Quinn boards the Regal Princess cruise ship for the start of his European cruise with the first stop being in Oslo, Norway to see a stave church, Vigeland Sculpture Park and Holmenkollbakken. [Read more…]
‘Gods of the Vikings’ exhibit bring tales of Thor and Loki to Epcot’s Norway

The stately Stave Church in Epcot’s Norway pavilion will welcome the Nordic immortals Thor and Loki, along with their mythological kin, when the new ‘Gods of the Vikings’ exhibit opens this spring. [Read more…]
New ‘Frozen’-inspired Disney signature fragrance debuts March 1

“Frozen” fans and fragrance lovers rejoice – a new Disney signature fragrance based on the animated film will be released this Wednesday, March 1. [Read more…]
Watch POV videos of Frozen Ever After ride, now open at Epcot’s Norway pavilion

By Seth Kubersky
For the first time in forever (or at least a couple years) guests at Walt Disney World’s Epcot got to enter World Showcase’s Norway pavilion yesterday and experience a magical boat voyage, because the new Frozen Ever After ride is now officially open and we have exclusive low-light point-of-view videos of the brand new attraction. [Read more…]
Name and first concept art revealed for Frozen ride at Epcot
An article in “The Wall Street Journal” has presented the first piece of concept art for the new “Frozen” ride at Epcot, “Frozen Ever After”.
The article, entitled “How Disney Milks its Hits for Profits Ever After” includes these other details about the ride, which will open early next year:
Disney Imagineers who designed the ride recently got a virtual-reality tour at a warehouse in Glendale, Calif., wearing 3-D glasses while watching high-definition images of Olaf and Sven horsing around, Grandpappy Troll telling a magical story and Elsa belting out her song “Let It Go.” They will become animatronic characters that Epcot visitors float by on a log after “Frozen Ever After” opens next year.
The ride is replacing the former Maelstrom ride in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. The concept art seems to represent the portion of the ride where the forward motion of the ride changes to going backwards. This area of the ride used to feature a three-headed troll sending riders “back back, over the falls”.
New construction is also taking place in the Norway pavilion for a Frozen character meet and greet and more.
UPDATE: June 9, 2015 – The Disney Parks Blog has given a few more details about the ride:
Guests will be transported to the Winter in Summer Celebration where Queen Elsa embraces her magical powers and creates a winter-in-summer day for the entire kingdom. They will also visit Elsa’s Ice Palace and the ice-blue world of the North Mountain along with other locations before returning to the Bay of Arendelle. Of course, favorite “Frozen” characters, including the Snowgies from the animated short “Frozen Fever,” will be part of this new attraction, along with the spectacular sights inspired by the film.
The Norway Pavilion’s exterior will be expanded with many unique Norwegian architectural features and the interior design of the “Royal Sommerhus” will reflect the cultural arts and crafts of Norway, providing a charming setting for guests to meet Elsa and Anna.
UPDATE 2: June 9, 2015 – The Speakeasy blog on The Wall Street Journal website has provided even more details about the ride:
While it doesn’t feature any new songs, there are several new lyrics to existing melodies written for “Frozen Ever After” by movie composers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson Lopez.
While the logs and the path will remain the same, everything you see along the way is being replaced.
While waiting on line … visitors will walk by Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post. The trader with the thick accent will occassionaly clear steam on the windows to utter a hearty “yoo-hoo!” to people walking by.
Once they board their logs, “Frozen Ever After” riders will first see goofy snowman Olaf and equally goofy reindeer Sven setting up the Winter Festival premise.
Next is a stop at Troll Valley, where Grandpappy Troll tells a gathering of children the story of how Anna and Kristof met, before the log goes up a ramp to find Olaf again, singing a song while ice skating, right next to Anna and Kristof, who are singing with their friend Sven.
Behind a set of doors is the moment any visitor is sure to be waiting for: Elsa, on a balcony, singing “Let It Go” in her ice castle. … it features elaborate effects to create simulated snow crystals soaring around the room.
Visitors will next ride by Marshmallow, the giant, formerly evil snowman from “Frozen” and his miniature Snowgie pals, who show up in the short “Frozen Fever,” …
Marshmallow himself yells “Let It Go” in time with Elsa’s song before the log travels through a mist cloud and reaches the final scene, which includes fireworks and a wave from Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven and Kristof.
The audio-animatronic characters will be cutting edge … using a new technology that includes projectors behind the faces to enable more lifelike animation.
Here’s a full ride-through of Maelstrom, including the over the falls part:
‘Frozen’ ride coming to Epcot, replacing Maelstrom
Walt Disney World has announced more experiences are coming based on the hit film “Frozen”, including a new attraction and updated holiday show. [Read more…]
PARKsaver: New Disney cruise destinations; Universal vacation package benefits Give Kids The World
By Beci Mahnken and Suzannah Mitchell DiMarzio
Spring has sprung and there is even more exciting news and great deals springing up here in the Orlando area. From the looks of things around the rest of the country, it looks like a visit to the Sunshine State (or a plan for a future getaway) would be most welcome after the winter that just won’t go away! [Read more…]
Characters from Disney’s upcoming animated film ‘Frozen’ now meeting guests at Epcot
Anna and Elsa, the stars of Disney’s new animated movie “Frozen”, are now greeting guests in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. [Read more…]