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| − | The Maelstrom is an attraction located within the [[Norway]] pavilion in [[Epcot]].
| + | #redirect [[Maelstrom]] |
| − | {{Infobox Disney ride
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| − | | image=Maelstrom.jpg
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| − | | caption='''The entrance to the Maelstrom'''.
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| − | | land= Norway
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| − | | opened= July 5, 1988
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| − | | vehicle_names=Boat
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| − | | park= Epcot
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| − | | fastpass=Yes
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| − | | guests_per_vehicle=15
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| − | | duration=4:47
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| − | | theme=History of Norway
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| − | | type=Interior Boat Ride
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| − | }}
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| − | ==Attraction History==
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| − | When an attraction for Norway was originally being developed, Imagineers wanted to give Norway Epcot's first thrill ride. The attraction, which was originally known, as "Sea Venture" would have taken 16 passengers and in 12 boats along a 964 ft. flume ride. The plot of the ride would have involved guests encountering trolls and gnomes as they searched for a rainbow bridge to Valhalla. In order to enhance the ride, the Sherman Brothers were even called in to write a song for the Sea Venture.
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| − | The sponsors from Norway however, wanted the attraction to be more of a travelogue showing all that Norway had to offer. 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. In order to meet the demands of sponsors, Imagineers eventually decided that the ride would take guests on a boat tour through Norway's history. The attraction would begin with Norwegian Folklore and end in modern day Norway. Sea Ventures thrill was always going to come from a new ride system, which allowed Imagineers to reverse the direction of the boat during the ride. Adding to the attractions appeal would be various drops, and visual effects. One effect that they produced, was a full scale, North Sea storm. The storm would have included wind, waves, rain and real lightning. The authentic lighting effect however, was scrapped when Imagineers could not figure out how to use it without electrocuting guests.
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| − | During development, the name of the Norway attraction was changed to the Maelstrom. Construction began on the Norway pavilion on May 27, 1986 and the ride was installed shortly after. The opening of the Maelstrom had to be delayed however, when Imagineers found out that the boats would capsize. Finally, on July 5, 1988 the Maelstrom (as well as the rest of the Norway pavilion) opened to the public.
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| − | ===Imagineers===
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| − | Imagineers that worked on the Malestorm included:
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| − | '''Randy Carter'''- Producer
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| − | '''Bob Kurzweil'''- Ride Designer
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| − | '''Dave Van Wyk'''- Head Engineer
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| − | '''Joe Rohde'''- Concept Art
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| − | '''Paul Torrigino'''- Production Designer
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| − | '''Jim Mulder'''- Special Effects
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| − | ==Attraction Plot==
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| − | The Maelstrom begins with guests traveling to a Norwegian folklore. As they enter, the attraction's narrator says:
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| − | {{Quotation|"You are not he 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.}}
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| − | The first scene that guests enter shows a sea side village. Here, guests can see Vikings as they prepare to head off to sea. The narrator then tells guests that when some people think of the spirit of Norway, they thing of mythology and trolls. Guests then pass by a three headed troll who puts a curse on the boats, sending them "Back, back, over the falls!". After being cursed, the boat that guests are riding in begins to move in reverse. After going down a very small drop, guests pass a scene depicting the arctic region of Norway. Here, guests can see two polar bears, with one standing on it's hind legs.
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| − | At this point in the attraction, the boats begin to move towards the pavilion's large, exterior waterfall. Just as guests are about to fall backwards down the falls, the boat's direction changes, and the boats once again move forward. Instead of going backwards down the large waterfall, guests go forwards down a much smaller drop. At the bottom of the drop, the boats pass by an oil rig, before entering modern Norwegian town. Here, the rides narrator makes one final comment:
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| − | {{Quotation| Norway's spirit has always been, will always be adventure.}}
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| − | After unloading from their ride vehicles, guests can either view the Spirit of Norway film, or exit the building altogether.
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| − | ==Fun Facts and Trivia==
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| − | * There is more water in the Maelstrom than will fit in the reservoir underneath the attraction.
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| − | * One of the scenes that was rejected for the ride, would have featured the Norwegian coastline with Oslo in the middle.
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| − | * The film at the end of the attraction was added at the request of the Norwegian sponsors.
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| − | * To help give Imagineers an idea of what Norway was like, the pavilions sponsors took them on a grand tour of the country.
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| − | ==References==
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| − | http://www.mouseplanet.com/7131/Walt_Disney_Worlds_Maelstrom_Part_1
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| − | http://www.mouseplanet.com/7132/Walt_Disney_Worlds_Maelstrom_Part_2
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| − | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z05WeWfs7tw
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| − | http://progresscityusa.com/2010/07/13/you-are-not-the-first-to-pass-this-way/
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