Ultimate Guide to World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland

On Nov. 20, 2023, Hong Kong Disneyland will officially “open up the gates” to the park’s brand new World of Frozen, allowing guests to explore a fully realized theme park land inspired by Arendelle “for the first time in forever.”

World of Frozen Overview

World of Frozen is located in the rear of Hong Kong Disneyland behind Fantasyland, with the primary entrance found beside the Fantasyland railroad station. A second entrance is found near It’s a Small World, finally connecting that ride’s dead-end cul de sac with the rest of the park. To enter, guests pass through an archway beneath the railroad path, and emerge to discover a panoramic view of Arendelle’s waterfront.

The entrances are hung with banners proclaiming the celebration of “Summer Snow Day,”  holiday originally conceived for Epcot’s Frozen ride, which commemorates the day Elsa saved her sister Anna with an act of true love. Get used to hearing Arendelle’s citizens wishing you a “happy summer snow day,” which is essentially this land’s equivalent of the greeting “bright suns” at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

Stay to your left when entering World of Frozen and you’ll find the heart of the village of Arendelle, featuring a square lined with charming Scandinavian style facades, surrounding a central decorative fountain topped by Elsa’s iconic “snowflower” symbol. The glistening crystalline structure glows after sunset in sync with the hour-long orchestral background score of Frozen melodies that was specially recorded for the park, creating magical moments for nighttime visitors.

Straight ahead, Arendelle’s clocktower (where Anna and Hans sang “Love is an Open Door” in the first film) serves as the land’s main “weenie,” drawing guests towards the Frozen Ever After boat ride that anchors the area’s attraction lineup. To the right, King Agnarrrr’s Bridge (named for Anna and Elsa’s late father) leads to the forest half of the land, where a mossy mountain covered in cascading waterfalls conceals the entrances to both Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs roller coaster, and the Playhouse in the Woods theater. An alternative walkway to the right winds past some suspicious looking boulders, and you might overhear signs of Kristoff’s family in the forest here.

In the center of it all is Arendelle’s pristine bay, where several sailing vessels (including one named “The Snow Queen” after the Hans Christian Anderson story that inspired Frozen) float in the calm blue waters. Just beyond the bay you can see the Castle of Arendelle itself, which is nearly full size and appears even larger thanks to clever forced perspective. The castle serves as a scenic backdrop, but is not accessible to guests, because (according to Imagineering Executive Creative Director Michel Den Dulk) had it been built any larger it would have overwhelmed the park’s petite original Sleeping Beauty castle, whose transformation into the massive Castle of Dreams wasn’t yet proposed when World of Frozen was designed.

Finally, framing the entire land sits the lush mountains of Lantau Island, which form a dramatic natural backdrop unlike anything seen in any other Disney park. The color palette of Arendelle was carefully designed to compliment the surrounding environment, and a massive model of Elsa’s crystal-covered ice palace is perched above and behind it all, serving as a glittering beacon that can even be seen from Main Street U.S.A.

With two rides and a show, multiple restaurants and shops, and a cast of roaming characters, World of Frozen is easily the most fully built-out land in a park whose previous major expansions (Mystic Manor and Grizzly Gulch) consisted of little more than single attractions. More importantly, the entire area is filled with the kind of small details, easter eggs, and surprises to discover that make it feel like a living, breathing environment.

From the rank-and-file cast members — each of whom has their own personal story that they are more than happy to share — to the familiar footprints found embedded in the pathways, everything here serves to reinforce the story in a fashion that’s far more immersive than any previous Frozen-inspired attraction. In fact, as blasphemous as it might seem to invoke Universal in a Disney discussion, World of Frozen most closely resembles the exquisite Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in terms of scope, scale, and the likely effect it will have on its park’s overall popularity.

Frozen Ever After

Some fans were disappointed when it was originally announced that World of Frozen’s headlining attraction would be a new version of the Frozen Ever After boat ride already found in Epcot, rather than an entirely new ride. A reskinning of the Norway pavilion’s Maelstrom flume, this blacklight boat ride is a semi-sequel to the films that sees guests invited up to Elsa’s ice palace to witness a demonstration of her wintery wonders. (The same will be true of the Frozen attraction under construction at Walt Disney Studios Paris, although the ride coming to Fantasy Springs in Tokyo DisneySea will retell of the first film’s plot using white light.)

However, put aside your preconceptions, because this version of Frozen Ever After is a true E-Ticket that outdoes the original in every conceivable way, starting with a far larger and more detailed queue that takes guests through Kristoff’s ice delivery business. While you wait, look out for tributes to the Imagineers and author Hans Christian Anderson, as well as some chilled carrots for Sven. A later portion of the queue recalls the village square from Epcot’s version, but it’s larger and features additional background buildings that seem to greatly expand the sense of space.

