how long before Maelstrom becomes 'Frozen'

[Terra]

Netflix streams many of the animated Disney movies: Mulan, Lilo and Stitch, Pocahontas... Just do a search...

I've seen those, I just can't find the China one. It would be cool if they did the Impressions de France.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I've seen those, I just can't find the China one. It would be cool if they did the Impressions de France.

Well they don't stream the theme park movies.. But I am sure you can find it on youtube...

[#1donaldfan]

....it's a shame that a cartoon character needs to be affiliated with EVERY attraction ...because someone in the WDW money-counting-room wants to sell something.[/QUOTE]

It all started with a cartoon character. I think Frozen would be a great upgrade even though I love the ride as it is.

[Goofster]

There will be a tie in somehow...the movie is on track to post $350 million at the U.S. box office alone. I think a permanent meet and greet or changing the Akershus to just Frozen characters would be a neat tie in. But I agree with others on here that Mealstrom should stay as it is, but with an update to the film at the end. My great grand parents immigrated from Norway, so I enjoy the Pavillion as a chance to experience some my heritage until I can travel to Norway and experience it myself. Converting Maelstrom to a tribute of Frozen would turn it into a movie ride rather than a ride devoted to experiencing Norway.

[Dixie Springs]

Very good observation from the OP, whether it would be welcomed by fans or not. It does seem to be a trend, the way Epcot has been watered-down from it's nearly original concept (the original being Walt's residential metropolis). The whole bit about science, industry and culture, is giving way to tie-ins to characters.

I wouldn't blame Disney too much - I think it's responsive. Years ago, I recall several people telling me Epcot was 'boring', or 'not for kids'. I think these folks were wrong, and I defended Epcot like it was a family member. But it gradually moved away from its origins.

Now, to replace that polar bear with Olaf...

[JerseyDad]

Very good observation from the OP, whether it would be welcomed by fans or not. It does seem to be a trend, the way Epcot has been watered-down from it's nearly original concept (the original being Walt's residential metropolis). The whole bit about science, industry and culture, is giving way to tie-ins to characters.

I wouldn't blame Disney too much - I think it's responsive. Years ago, I recall several people telling me Epcot was 'boring', or 'not for kids'. I think these folks were wrong, and I defended Epcot like it was a family member. But it gradually moved away from its origins.

Now, to replace that polar bear with Olaf...

....if the polar bear goes ....I won't!

....my kids fell in love with Epcot from trip #1. They were 7 and 14 yrs of age ...and felt like it was .."a grown-up" kind of place.

...I too recall people saying ..."Epcot is TOO educational" ...and that was last year ...and it was from my SIL ...who ...is a teacher. (perhaps that's why no one will hire her?)

[SandmanGStefani24]

as much as I love this ride, and as much as it needs an overhaul

(I think I remember seeing an IBM computer running DOS programs on it while they mention Norway being advanced in technology )

I think it needs to stay untouched for now. I keep thinking about how much I dislike what they did in Mexico and don't want Norway to become another slapsticky and borderline annoying ride. I say update the film and leave the ride as is/

[TheVBs]

Saw this article this morning and it made me think of this topic:

Disney’s ‘Frozen’ Plans: Theme Parks, Broadway, Videogames and Beyond
Variety
By Marc Graser 11 hours ago

View gallery
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Disney’s Bob Iger said Wednesday that “Frozen” isn’t likely to thaw for Disney for a long time to come.

With the animated film surpassing “The Lion King” as Walt Disney Animation’s highest-grossing toon to date, the Mouse House is developing new ways to expand what it already considers a new franchise.

“There’s a lot of active development,” on new iterations of “Frozen,” said Walt Disney Co. Chief Bob Iger on Wednesday during an earnings call to discuss the company’s strong first quarter results. “You will see ‘Frozen’ in more places than you see today,” including as an adaptation for Broadway, sequels and integrations into its theme parks, videogames and other opportunities.

“This has real franchise potential,” Iger said. “We expect to see not just new product but continued interest in this and continued impact on the bottom line for quite awhile. Its success speaks volumes on the future of animation at our company.”

“Frozen” has earned $865 million worldwide to date, and it continues to play well overseas, where it recently earned $45 million in Korea, the most for any Disney animated film there. It also opened in China this week and bows in Japan on March 15.

“Frozen”-themed toys and other merchandise also were top sellers at Disney Stores during the last three months of the year, the company said.

Iger said the strong performance of “Frozen,” and “Tangled” before that, is in part the result of purchasing Pixar Animation Studios.

“When we bought Pixar, the goal was to rejuvenate Disney Animation under new leadership,” Iger said, with John Lasseter now overseeing the films that come out of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. “Animation is the heart and soul of this company. It’s one of our most creative businesses.”

[Terra]

I love the update/article! I agree that Frozen is a great movie. I haven't enjoyed one that much since The Lion King myself.

Heck, I even put an an order for some Scholastic Books for my classroom and the only one backordered was the Frozen one! And they have no idea how long it will be!

There really is so much beauty they could incorporate. Especially with the snow and ice castle!

[disneynarula]

Beth I agree. I feel the film is a little depressing. It doesn't make me want to visit Norway at all.

