Inside Disney’s jaw-dropping World of Frozen as theme park opens its €2 billion expansion – and how even sceptics are falling under its spell
‘WHERE ARE YOU?!’ The curly-haired little boy in front of me – my two-year-old son Theo – cries as fireworks explode over a lake, illuminating blooming ‘mountain peaks’ glistening with ‘snow’.
But he doesn’t ask about me. He wants to know the location of the platinum blonde in the ice blue dress he met before: Queen Elsa.
Because we’re in Arendelle, or as close as you can get to the fictional kingdom in Disney’s Frozen movie.
It’s the opening of World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris, the result of a multi-billion-euro expansion – and we were lucky enough to be joined by French President Emmanuel Macron (no less), supermodel Naomi Campbell, Spice Girl Emma Bunton and TV presenter Holly Willoughby to get a behind-the-scenes preview before the hordes of tourists arrive.
Just so you know, I am clearly not a ‘Disney adult’; I’m not one of those special kinds of adult fans whose lives revolve partly or entirely around parks, movies, mythology, and more. However, it is impossible not to be impressed by World of Frozen.
The fictional kingdom of Arendelle from the Frozen movies comes to life at Disneyland Paris
Visitors can explore the Scandinavian-inspired village and meet their favorite characters
There’s lots of quaint Scandi in the gabled roofs and colorful Scandinavian-style coastal buildings. Specially designed 30 meter high ‘mountain’ towers that look unnervingly realistic, crowned by Elsa’s ice palace.
Even the water of the 7.5-acre Adventure Bay lake has a strange blue-green sheen, as if it were in a fairy tale.
Crazy shop/sauna owner Oaken and tiny baby troll Mossie are frolicking around the village centre.
Several times a day, the ‘A Celebration in Arendelle’ show brings characters such as Anna, Elsa and Kristoff as well as ‘villagers’ singing and dancing, while the adorable snowman Olaf comes to life in animatronic form.
You get closer to the stars inside the ‘castle’, enjoying one-on-one encounters with Anna and Elsa.
Frozen Ever After is a musical cruise that glides through fjords and icy landscapes, slowed down by vignettes depicting key scenes from the first film.
While catchy songs like Let It Go fill the air, you encounter Disney’s impressive ‘Audio-Animatronics’ robotic figures everywhere.
Key scenes from the first Frozen movie play out before you on your Frozen Ever After journey
Ben and his two-year-old son Theo next to the fountain in recreated Arendelle
In short: it’s a blast. We ride three times. Theo alternates between sitting silently and staring, experiencing moments of boundless joy.
There are loud ‘oooohhh’ sounds when he recognizes his favorite characters, he shouts ‘hello’ as he passes them; He waves so much I worry his arm will fall off.
World of Frozen isn’t subtle and doesn’t try to be, but it works with remarkable efficiency. Combined with the environment being so carefully managed that you lose sight of everything beyond Arendelle, it becomes something closer to theater than theme park.
World of Frozen blends with striking consistency as an extension of Disney Adventure World, the new name for Walt Disney Studios Park more than two decades since it opened as an addition to the original Disneyland Park. Attractions here are inspired by Toy Story, Ratatouille, Cars and Marvel heroes.
But Disneyland Paris isn’t finished yet. Late last year, construction began on a large area dedicated to The Lion King, the first of its kind that promises to whisk visitors ‘deep into the Pride Lands to follow the adventures of Simba’.
Crazy shop/sauna owner Oaken wanders around the village; perfect for taking photos with family
World of Frozen is part of the newly renamed Disney World of Adventure in France
The other park still has plenty of attractions – the flashy Mad Hatter’s Teacups, Pirates of the Caribbean’s sea shacks – but older rides like Peter Pan’s Flight now feel distinctly dated.
However, there is not much to stop this tourism giant. Disneyland Paris has contributed a staggering €120bn (£104bn) to the French economy since its opening, accounting for 6.1 per cent of the country’s tourism revenue.
As we head home, I hum the Disney songs that have been ingrained in my mind since my childhood. For parents, this experience can be tiring, but seeing the happiness in your child’s eyes is totally worth it.
Still confused about the die-hard Disney adults? Yes. But if World of Frozen has taught me anything, it’s that when it comes to that feeling, I might have to let go…
