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Maelstrom

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Editors' Comments

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Reader Comments

User ID: IloveMickeyMouse   Thrill: 1  Theme: 2  Overall: Unrated (2/17/2008)
I personally thought this ride was horrible in terms of thrill and almost put me to sleep. . .

User ID: rshaul   Thrill: 3  Theme: 3  Overall: 3 (1/8/2008)
We did it 4 times straight, while waiting for our reservation at Akershus, almost no lines at the morning, really fun ride!

User ID: jakefaker1   Thrill: 3  Theme: 3  Overall: 3 (11/14/2007)
We rode this ride for the first time this year. The kids enjoyed it and liked getting to do a ride since that part of Epcot involves a good bit of walking.

User ID: frog_freak   Thrill: 2  Theme: 4  Overall: 4 (7/8/2007)
oops forgot the rating

User ID: frog_freak   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: Unrated (7/8/2007)
i love the norway pavillion ( probably bc i am part norwegian ) this ride is wonderful! i love the trolls in it, they are the real design as well!the movie stinks though! that movie is so old and they are in serious need to update it! polar bears are my oe of my favorite animals along with frogs i love the life size polar bears!overall this is a great ride, bad movie. u do not have to watch the movie though. u can walk straight through the theater, i highly advise it. if u do watch it, plz realize the stuff in the movie is ancient and has nothing about the present norway that i love.i think they are trying to find a sponsor for a new movie thank goodness.

User ID: danzin2it   Thrill: 2  Theme: 3  Overall: 3 (5/22/2007)
I always make sure to ride this when we are at Epcot. The only downside is the fact that you have to stand and wait for the movie theater to open after the ride, even if you aren't staying to watch it.

User ID: NYthrillseeker   Thrill: 4  Theme: 4  Overall: 4 (4/17/2007)
Great ride, though it could be longer. I love the feel of being out in the ocean among the oil platforms and the trolls are awesome. Actually makes me want to visit Norway!

User ID: Blockage   Thrill: 3  Theme: 4  Overall: 3 (3/22/2007)
The first time my husband and I went (without kids) 11 years ago, we remembered the ride being more thrilling. When we went back 3 years ago with a 3-year-old and 7-year-old, it seemed much more tame. But it was very soothing, a little splashy, on a hot, summer day. It's a little dark inside, with trolls lurking (but not jumping out at you), so know your kids before you go in. Skip the educational film at the end unless you still need to cool down from the hot sun.

User ID: RPK4444   Thrill: 3  Theme: 2  Overall: 2 (1/16/2007)
Don't stay for the movie at the end of the ride. Keep walking through the theater.

User ID: temp   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: Unrated (2/23/2006)
Check your brain at the door; suspend any critical reasoning capabilities; willingly lower you IQ; ignore the outdated images in the painfully dated movie;, maybe even take some powerful cold medication and I'll bet you'll just LOVE this one. Hey, amusement is king!!!

User ID: mrsrandytaylor   Thrill: 4  Theme: 4  Overall: 4 (2/5/2006)
i love this ride!! i always have to go on it when i go to Walt Disney World!

User ID: spaceshiphorizons   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (1/5/2006)
the best world showcase attracion ever.

User ID: BlazesOfFire   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (11/26/2005)
I love thisa ride. It is short, but creative and does present the "spirit of Norway" Beware of sneaky trolls! It is beautiful inside too, especially where you unload. I just hate waiting for the movie if you dont want to see it! Glad it is short though.

User ID: MrToadWildRider   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (9/21/2005)
Oh side note WATCH THE MOVIE if you have the time. It's really not boring parts of it are quite exciting on the fishing boats in storms and whatnot. It's pretty short too, I think 10 minutes max.

User ID: MrToadWildRider   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (9/21/2005)
You are not the first to pass this way nor shall you be the last!

This ride gets a 4. I think the only thing it suffers from is the longer lines for such a short ride. It really does have such a feel of adventure from the Norse God (Odin?) at the beginning staring at you to the vikings and trolls to the polar bears and "the falls" Another thing I love about this ride that I think a lot of people miss is the number of "Hidden" monsters. The mural at the que begins the treand with the big pine tree monster and the things creeping slightly below the water line and throughout the ride things that look like moss covered boulders will slowly rise to reveal large bulging, glowing eyeballs staring at you before they re-settle back to their "Boulder" form. I know of atleast two of these (One is to the left of the 3-headed troll in front of the boat and one is as you're going backwards over the falls in the center of the split) I think I've seen another creature moving around in the troll's area as well. I think it's neat to catch little things like that even though they're obviously intended to be seen by guests I know I didn't notice them on my first trip or two!

