Changes

Frozen Ever After was initally announced on September 12, 2014, as a replacement for the [[Norway]] pavilion's [[Maelstrom]] attraction on September 12, 2014. At Maelstrom was a boat ride attraction that took guests through the timehistory of Norway, Disney stated that beginning in the new Frozen based attraction would, " Take guests to Arendelle country's folklore and immerse them ending in many Modern times. A part of their favorite moments and music from Norway since the film" <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/09/frozen-attraction-coming-pavilion opened, Maelstrom closed to-epcot/ </ref>. On guests on October 5, 2014 Maelstrom closed in order to make way for the new attraction <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/norway/news/12sep2014-disney-confirms-'frozen'-makeover-coming- Although Disney decided to-epcotuse most of Maelstrom's-norway-pavilion.htm </ref>. existing structure for Frozen Ever After, there were a few changes made to the original attraction's layout. First, during the renovations, Maelstrom's queue was built in and load area were removed. This allowed Imagineers to extend the attraction's track through this area that formally showed . Likewise, the original unload and postshow area (which housed the [[Spirit of Norway ]] film <ref> http://www.wdwmagic) were taken out to facilitate the creation of a new indoor queue and load area.com/attractions/frozen-ever-after/news/21jun2016-video---frozen-ever-after-opens-Unlike Maelstrom, Frozen Ever After would have its load and unload at-epcots-norway-pavilionthe same station.htm </ref>In addition to these track changes, Maelstrom's exterior waterfall, which allowed guests outside the attraction to see into it, was covered in order to facilitate Frozen Ever After's new "Let it Go" scene.  Unlike its predecessorMaelstrom, which had firmly been set in Norway, Frozen Ever After has guests loading into their boatstakes place in the fictional Kingdom of Arendelle, where Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, and unloading in other characters from the same area <ref name= Frozen franchise are celebrating a "coasterSummer Snow Day"> http://www.coaster101.com/2016/06/24/secrets-behind-frozen-ever/ </ref>. This allowed Since much of Arendelle was based on Norway, Imagineers wanted to add continue to tie the attraction into Norway's culture. When discussing the relationship between Frozen Ever After and Norway, Imagineer Wyatt Winter noted: {{Quotation|“The original animated film was heavily influenced by Norwegian culture and the filmmakers conducted extensive research in Norway. Our team began our process in the same manner, visiting places in Norway that heavily influenced our work. While there’s clearly a few additional feet Frozen twist to our story, honoring the Maelstrom track (which culture and traditions of Norway was reused) <ref name= "coaster"/>always among our guiding principles. ”}} Like the [[Seven Dwarfs Mine Train]], the Audio Animatronics in Frozen Ever After feature projection faces, giving them a wider range of emotions. When discussing the Animatronics, project manager Wyatt Winter claimed: