great idea, there is huge potential there. Epcot will never be EPCOT again, sadly those days are gone, but it still can be an amazing park, WDI just has to care about it.
Epcot needs a complete overhaul, a lot of the park rides are dated or have gone away from the original Epcot. Pretty much everything you said. I’m all for frozen ride going in hopefully it will be educational and fun
I agree that Journey to Imagination has so much untapped potential and like the idea of doing something new that honors the old attraction but uses new technology like Mystic Manor. That could be amazing and be a huge draw that Future World needs.
Since we’re talking about a wish list, I’d love to see an updated version of Universe of Energy. There’s so much they could cover and still make it fun. I also would love to have a real descent for Spaceship Earth, though it isn’t likely to happen.
I have mixed feelings on Frozen in Norway. I love Maelstrom, but I can totally see why they’d change it. I just hope whatever is new actually does something interesting.
My neck hurts from nodding while I was reading this article. EPCOT was always my favorite park when I was young. Then when I was 9 MGM opened and took over first place. Now MGM (I still can’t call it Hollywood Studios)is hurting, I hope that Star Wars can save it and EPCOT has lost it’s way and these were some inspired ideas. You can tell that you love this park. I think you need to head CA and get in with the Imagineers. I will miss Malstrom, but I like Frozen so I am torn. I just hope they don’t just trow Olaf in with the Polar bears and replace the oil rig with the main charters on a frozen pond waving at the boat as it goes by.
Yes to the Tapestry of Nations Parade! I have some many good memories of that parade. I also agree with Tim about maybe an expansion to the Norway pavilion but not a replacement of Maelstrom. Seems like a good middle ground.
“For average guests, it’s a puzzling look into a land inhabited by trolls, anorexic polar bears, and oil rigs”
Not just for average guests. I consider myself a Disney Fan and I never really liked the ride. In my opinion, it was short, not very well made and had an awfully long and boring movie at the end. Not nearly as good an air conditioned time sink as Ellen’s Energy Adventure is.
Whether a Frozen ride would be a good idea or not, only time will tell! I’m already at over saturation with Frozen. Hopefully the target audience won’t be at that point by the time the ride is finished. 🙂
I am an norwegian, and it’s always been a pleasure visiting the norwegian pavillion. The first time I visited the pavillion (back in 86), I found the Maelstrom quite fun and representative for Norway. – When we came back this year, we visited the same attraction and I was shocked!! No updates.. Especially the movie they are showing.. I don’t think it’s representative for Norway anymore..
I don’t think they should change the ride to a Frozen theme, but update it!
Frozen is indeed a nice movie, but we don’t have talking snowmen or polar bears in the streets here in Norway!
There’s an empty country pad between Norway and Mexico. I wouldn’t mind Disney taking that over and creating an entire Frozen-themed expansion of Norway; but don’t ruin Maelstrom! Maybe update it, and you could do a new video that’s based on Frozen (“Olaf’s Guide to Norway” would get kids to watch, I’m sure).
I will admit, however, that even if they change the ride, it’s at least some attention to EPCOT, which I’d love to see more than anything.
Rode Maelstrom for the first time last year so there’s no nostalgia for me – we found it to be kind of ‘funky fun!” Your photos of the Norway pavilion are truly beautiful!
I think ‘funky fun’ is a fair description. I’ll definitely miss Maelstrom and I’m glad to get to say goodbye to it, but I think its day has come and gone…
First trip to WDW (2012), we never made it to Maelstrom. Fortunately we did on our 2013 trip, and I so regret not getting right back on line and riding it again. My entire family (elementary and HS aged kids, plus forty-something DH and I) still laugh whenever it comes up in conversation – definitely ‘awesomely bad’. Having said that, even though my love of Frozen has cooled (ha!) due to overexposure, I still think it makes sense to incorporate it into Norway. Here’s to hoping they do a good job, because it sounds like a done deal at this point…
I’ve heard the ‘overexposure’ thing a lot, and I definitely feel the same way about ‘Frozen,’ but even if its popularity does die down…it remains the #1 animated film of all time, and was made in the timeless style of Disney animation. While this generation of kids will likely love it more than all others, I’d imagine subsequent generations will grow up with it, too. It’s not like the popularity of ‘The Lion King’ ended when I was a kid.