User ID: Peter Sam   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (7/28/2005)
Despite being short, the technology is always fasinating. The 'dark ride' effects are always interesting and the looming face of the viking that stares down upon the boat during the first accent always makes me feel unnerved. The combination of a boat ride and a film is unique and well-achieved. The unloading dock is full of detail. Being one of the few actual 'rides' in the World Showcase, it is always worth a visit.

User ID: thebarefootone   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (7/7/2005)
This ride is at least more thrilling than the other countries rides, it's kinda cool.

User ID: scvdisneyfan   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 2 (6/23/2005)
A good way to get out of the heat, but a bit of a bore.

User ID: iaing   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 1 (6/20/2005)
I fully recommend this ride...do i eckers like!!.Cripes you lot must be mental...Got to be the most unexciting ride with a terrible 60's style film. Utter tosh..

User ID: MELANIEWDW   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (5/25/2005)
This ride is spooky, erie, and lots of fun. SPLASH! I always do this ride--no matter how long the wait. Norwegians are very polite(and funny).

User ID: CharlieHayward   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (3/22/2005)
Not the most entertaining ride in the park I will admit. However, it is very nice when it's hot outside, to hop on and enjoy.

User ID: dms24gg   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (6/1/2004)
I always look forward to going on this ride when I come to Epcot.It's my favorite thing to do while in the world showcase, followed by a hot cinnamon bun right outside the rides exit!

User ID: JackSparrow   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (5/27/2004)
I'm a sucker for the boat rides in all of WDW. This is no exception.

User ID: lnemec   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: Unrated (4/22/2004)
One of our favorites at WDW. Classic Disney ride with a few thrills and great theming.

User ID: Mickeygal123   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (12/30/2003)
I liked this ride alot. the backwards thing is cool. If you look closely at one of the vikings in the que line, one of them is wearing a mickey mouse hat!

User ID: MickeyManiac   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (12/23/2003)
My first experience on this ride was really freaky. There are parts where the boat goes backwards through the ride, and one of them backs right up to the edge of the WATERFALL. I literally thought we were going down a waterfall backwards. But to my fortunate surprise, it turned around and went down a mini drop. The ride is great, but could frighten younger children: monsters appear and it's very dark. Very nice artwork inside though.

User ID: chrisandginny   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: Unrated (10/20/2003)
I feel this ride is very underrated. We love these boat rides but the trolls make it way cool. Must ride.

User ID: Judy from Boise   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: Unrated (9/29/2003)
Short but great a must see & I'm surprised Disney hasn't taken away the movie yet cause hardly anyone sees it.

User ID: shayla32   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (8/21/2003)
I love this ride especially the trolls.

User ID: The Ghost   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 2 (7/18/2003)
Nice ride followed with a movie of one of the most beautifull countries I ever visited.

User ID: pbohr   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (6/26/2003)
The boat ride is good but way too short for the wait. The movie tagged on at the end is a see once, pass over the next time trailer.

User ID: miamimickey72   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (5/30/2003)
short but a good ride. Skip the movie...unless you want to take a quick nap!

User ID: JenandMark48   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (5/1/2003)
too short

User ID: mdchachi   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (1/7/2003)
Cool, relaxing ride. Turning the boat around to go backwards was a nice touch. I really thought for a second I'd be heading backwards down a splash mountain-type drop for a second there.

User ID: Skully   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (11/2/2002)
This ride needs more respect, and isn't short at all.A thrilling museum is the defenition of this rode.

User ID: DDMAN26   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (10/22/2002)
The ride is good,but the movie is a little boring.

User ID: unocardshark   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (9/14/2002)
This ride is just another one of the joys of epcot. Its relaxing, interesting and it has an authentic Disney flavor to it much like the old rio de tiempo in mexico. The spirit of Norway has always been and will always be Adventure.(according to the big loud voice at the end of the ride)

User ID: BuzzLightyear84   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (6/15/2002)
It's short, but a lot of fun while it lasts.

