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Maelstrom

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/* Fun Facts and Trivia */
Maelstrom is an attraction located within the [[Norway]] pavilion in [[Epcot]].
{{Infobox Disney ride
| image=Maelstrom.jpg
| pavilion= Norway
| opened= July 5, 1988
| closed= October 5, 2014
| vehicle_names=Boat
| park= Epcot
| fastpass=Yes
| guests_per_vehicle=15
| duration=4:47
| type=Interior Boat Ride
}}
Maelstrom was an attraction located within the [[Norway]] pavilion in [[Epcot]].
==Attraction History==
When an attraction for the Norway pavilion was originally being developed, Imagineers wanted to give the pavilion EPCOT Center’s first thrill ride. Named “SeaVenture”, Norway’s attraction would take guests through a 946 ft. flume ride <Ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?tag=norway-pavilion </ref>. Along their journey, guests would encounter mythical creatures such as trolls and gnomes as they searched for the Rainbow Bridge to Valhalla <ref name= "Martin"/>. The attraction’s thrill was to come from a new ride system, developed by Imagineer Dave Van Wyck<ref name= "book"/>, which allowed Imagineers to reverse the direction of the boat during the ride <ref name= "Martin"/>.
During the development of SeaVenture, the Sherman Brothers were called in to create a song for the attraction, although this was never used. According to Imagineer Paul Torrigino:
{{Quotation| "Bob and Randy were talking about getting the Sherman brothers to write a song for it, and one day they got them to come in for a meeting at the model. I was really excited to meet them and we explained the ride concept to them. They were very interested and were ready to go off and write a song." <ref name= "mouseplanet"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/7131/Walt_Disney_Worlds_Maelstrom_Part_1 </ref>}}
==Attraction History==When an attraction for Norway Although SeaVenture was originally being now fairly well developed, Imagineers wanted to give NorShow (the Norway pavilion 's sponsors) wanted their country's attraction to be more of a travelogue, which would show all that Norway had to offer, as opposed to a mythological adventure <ref name= "book"> The EPCOT Center’s first thrill rideexplorer's encyclopedia: R. Under Pedersen - Epcyclopedia Press - 2011 </ref>. They also gave the Imagineers a list of things that they wanted included in the attraction including: Vikings, a fishing village, a polar bear, a fjord, and an oil rig <ref name “SeaVenture”= "book"/>. In order to meet the demands of sponsors, Norway’s attraction Imagineers eventually decided that the ride would take guests on a time-traveling boat tour through Norway's history. The attraction would now begin with a 946 ftViking scene, before going through Norwegian folklore and ending in modern day Norway <ref name= "Martin"/> <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>. flume ride With this new concept in place, plans for a Sherman Brothers song were scrapped <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>. Along Adding to the wayattractions appeal however, guests would encounter mythical creatures such as trolls be various drops and gnomes as they searched for the Rainbow Bridge to Valhallavisual effects. The attraction’s thrill was to come from a new ride systemdesigns also called for a full scale replication of a North Sea storm, which allowed Imagineers would include wind, waves, rain, thunder and real lightning <ref name= "Martin"/>. In order to reverse create the direction of the boat during the ride. During the development of SeaVenturelightning effect, the Sherman Brothers were also called in Imagineers initially hoped to create use a song large Tesla coil. When Imagineer Jim Mulder attempted to use the coil however, it became clear that it would be unsafe for guests and the attractionidea was scrapped <ref name= "part3"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/7133/Walt_Disney_Worlds_Maelstrom_Part_3/</ref>.
Although fairly well developedDuring its development, the sponsors name of Norway’s attraction changed from Norway wanted their attraction SeaVenture to be more of a travelogue showing all that Maelstrom. Construction began on the Norway had to offerpavilion on May 27, as opposed to a mythological adventure1986 and the ride was installed shortly after <ref name= "Martin"/>. They also gave Although the Imagineers a list rest of things that they wanted included in the attraction including: VikingsNorway pavilion opened on June 3, a fishing village1988, a polar bear, a fjord, and an oil rigMaelstrom's opening was delayed. In order According to meet an Orlando Sentinel article reporting on the demands of sponsorspavilion's opening, Imagineers eventually decided that the ride attraction was delayed by unspecified technical issues <ref> Vaughen, Vicki. “Norway Pavilion Opens -- Without Viking Ride.” Orlando Sentinel , 2 June 1988 </ref>. Although Disney would take guests not elaborate on a boat tour through Norwaythe attraction's historyproblems, beginning in Norwegian Folklore and ending in modern day Norway. Adding to the attractions appeal would be various drops and visual effects, as well as the aforementioned direction change. The new designs also called for a full scale replication of a it was Maelstrom's North Sea storm. The storm was scene that caused the delay (due to include wind, waves, rain, thunder and real lightningguests getting soaked or even tossed out of the boat) <ref name="Korkis"/>.
During its development, the name of Norway’s attraction changed from SeaVenture to Maelstrom. Construction began on the Norway pavilion on May 27, 1986 and the ride was installed shortly after. Finally, on July 5, 1988 , Maelstrom (as well as the rest of the Norway pavilion) opened to the public<ref name= "parksblog"> http://disneyparks. Since Maelstrom opened disney.go.com/blog/2011/05/this-day-in 1988-disney-history-norway-pavilion-debuts/ </ref>. At its opening, there have been Imagineer Randy Bright noted that:{{Quotation| "Norway will present several firsts for this organization as a few minor changes to ride. It's the first ride that actually goes backwards, and the first ride that will utilize Audio-Animatronics in a black light environment." <ref name= "Korkis"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/11423/The_Story_of_the_Norway_Pavilion_Before_Frozen </ref>}} Following Maelstrom's opening, the attractionsaw a relatively small number of changes. The Over time, the smoke effects in both the Troll scene and the reverse scene have been were toned down. Furthermore, the wave and rain effects in the North Sea Storm scene have were also been diminished. Maelstrom permanently closed on October 5, and 2014 in order to make way for a new attraction titled [[Frozen Ever After]] <ref> http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the Tesla coil that originally created the lightning effect has been replaced with strobe lights-daily-disney/os-farewell-to-norway-maelstrom-ride-at-epcot-20141005-story.html </ref>.
===Imagineers===
Imagineers that worked on the development and creation of Maelstrom included:
'''Randy Carter'''- Producer<ref name= "mouseplanet"/>
'''Bob Kurzweil'''- Ride Designer<ref name= "mouseplanet"/>
'''Dave Van Wyk'''- Head Engineer<ref name= "book"/>
'''Joe Rohde'''- Concept Art<ref name= "mouseplanet"/>
'''Paul Torrigino'''- Production Designer<ref name= "mouseplanet"/>
'''Jim Mulder'''- Special Effects<ref name= "part3"/> '''Ron Bowman'''- Interior Construction <ref name= "Part4"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/7134/Walt_Disney_Worlds_Maelstrom_Part_4 </ref>
==Attraction Plot==
Maelstrom begins began with guests boarding a Viking boat longboat and sailing off into the distant past of Norwegian folklore. After being set in motion, the boat ascends ascended up a lift, which is was surrounded by hieroglyphics. On top of the hill, a large mask of Odin is was seen. As guests approach approached the mask, light radiate radiated from Odin's only eye, as and wind howls howled in the background. Odin then speaks spoke to guests saying :
{{Quotation| "You are not the first to pass this way, nor shall you be the last. Those who seek the spirit of Norway face peril and adventure. But more often find beauty and charm. We have always lived with the sea, so look first to the spirit of the seafarer."}}
Heeding Odin's advice, guests would then enter a scene which depicts depicted a coastal Viking settlement, where various Vikings are were shown preparing their boats. After seeing the settlement, the scope of the scene is was expanded and guests witness various witnessed Viking ships sailing off into the distance , as a nearby man blows blew a horn to seemingly announce their departure.
After traveling through the Viking village, guests enter entered the next scene which depicts depicted a Norwegian forest. As guests travel the boats traveled ahead, a large three headed troll emergesemerged. The troll has had been angered by guests guest's intrusion in the forest (which he calls called Troll Country) and casts he then cast a spell on the boat, telling guests to go "Back! Over the falls!". At this point in the attraction, the boat begins began to move backwards and guests go went down a small decent.
After the drop, guests find found themselves in Norway's polar region. Here, guests float their boat floated past a polar bear menacingly standing on its hind legs. Continuing backwards, guests head headed towards the pavilion's exterior waterfall, giving them a view of world showcaseWorld Showcase. Just as it seems seemed that the boat will would go plunging down the waterfall however, a large tree-stump troll rises rose up , and changes changed the direction of the boat boats once again. At this point , guests fall fell (forward) down a 28 foot drop, before finding themselves in the middle of a North Sea storm. As wind and rain howl howled around the their boat, guests come came dangerously close an oil rig. Eventually however , the boats pass boat passed through the storm and arrive arrived safely at a harbor in a small fishing village. Before unloading, guests hear heard one last narration which concludes concluded that , "Norway's spirit has always been; , will always be , adventure!”
When Maelstrom initially opened, after disembarking from the ride, guests would stay be held in an intricately themed nighttime plaza while waiting to enter the [[Spirit of Norway]] theater , which is was located in the attraction's exit. In recent the years before the attraction closed however, the doors to theater have had remained open, allowing guests to enter and exit the theater at will (giving <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/walt_disney_world/theme_parks/epcot/world_showcase/norway/ M</ref>. This also gave guests the option of skipping the film altogether).
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
* The large troll that emerges in Maelstrom was inspired by Theodor Kittelsen's painting "The Monster of the Lake" <ref> https://twitter.com/EpcotLegacy/status/1544477274023645186/photo/2 </ref> * The boats used as ride vehicles in Maelstrom were designed to look like those from in the time of Eric the Red<Ref name= "parksblog"/>.
* As quests go guests went down the attraction's "large" largest drop, they can could see a cruise ship sailing nearby. This was done there due to the fact that Norwegian Caribbean Lines was once one of the pavilion's sponsors<ref name= "Jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/01/norway_pavilion_part_two.html </ref>.
* In the village that serves served as the attraction's unloading area, guests can notice could see that the buildings have had company signs on them. These companies were the original sponsors of the pavilion before their contract expired<ref name= "Jack"/>.
* The turntable effect used in Maelstrom to reverse the direction One of the boats buildings in this area had the address '129'. This was engineered done by Dave Van Wyk. Imagineer Paul Torrigino whose birthday is January 29 (1/29) <ref name= "Part4"/>
* The large polar bear found in the attraction was sculpted by Peter Kermode and covered in fur by Helena Hutchinson<ref name= "book"/>.
* The trolls in Maelstrom were also sculpted by Peter Kermode<ref name= "part2">https://www.mouseplanet.com/7132/Walt_Disney_Worlds_Maelstrom_Part_2 </ref>.
* When Maelstrom opened, it featured Disney’s Walt Disney World's largest smoke machine system used to date<ref name= "Martin"/>.
* 5.7 million people rode Maelstrom in its first year of operation <ref name==References=="book"/>.
http:* Some of the Viking Audio-Animatronic figures were reused molds from other [[EPCOT Center]] attractions such as [[Spaceship Earth]] and [[World of Motion]] <ref name= "part2"//www>.mouseplanet.com/7131/Walt_Disney_Worlds_Maelstrom_Part_1
http://www* The Maelstrom boats were some of the last work done by Imagineer Jack Ferges before his retirement.mouseplanet.com/7132/Walt_Disney_Worlds_Maelstrom_Part_2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z05WeWfs7tw http://progresscityusa.com/2010/07/13/you-are-not-the-first-to-pass-this-way/=References==