Upon reaching Frozen Ever After’s boarding station, which resembles a royal boathouse rather than the modest fishing dock found in Epcot, you’ll notice the next major improvement. The boats here are significantly larger, comfortably seating 16 guests each in four rows of four, resulting in an hourly capacity of nearly 2,000 riders per hour. Not only is that a vast upgrade over Epcot’s limited throughput, but since the pay-per-use Priority Access service in Hong Kong is not nearly as popular as Genie+, the standby queue here should keep moving at far brisker pace.

Once the ride begins, the sequence of scenes is the same as in Florida, but each has been expanded, extended, or otherwise enhanced. There’s more breathing room, particularly between the introductory encounters with Olaf and the troll, giving the overall experience an improved sense of pacing, as well as a total running time that’s more than 90 seconds longer. Sets here have more dimensional textures, with fully sculpted ice walls replacing plain black corridors, and a striking artificial sky (complete with shooting stars and glowing northern lights) just before the final drop. 

Speaking of that drop, Frozen Ever After in Hong Kong doesn’t have a minimum height requirement, but it does have lap bar restraints for a very good reason. The finale’s plunge is noticeably steeper and taller than in Florida, and features a “double down” bunny hop at the bottom that produces a surprising pop of airtime, especially if you’re sitting alone in the front row of an empty boat.

Many of the thrill rides in Hong Kong Disneyland feel less physically intense than their American equivalents (Big Grizzly Mountain Railroad is much less bumpy than Big Thunder, for example), but Frozen Ever After is such an exception to that rule that my iPhone went flying off of my gimbal during the drop — luckily it landed back in the boat! 

Last, but definitely not least, the all-electrical animatronic figures found throughout the ride are some of Disney’s most advanced ever, and the human characters now sport fully articulated physical faces instead of the sometimes off-putting projected faces from Epcot.

Sven and Olaf have digitally animated eyes, and the trolls’ mouths are still projected, but their colors and brightness levels now blend much more seamlessly with their physical bodies.

As a result, all the animatronic characters evoke their on-screen counterparts much more effectively than ever before, with the dimpling around Anna and Elsa’s expressive mouths proving particularly lifelike. 

While it might not be a completely new ride, all these updates and evolutions mean that, rather than being a cute, but slightly underwhelming reskinned D-Ticket ride, Hong Kong’s Frozen Ever After finally feels like the full-fledged E-Ticket that this mega-hit franchise deserves.

Wandering Oaken’s Siding Sleighs Roller Coaster

Across the bay from Frozen Ever After looms the land’s second ride, which is far from an E-Ticket even if it looks like one from a distance. Inspired by Oaken’s entrepreneurial spirit (as seen in the first film and the Frozen Fever short), this is perhaps the most elaborately overdesigned kiddie coaster on Earth. 

Guests walk through Oaken’s cabin — where the overly enthusiastic walk-around character may sometimes be found selling wares behind the counter — before passing by his sauna (a fun video effect originally seen in Epcot) and eventually reaching his workshop.

Along the way, you’ll get a close-up look at the coaster cars as they careen past the queue; also keep an eye out for a carved moth and Bruni the blue salamander, one of three hidden throughout the land.

The sled-styled ride vehicles built by Vekoma sport spiffy red faux-upholstery and roomy lap bar restraints, designed to be suitable for younger riders at least 95 cm tall.

Upon departing the station, riders see a simple, but smile-inducing animatronic of Sven and Olaf jogging atop the treadmill that purportedly powers the attraction. Then, vehicles ascend a short lift hill through the heart of the mountain before emerging for a brief spin around its rugged exterior. 

With less than 1,000 feet of track and a modest top speed comparable to Goofy’s Barnstormer or Flight of the Hippogriff, the Sliding Sleighs don’t plunge down any big drops, and there’s no mid-ride show scenes like in Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. However, the tight turns do produce surprisingly strong G-forces, especially in the last row, giving this 60-second experience some unexpected oomph. As a result, Wandering Oaken offers an ideal introduction to roller coasters for smaller children who were previously unable to experience any of the park’s existing thrill rides.

Playhouse in the Woods and Live Entertainment

Cleverly tucked within the same mountain that contains Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs is concealed the Playhouse in the Woods. This indoor theater started out as a private space outside the village where Elsa’s parents allowed her to safely exercise her powers. Now, the sisters and Olaf invite guests inside for a brief interactive performance combining puppetry, projection mapping, and audience participation.

Visitors are invited to help Anna and Olaf welcome Elsa to the playhouse, and then get to pick which of the four elemental spirits they most identify with. For the grand finale, Elsa unleashes her powers with impressive 360-degree special effects and a flurry of soap-based snow.

The shows, which run continuously, only last a few minutes and don’t feature any live singing, but they do provide an intimate encounter with the Frozen characters that proves much more satisfying than a simple photo op.

