Frozen Ever After LIVE reports!

[wdw&sonny]

I am glad I read this thread and especially watched the comparison videos in post #273 of FEA vs. Maelstrom.
For me, this ride is a great disappointment. It appears to be a similar experience to the Under the Sea ride. Yes, classic Disney "dark ride" suitable for everyone. But, just a simple ride through of disconnected sets, with some of the music and animatronics similar to those from 1950.

What makes it special? What senses are stimulated? Does it snow? Is it cold/winter in sections? then warms at the end?

Having just returned from USF and the new HP land, London, Hogwarts Express, Gringotts, Diagon Ally, Nocturn Ally...WOW Factor!

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Disney fan, but I think that Walt would have dreamed even bigger than this ride.

 

[tlmadden73]

I am glad I read this thread and especially watched the comparison videos in post #273 of FEA vs. Maelstrom.
For me, this ride is a great disappointment. It appears to be a similar experience to the Under the Sea ride. Yes, classic Disney "dark ride" suitable for everyone. But, just a simple ride through of disconnected sets, with some of the music and animatronics similar to those from 1950.

What makes it special? What senses are stimulated? Does it snow? Is it cold/winter in sections? then warms at the end?

Having just returned from USF and the new HP land, London, Hogwarts Express, Gringotts, Diagon Ally, Nocturn Ally...WOW Factor!

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Disney fan, but I think that Walt would have dreamed even bigger than this ride.

It's not just about the ride, it's about the M&G too. The M&G was all but impossible to get a FP for and the line was always way too long for most to consider waiting in. Even at midnight at my 60 days, I couldn't get a FP for A&E at MK.

While I agree that the Little Mermaid was a throwback, it doesn't make it a bad ride for the audience it is targeted for.
To me .. the neatest and different attraction in new Fantasyland was Enchanted Tales with Belle .. from stepping through the portal to the small audience and having the kids participate in the story. That was truly magical.

But for Frozen Ever After, I don't think anyone is expecting a huge WoW factor from this as it is was just an overlay of Maelstrom, there is probably not much you could do with that track in that short of time.

It is probably a perfect family-friendly ride (like Peter Pan, Winnie The Pooh, Small World, Little Mermaid) that Epcot was lacking. Epcot had little to-no-draw for families with toddlers besides maybe The Seas.

This was a quick (what 1 1/2 years?) fix to pull some of those family crowds away from MK and to strike while the "Frozen" excitement was hot. I know in my son's first two short trips to WDW as a toddler we skipped Epcot both times .. it wasn't even hard. Either the attractions he was too small for or he just wouldn't find entertaining like he would like the ones at MK. If FEA was there when I went last year on his 3rd birthday (with his two girl cousins), I definitely would have considered it. He and the girls loved the Frozen show at DHS, I can't imagine their excitement if they got to ride in a "real" boat and experience that ride and/or do the M&G.

 

[howaboutme]

I'd also add that most people on this board are Disney DIEHARDS and represent a very small portion of the people that go to Disney. Most everyone will love it and not have any preconceptions.

 

[JDUCKY]

I am glad I read this thread and especially watched the comparison videos in post #273 of FEA vs. Maelstrom.
For me, this ride is a great disappointment. It appears to be a similar experience to the Under the Sea ride. Yes, classic Disney "dark ride" suitable for everyone. But, just a simple ride through of disconnected sets, with some of the music and animatronics similar to those from 1950.

What makes it special? What senses are stimulated? Does it snow? Is it cold/winter in sections? then warms at the end?

Having just returned from USF and the new HP land, London, Hogwarts Express, Gringotts, Diagon Ally, Nocturn Ally...WOW Factor!

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Disney fan, but I think that Walt would have dreamed even bigger than this ride.

Animatronics from 1950? The old Maelstrom perhaps. The new ones are nothing short of amazing.

 

[mom2rtk]

But for Frozen Ever After, I don't think anyone is expecting a huge WoW factor from this as it is was just an overlay of Maelstrom, there is probably not much you could do with that track in that short of time.

