Changes

When an attraction for the Norway pavilion was originally being developed, Imagineers wanted to give the pavilion EPCOT Center’s first thrill ride. Under the name 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 the way, 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, which allowed Imagineers to reverse the direction of the boat during the ride <ref name= "Martin"/>. This never before seen ride element was created by Imagineer Dave Van Wyk <ref name= "book"/>. During the development of SeaVenture, the Sherman Brothers were also called in to create a song for the attraction, although this was never used. According to Imagineer Pail Torrigino:

Although fairly well developed, the sponsors from Norway wanted their attraction to be more of a travelogue showing , which would show all that Norway had to offer, as opposed to a mythological adventure <ref name= "book"> The EPCOT explorer's encyclopedia: R. 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= "book"/>. In order to meet the demands of sponsors, Imagineers eventually decided that the ride would take guests on a time -traveling boat tour through Norway's history, beginning . The attraction would now begin with a Viking scene, before going through Norwegian folklore and ending in modern day Norway <ref name= "Martin"/> <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>. With this new concept in place, plans for a Sherman Brothers song were scrapped <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>. Adding to the attractions appeal however, 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 North Sea storm <ref name= "Martin"/>. The storm was to which would include wind, waves, rain, thunder and real lightning <ref name= "Martin"/>. In order to create the lightning effect, Imagineers initially hoped to use a 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 idea was scrapped <ref name= "part3"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/7133/Walt_Disney_Worlds_Maelstrom_Part_3/</ref>.

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 <ref name= "Martin"/>. Finally, on July 5, 1988, Maelstrom opened to the public with the rest of the Norway pavilion <ref name= "parksblog"> http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/05/this-day-in-disney-history-norway-pavilion-debuts/ </ref>. Since Maelstrom opened in 1988, there have been a few minor changes to the attraction. The smoke effects in both the Troll scene and the reverse scene have been toned down. Furthermore, the wave and rain effects in the North Sea Storm scene have also been diminished, and the Tesla coil that originally created the lightning effect has been replaced with strobe lights. Maelstrom permanently closed on October 5, 2014 in order to make way for a new attraction titled Frozen Ever After <ref> http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-farewell-to-norway-maelstrom-ride-at-epcot-20141005-story.html </ref>.