User ID: TimC   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (5/12/2002)
I really like this ride. Its like no other at disney. The length of the ride is a bit short, but the way they mix in everything from the trolls to the huge oil rig scene at the end is very well done. I like how you can see the boats almost leave the cliff when your outside also, adds a nice touch.

User ID: dixielandings   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (5/6/2002)
"you are not the first to pass this way" will ring in my mind forever this atraction is a little short but worth seeing

User ID: ArnyVee   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (4/28/2002)
Great ride. Especially for those pre-teens and teenagers that are not so enthused about being in World Showcase.

User ID: jef   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (4/22/2002)
Short but cool.

User ID: tagboy   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (4/13/2002)
Such a cool ride but WAY too short. Could easily have been another Pirates. Worth the ride because it's so darn fun anyway.

User ID: mercurywaxing   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (3/28/2002)
I can think of no rational reason for me to love this ride so much. Maybe it's the backwards part, or the, "Jou are not de first to pass dis vay."

User ID: jcmason25   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (3/20/2002)
If this ride was a little bit longer, it would be one of the best.

User ID: shawnp0001   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (3/19/2002)
Best thing to do in this section of the park.

User ID: 1313WEBFOOTWLK   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (2/21/2002)
A very cute ride...the small flume is a surprise as well. Worth the time.

User ID: lome   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (2/15/2002)
Worth because of the movie ... which unfortunatelly most of the people skip...

User ID: ninafeliz1   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (3/11/2001)
This ride was ok, nothing special but very well done. The lines are generally very long, so I usually don't ride it. I rememebr when it first opened, and it was such a big deal to have a new ride (and not jsut a movie) in World Showcase.

User ID: Futurist   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (3/9/2001)
Not exactly long, but Maelstrom is the best indoor boat rides since Pirates of the Caribbean. It has some cool effects, the troll AA figure well designed, and several other effects are rather cool. The film, after you get off the ride, is the cherry ontop of the sundae.

User ID: Liesie   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (3/3/2001)
This is one of my favorites; the waterfall is neat and the trolls are way cute. =)

User ID: ric   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (1/7/2001)
A little bit scary, but I love it so much.

User ID: kirbysloan   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (11/1/2000)
Very good. The backwards element is a nice touch. I skipped right through the movie like almost everyone else.

User ID: Cyrus   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (7/16/2000)
The ride is well done but too short in duration. Also, visitors should have the option either to see the film or exit after the ride.

User ID: Bishdom   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (7/5/2000)
One of the highlights of World Showcase. The ride is rather enjoyable and the movie at the end is short and informative.

User ID: Sapphire   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (5/21/2000)
We skipped the film, and the ride is pretty short, but what it does it does well. One of the more creative ideas for a Disney World ride.

User ID: resto   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (4/18/2000)
Nice effects but just too short of a ride.

User ID: RPK4444   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 4 (4/5/2000)
Really great attraction. I wish that every country had a ride like this....

User ID: LaffnStock   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (3/12/2000)
Not spectacular, but better than the boring version in Mexico. Unfortunately, these are the only two "rides" in the World Showcase. More rides, less movies!

User ID: Jeremiah   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (2/5/2000)
It is a good E.P.C.O.T. ride you learn and have a bit of fun. What you learn about it not always clear but it is fun. The movie at the end is really good, to bad so many people just walk out of it.

User ID: srolandelli   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (1/20/2000)
Weird.
Not worth a long wait.

User ID: damon63   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (1/17/2000)
Hmmm... something is missing here. The whole thing looks promising: detailed architecture and other great elements, but in the end this attraction packs about about as much suspense and thrill as the rather sedate Jungle Cruise.

User ID: NancyDVC   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (1/7/2000)
Non-scary boat ride through Norway's myths and history. If you sit in the back look behind you for the waterfall when the boat reverses direction-great view of the pavillion and folks below!!

User ID: Dlmusic   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 1 (1/7/2000)
I'm sorry, but Maelstrom doesn't quite live up to it's "High Seas Adventure" tag line. The ride seems like less than a minute, and the scenery is less than engaging.

User ID: TPA_RickWest   Thrill: Unrated  Theme: Unrated  Overall: 3 (1/6/2000)
One of the most unique and strange dark rides I have ever been on. The highlight is being sent backward down a waterfall; very cool. Many opt to bypass the film at the end of the ride; it is on the sleepy side.












































 

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