Imagineers knew that this educational ride needed some thrills , too .
The Imagineers , initially stumped as they struggled to pivot , put their heads together to develop a new story ( and the Sherman brothers disappeared from the project altogether ). Ultimately , they landed on a time-travel concept in which guests would board a ship ( modeled after a 10th-century warrior longship , with a fierce dragon bowsprite ) and travel to the time of the Vikings .
This concept included much of what the Norwegian backers wanted — polar bears , a fishing village , and a massive oil rig in turbulent waters — but it also kept the trolls , one of which had three heads . To cram in more Norwegian history , Imagineers included a post-show film that guests had to watch ( eventually it became optional ).
And while one of World Showcase ’ s core aims has always been to teach guests about cultures around the world , Imagineers knew that this educational ride needed some thrills , too . In addition to the backward plunge down a waterfall , the initial attraction culminated in a scene on rough seas .
Before the attraction opened , Disney marketed Maelstrom as “ Epcot Center ’ s New Thriller ,” with one newspaper ad warning guests that “ the last time may be the first time you ride ‘ The Maelstrom ’ … All you need is the guts of a Viking .”
INTO THE STORM So what was a voyage on Maelstrom like ? Climb aboard our ancient 16-person longship ( or langskip ) as we remember a
LEFT : Keep a sharp eye for the Nokken . RIGHT : Beware the three-headed troll . PHOTOS BY CLIFF WANG
Imagineers knew that this educational ride needed some thrills , too .
sail on this gone-but-not-forgotten EPCOT attraction . After departing the loading area , which contained a massive , stunning mural depicting Norwegian culture , the ship climbed a dark tunnel . A narrator welcomed riders to their search for the spirit of Norway — one full of peril and adventure , he warned , but also beauty and charm . The boat slowly approached the only light in the tunnel : the glowing eye of Odin .
The langskip then exited the tunnel and sailed through a Viking village , but it wasn ’ t long before guests entered troll country . A large , three-headed Audio- Animatronic troll commanded attention , but if you snuck a glance to the left , you ’ d spy a Nokken . Guests were clearly not welcome here ; the troll heads told riders to be gone before casting a spell to make them “ disappear , disappear , back , back , over the falls !”
The night sky twinkled with the magic of the troll spell , and the ship plummeted — backward , thanks to a neat Imagineering trick . Guests then quickly came face-toface with polar bears ( and some puffins ). One bear stood on its hind legs , measuring more than 10 feet tall .
After the polar bears , still moving backward at a slowing pace , guests entered the brightest part of the show , inside one of Norway ’ s fjords . While the scene was bright because of intentional show lighting , it also grew more dazzling because of the light pouring in from outside . Yep , this dark ride let in a splash of sunshine .