Maelstrom

Disney's EPCOT has always been a place that fascinates me. The concept of a world's fair that never really ends was revolutionary at the time and while as a concept it has not aged to well, I will always enjoy the parks unique idea of what a theme-park can be. Some of my all time favorite Disney memories come from EPCOT and still to this day it is my favorite park to visit. But the world is changing and the EPCOT of my childhood has changed a lot to stay "relevant" and "competitive" in the modern era. But if I could turn back time I would take my family to EPCOT in the 80's and 90's in a heartbeat. In 2019 Disney announced some big changes for the park and it seems the future world of my youth will largely be going away. That said some changes have already been made and while many of them are arguably for the better, one of them broke my heart.

I loved the Maelstrom, it was not the most exciting or high-concept ride or anything but there was just something about it that resonated with me in my youth and extended into my adult years. When I heard that it was going to be redesigned into a Frozen ride I was absolutely gutted. I get it, don't misunderstand me, Frozen was and is a phenomenon and if any land in EPCOT could capitalize on the "Frozen fever" it was Norway. This article is a loving epitaph to the ride that was and the wonderful memories I have of it.

Getting in line you can see the rock falls in the left corner next to the entrance. Every once in a while the rear prow of a ship can be seen moving to the edge of the falls and then turning and moving back away again. It is you first look at the viking inspired ride vehicle that will cary you through your adventure. Down a ramp with overhanging Norwegian flags you will eventually come to the a large queuing area flanked by a large, old themed map of the Atlantic that is interesting to search for little details. But the real draw of this area is the enormous mural to the left behind the ride vehicle loading area. It is massive and beautiful, full of fascinating details of Norse culture and mythology. The theme of the mural is the spirit of Norway and its close ties to the sea. From left to right you travel through time, moving from years of superstition and magic to "modern" Norway, you know in the 80's It sets the theme of the ride up perfectly and the art is incredibly nostalgic for me.

Once you are in the ride vehicle, the aforementioned viking themed ship, your will find yourself sliding out of the loading area and immediately turning to the left. "You are not the first to pass this way." a voice says in the sudden darkness. A face at the end of the tunnel appears, one of its eyes opening bathing the room in rotating blue light. "Nor will you be the last," the voice continues and just like that you are transported away to the distant past.

The first scene in the Dark ride is a viking village with several people young and old on ships or close to their homes speaking in their native languages. The scene continues with a viking blowing his horn on the rocks as ships sail away from him toward the unknown. A small settlement can be seen behind him on the rocky cliffs, bathed in the flames of large fires, like a lighthouse lighting up the dark sea below. The sound of the horn is mournful as the boat continues on your own journey heading away from the sea inland into darkness.

The narrator returns remarking that many who come to Norway encounter the forests of mystery "where trolls still prowl the waters edge." Emerging from the darkness you hear a new voice. "How dare you come here," the three headed troll's first voice says menacingly. The heads speak to each other concluding that you must "disappear, back, back over the falls!" The boat turns slightly and then moves in reverse down a new course driven by the trolls spell that can be seen overhead.

The boat goes down a gentle ramp picking up speed passing by another spooky scene of the moonlight and rocks, foreshadowing the vessels destination. Continuing to move backwards you see penguins beside the frozen ice and Polar Bears, one that looms menacingly above as your vessel slows back down. His loud roars echo in the tunnels as you continue on.

You hear the falls as you continue backwards, but the boat slows and a tree troll rises from the forrest floor redirecting your boat once again. The music swells in anticipation as you are pushed forward again down a larger, but still small, ramp into the north sea and back to "modern" times. Overhead looms an offshore oil rig with others in the distance burning off the excess natural gas, extending a flame into the dark night. The water is choppy extending farther away seemingly to the horizon extended out through a beautiful stormy matte painting. You hear the sounds of thunder and lightening with added lighting effects to sell the scope of the visuals. You pass under the rig turning right and are distracted by the plumes of water breaking on the pylons of the structure. You turn back to see a new scene open.

Suddenly you are in a charming fishing village. "The spirit or Norway has always been adventure," the voice says once more as the sounds of seagulls fill your ears and slowly you pull into the unloading area. I always lingered in this area as long as I could. The little houses and store fronts are full of details and the large space is relaxing after your adventure. You wait here for the next part of the experience, a short film called "The Spirit of Norway".

It's an artful film with beautiful visuals and incredible sound. I will link to a recording of the video below but the film is one of the best of these types of productions in EPCOT for its time and a lot of care and craft went into its production. Sure it is essentially a four minute commercial that says visit Norway but there was something about the incredible audio that just draws you in. It is probably not for everyone and I have seen people ride the ride and then cut right through the theater to the exit. But I always like it.

That is Maelstrom, it may not be the most famous ride in Disney history or anything. But at least for me, I sure do miss it.