![]() ![]() It was the first attraction I researched…well, as much as young kid can research a Disney attraction. Maybe it had to do with how much it would be showcased on the Disney Channel. I didn’t ever miss riding it when I would visit the park. Maelstrom was one of my favorite attractions at Epcot. Still, it had some great moments showing life in the country. Many times I would opt to exit rather than stay and watch, though it was only 5 minutes long. In later years, it was made into an option to watch. The Spirit of Norway – the film seen upon exiting – wasn’t the most exciting part of the whole attraction. Waves crashing made it feel like a storm was all around. The darkness of the room felt like we were really on the seas looking up at a huge oil rig. The conclusion of the ride was actually a little frightening to me. The Polar Bears are lifesize! The trolls are menacing! It was a very fanciful attraction. Though the animatronics were not very sophisticated, they were well done and amusing. Not many flumes, or even attractions, have a backwards portion of a ride. It was a unique feature of the time it opened, and even still today. The backwards motion of the boats always got me. About every chance the television station got, it would advertise Maelstrom through behind the scenes looks. The way I remember its opening was with the Disney Channel. It’s the most recent out of all the pavilions of World Showcase (though it technically was not the most recent attraction). I remember when the attraction and pavilion opened. A Hidden Mickey was located in a viking ship in this mural – one viking’s helmet is really mouse ears! It portrays features of the ride, but also life in Norway and its diversity thereof. ![]() It’s entrance and queue have no outstanding marks, except for the massive mural on the wall by the actual load area. The attraction is the signature feature of the Norway pavilion in the World Showcase. The movie depicts multiple scenes of Norwegian life, concluding that the spirit of Norway resides in its people. The unloading dock is located in a small fishing village to give a calm conclusion to the flume.Īfter unloading, guests are invited to watch a short film expanding on the Spirit of Norway. The bottom has guests pass by what seems to be a massive oil rig with stormy waves crashing in the night scene. But, another troll sends the ship over another waterfall. Puffins and Polar Bears are off to the side as the boat now appears in a more serene, forested area. Then the boat travels to troll country, where a three-headed troll appears and sends guests backwards over a waterfall. Scenes of these seafarers beginning to go out on the seas show the oceanic ways of ancient Norwegians. As the boat gets to the top of the lift hill, a village of vikings is seen to the right. A voice begins to describe the spirit of Norway. The ride starts by traveling up towards a Nordic representation of Odin. Inside, guests travel on viking longboats through the history and mythology of Norway. The Maelstrom has been one of the most popular attractions at Epcot since it first opened in 1988. Disney has recently announced that Maelstrom in the Norway pavilion at Epcot will give way to a Frozen themed attraction. ![]()
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