What Disney Ride Do You Miss That No Longer Exists?

Yesterday was the end of one of my favorite voyages. Disney’s Maelstrom is now just a figment of my imagination. 

Maelstrom opened in 1988. It was a boat ride in the Norway pavilion in the Epcot showcase. Riders glided through the water in Viking ships and were transported back in time to Norway’s Viking times to learn about the History of Norway. The ride ended and you were taken into a theater where a 6 minute video played about Norway. I now regret skipping this video most of the time I went. I never thought there would be a day that I would never get to see it again. I can still remember the first time I went on this ride. Knowing this ride was one of my husband’s favorites, I couldn’t wait to hop in the boat and see what all the hype was about. There were dark caverns, scary voices promising peril and adventure if you seek the spirit of Norway, trees, a talking troll with glowing yellow eyes who makes you disappear and then “back back over the falls.” What a magical journey!

I heard the reports come in months ago but I honestly didn’t believe it. They really wouldn’t get rid of my favorite ride, would they? Not a ride with so much history. This ride is 26 years old! The final decision came about a month ago. I had a weekend off coming up and I almost booked the Disney World trip so I could say goodbye in person.  A few days before, I decided it was best to just keep the happy memories.  Today I saw videos online of the Viking ships being hauled down the freeway and it really hit home. I’m not just saying good-bye to this ride, but to Norway. This pavilion might honestly be my favorite in the Epcot Showcase. 

 

So, move on over Maelstrom! Looking to the future, I’m put at ease a little with the prospect of a NEW ride taking the place of Maelstrom. Now, first things first, nothing can ever REPLACE Maelstrom, but at least Norway won’t be left with a gaping hole.  I have to be excited over Epcot bringing in new/replacement rides. I’ve seen many videos of rides that used to be in Epcot that are no more. The new Frozen ride is supposed to open in 2016.  I’m not a frozen junkie. Really, I’m not. Yeah, I own it. I’ve seen it more than twice.  I did go to the frozen sing-along in the theater. I do own Sven and Olaf, and I do have the soundtrack. That’s not that bad, right? I mean, what exactly makes a “frozen” junkie? I did squeal a little when Elsa and Anna showed up on Once Upon a Time but c’mon, how cool was that? I’ve seen a lot of reports of people upset about Frozen taking over everything. Most of that is another whole blog post. When the Frozen ride launches, I know you’re going to like it.  It will be sprinkled with that Disney Magic we all love. You’re going to stand in line missing the Maelstrom and saying to yourself “I can’t believe they changed this classic ride to Frozen” and you’ll be upset that non-Disney fans are standing in line to ride it just because it’s “Frozen”, but I can almost guarantee that when that ride ends, you will want to get in line again and you’ll be thinking about it for hours or days after. Because that’s what Disney does!