I must have a different definition of "short".

 

[Ruth B]

I did the breakfast this morning and walked into the frozen line as about the 14th person in standby. Reservation was for 8a and went in thru the international gateway. Security didn't let anyone they until about 8:05a but told us not to worry that Akershus would know why we are late. As if I cared about Akershus

They made us walk down via Mexico. Got in line at Akershus and was in the door around 8:20. We had time to eat but it was rushed. My daughter only got to meet with 3 princesses, but that really wasn't the point and she was okay with it. Just be aware to get in line for frozen before the herd arrives you need to be out the door by 8:50-8:55.

We left at about 8:45 to be safe. I had paid at the start of the meal to keep us from stressing or missing our time because the server was slammed. I wanted to make sure we were close enough to the front of the line to get on a boat before the ride broke down.

We were about 14-15th in line and got to watch the throngs of people marching in like an invading army from Rope Drop.

Ride opened about 20 minutes late but was a good ride and worth the breakfast (but not 3 hours of waiting).

Thanks for that. Does the main entrance let you in before 8?

 

[Cluelyss]

Thanks for that. Does the main entrance let you in before 8?

Read on another post that Epcot allows PPO ADRs to enter at 7:50. I know MK opens at 7:45 for PPO ADRs, so not surprised to this.

 

[Ruth B]

Read on another post that Epcot allows PPO ADRs to enter at 7:50. I know MK opens at 7:45 for PPO ADRs, so not surprised to this.

Thank you

 

[AquaDame]

July 4th? We'll be there with you!

Yep! Without kids, but my husband is having foot issues still so you will probably beat us over there. He is not very good at the power walk thing but I'm pretty shy with face characters so I don't mind missing a princess or two. I think we'll be in line early enough regardless as long as we aren't delayed getting to the gate!

 

[Cluelyss]

Yep! Without kids, but my husband is having foot issues still so you will probably beat us over there. He is not very good at the power walk thing but I'm pretty shy with face characters so I don't mind missing a princess or two. I think we'll be in line early enough regardless as long as we aren't delayed getting to the gate!

Of course!.....I should have recognized you from the Poly thread!

How are you planning to get to Epcot that morning? We were thinking a cab would be our best bet?

 

[Carlnne]

We will be at Epcot in 4 days. We do have a FP for Frozen. So if it is broken down can we use our FP for Soarin?

I was shocked Soarin was included but it is. This is my email from Wednesday. Luckily we waited it out and used it for Frozen.



Frozen Ever After is temporarily unavailable. Your FastPass+ selection for 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM on 06/22/2016 has been modified.

You are now eligible for one (1) of the following options:

OPTION 1:
If Frozen Ever After becomes available later, you may visit this experience any time from 3:45 PM on 06/22/2016 through the end of normal attraction operating hours.

—OR—

OPTION 2:
As a replacement to your FastPass+ selection for Frozen Ever After, you may instead visit one (1) of the following FastPass+ experiences anytime from 3:45 PM on 06/22/2016 through the end of normal attraction operating hours.

Experiences
Living with the Land
Spaceship Earth
Turtle Talk With Crush
Frozen Ever After
Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
Test Track
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Soarin'
Mission: SPACE
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

 

[mom2rtk]

I was shocked Soarin was included but it is. This is my email from Wednesday. Luckily we waited it out and used it for Frozen.



Frozen Ever After is temporarily unavailable. Your FastPass+ selection for 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM on 06/22/2016 has been modified.

You are now eligible for one (1) of the following options:

OPTION 1:
If Frozen Ever After becomes available later, you may visit this experience any time from 3:45 PM on 06/22/2016 through the end of normal attraction operating hours.

—OR—

OPTION 2:
As a replacement to your FastPass+ selection for Frozen Ever After, you may instead visit one (1) of the following FastPass+ experiences anytime from 3:45 PM on 06/22/2016 through the end of normal attraction operating hours.

