Norway
   

The area of Norway resembles a Norwegian town square with its cobble stone courtyard and a replica of a 14th century fortress found in Oslo, in addition to the architectural styles of Norwegian towns like Bergen and Setesdal. A stave church pays tribute to the 13th Century medieval craftsmanship. A recent addition of a Viking ship playground allows children a place to explore and play.

In Maelstrom, visitors board a 16 passenger Viking-style boat and travel along a 10th century Viking village and through a mythical forest where you'll encounter mischievous trolls who cast a curse on the boats to go backwards downriver. Your vessel passes a grand fjord and continues on through a storm by a North Sea oil rig. Maelstrom uses Audio-animatronics and special effects to tell of Norway's history and ancient folklore during the 10 minute ride. Following the ride, visitors are invited to watch a short, recently updated film on modern Norway. To ride Maelstrom, guests in wheelchairs must be able to transfer from the wheelchair to board the boat. For deaf guests, reflective captioning is available, ask a Cast Member at the entrance for assistance.

Norwegian-style dining is found in Akershus, in the fortress replica of the same name. In the medieval atmosphere, an all-you-can-eat buffet is served at lunch and dinner. The cold buffet offers salads of the chicken, meat, potato and egg & ham varieties, herring, smoked salmon, cheese platter, roast beef, stuffed pork loin and assorted native breads and rolls. At the hot buffet, you'll find smoked pork, fresh fish, venison strips, red cabbage, meatballs in gravy, macaroni & cheese with ham, mashed rutabagas, vegetables and red potatoes. Outdoors, under shade, the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe serves open-faced sandwiches and pastries such as the specialty Kringles (candied pretzels) and the delicious Lefses (thin potato bread rolled with a cinnamon, sugar & butter filling).  Shops such as the Fjording and the Puffin's Roost feature Norwegian hand knit sweaters, carved wood souvenirs, pewter, jewelry, toys and of course, Norwegian trolls. With the exception of the popular Maelstrom ride, all areas of Norway are wheelchair accessible. Guests who would like a guided tour of Norway can sign up at the Tourism desk. Tours are conducted at 6 and 6:30 p.m. and are wheelchair accessible.

TIPS: If you’d like to enjoy Maelstrom but have already seen the tourism film at the end, or do not wish to see it, simply walk through the theatre and exit immediately after the doors are opened. To say “hello” in Norway, say “god dag” (goo-DAHG).