"Do you wanna build a snowman?"
If the answer is no and you were able to read past that line without leaving the page, welcome to the club.
Now even though I do run this Disney blog and bother my friends and family with the tune of
In Summer from the film since it came out, I must admit that I am tired of this whole "FROZEN FEVER" as it's been called.
But why bring this up now when it's going to be a year after the release of the film? Well that's because up until this point the popularity of the film didn't bother me, just like the cold (Haha oh so funny). But now I think the Disney Company has gone too far in trying to profit from this mega-hit.
On Friday September 12, Disney officially announced on their parks blog that they will be bringing Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf to the Norway pavilion in EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Now this wouldn't have shocked me seeing that the two sisters first met at EPCOT before going anywhere else in the world, but the way these now beloved characters are reappearing in EPCOT is already causing a stir around the globe. Frozen's upcoming ride will replace the classic Maelstrom attraction that has been housed in the pavilion since 1988.
Now I like the film, and I know that the company wants to make every penny they can from it's ever growing popularity, but I think this has gone too far.
Since the popularity of the film, the company has re-released it as a sing-a-long in theaters, had a TV special centered on the making of the film, had a full take over of another park in Walt Disney World (Hollywood Studios) that was supposed to last during the summer but has now been extended to the end of the holiday season, and have even released countless merchandise ranging from $100 child costumes to lunchboxes and toothbrushes.
I have no opposition to the milking of this film, but unlike anything else they have done so far, this new project involves the destruction of a classic ride that is a fan favorite. When I broke the news to my family, they were all heartbroken that this ride that we all remember and look forward to riding every trip, is now going to be just that, a memory.
Another thing that terrifies me about the project is the time being invested into it. Maelstrom's final day of operation will be October 5th, 2014 and the Frozen ride will be open early 2016. That's a little over a year for a complete overhaul! That doesn't seem right.
With that amount of time, I fear for just a remodeling of the old attraction. Though I don't agree with the overhaul, if you are going to make a Frozen ride, do it right. Maybe if the ride is so spectacular and jaw dropping that it's even more likeable than the original, I would be ok with it. I just don't want to walk in and see the three headed troll replaced by Grandpapa Troll in the same position.
I will try to venture through the mythology of Norway one more time before it's eminent retirement in a few weeks, and I advise that you do the same.
You are not the first to pass this way, but you'll soon be the last.
