If you had your doubts about the budget or just how extensive the work on the new Frozen attraction at Epcot might be, you may want to look at this…
The photos above were taken under the door at the attraction’s entrance, the former lobby of the Maelstrom ride in Norway of Epcot’s World Showcase. The word demolition comes to mind as it looks like they have in many places ripped walls out or at least stripped them down to the structural steel.
Since the announcement of the ride earlier this year, there has been much debate about the budget and how extensive the attraction update might be. These photos are the first real proof that at least the entrance and exit of the ride will be vastly different from Maelstrom. It is still unknown if the boat flume will remain, but some sources have claimed that the ride will be entirely new, and these photos may make that easier to believe. However, it is still possible that a boat ride is behind these walls. Only time will tell.
Photos from @JohnCFSS on twitter.
Great detective work. Who is paying for this transformation? Surely not Norway, as this wasn’t their idea and they seem to be firmly against it…
The main reason is Norway failed to pay for sponsoring the pavilion and no business stood up to also sponsor jnlike other pavilions. I loved Maelstrom wish it got sponsored.
Norway was approached to refurb the ride without Frozen theming, and they declined. Disney is paying for the refurb at this point.
Thats not true… Norway have not been informed or consulted by Disney about this change. If Im wrong, where do this come from?
Terrible move. Nothing cultural about this. Just a passing movie fad.
Not terrible. Not a “passing fad”, either. And don’t start with”nothing cultural about this” tripe!
I agree whole heartedly James.
Norway (the country) hasn’t been attached to pavilion or ride in years.
Yes the queue is going to be completely different in order to handle the crowds. The previous queue would have no chance to hold the amount of people that will want to ride the new ride. The ride itself though will have the same boat flume. SOme projections will be installed as well, but it is mostly an overlay
Frozen ride at Epcot will be awesome and Great Detective work of the pictures of the old Maelstrom photos! Frozen ride will be awesome!