I love the movie. It's the whole reason I begged my husband for a Norway cruise. It was fun to see places that were in the movie.

I sit through it every time.

[Joannelet]

I haven't written in a while ((2 active boys will do that to you) but I was just reading people on Facebook talking about this (they were saying it's a done deal) although I know better than to believe that and came rushing on INTERCOT to see if there is a discussion on this.
I was right.
Maelstrom is my hands down favorite in all of Epcot. Every trip I cannot wait to go on this ride when I am there. I loved Horizons when it was there and now this is my favorite. I liked the movie but please Disney do not do this to Maelstrom! The rides and films in the world showcase are to show specific things about that country and to teach about the culture. Elsa having a special ice power is cute and all and the bond of sisters but has nothing to do with the culture of Norway as a whole.
The character meet and greet is perfect there (you may want to add them in Magic Kingdom so we don't have a 4.5 hour wait to meet them) but to put a ride about the movie there is not the best idea.
We have Hollywood studios and Magic Kingdom for animation and live action films. Lets keep it out of World Showcase.

[Melanie]

The character meet and greet is perfect there (you may want to add them in Magic Kingdom so we don't have a 4.5 hour wait to meet them) but to put a ride about the movie there is not the best idea.

We have Hollywood studios and Magic Kingdom for animation and live action films. Lets keep it out of World Showcase.

And this is EXACTLY what I was trying to say on the latest podcast. Well stated!

[Lizzy]

I wouldn't mind the integration of this beautiful movie into the ride. My DD loves this movie, she has only seen it once but I can tell you if there was an element of the movie into the ride then we would have to ride over and over and over.

Replace the move with the sing along songs and I bet families would stay to sing along. Maybe bring Elsa and Anna out to sing along with guests. My daughter would die of happiness over that.

My kids and I actually like the Mexico ride as well.

I do wish they would spend time to add more stuff back into the park. I still only go with my ODS because he is the only one old enough to get it and understand and enjoy the park. My YDS is now 6 and probably would now too, but he is a ride junkie. There is just not enough there for him to enjoy. My DD 3 also loves rides. My ODS (15) went recently and we did everything that interested us and the rides we wanted to do twice. We only had to fast pass Test Track once and Soarin.

We only had a 10 min wait for Maelstrom, and there was a line for Mexico. We went in January- so the park wasn't crazy crowded either.

I am a huge movie and animation fan and so are my kids. I think integrating the movies further into the WS would be fun.

[firefan43]

I love Maelstrom, but I really think it could use a little bit of SOMETHING towards the end. Its neat to see the vikings and polar bears, but when you spalsh down into the final "pool" with the Oil rig, it just doesnt seem to fit.

I think a simple addition of some Frozen characters to the ride would be neat, with a different ending in the final pool.

Just dont totally ruin it like Mexico.

[jonahbear2006]

this would be a sin.

[FaithTrustPixieDust]

Not to stir the pot, but my friend just returned from WDW and said that the general talk is adding Frozen elements into Maelstrom is practically a done deal.

I didn't ask WHO exactly told her this . . . probably the all-knowing WDW bus driver: Keeper of Secret Disney Knowledge.

[DisneyGiant]

Let's face it - Epcot needs some serious work. Serious. It's becoming a half day park with restaurants. They have very little in educational activities in each country, as it stands now.

It would be a cheap hit to add some Frozen elements to Norway & then promote it - Epcot attendance would instantly increase.

As for Mexico - I guess I'm one of the rare ones that like the cartoon addition - before that - I had stopped going to Mexico altogether - I can see those divers & the market place scene in my memory - in fact, they're playing right now.

[ericrsa]

I think a 'Frozen' overlay of Maelstrom could be done well. They could inject some elements of the movie into the actual ride (ala POC) & perhaps redo of the 'exit movie' to show how the beautiful landscapes of Norway inspired the artists.

There's a really good extra on the 'Brave' Blu-ray that shows the artists touring Scotland for inspiration. I'm thinking something like that staring the 'Frozen' characters & the artists. It would be entertaining & informative... and perhaps lure kids & families into staying for a film they now breeze by.

[DisneyGiant]

I think a 'Frozen' overlay of Maelstrom could be done well. They could inject some elements of the movie into the actual ride (ala POC) & perhaps redo of the 'exit movie' to show how the beautiful landscapes of Norway inspired the artists.

There's a really good extra on the 'Brave' Blu-ray that shows the artists touring Scotland for inspiration. I'm thinking something like that staring the 'Frozen' characters & the artists. It would be entertaining & informative... and perhaps lure kids & families into staying for a film they now breeze by.

Great idea!!!

[Kerry823]

We just returned from 10 days at Disney. What I can tell you is that Maelstrom was not operational and had big tarps over the opening where the boats back in for the drop. I have to wonder if this is already happening. I didn't ask because most of the time the CMs don't have the information and just offer conjecture. I guess we will have to wait and see. I agree that there needs to be updates to the Norway movie but I would really be sad to see this ride become another plug to sell merchandise from movie franchise. Put it in Hollywood Studios if it is going to be movie driven or MK if the focus will be on the princess aspect.