Disney makes it official: Frozen is taking over Epcot's Norway ride

Walt Disney World confirmed today what many fans have be hearing (and some have feared), that Epcot's Maelstrom will be replaced by a new-themed attraction.

Disney Parks President Tom Staggs announced:

"The new attraction, which replaces Maelstrom, will take our guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. The pavilion will also include a royal greeting location where Anna and Elsa can meet our guests. We think these “Frozen” elements are great compliments to the Norway Pavilion, which showcases the country and region that inspired the film."

No word on timing for when the new attraction will be open, or even when construction will begin. Maelstrom opened in July 1988, a month after the Norway pavilion's official debut. The Norway pavilion was the last one added to Epcot's World Showcase, and Maelstrom offered a relatively simply shoot-the-chutes boat ride, distinguished with a backwards section and, of course, Disney dark ride storytelling. Featuring the Norse god Odin and some mischievous trolls, the ride finished with a six-minute travelogue -- the sort of movie that visitors usually find as a preshow.

Up until Disney implemented its Fastpass+ system and categorized rides in a way that encouraged people to book Maelstrom reservations, the attraction rarely drew much of a line.

The arrival of Anna and Elsa will mark the second time that Disney IP [intellectual property] have taken over a World Showcase attraction, following The Three Caballeros' introduction on the boat ride in the Mexico pavilion. But that attraction kept the setting in the nation of Mexico. The Frozen ride in Norway will be set in the fictional land of Arendelle, not Norway, which would be a first for a World Showcase attraction.

The big question, at this point: How much of a change will this be? Is Disney simply changing the animatronics and scenery around the same boat ride, or will it gut the building and craft an entirely new ride system and experience?

Update: Readers came through with the dates. Maelstrom will close October 5 and the Frozen ride is slated for early 2016.

@ThemePark this is an email I just got from Disney. Maelstrom closes 10/5 pic.twitter.com/HJYuH20Nka — Rob Andre (@isles1986) September 12, 2014

Given the pace at which Disney's been developing attractions at Walt Disney World, an early 2016 opening suggests that there won't be a major structural overhaul on the Maelstrom building, and that even the ride system might be retained.

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