1) The Maelstrom at EPCOT, 1988 – 2014
The Maelstrom attraction was housed inside the Norway pavilion on the World Showcase at EPCOT from its maiden voyage in 1988 to its farewell voyage in 2014. It was an exciting ride aboard a Norwegian Viking vessel. It also gave Guests an interesting look at Norwegian mythology. The dark ride included a journey through an enchanted swamp, as well as a nasty old troll who pushed Guests backward in the vessel down a 3-story high waterfall. At the base of the waterfall, Guests could look off in the distance to the left and see an oil rig lit up on the North Sea. When the ride came to an end, Guests found themselves disembarking at a Norwegian harbor. Then they were ushered into a dark room where a film about Norway was shown. Today, in place of the Maelstrom, Guests can experience the new Frozen Ever After attraction, which opened to Guests in 2016. And although we love the Frozen attraction, a lot of us still miss the Maelstrom. (Photo credit: Dad’s Guide to WDW)
By Becky Burkett