History of Disney's Princess Character Meal at Epcot's Restaurant Akershus

Theme Park Reopening Safety Measures

• ⚠️ Universal Orlando surveyed guests on comfort levels for returning to parks, asking about temperature checks, rapid COVID-19 testing, and mask requirements.
• 🌡️ Temperature checks were discussed as feasible, but rapid COVID-19 testing presented logistical and legal challenges regarding data privacy and test availability.
• 😷 Mask requirements were considered, with a note that some parents might opt out if children cannot keep masks on, potentially leading to self-selection out of park visits.
• 🛡️ Suspending X-ray conveyor belts at security was seen as a way to reduce contact, though bag checks would still be necessary.
• 🚶‍♀️ Implementing social distancing, virtual queues, and touch-free payments were generally accepted as necessities for reopening.
• 🧼 Enhanced sanitation, including hand sanitizer stations and wiping down vehicles between rides, was discussed, with practical challenges regarding time and cleaning product residue noted.

Epcot's Norway Pavilion and Restaurant Akershus

• 🏰 The Norway Pavilion at Epcot soft-opened in May 1988, featuring Restaurant Akershus, modeled after a 14th-century castle.
• 🐟 Initially, Restaurant Akershus served traditional Norwegian fare like pickled herring, but struggled with low attendance, often operating at only one-third capacity.
• 👑 The Norwegian government's decision to stop underwriting the pavilion's costs in 2002 allowed Disney to re-evaluate the restaurant's offerings.

The Rise of Disney Princess Dining

• 👸 The "Howie's Angels" phenomenon, where fans hoarded reservations for the Princess Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table, highlighted high demand.
• 💡 To manage demand and fill underutilized spaces, Disney launched a test Princess Breakfast at Restaurant Akershus in July 2002.
• 📈 This test proved so successful that it was extended, and by 2005, Akershus offered Princess breakfast, lunch, and dinner, becoming a significant draw.
• 🌟 This success paved the way for other character dining experiences, such as Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

Evolving Character Meet-and-Greets

• ❄️ The introduction of Anna and Elsa in 2013 led to unprecedented demand, with wait times for meet-and-greets exceeding 300 minutes.
• ⚔️ A turf war existed between Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot regarding where new animated characters like Anna and Elsa should debut.
• 🗺️ The initial meet-and-greet for Anna and Elsa at Epcot in fall 2013, weeks before the movie's release, signaled their immense popularity.