Changes to Disneyworld’s Fast Pass System – By Guest Author Mary Morales

UPDATE FROM MARY: October 16, 2014 at 6:50PM Eastern: The system is back to the tiered one – the system went down for hours when they did an upgrade, however they will be honoring all changes.

“The system is currently down for magical enhancements.” This is a statement that Travel Planners have come to dread when contacting the Disney Reservations System. It means you may not be able to run quotes, make reservations, do fast pass selections, make dining reservations, or any combination of the aforementioned actions.

We planners were greeted with this comment on this past Tuesday off and on when we tried to make magic for our clients. Cast members don’t often know when the system will be back up or what “enhancements” are occurring. When the system was back up and running, no one could say what changes were made until, lo and behold, the tiers were gone on the current fast pass system!

What does this mean? There has been a two tier fast pass choice system in place at both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. You were allowed to make one choice from Tier One and two choices from Tier Two. At Epcot, the coveted Soarin’ and Test Track as well as Illuminations were Tier One attractions. At Hollywood Studios, Rock n’ Roller Coaster, Fantasmic and the ever popular, Toy Story Mania were included in the Tier One selections.

This meant, that you could only have one fast pass for these highly sought after activities and sprinkle some pixie dust in hopes that additional fast passes were still available to select a Tier One attraction when you used your three initial fast passes. Now, you don’t have to choose. Like at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, all fast passes for the parks are showing on the same level. It’s like the holidays came early!!!!!!

Although the Tiers are gone at this time, Disney has not said whether or not this is another test or a permanent change. Resort guests, will continue to be able to choose their fast passes at 60 days out, so does that mean it will be even more difficult for those with non-resort stays to obtain fast passes to those former Tier One attractions? Only time will tell at this point. In the meantime, enjoy not having to make that crushing decision between Toy Story Mania and Rock’n Roller Coaster!!!!

Mary Morales is a Travel Specialist at Mad Hatter Adventures. Her areas of specialty are special needs and allergy friendly travel, but her services are free for all to use. At total Disney foodie, Mary runs the Disney Food Fans page and you can contact her at https://www.facebook.com/MaryMoralesDisneyTravel.

Well, EPCOT fans. It’s official. As the sun sets on the Norwegian Pavilion’s beloved ride and will soon be rising for its replacement, Maelstrom’s fan base has paid their final respects with an outpouring of emotion worthy of mentioning. From die hard fans lining up to be one of the last guests to take the boat ride to signature drinks from EPCOT restaurants, the ride will not only live on in the minds of so many Walt Disney World fans, but will go down in the annals of Disney history as the boat ride that introduced us to Norway’s history and myths- and the elusive Norwegian troll.

The History of Maelstrom

Originally intended as a boat ride featuring a troll-centered plot, the ride’s sponsors asked for it to include important aspects of Norwegian history including the god Odin, Norwegian Vikings, and the maritime life that still plays an important part in modern day Norway.

On July 5, 1988, Maelstrom opened its doors for visiting Disney guests and the appeal was great for both kids and adults. As one of only two of rides in the World Showcase, the ride was not only fun and informative, but a piece of Norwegian history as well. I know I certainly learned a lesson or two about the history of trolls and their role in forming the Norwegian culture while inside a tiny Viking ship.

So, for 26 years and 3 months, Maelstrom had been a piece of history for those that visit EPCOT, a place of fun and family, and a memory maker, indeed.

Hidden Mickeys in Maelstrom

If you’re anything like I am, passing time while standing in a ride queue includes the hunt for hidden Mickeys. My family is pretty competitive when it comes to finding them (we even look for them in non-Disney places. Don’t judge. ), so it’s no surprise that the Maelstrom queue and the giant Norwegian mural directly above the boat boarding area kept us occupied with every wait in line. Its detail was simply stunning and, although some say there’s a few hidden Mickeys on it, I can attest to one for certain- a Viking with Mickey ears!

Salutes to Maelstrom

The Walt Disney World community has shown their love of Maelstrom with so many salutes and goodbyes, many of which are noteworthy.

La Cava Del Tequila

In honor of Maelstrom, La Cava Del Tequila at the Mexico Pavilion created a special drink- the Maelstrom Margarita. With a delicious concoction of tequila, mango puree, orange liquor, and agave nectar, the drink is served with blueberries and basil, and habañero peppers are added for a little kick. The glass is rimmed with Tajin chili powder for an extra kick, and the drink looks as beautiful as it is tasty. according to its Twitter feed, the Maelstrom Margarita “will be available for as long as Disney guests continue to buy it, so it all depends on you. Made in honor of the ride.”

La Cava Del Tequila was thanking its fans on twitter for one of the highest traffic days ever after they posted the signature drink salute. Gracías, La Cava Del Tequila.

Here’s a screen shot of La Cava Del Tequila’s Twitter feed showing the special drink:

To check out the latest on their Twitter feed, here’s the link: https://twitter.com/cavadeltequila

The Final Ride from WDW News Today

It’s a special moment in the life of a Disney blogger to be one of the last guests to ride a closing attraction, and Tom Corless of WDW News Today‘s descriptive and moving post on his last ride is definitely worth the read. A fun, 44-second video clip showing the last ride’s announcement touched that warm and fuzzy spot in my heart when I heard on the video, “Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, for the last time, welcome to Norway and to Maelstrom. You might not be the first to pass this way, but you will certainly be the last. ” Thank you, Tom, for catching that magical moment on video!

Want an even more in depth look at the final moments of Maelstrom? WDW News Today has a fun, 17-minute video that captures all of the highlights:

For the full blog post of the final Maelstrom ride from WDW News Today, please click here.

Maelstrom Haul Away

A Disney fan named Adrian Rodriguez got the surprise of his life when he was driving on the Florida 528 the day after Maelstrom closed and spied the famous Viking ships out of his passenger windows! He has a really cute video on his Facebook page looking surprised:

Although it was a little sad to see the end of an era loaded up on the back of a flatbed trailer, it was really cool to see at the same time. As the final scene from the ride says, “Norway’s spirit will always be adventure”, it looks as though the Viking ships were on their way to a new adventure. I can only guess where they’re headed.

What’s Next for the Norway Pavilion?

In September 2014, Disney officially announced that the ride is being replaced by a “Frozen” themed ride attraction. No matter what your preference is or was, the ride is sure to be a huge hit just like the movie of the same name.

Scheduled to open in 2016, the ride according to Tom Scaggs at Disney Parks Blog “will take our guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film.” I cannot wait to see all of the teeny Anna’s and Elsa’s queued up for the new ride. Also in the Norway pavilion will be an Anna and Elsa meet and greet, which will definitely take some of the heat off the Magic Kingdom meet and greet area near Cinderella’s Castle.

Thoughts From the Author

As I look back with fondness on Maelstrom, I can only smile when thinking of my daughter hidden in my armpit on her first time through the ride when we encountered the trolls and how on our last ride in May she was shouting right along with them when the ride takes a backwards path right before its big descent. I will treasure the countless rides on the Viking boats and am proud to say that Maelstrom was always one of my family’s Fastpass and Fastpass+ selections.

Karyn Locke, Marketing and Social Media Guroo and Mid-America Guroo for trekaroo.com is a travel writer from Ohio that has a passion for all things Disney and a hankering for Dole Whip Floats at least three times a week. Also creator and blogger for www.sandandorsnow.com, she’s happy to give Disney tips to anyone that asks and is pleased as punch that her family shares her love of the most magical place on earth.