ITA – at some point (like most who really enjoyed the movie when it was released) I will be able to happily watch it again!
just a little quibble here. Calling Frozen the #1 animated film of all time based on its overall box office does not take the whole story into account. It’s the same as saying Avatar is the #1 movie of all time. I think it makes more sense to look at the numbers when adjusting for inflation, which comes a lot closer to reflecting how many people actually saw the movies in the theater. Doing it this way makes Gone With the Wind the #1 movie of all time, and leaves Frozen still way back at #101, well behind Snow White, 101 Dalmations, Sleeping Beauty and Fantasia. Now each of those films has been re-released a few times, so maybe someone with better knowledge of the initial box office adjusted numbers can chime in and enlighten us even more!
A THOUSAND TIMES YES to restoring Journey into the Imagination to its former glory! EPCOT was my favorite park as a child, and that was my favorite ride in the park. I loved the ride, the characters and the song, but I especially loved the amazing, imagination playground that you got to experience after the ride. (My poor parents had to spend so much time running around after me in there.) Imagine (haha) my distress when I returned in my junior year of high school, after a six year break from WDW, to find that the attraction was now sponsored by Kodak, who had changed the ride and GUTTED the post-ride playground. I could have spent hours in there as a child, and this time around I only spent about 15 minutes. Granted, there was an age difference, but that was also because they took away most of the play space. There used to be an entire room filled with differently-colored circles of light that made different sound effects when you jumped on them. After the revamp, that room was reduced to the equivalent of one course of hopscotch. URGH. I hate it. I didn’t even go in on my last trip to WDW, because what’s the point?
As far as bringing Frozen to Norway’s pavilion goes, I have been hoping they would do that ever since the film really took off. Maelstrom is fine, but it’s so dated and… bizarre. I love the idea of doing a tour of Norway’s history and culture, hosted by the characters of Frozen. I think it would be a perfect way to attract the youngsters in… and then make them learn something along the way. Isn’t that kind of the point of EPCOT? Entertaining education?
Sadly, Kodak was the sponsor for Journey into Imagination from the very beginning. It would have made a lot more sense if they became the sponsor and changed it into what it is now. We typically skip it now, too.
“Edutainment” is exactly the point of Epcot. Now, there’s the question of whether they will even try for that with the ‘Frozen’ attraction in Maelstrom. If they do not, I think it will give a lot of validity to all of the complaints.
As a Rochesterian, I have to say, “don’t blame Kodak!”. They have enough problems as it is!
In all seriousness, I would love to see a rehaul of Journey into Imagination. I don’t have any memories of it from my childhood, but I understand that a lot of people do and for good reason. It sounds like it was really cool!
Also, I think you make a lot of good points about the potential Frozen additions to Norway. Maelstorm is dated and in need of some plussing, so to speak. I’d much rather see a well done attraction including characters than a dated, not so great attraction staying put for nostalgic reasons. I guess I just don’t see any point in getting worked up over rumors. I’d rather see how the finished product turns out and then make my judgement. If it’s terrible, you can always skip it! That’s what we do with Journey Into Imagination 😉
Kodak was always the sponsor? I guess that nuance was lost on my seven-year-old self. I don’t understand why they overhauled the attraction the way that they did. Jess, I can promise you that it was very, very cool. It would be nice if my future children could enjoy it the way I did.
I think my biggest problem with Frozen taking over Maelstrom is that its far too short to do the movie justice. Its not big enough to do a Little Mermaid type of dark ride, which would be the best way to incorporate the songs that everyone seems to love (I’d rather have a Tangled ride but that’s just me) and give the average guest what they want in a Frozen ride.
With it being such a big hit they need to build a completely new ride and go big with it, I’d suggest MGM being the best place for it. Let it replace Backlot Tour or the Animation building that is basically wasted now since they no longer do animation there. That way it won’t mess up anything with Star Wars.
