ORLANDO — Disney provided details about two new
attractions opening at Epcot this summer: Soarin' Around the World and Frozen
Ever After.
Soarin’ Around the World, a cinematic simulator attraction,
is replacing Soarin,’ which closed in January. The new attraction will open June 17.
Whereas Soarin' simulated a flight over a California
landscape, Soarin' Around the World will "visit several destinations
around the world that are home to amazing human-made monuments," said Jason
Grandt, art director for Walt Disney Engineering, from the grounds of the Epcot
Center on Tuesday.
Among those locations will be the Great Wall of China and
Sydney Harbor.
Imagineer Jason Grandt in front of images for Soarin' Around the World. Photo Credit: Robert Silk
Grandt said Disney developed a new ultra-high-resolution
camera, which will be coupled with laser projectors to make the attraction
especially vivid.
“When you are flying over the world, you will see every
detail,” he said.
Along with the new film, Soarin’ Around the World will
feature new interactive line games and activities. Grandt would not reveal
details about the interactive queue.
Epcot is adding a third Soarin' theater to increase
capacity at the attraction.
Frozen Ever After, meanwhile, will debut in June in
the Norway Pavilion of Epcot. No specific date has been announced.
A boat ride, Frozen Ever After will replace the Maelstrom
ride, which closed in October 2014. The attraction’s storyline starts at the
end of the “Frozen” movie. Guests will board a boat and ride to the North
Mountain, where Queen Elsa has created an ice palace that she has opened to her
subjects.
In conjunction with the Frozen Ever After opening, Disney
will unveil Royal Sommerhaus within the Norway Pavilion. Inspired by the Norway
region of Trondheim, Royal Sommerhaus is the country retreat for Anna and Elsa,
according to assistant project manager Lauren Neiderhiser, who was standing
near the wooden facades of the retreat, which are under construction.
Attraction-goers will be able to visit the royal cabin
and view artifacts from the childhoods of Elsa and Anna. For many, the
highlight of the exhibit will be an opportunity to meet the queen and princess
of Arendelle themselves.
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Update: On Wednesday, Disney announced an opening date for Soarin' Around the World.