Disney recently provided a unique update about the progress on The World of Frozen, coming soon to Hong Kong Disneyland. That got me thinking: what about the Frozen-inspired lands being built across Disney Parks worldwide? For the first time in forever, let’s talk all about everything you need to know about Frozen lands coming to the Disney Parks around the world!
Hong Kong Disneyland. The World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland is the first Frozen-inspired Land scheduled to open at any Disney Park worldwide. That is a huge distinction for this park. And speaking of huge, this the largest expansion yet at Hong Kong Disneyland, and judging by the video released by Imagineers, it looks like all of Arendelle will be represented in the land.
The World of Frozen will be located between Fantasyland and Toy Story Land, and will feature two attractions: Frozen Ever After (similar to the version at EPCOT) and the “first-of-its-kind Frozen-themed family-friendly roller coaster Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs.” The land will also include a quick-service restaurant and shops. In addition to the Arendelle village, Elsa’s Ice Castle will sit perched on the North Mountain, which is sure to serve as a great photo backdrop. Additionally, the Elsa audio-animatronic on Frozen Ever After is said to be on an entirely new technological level, which should prove fun to see.
I am eager to see this land not only because of its sheer scope, but because of the family-friendly roller coaster, Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs. Based on the concept art, it looks similar to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at the Magic Kingdom, which has maintained its popularity over the years. The World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland is set to open later this year—so stay tuned.
Disneyland Paris. As I previously reported in my article, Disneyland Paris Announces Frozen Land, an entire land dedicated to Frozen called the Kingdom of Arendelle is under construction at Disneyland Paris.
The Kingdom of Arendelle will be located at Walt Disney Studios Studios Park, the second park at Disneyland Paris. The Kingdom of Arendelle will feature a beautiful lake that is surrounded by the village and Arendelle Castle (which is sure to become the land’s icon). The land will also feature Elsa’s Ice Castle, which will tower over the land from a 131-foot snow-capped mountain. The new land will feature Norwegian-inspired architecture, a shop, a restaurant, and most exciting, a new Frozen-inspired attraction. Details on the restaurant, shops, and attraction are scant, so we don’t know whether we will be seeing a copy of Frozen Ever After, or something new like the coaster planned for Hong Kong Disneyland.
Also, a new promenade will connect Walt Disney Studios Park to the Kingdom of Arendelle. The promenade will feature themed gardens and landscapes along the to-be-constructed lake. According to Disney, it is intended to aid guests’ transition into the new, highly-themed lands. Art Nouveau, a new table-service restaurant, will be added as part of the promenade expansion. Disney has yet to announce an opening date for the Kingdom of Arendelle, so as always, stay tuned.
Tokyo Disneyland. The Kingdom of Frozen at the Tokyo Disneyland Resort will be part of a major expansion at Tokyo DisneySEA. In keeping with its nautical theme, the new “port” (i.e., land) will be called Fantasy Springs, and will include the Kingdom of Frozen.
Fantasy Springs will include Rapunzel’s Forest and Peter Pan’s Never Land, each with respective attractions and restaurants. The Kingdom of Frozen will feature cascading waterfalls, Arendelle village, and Elsa’s Ice Palace on the North Mountain. The Fantasy Springs expansion is notably not an entire land dedicated to Arendelle—but it is exciting in its own right. Fantasy Springs is expected to ope in Spring of 2024.
Predictions for Walt Disney World. I have a bold (and perhaps cold) prediction: Disney World will get its own version of a Frozen Land. I know, I know, Frozen Ever After already exists in Norway at EPCOT. But, that’s not enough. That’s merely a quaint alcove in an otherwise quiet park of World Showcase. Frozen deserves more, nay, it demands more. And a sequel is on its way.
At last year’s D23 Expo (for more about every thing announced then, see Everything Announced about the Disney Parks at D23 EXPO 2022), Disney announced very, very early ideas for an Encanto-inspired land and a Coco-inspired land behind Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. Though a Frozen-inspired land was not part of that conversation, I have a feeling there will be more to come. Now, I don’t think Frozen can co-exist with the other princesses at the Magic Kingdom. It’s just hard to imagine Arendelle castle, or Elsa’s Ice Castle, competing with Cinderella Castle. But, room permitting, Hollywood Studios could benefit from a new themed land to both welcome children and take the heat off Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Frozen couldn’t fit well with Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT already has a Frozen ride; I’m also unsure how a such a land would mesh with the thesis behind EPCOT.
There is also the idea that a new park could be built. That is obviously the most ambitious of guesses, but Disney World seems poised to respond to the Epic Universe, the third Universal Studios theme park under construction in Orlando. An entire Frozen-themed land would be a great anchor for a newly announced theme park, wouldn’t it?
While the ideas about a Frozen-themed land at Walt Disney World remain pure speculation, the other parks discussed above are getting very real lands very soon. For the first time in forever, guests will be able to experience Frozen on a bigger scale. And that is something to be excited about.
