This week, we’re taking a look at the last day of operation of Maelstrom in Norway at World Showcase. The attraction will undergo a year of Imagineering to turn it into a Frozen ride. I’ve got tons of photos of this classic Epcot attraction for you, so let’s get started!
Maelstrom Last Day
This past Sunday was the last day of operation for the Maelstrom, as Disney prepares to give the attraction a Frozen theme. We took lots of photos of the ride and the pavilion in general since it may never be the same.
The map!
Inside the attraction.
Now for some pictures of the gift shop and merchandise, which I fear may change to basically be all Frozen related.
Overall, I am really saddened by the loss of Maelstrom. From a selfish standpoint, I grew up with it, and as a kid, it was a favorite of mine. As a fan of EPCOT Center, it hurts to see an original ride concept go away in favor of an animated film, especially when at Walt Disney World there is plenty of space where a grand Frozen attraction (or even a whole land) could be built. Replacing Maelstrom appears to simply be the cheapest way to get the sisters into their own ride, so that’s what Disney went with. I also fear for what will be VERY long queues for this ride in a very small World Showcase pavilion.
Maelstrom was’t a perfect attraction. It had story problems and an a terrible ending. Most folks simply breezed through the movie at the end of the attraction. That said, it was great to see so many fans out on the last day to bid it farewell.
Would you rather that Disney had updated Maelstrom to fix its flow and story problems or are you happy to see Frozen taking over?
Join MiceChat in Orlando October 22nd – 29th for a full week of fun, meets, events, meals, and friendship.
A full round up of invasion activities is available HERE. But don’t miss out on your chance to sign up for the MiceChat WDW Gumball Rally, or the wonderful Sip and Nibble around Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.
MiceChat WDW Gumball Rally – NOW FREE!!!
One great day, two huge parks, a world of maniacal fun, how many attractions can YOU ride?
The MiceChat Walt Disney World Gumball Rally returns on October 26th. Teams of 2, 3, or 4, will race to see who can ride the most attractions in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot in a single day. Players who have competed in the Disneyland version have raved, “It’s the most fun I have EVER had in the park!”
Who can ride the most attractions in a single day? Could it be you?!
MiceChat Sip and NibbleJoin us for a leisurely stroll around World Showcase, sampling the food and wine offerings along the way. Each of us will have a lanyard with a marker attached so we can record our progress. Those who desire to partake of the adult beverages will also sport a small glass on a lanyard to conveniently share “sips” along the way.
A Trip Around World Showcase
The Brazil booth for Food and Wine is beautiful, and featured musical acts on the day we visited.
The Mill Stage is now the location for the Canadian lumberjack show. Early reviews for it are very negative, with loud noises of chainsaws and axe throwing. We lost Off Kilter for this?
The Puerto Rico booth is the nicest booth this year along with Brazil. Lots of pretty colors and its own musical act. Makes sense with the rumors of Puerto Rico having a desire to be its own World Showcase pavilion before the end of the decade.
Well, that does it for this week’s column. How do you all feel about Maelstrom closing to make way for Arendelle? Let us know in the comments!!
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