The Nokk (or Nokken) is a character from EPCOT.
History[]
Background[]
The Nokk was a being which inhabited the forested troll country of Norway (and/or the Norway Pavilion in EPCOT). This creature is shown to have a hostile attitude towards human who enter the Troll Valley for Norway where it is shown to be an enemy towards humans. Just like its mythological counterpart, the Nokk is able to disguise itself as a rock and give visitors a fright whenever they approach it.
Development History[]
The Nokk is based on the creature of the same name from Scandinavian folklore, which was created for the attraction Maelstrom in Epcot's World Showcase. The design of the trolls and jotunn in the ride being inspired by the artwork of early 20th century illustrator John Bauer. Trolls in Scandinavian folklore being malevolent spirits that live in nature and which originate from the Jötnar of Norse mythology. In said mythology, the trolls were born from the toes of the corpse of the dead giant Ymir before the creation of the universe.
Maelstrom closed in 2014 to make way for the attraction Frozen Ever After, based on the hit 2013 film Frozen.
Appearances[]
Maelstrom[]
The Nokk appeared during the troll country scene of Maelstrom when guests enter the domain of the trolls. When it became aware of the human mortals having trespassed, it and the Three-Headed Troll became angered as its head emerged and attempted to attack the guests who arrive at the area of the trolls. The boats then backed away from the trolls where they were able to escape from the angry trolls.
As the guests fell backwards, another Nokken emerged from the water with shining yellow eyes before the guests found themselves in the lair of yet another troll, this time a rock troll. Guests were able to evade the angry troll in time via the attraction's drop leading to the end of the attraction.
Royal Sommerhaus[]
A tapestry within the Royal Sommerhaus where Arendelle royalty can be found depicts the trolls. The tapestry shows the rock troll from the ride at the bottom of the falls with the troll's three heads looming overtop of a waterfall.
Trivia[]
- Disney would later use a character inspired by the said creature in Frozen II known as simply "the Nokk", a dangerous shapeshifting water-spirit known to lure travelers to the waterside while disguised as a mighty horse (similar to the Kelpie of Celtic folklore), a handsome man (oftentimes playing a violin), or a beautiful woman, only to drag them into the depths and drown them.
- Trolls still appear in the ride which was once Maelstrom, albeit as the stone trolls from Frozen.
- The scene where the Nokken appeared in the Frozen Ever After revamp was replaced by Marshmallow and a group of Snowgies who happily watch the guests leave.
Gallery[]
