Epcot is expecting a cold front come 2016. Initially announced last September, a Frozen attraction will replace the Maelstrom boat ride in World Showcase’s Norway pavilion. Today, we have a title: Frozen Ever After.
First revealed by the Wall Street Journal, guests will journey into an all-new Frozen story. The Disney Parks Blog later revealed more details:
Guests will be transported to the Winter in Summer Celebration where Queen Elsa embraces her magical powers and creates a winter-in-summer day for the entire kingdom. They will also visit Elsa’s Ice Palace and the ice-blue world of the North Mountain along with other locations before returning to the Bay of Arendelle. Of course, favorite ‘Frozen’ characters, including the Snowgies from the animated short ‘Frozen Fever,’ will be part of this new attraction, along with the spectacular sights inspired by the film.
This sounds like a new story that takes place after the original Frozen, but with elements reminiscent of moments from the film. Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure uses this same style and it works quite nicely.
The queue will journey through Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post. The ride itself will include appearances by Grand Pabbie, Marshmallow, and others. The water pathway and ride vehicles from Maelstrom will remain intact, but everything else is completely new. The ride will spotlight Audio-Animatronics with rear projections, which will allow for vivid, lifelike facial expressions. This same technology was used to much acclaim for the aforementioned Radiator Springs Racers, as well as Florida’s own Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Tying in thematically with Epcot, the attraction boasts elaborate Norwegian architecture. Next door, the new Royal Sommerhus will serve as a meet & greet with Anna and Elsa that will focus on the culture of Norway. Disney Chief Operating Officer Thomas O. Staggs stated to WSJ, “If the goal is to give people a taste of something like Scandinavia with the Norway pavilion, then Frozen would only increase the extent to which people would be drawn to it. To me it doesn’t seem out-of-character at all.”
For a scene-by-scene breakdown of the entire Frozen Ever After attraction (with spoilers), visit the Wall Street Journal. Frozen Ever After opens 2016 in Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Are you excited for Frozen Ever After? What do you hope is included in this new Epcot attraction?
Edited by: Hannah Wilkes