If they add the characters to Maelstrom a la Three Caballeros in Mexico I don’t think the average guest will be happy with the result and die hards won’t be happy either since its a cheap change.
Duration (and the current ride system) is a huge reason why you wouldn’t even try to do the movie justice. There’s a good chance a Frozen Sing-Along attraction will exist at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (likely in the location of the former American Idol Experience), so leave the music to that.
Instead, cover new territory with the ride. Most of Disney’s best attractions based upon movies do not try to tell the full story of the movie. It’s just too difficult of a task, regardless of whether the ride is 5 minutes or 10 minutes. Plus, it doesn’t bring anything new to the table. The movie tells the story of the movie better than the ride!
Exactly, if they can’t do the movie justice why do the incorporation at all. There aren’t enough set pieces and different scenes to really allow all the characters to be shown off. You have at least 4-7 characters that have to be used (Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, Sven, the giant snowman, and maybe the trolls) The ride isn’t long enough to even begin to cram all of them in there even if they are just small cameos.
The Frozen overlay of Maelstrom just doesn’t make any sense and I think they are going to shoot themselves in the foot on this one when they could knock it out of the park by building new.
Epcot World Showcase was meant to exhibit living, breathing countries and not just generate more revenue for Walt Disney Pictures. The Norway pavilion has always been my favorite, and while it may not generate as much tourism as an animated international sensation, I booked a trip and visited Norway this past March solely based on my experience at Epcot – I am not sure I would know anything about the country if it weren’t for that pavilion, and I certainly wouldn’t have made such an effort to get there.
I have not heard that Norway has “embraced” Frozen. In fact, Norway is considering cutting funding to the pavilion altogether in regards to this change: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2014/07/24/frozen-norway-disney-epcot/
I would be devastated to see it turned into anything but what it is meant to be – a showcase of culture. Leave the Fantasy for Fantasyland.
Besides the articles I linked to in the post, if you google “Frozen Norway Tourism” you can find dozens of articles on how ‘Frozen’ has been huge for tourism to Norway.
I don’t doubt that some people visit Norway as a result of Maelstrom, but the sheer number visiting as a result of ‘Frozen’ is unprecedented. Not all Norwegians may like the motivation for these trips, but if I were in the travel and tourism sector of Norway’s economy, I sure wouldn’t be complaining.
“Before you throw your shoe at your computer screen” Coincidentally(?) my 3-month old monitor just happened to bite the dust this afternoon. I think I’m going to just blame your post. (Luckily, it’s still under warranty.)
I can get behind most of the proposed demands, but I’dd add the removal of the tombstones from the entrance plaza.
I’m actually ambivalent about the presence of Frozen/characters-in-general in Epcot. I’m not for it, but not as completely against as some. My biggest issue is that it’s a replacement. I want something new, and there is plenty of space for new, but not at the expense of something old.
Ah yes, the removal of the tombstones. How didn’t I think of that?!
I think the biggest problem with replacements v. additions in Epcot in this case is that it’s, essentially, Frozen or nothing. There’s no room for expansion in Norway, and Frozen REALLY doesn’t make sense anywhere else in the park.
Yes, I agree. I yearn for the majesty of the original view of the looming, futuristic sphere as you enter EPCOT from the front….that image totally set the tone of awe & possibility. Those triangular name plates shrink the “ball’s” impact & relative size & only spell more ways to collect $. That design move truly missed the boat, in my opinion, and fizzles the former grand first impression. Couldn’t they have placed that jarring clutter elsewhere?
I agree with your ideas of Dreamfinder returning and ride improvements. I’ve only been on it once since I was a kid. The current version is not a journey into imagination. I even “forgot” to take my kids on the ride their first trip.
I love Frozen, but I wish EPCOT would return to a more educational experience. I remember as a kid always hoping there would be a new land every time we visited (every 3-4 yrs). I was so disappointed not seeing anything new. How about some representation of South America or Australia/New Zealand? I may not get to travel to all the other countries I want to travel to. EPCOT could be a good way for those like me to see/experience other countries.
I’m not real keen on Avatar land or Star Wars land. I’d much rather see Cars land at Hollywood Studios.
