Frozen Out

Scott Hardie | September 14, 2014
I might be the only one here who cares about what Disney does with its theme parks, but I'm a little saddened at the news that Maelstrom will be replaced with a new Frozen ride.

I don't at all begrudge Disney for striking while the iron is white-hot, because demand for everything Frozen is huge right now. And Maelstrom is not exactly an iconic attraction; it's not even in the top half of rides at Epcot, and Epcot's strength is not its rides.

But I do lament a certain trend. I have noticed in recent years that every attraction must now tie into an existing Disney media property somehow; even classic attractions like Submarine Voyage are being rebranded, as in the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. This focus feels too narrow to me, as the children's movies have limited appeal to adults but attractions without such a tie-in can have more universal appeal. (I'm hardly the only person who enjoys Disney theme parks with little interest in Disney movies.)

Also, I know that Epcot has mostly abandoned its original mission to educate and has leaned more heavily on the entertainment as the years have gone by, but the World Showcase was supposed to be one section of Disney parks that was free from the Disney branding; you were supposed to feel like you really were in Paris or Rome or London when you toured the pavilions. Slapping Frozen all over the majestic Norway pavilion, with its striking architecture and quiet beauty, feels like a violation. I don't want to see Mulan when I'm trying to feel immersed in China next door. I guess the precedent for this kind of thing was already set when Donald Duck and the Three Caballeros brought their annoying antics to the Mexico pavillion, but their involvement was limited to the ride itself; stay off the little boats and you won't see them. I fear that Frozen is so mega-popular that it will take over Norway. We'll see.

If I'm not in fact the only person here who cares about Disney parks: What do you think?

Erik Bates | September 15, 2014
[hidden by request]

Scott Hardie | September 15, 2014
Have you specifically avoided them, or just never gotten around to it?

Samir Mehta | September 15, 2014
[hidden by request]

Scott Hardie | September 16, 2014
Yeah, I understand that feeling. Being here in the vicinity of central Florida, many of my friends and acquaintances are massive Disney fans who live here in part to have access to the parks. They go every weekend; they know all of the songs by heart; they can name all of the minor characters; they collect all of the DVDs and pins and toys and whatnot. One even got a job at a Disney call center for the employee discount and free park tickets. I like the parks fine, and I enjoy an occasional Disney movie, but I can't fathom attaining that level of fandom. Kelly and I have talked about getting annual passes and going every month, and watching all of the movies so that we understand the references, but I feel like Jerry and George contemplating a three-way on Seinfeld. "I don't want to be a Disney guy! I'd have to get a whole new wardrobe! I'd have to get all new friends!"

I like Maelstrom well enough, minor though it is. I'm 1/4 Norwegian, so that whole pavilion has a special appeal. I remember really enjoying it while in the midst of playing Skyrim. :-)

Samir Mehta | September 17, 2014
[hidden by request]

Erik Bates | September 27, 2014
[hidden by request]