Look at that synergy go! Guests of Disney theme parks on both US coasts will soon have the chance to meet the studio’s newest leading ladies, the Disney Parks Blog revealed today.
In preparation for the Thanksgiving release of Frozen from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Anna and Elsa from the film will hold character greeting appearances at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida beginning this November.
At DLR, the sisters will be found in Disneyland Park in a “special, snow-capped spot in Fantasyland.” This sounds like it fits the bill for the Matterhorn area, but the tight pedestrian walkways around that location make me think it might be elsewhere in Fantasyland. (Or ELSA-where… I know, that was lame, why did I stoop that low.) Another logical choice would be Small World Mall, where Merida currently meets.
Over in WDW, Epcot will host Anna and Elsa in the Norway pavilion of World Showcase. A new exhibit highlighting how Norway inspired Disney animators in creating Frozen will also open nearby. Epcot is a curious choice for Florida. On the surface, it seems like the best fit thematically but not commercially, given the strong presence princesses have over in the Magic Kingdom. But perhaps that’s the reasoning: too many princesses in one park without enough meet & greet spots to fit them all, and putting some exclusively in another park creates a new draw for princess-centric families to visit Epcot. Voila!
Also announced today is news of a Frozen segment to be added to Celebrate the Magic, the Magic Kingdom’s nighttime castle projection show.
Several weeks ago, Disney also revealed (yes, they’re just as excited about Frozen as we are!) an entire Norwegian vacation itinerary from Adventures by Disney will be centered around the film as guests “follow in the footsteps of the Frozen filmmakers and experience the breathtaking beauty of this magnificent country.” The trips begin in 2014 and start taking reservations next week, October 15.
All of this is in addition to other exciting Frozen theme park projects already known of. An art exhibit opened last month at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a new nighttime water show hosted by Olaf (World of Color: Winter Dreams) will premiere November 15 at Disney California Adventure. Disney isn’t content on just a flurry with Frozen‘s theme park presence: they want a blizzard! (Yeah… I’ll stop now.)
Frozen hits theaters November 27.