Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Sven now reside on a subtropical island in Asia. World of Frozen, an immersive land dedicated to Disney's "Frozen" franchise, has recently opened at Hong Kong Disneyland on November 20. Located on Hong Kong's Lantau Island, this exciting new addition brings the enchanting kingdom of Arendelle to life. Visitors can explore iconic locations from the beloved movies, including the North Mountain, Elsas Ice Palace, the impressive snowflake-topped ice fountain, and even the renowned clock tower where Anna and Prince Hans perform their iconic duet, "Love is An Open Door," as seen in the first "Frozen" film.
Disney CEO Bob Iger praised the Frozen franchise as one of Disney's most triumphant endeavors, attributing its success to its compelling storytelling. He expressed these sentiments at a November 16 event held in Hong Kong to celebrate the opening of the World of Frozen.
The new attraction's concept and design were meticulously crafted by Disney Imagineers over a period of more than three years. Despite being only a decade old, the franchise has gained remarkable acclaim since the release of the first Frozen movie in 2013, followed by Frozen II in 2019, along with various short films and TV shows.
In September, the company revealed its plans to double investment in its Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products segment. Over the next decade, they will allocate $60 billion towards this initiative. Despite revenue challenges in other areas, Disney's international theme parks are thriving. In a statement made in August, Iger remarked that parks in Asia are performing exceptionally well.
The Frozen Ever After ride features new animatronic figures.
In the new World of Frozen in Hong Kong, cast members portraying Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff will roam the area, engaging with visitors. This sets it apart from other sections in the park, where princesses and other characters are typically only accessible for photo opportunities.
Instead of having scheduled shows, a band will randomly roam around World of Frozen, entertaining guests with their music.
Hong Kong's World of Frozen also offers two rides: Wandering Oakens Sliding Sleighs, a fast-paced roller coaster that provides guests with breathtaking views of the Arendelle castle, and Frozen Ever After, a boat ride that features beloved characters such as Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Marshmallow, Sven the reindeer, Olaf the snowman, and Pabbie Troll. As visitors embark on the Frozen Ever After boat ride, they will be serenaded by the characters singing popular songs from the movies, including "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?," "Let It Go," and "For the First Time in Forever," all performed by the original English-language cast of the films.
Michael Moriarty, managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland, called World of Frozen "the most immersive attraction weve ever built."
Hong Kong Disneyland's World of Frozen includes a recreation of the Arendelle Palace and other key elements from the beloved film franchise.
Courtesy Disney
Moriarty explained that the choice to introduce World of Frozen in Hong Kong was driven by the local fascination with the franchise and the distinct natural features of Lantau Island, where Hong Kong Disneyland is situated.
"I believe that our breathtaking surroundings, the intertwining of our man-made mountains with the magnificent Lantau mountains and scenic landscape, enable us to create a remarkably distinct and engaging atmosphere. Given these factors, selecting Hong Kong as the inaugural location was a straightforward decision," Moriarty expressed to the media prior to the opening.
"When selecting which scenes and elements to showcase, Moriarty explained, "Our focus was on capturing the essence of Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Sven through the scenes that truly resonate with audiences."
World of Frozen aims to bring the fictional kingdom of Arendelle to life.
Courtesy Disney
Moriarty expressed that the World of Frozen offers a remarkably captivating experience, placing you directly at the heart of the narrative. To augment the immersion, the architecture and design elements in the World of Frozen draw inspiration from Norway, mirroring the same aesthetic as Arendelle portrayed in the films.
The storefronts in World of Frozen showcase 19th-century Dragestil architecture, also known as "dragon style" in Norwegian. The clothing worn by cast members features stylized floral motifs that are reminiscent of rosemaling decorative art. The menu at Golden Crocus Inn in World of Frozen incorporates elements of Norwegian cuisine, including a Bayside Seafood Medley that pays homage to the harborside setting of Arendelle and the World of Frozen.
At night, the World of Frozen dazzles with Elsa's enchanting "Ice Magic," illuminating the Ice Palace, Arendelle Castle, and the Friendship Fountain in a mesmerizing icy blue hue.
However, Hong Kong's climate starkly contrasts with that of Norway. Snowfall is practically non-existent in this region, and even in late autumn, such as November, the average temperatures remain around 75 F (24 C).
The ticket to Hong Kong's Disneyland grants access to the World of Frozen attraction. To celebrate the new land, the park offers four fresh ticket designs featuring Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf, all themed around the beloved movie "Frozen."
Travelers can reach Hong Kong Disneyland either by car or by taking the orange line on Hong Kong's MTR public transit system. For convenience, Disney operates its own train service from Sunny Bay station in Hong Kong, which is adorned with World of Frozen decals as a tribute to the opening of this enchanting world.