I’d love to see another country in World Showcase (with or without an attraction, honestly, just a new place to visit would be nice) and there are expansion pads where it could be located. The countries you mentioned are all interesting, but it seems like Animal Kingdom is skewing more towards some of those.
I’m surprised we haven’t seen Brazil yet. With how many Brazilian guests now visit Walt Disney World, it seems like a natural choice. Heck, if they could have quickly built it by the World Cup, I’ll bet merchandise and food & beverage sales would have paid for the costs of construction!
Maelstrom has always been the platypus of attractions. The room where you board the boats is so bland that you don’t have any sense of what you’ll be encountering when you leave the dock…which may not be a bad thing since it’s neither a thrill ride nor a flat-out travelogue. Maybe adding the “Frozen” touches judiciously (like when Ellen joined the Universe of Energy) would be interesting. Definitely does not need to be a Journey to Arendelle where you ride in sleighs past scenes from the movie. (Sorry, I was really disappointed in the Little Mermaid ride.)
“Definitely does not need to be a Journey to Arendelle where you ride in sleighs past scenes from the movie.”
Totally agree. If that is what happens with this attraction, I will really be disappointed. While I’m not completely against the idea of a ‘Frozen’ attraction replacing Maelstrom in theory, I definitely would be against it if that’s how the attraction is executed.
I first went to EPCOT in 1989 and still remember the Living Seas exhibit. I enjoy taking my children to Epcot now, but I think they would also like to see the old style exhibits. Epcot is already their favorite park.
I have often wondered whether kids really didn’t like the style of EPCOT Center, thus necessitating a change to Epcot, or if those in charge of Disney assumed guests didn’t.
I think it was probably a mix of both. Less educational content appealed more to average (average, not all) guests, and Disney decided it would be easier to go for the low hanging fruit.
We spent a week at WDW when I was 10 back in 1986 and my favorite part was the old Communicore at EPCOT. My aunt had an IBM home so I was just getting into computers and found the whole thing fascinating. When they did the remodal to Innoventions, I was horrified and very disappointed in the results.
Echoing same sentiments as the others here about “Frozen.”
I love your idea to not gun for the low hanging fruit. I happen to love Maelstrom. When I was a kid, it’s one of those attractions that I poured over and over in my Birnbaum official WDW guide back in the 90s. I had never heard of it before reading about it, and since this was before the Internet hit critical mass, I only had those few paragraphs to tide me over.
I agree that EPCOT should be educational. It’s what makes it unique and what is it with this desire that just seems to just want to entertain? I might be showing my age, but I was entertained just fine when I was a young kid back then.
EPCOT in my own opinion peaked in the mid 80s to the mid 90s. It was EPCOT that seeded my love for all things Disney park related.
Please, at the very least, they should restore the dignity of Dreamfinder.
To some degree, I think what entertains kids has changed in the last two decades. I don’t pretend to know all of the causes of this, but it sure seems like entertainment, in general, has been dumbed-down to a degree. That goes for all types of entertainment, not just that aimed at children.
I would agree that EPCOT Center peaked in the early 1990s. I’d pick 1993 as the exact year that it peaked.
I’m so over Frozen. Was never crazy about it to begin with. I want the old, educational EPCOT (all caps!) back. If they need to put “characters” in Norway, I’d rather see the Hansen brothers of “Deadliest Catch” taking us out on a fishing adventure.
I still weep over the loss of Tapestry of Nations.
I cringe at the idea of any reality TV characters anywhere in Disney (even if I think the show is pretty good), because of the shelf-life of that versus how long Disney would keep the attraction. At least with ‘Frozen,’ even if some people are sick of it now, its popularity will eventually settle in to a normal level and it will remain popular for decades to come. American Idol has demonstrated that even the most popular show now may not be popular in 3-4 years…and then what becomes of the attraction?
For what it’s worth, I was unable to book a fastpass for maelstrom over Columbus Day weekend, if you want more anecdotal info…
The unavailability of FastPass+, among other things, is one reason why it is anticipated that Maelstrom is slated to be replaced.