Disney's Frozen Boost Tourism to Nothern Norway

Tourism to Norway, both in Oslo and Northern Norway, has greatly increased after marketing began with Disney last October.

Many American children are first introduced to Norwegian culture through the Norway Pavilion in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort. One of its main attractions is the Maelstrom ride that takes visitors through the Viking Age, past trolls and polar bears, into a swamp, and even includes an oil rig.

While some of these cultural aspects may escape notice at first glance, Vikings and trolls, including the giant troll in the gift shop, are certainly memorable aspects of the experience.

New plans for the Norway ride

However, due to the outstanding success of the new Disney movie Frozen, the theme park in Orlando, Florida, has new plans for the Norway ride.

According to the Examiner, the Maelstrom is one of many rides currently under consideration for repurposing. With the new Disney princesses Elsa and Anna currently receiving guests at the pavilion, it is a clear choice as home for the latest Disney trend.The adventure comedy features trolls, the northern lights, a lovable reindeer, and a seaside kingdom designed with Northern Norway in mind.

In fact, the Globe and Mail reports that tourism to Norway, both in Oslo and Northern Norway, has greatly increased after marketing began with Disney last October.

Folklore and Stave Church

As part of this increase in tourism, Adventures by Disney has been offering a weeklong trip to Bergen, Oslo, and other sights experienced by the Frozen filmmakers in designing the kingdom of Arendelle with the usual Disney magic. Based on Bergen, the enchanting scenery around Arendelle has clearly captured the imagination of many viewers.

As new plans for the Norway Pavilion continue to unfold, hopefully the Norway ride will remain an equally authentic taste of significant aspects of Norwegian culture.

Other entertainment includes a video highlighting the natural beauty and folklore of Norway, the Stave Church that features an exhibit of Vikings, the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, and the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe.

Main theme park

Although Disney World first opened its gates in 1971, Epcot was not added as one of the main theme parks until 1982, as it was originally planned to be a futuristic housing community. The Norway Pavilion was the latest to be completed in the World Showcase. It opened in 1988, though for a time Disney considered creating a Denmark or a multi-national Scandinavia Pavilion instead before settling into the Norway Pavilion that we know today.