Experiences
Living with the Land
Spaceship Earth
Turtle Talk With Crush
Frozen Ever After
Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
Test Track
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Soarin'
Mission: SPACE
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

I think including Soarin is the only fair thing to do. If you hadn't chosen FEA in the first place, you likely would have chosen Soarin.

 

[Shanti]

I sure hope this doesn't become a FP+ only ride. We can't get fast passes until 30 days out and my daughter would be rather sad if we don't get to ride this, as I've all ready hyped it up a bit.... my bad....

Keep up hope. We were able to get FPs for it under 30 days out (& not on the 30th day, either). YMMV based on the crowd levels of when you're going, but it worked for our July trip.

 

[DisneyCAL]

Is it just me, or did it look like the drop was about half the drop it used to be as Maestrom in the video?

 

[marciemi]

Today at 7pm, even though the FPP line was way longer than yesterday (which took 30 min) it only took us 14 min!

 

[kandb]

I don't remember the Maelstrom ride breaking down as much. How could this ride be breaking down this much after a year refurbishment? Sorry, Disney but you have been a big disappointment in ALOT of areas lately.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I am glad I read this thread and especially watched the comparison videos in post #273 of FEA vs. Maelstrom.
For me, this ride is a great disappointment. It appears to be a similar experience to the Under the Sea ride. Yes, classic Disney "dark ride" suitable for everyone. But, just a simple ride through of disconnected sets, with some of the music and animatronics similar to those from 1950.

What makes it special? What senses are stimulated? Does it snow? Is it cold/winter in sections? then warms at the end?

Having just returned from USF and the new HP land, London, Hogwarts Express, Gringotts, Diagon Ally, Nocturn Ally...WOW Factor!

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Disney fan, but I think that Walt would have dreamed even bigger than this ride.

I am one of the most critical people out there regarding Disney (and life in general) and I enjoyed Frozen Ever After. I was bitter about the removal of Maelstrom but when I watched the comparison video today I felt a little silly because Maelstrom wasn't exactly a thrilling ride. The bitterness was all about nostalgia, at least for me. And I think Walt would be satisfied with the ride. You cannot deny that the technology of the animatronics (if that title still applies to these) is innovative. The only negative I would say is that the story line of the ride doesn't seem very cohesive.

With Universal, I agree that they really hit it out of the park with the theming. However, I am getting sick of their ride formula. 3D screens, getting sprayed with water. Been there, done that.

 

[sm4987]

We used out fast passes today when it finally opened around 5:40. Ours was for 6:10 and the supervisor told us to go in anyway. We were disappointed and we are huge disney fans. Huge to where we live in Windermere and sometimes go 3 times a week when we are not busy. The biggest disappointment to me was there was really no story line, it was disjointed to me. On the positive side it was beautiful inside. I have 2 days set aside in July for my husband and son to see it and I am half tempted to just wait until the fall and take them when the hype dies down a bit. It could have been better, but I'm sure it will give some enjoyment to those who just love Frozen.

 

[JimmyV]

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Disney fan, but I think that Walt would have dreamed even bigger than this ride.

I can see it both ways. First, in my opinion Maelstrom was vastly overrated and garnered applause as being the best ride in World Showcase. But that is like being the best player on the JV team. From watching the video, FEA is a pretty big upgrade. That said, this Fantasyland attraction does not belong in Epcot. And now with this ride and Little Mermaid, Disney has grossly underachieved with two of its most important IPs. Both of these frachises deserved treatment on the level and scale of HM, PoTC, Splash and RSR. Instead we got two attractions on the scale and scope of Pooh, albeit the AA in FEA are far superior. But the storytelling is not. Take a deep breath and think objectively. Think about the treatment that "Song of the South" got in comparison to the treatment that Little Mermaid and Frozen got. It really is astonishing when you think about it. Not that FEA is "bad" per se. But as the quoted passage notes, it could have and should have been so much more.

 

[mullii5]

Got lucky today...our FPs started at 3:10 which was about 5-10 minutes after the ride opened again. Liked it but glad I had a FP.....very glad.