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Disney’s hit film Frozen has been brought to life at Hong Kong Disneyland in the World of Frozen attraction, with rides, immersive shows and a massive amount of attention to detail. Photo: Lilith Kwong

World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland – 2 teens’ verdicts on the songs, scenes, chills and thrills at the soon-to-open attraction

  • The latest attraction at the Hong Kong park, based on the Disney animated blockbuster Frozen, has rides, immersive shows and plenty of attention to detail
  • The Frozen Ever After boat ride has sophisticated animatronics, important moments from the film and a terrifying surprise
Disney

When I asked my brother’s offspring if they would like to join me for a preview of World of Frozen, the latest attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland scheduled to open on November 20, their answer was, unsurprisingly, an emphatic “YES!”

This being the world’s first and biggest park experience inspired by Frozen, the 2013 Disney animated blockbuster, I was looking forward to checking out Arendelle Forest and the North Mountain myself – and being the envy of many.

Our mission was to experience everything the new entertainment zone has to offer (restrooms included) and see whether it lives up to the hype.

I met up with my two nieces – 19-year-old Lilith and Leila, 15 – with nephew Elon, nine, in tow at the park entrance at 10am. The temperature was a comfortable 22 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit) and the sky was overcast.

The view from the King Agnarr Bridge, part of World of Frozen, the new attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland. Photo: Kevin Kwong
The Frozen Ever After ride revisits key moments and memorable songs from the Disney’s hit “Frozen”. Photo: Kevin Kwong

As we entered Arendelle Village, a cool breeze transported us to a land of Norwegian architecture, Nordic culture and Norse mythology. At one end there is the backdrop of a snowy mountain and at the other Arendelle Castle.

I was whisked away to the Golden Crocus Inn for an official lunch while my charges went off to try the new rides.

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The buffet was nothing to write home about, but the interior of the restaurant, with well-crafted wooden decor, is warm and welcoming; the colourful desserts – you could tell much thought had gone into their creation – tasted as good as they looked.

When I met up with the kids again, the girls said I must absolutely try “the boat”. This turned out to be Frozen Ever After, one of the two new rides at the park. The fact Elon said he would not “get on that boat ever again” made me think perhaps my brother needed to toughen him up a little.

Frozen Ever After is a visual feast. The ride revisits key moments – as well as the most memorable tunes – from Frozen. It is also a showcase of advanced and sophisticated robotics; despite being animated characters from the movie, Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven all look lifelike.

“It shows how far [Disney] has come since the days of the It’s a Small World [ride],” Leila said.

Oaken, a character from Disney’s “Frozen”, at World of Frozen, the new attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland. Photo: Lilith Kwong

And the ride? Without spoiling it too much, let’s just say that when I replayed the video I took of the experience, there is this part when the screen goes pitch dark – right after Marshmallow the giant snow monster started to roar – and everyone (me included) starts screaming hysterically. I think Elon had a point.

Across the King Agnarr Bridge is the second new ride, Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, described as a “junior coaster that traverses the Arendelle Forest”. Although the experience lasts only a minute and (thank God) there were no surprises, it is no less exhilarating.

Lilith, Leila and I went back to this feature again and again, more times than we can remember. A quick tip: sit at the back, not the front, of the roller coaster for an extra thrill.

Playhouse in the Woods is an interactive and immersive theatre show aimed at a younger audience, like Elon I imagine, who can get up close with Elsa and Anna. I particularly liked how the performance weaves video projections and creative stage lighting seamlessly with the live action.

Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs is one of the two new rides that are part of World of Frozen. Photo: Lilith Kwong
A scene from the ‘Frozen’ story in The Frozen Ever After boat ride. Photo: Lilith Kwong

After quick visits to the restrooms (very clean) it was time to say goodbye to the folks at Arendelle. Leila was impressed with the details throughout the World of Frozen – from the props in Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Sauna, to the numerous paintings on the walls.

“If you don’t run past everything, there are so many things you can look at [and appreciate] even while queuing up for the rides,” she said. Elon was suitably entertained, especially at the souvenir store, and, with hindsight, was very brave.

Final verdict? “The best attraction, and definitely one I enjoyed the most, at Hong Kong Disneyland in recent years,” said Lilith.

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