After multiple weeks of soft-openings and rehearsals, today is the big day for the new theme zone World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland. On this Monday 20th on November, the zone was officially opened to the general public, following the grand opening ceremony that took place last Thursday. World of Frozen is the first immersive theme zone revolving completely around the popular Frozen franchise, and includes two new rides. One of them is the major dark ride Frozen ever After and the other is a family roller coaster.
World of Frozen marks the 8th theme zone in Hong Kong Disneyland. Guests enter the kingdom of Arendelle, time-wise entering the kingdom just after the first Frozen-film. “In this time of happily-ever-after, peace and prosperity have returned to the kingdom of Arendelle, guests are invited from near and far to take part in this joyous celebration on Summer Snow Day,” said Michel Den Dulk, Executive Creative Director for Walt Disney Imagineering.
The zone is divided in two parts: the bustling centre is Arendelle Village, where landmarks from the films like the Arendelle Castle can be found along with the dark ride and multiple shops and restaurants. King Agnarr Bridge connects the village with Arendelle Forest, where guests find the roller coaster Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs and the Playhouse. This playhouse contains an engaging theatrical experience featuring Anna, Elsa and Olaf, as well as projection mapped content and special effects bringing the show to life.
The dark ride Frozen Ever After is the major attraction of the area. This boat ride takes guests on a journey through the North Moutain, past Elsa’s Ice Palace and many more locations well-known from the films. Disney also promises that Frozen friends are found throughout the ride, “having been brought to life like never before with the most technologically advanced Audio-Animatronics figures ever at Hong Kong Disneyland.”
The dark ride is based on the 2016 Epcot makeover of their old Maelstrom ride, but with more rooms reserved for immersive scenes and advanced storytelling. The ride makes use of boats offering room for up to 16 passengers at the same time. More installations of this very dark ride are planned for Tokyo DisneySea as a part of their Disney Springs addition (opening June 2024), and for Walt Disney Studios park in Paris (presumably opening in 2025).
World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland was officially announced in November 2016, as final project of a total investment of KH$10,9 billion in the park. Over the last weeks, a total of 11 preview days was held for the cast members of Hong Kong Disneyland, making the zone ready for the official opening ceremony hosted on 16 November. Starting today, the zone is officially open for all Hong Kong Disneyland guests.
