It’s a hot Florida summer, but Elsa has cast a magical spell over Hollywood Studios and the whole gang is taking a Frozen Summer vacation. For Disney guests visiting this summer there is snow and ice and even a few flurries to be found at Hollywood Studios. It’s a Frozen dream come true, and you don’t want to miss it.
The hot and the cold are both so intense. Put them together? It just makes sense!
Welcome to Frozen Summer at Hollywood Studios — the coolest thing happening at Disney. From the time you arrive, the Frozen Summer takeover is everywhere you look from signage to little girls dressed as Anna and Elsa traipsing through the gates singing a merry little tune, “Let it go…”
There is a lot to see and do, and you don’t want to miss anything so here is what you need to know before you go.
Warm Hugs From Olaf – Everyone’s favorite snowman is on hand every morning to greet guests during the Hollywood Studios opening at the park’s center stage. With details about events for the day and happy greetings, it is fans’ first chance to be part of the Frozen-themed experience. Throughout the day, Olaf pops up from time to time to share warm hugs and greetings. Be sure to say hi!
Let It Go! – The very first thing guests should do upon their arrival is proceed directly to San Francisco Street where tickets for the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration are handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis in chronological order. Held in the Premier Theater (which seats about 1,000 people) fans pack into each of the day’s seven show times (12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 5, 6 and 7 pm). This is why you came, right. So get your tickets!
The Frozen Sing-Along Celebration is clever retelling of the story with clips from the movie. It is also one of three times during the Frozen Summer celebration that guests can see Anna, Elsa and Kristoff. Just in case you haven’t memorized every song, the words are on the screen. But no one around me seemed to need them. Watch for audience members who get really into singing, it was just adorable. I even saw some dads singing along!
Do you want to build a snowman? – So what if it is 95 degrees outside, inside Wandering Oaken’s Frozen Funland (located in an old soundstage just beyond Toy Story Mania) everyone has a chance to build a snowman — Florida style. Yes, it is real snow, but my favorite part was the pile of sand toys (buckets, shovels and castle molds) set out to assist kids in their snowman building adventures.
Having never actually seen snow, my girls wanted to build a snowman over and over again.
Do You Skate? – Leave it to Elsa to conjure up an indoor ice rink right next to the snow play. Guests are invited to lace up their skates and hit the ice for 30-minute skating sessions. (Cost $10.) Skate sizes start at a child’s size 1, sorry small snowflakes.
Even if you don’t skate, hang around to enjoy the ice shows throughout the day. And kids get a kick out of the mini Zamboni that cleans the ice before each show.
Frozen Sweets – Be warned, your children will be drawn to the mounds of icing that cover the Anna, Elsa and Olaf cupcakes ($5.50). My tot spotted them within moments of walking in the door, before I even knew they existed she was begging for cake! The Anna cupcakes are chocolate, Elsa is vanilla and Olaf is carrot cake (of course) with cream cheese icing and a white chocolate Olaf.
A blue Frozen slushy in a souvenir cup is also on the menu ($9.75). In case you get out of Oaken’s without a treat, Olaf cupcakes are also available throughout the park at various restaurants as are other specialty drinks in souvenir cups, and there are even more Frozen Treats available in Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post.
Frozen Merchandise Galore – The shortage of Elsa dresses has melted away at Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post where rows and rows of dresses, dolls, toys, clothes and treats line the shelf. It is a little girl’s dream (and a wallet’s nightmare!). One might think it was a big summer blowout the way families scooped up the merchandise, but don’t worry there is plenty to go around. (Finally.)
The Royal Welcome – Your first opportunity of the day to see Anna and Elsa is at the Royal Welcome parade at 11 am. The short (under 10 minutes) parade features the sister’s arrival at Hollywood Studios and the charming Kristoff. (My tot is obsessed with Kristof, but I was quite surprised by the way grown women swooned over his dashing good looks.)
While the parade is short, you will want to arrive early to get a good spot. If you miss a spot right up front, there are two big screens along the parade route to help you get a better look. The parade concludes at the main stage where Anna, Elsa and Olaf greet their loyal subjects.
In Summer – Olaf is on vacation, and he is all about the photo opp. So Olaf made photocopies of himself to pass out to guests in hopes of sneaking into everyone’s photos. Guess what? It worked. If you follow the#OlafSummerVacation hashtag, you will see Olaf all over the park enjoying the Frozen fun. As an added bonus, by sharing your Olaf picture with the hashtag you could see your photo on the big screen during the evening’s fireworks spectacular.
Virtual Character Photos – Speaking of photo opps. Save yourself some battery life and go ahead and download the free Aurasma app now. (Available on both iTunes and Google Play.) This super fun app allows you to unlock special Frozen content — like Sven, Olaf and the Trolls joining your family photos at specially marked locations around Wandering Oaken’s. Really cool.
Moves Like Olaf – This little snowman is having all of the fun, and everyday from 5:30 – 9:30 you can join him for a dance party at the center stage. The Coolest Summer Ever Dance Party is a rocking good time that features a live band performing 25-minute shows at 6, 7, 8 & 9 – weather permitting.
Frozen Fireworks – Finally, your day of Frozen fun is capped off by the spectacular Frozen fireworks show. In addition to the fireworks overhead, make sure you have a view of the main stage (or one of the big screens) for a final farewell to Anna, Elsa and Kristof. This is also where you might see your photo if you shared one with the #OlafSummerVacation hashtag.
Frozen Summer Tips from Mom
Frozen Summer takes place daily at Hollywood Studios through September 1, 2014.
The Frozen Summer event is part of a regular day’s admission to the park and all activities (except for ice skating) are included.
A special Premium Package was available with reserved seating for the parade and fireworks, however, all premium packages have been sold out.
There is not a Frozen character meet and greet available at Hollywood Studios. To meet Anna and Elsa you must visit Princess Fairytale Hall at the Magic Kingdom. (There is no meet and greet for Kristof at this time.)
Visit Wandering Oaken’s early in the day as it tends to be less crowded.
Families are picked out of the crowd to walk in the parade behind Anna and Elsa, but it is just one of those right time, right place situations.
Yes, there really are Frozen dresses and dolls!
Olaf is so happy to “finally do what frozen things do in summer” – won’t you join him?
