Less than a year after the Walt Disney Co. released the hit animated movie "Frozen," the company has announced plans for a "Frozen" attraction at the Norway Pavilion in Walt Disney World's Epcot park in Florida.
Construction has already begun on the attraction, which is slated to open in early 2016. It will be a re-creation of Arendelle, the fictional land that serves as the backdrop to "Frozen," and will feature a character-greeting location where guests can meet the film's stars, Anna and Elsa.
Tom Staggs, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, announced the attraction in the Disney Parks Blog but did not state whether it would be a ride.
Even so, it will replace an existing ride, Maelstrom, a log chute adventure through Norwegian-themed scenery and folklore. Maelstrom, which debuted in 1988, will close on Oct. 5.
In his Theme Park Insider blog, Robert Niles wrote that Disney is adding "Frozen" to Epcot "not to try to extend the park's appeal so much as it is doing so to try to meet the expectations of fans it is attracting to the Walt Disney World Resort — fans who expect to be able to spend time there with their beloved Disney franchises, which now include 'Frozen.'"
While "Frozen" fans are surely rejoicing, and perhaps even crossing off the days on their calendar until the attraction opens, there has been some backlash on blogs and on social media about the loss of the classic Maelstrom ride as well as about whether Arendelle belongs in Epcot, a theme park that was initially devoted to science, history and nonfiction destinations.
But according to Staggs, Anna and Elsa will have a bigger presence elsewhere in the parks, as well. Starting in early November at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, there will be a nightly performance during holiday season that will feature Elsa transforming Cinderella's Castle into an ice palace.
Additionally, the film's characters — Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf — will be making appearances at Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
Everywhere one turns at Disney, "Frozen" fever shows no signs of abating. "Frozen," which debuted on Nov. 27, 2013, already ranks among the company's top franchises and has brought in more than $1.2 billion in domestic and foreign box offices.