Speaking of photo ops, there are no formal meet-and-greet locations within the land, but you may spot Anna and Elso wandering about when they aren’t in their playhouse. Kristoff also makes appearances around the village as well, and the irrepressibly enthusiastic Oaken often wanders through to say “Hoo Hoo.” Also be on the lookout for the Royal Conjurour, who juggles and performs magical illusions along the Arendelle waterfront. 

Perhaps the biggest breakout star of World of Frozen is Mossy, the baby troll. This adorable puppet is carried around in a basket by a cast member who introduces her to visitors.

This charming child is chatty and curious about humans; having a conversation with her was a highlight of our visit, so don’t take Mossy for granite!

For World of Frozen’s grand dedication ceremony, Disney went all out with a musical performance staged in the middle of the bay, followed by a breathtaking drone show above the mountains.

Unfortunately these were one-time-only productions, but it’s possible the land might feature a similar “kiss goodnight” for regular guests at some point in the future. 

World of Frozen Food

All this exciting entertainment will work up your appetite, and World of Frozen is just the place to get your fill of fine Scandinavian inspired fare. The land’s primary eatrie is the Golden Crocus Inn, located within a pair of conjoined buildings whose colors are inspired by Anna and Elsa’s outfits. Inside, a cafeteria-style counter serves table service-quality dishes, which can be consumed inside one of several intimate dining rooms.

Take a look around for a kitty cat hiding on the upper level, where the royal family dines, as well as a painting by Den Dulk of Epcot’s Summerhaus.

Highlights of the menu here include a huge slow-cooked lamb shank in savory gravy; Swedish-style meatballs with mashed potatoes; a forest mushroom pasta topped with a dippy egg; and a decadent seafood stew with salmon, mussels, and giant prawns in a rich cream sauce. For dessert, a sharable fondue platter with blue chocolate is served only after 6 p.m.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, be sure to stop into Northern Lights, a cozy confectionery specializing in royal blue candy apples, and exclusive Godiva chocolates. For something slightly less sugary, try the green tea cookies, or save some calories and bring home a Frozen tableware set instead. Attached to the outside of the building is a walk-up window featuring frosty beverages.

For a grab-and-go option, seek out the vending carts on the forest side of the land, where you can snack on a trio of savory sausages, or have a picnic box with a loaded hot dog and crab cucumber salad.  

World of Frozen Merchandise

Shopping options at Hong Kong Disneyland are fairly disappointing overall. The shops on Main Street U.S.A. are much shallower than their American counterparts, and they are dominated by generic Disney Parks items and Duffy plush dolls, to the exclusion of almost anything exclusive to Hong Kong. Even the shop attached to Mystic Manor, the park’s most unique one-of-a-kind attraction, only offers a couple dolls of Albert, the ride’s mischievous monkey mascot.

In direct contrast, World of Frozen offers a wide array of Frozen merchandise, and nearly all of it is exclusive to the new land. The central spot for shopping is Tick Tock Toys & Collectibles, found at the exit of Frozen Ever After. Themed to the royal toymaker who carved young Anna and Elsa’s playthings, the shop is home to a one-legged Toy Soldier and his beloved ballerina from the Hans Christian Anderson fable. 

Fans of Disney bounding will go bonkers for all the accessories and outfits available, especially the cozy knitted sweaters with characters subtly woven into the designs. An entire range of magnetic pals lets you walk around with a troll or snowgie perched on your shoulder, or you can cuddle up with a seemingly hand-knitted doll of one of the story’s stars. 

For sheer gee-whiz factor, it’s hard to beat the new interactive talking Olaf figure, who features articulated facial features and a variety of pre-programmed phrases. Buy two of them, and they can even chat with each other!

Or, for a more analogue souvenir, pick up an exclusive picture postcard in one of three styles, drop it in Arendelle’s post office box, and Disney will postmark and deliver it for you anywhere in the world at no additional charge.

Final Frozen Thoughts

Frozen is perhaps the most successful original stories Disney has created during this millennium, and with a third (and fourth) film on the way, it shows no sign of slowing down. Now, fans of Anna and Elsa finally have a place where they can be completely immersed in their favorite story, and Hong Kong Disneyland finally has an exclusive area that is unequaled in any other Disney park. We’re still excited to see how the Frozen areas under construction in Paris and Tokyo will turn out, and rumors persist that Frozen could come to California, either replacing portions of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, or as part of the Disneyland Forward expansion. 

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro was coy when questioned about an American Frozen land at the media event, but made a point of telling us that entering the land with writer/director Jennifer Lee was an “emotional” experience, and that the $60 billion they plan on spending in the parks over the next decade will “go a long way.” But for right now, it’s hard to imagine how they will manage to top this fabulous first new theme park land of Disney’s second century.