Plans for New "Frozen" Meet-and-Greet at Epcot
"Frozen" will have an even deeper impact on Epcot than we originally thought. In fact, just a few hours ago, new permits were discovered on the South Florida Water Management District website, which revealed that there are plans to add a fairly large building in the plot of land directly adjacent to the Norway pavilion. This new World Showcase construction will house an elaborate indoor meet-and-greet, restrooms, and more. World Showcase might be in great(er) danger.
For many years, Epcot fans have lamented the fact that no new countries have been added to World Showcase since the opening of the Norway pavilion. This new meet-and-greet building will be essentially occupying one of the (unused) plots of land that were originally set aside to include new pavilions. Is "Frozen" the right choice? We are sure many of you will disagree on that, but let's talk about this topic later. Here is a look at the permits, from the South Florida Water Management District website:
Some maps showing the location and the size of the project site:
Drawings showing the building and surrounding theming:
DESCRIPTION: "The project includes the following:
- A 13,000 +/- sf building that will house a Disney guest attraction and a women's restroom;
- A 2,000 sf modular type building to replace a similar building demolished for the project;
- Two small parking lots that have a total of 18 parking spaces;
- Relocation of piping and mechanical equipment associated with a beverage dispensing kiosk;
- Modification and addition of sidewalks and planters;
- New underground utilities;
- Modification o the existing restroom in the Norway attraction building."
While it is definitely not unexpected to see that the decision was made to create an entire new building to give Anna and Elsa some space to meet Guests, we are unsure this is the right location. Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom Park would have been a perfect place for this addition, but a themed area celebrating real countries and customs shouldn't even be considered a choice, honestly.
Is the world ending because of this? Certainly not, but this seems like another step aiming to neutralize the original purpose of EPCOT Center. What do you personally think? Share your thoughts!
I'm all for them added characters and other highly themed rides/buildings as long as they stick true to the country they are putting them in.
ReplyDeleteSure the whole debate has been brought up about Norway not being in the "Frozen" universe but it certainly is the closest look visually that Disney has on site to put it and with the new Frozen ride next door, it makes sense.
To me, as long as they stick true to the visual look and feel of the location and even tie the location into the meet and greet ("Oh, me and my sister just love visiting Norway to see all your lovely faces") etc. then its fine.
Honestly, Disney needed to do something to World Showcase. Not a lot has changed and I know my family and a few others never walk past Norway (for the ride) and never set foot in the other direction. There is simply nothing to do once you have seen all the shops.
I really hope this is the start of them bringing THEMED rides to the lands. The France area deserves to get the "Ratatouille" ride built in it.
The initial concept for epcot has been gone for a while. Things change. This single change isn't a big deal. Many of the ideas behind epcot are long gone. Epcot, the world showcase specifically, is out of place. What once was a way to honor the cultures, has turned in to a way to reenforce nearly offensive cliche stereotypes. To make things worse, the draw to new guests of epcot simply isn't there anymore. Sure us old timers still love it. But newer casual guests aren't that engaged in it.
ReplyDeleteThat's my 2 cents at least.
I certainly hope that they are doing the trick like Mickey's toontown, where there are 4 different meet and greets going on in identical rooms. They need to get the lines down somehow…..
ReplyDeleteCall the Pavilion, "Scandinavia". Problem solved.
ReplyDelete"....aiming to neutralize the original purpose of EPCOT Center." The author is kidding right? The original purpose of EPCOT Center was to never be another theme park. So let's stop living in Fantasyland and start thinking like smart park operators and business persons. The attraction was a poor show and low rated by the guests (especially when there was a wait). Whether or not Frozen came along, Malestrom ran its course.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be easier to just open a Frozen theme park so the rest of us can enjoy what Disney already has instead of this overdose of a stupid cartoon movie???
ReplyDelete@2nd-to-last Anonymous: EPCOT Center was ALWAYS intended to be a theme park. E.P.C.O.T. was supposed to be the community of the future.
ReplyDeleteSo that vision of what EPCOT Center was has been long gone. The idea that World Showcase should be true to the countries they represent is a joke. Outside of like 2 pavilions, the host nation stopped giving money to Disney so now they do what they want. World Showcase is my favorite part of WDW, always has, always will. I am in favor of anything new and for anyone griping that Norway is getting screwed, they pay $0 for the pavilion and are reaping the benefits of tourism to their country because of Frozen. Also, lets not forget the Walt had the money for Disneyland because of a stupid cartoon movie. This is how it works, it's a business.
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to let it go.
ReplyDeleteSorry. ;-)
And yet the old Odyssey building (A.K.A. the world's largest diaper changing station) gets to live on so we can continue to watch the unused, empty building continue to decay?
ReplyDeleteThat's it... I've decided to build a full scale EPCOT center in my back yard, the way it should be! You can all visit for free when I'm done. I'm starting with Horizons.
ReplyDeleteHorizons would be great, but I still prefer Test Track to World of Motion.
ReplyDeleteBring back the original Journey into Imagination while you're at it.
ReplyDeleteI love that Epcot is expanding Norway and I can't wait to ride Frozen next year!
ReplyDeleteEven though today's Epcot is nothing like Walt's original design, one thing that is is that it's never completed and always changing. Change is hard for those of us who are long-time Disney fans because it's sad to see things go that we have vivid memories of. I miss Horizons, but I still really enjoy Mission Space. I'm glad I've been able to experience both.
ReplyDeleteI will try to keep an open mind, and will certainly ride Frozen in Norway, will certainly visit Avatar Land, and will certainly visit whatever they're building in Hollywood Studios, be it Cars/Pixar and/or Star Wars related.
I'll always have the memories of the past, but count me in for the future, and I hope to see you all there!
World showcase has lost it's spark. From reports I hear its just a challenge now for adults to try to drink around the world.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't care what they do with Norway - never cared for the pavilion as a whole. It stood out as "fun" as the back garage sale like area in the china pavilion. Glad to see them doing something with it.
ReplyDeleteI just wish Disney would go back in time and open up that promo booklet they sent to homes detailing EPCOT and what it meant. Build their updates off of the uplifting, informational messages it told us. Instead when we see change it's either for the sake of bringing in more $$$ or saving $$$.
wow you people need to go to six flags or busch gardens,quit your whining and leave walt disney world to us to enjoy.
ReplyDelete