Disneyland Paris Unveils World of Frozen: A Magical New Kingdom
"WHERE ARE YOU?!" exclaims the curly-haired little boy in front of me – my two-year-old son Theo – as fireworks burst and bloom above a lake, lighting up "mountain peaks" coated with "snow." He is not, however, asking about my whereabouts. Instead, he is eager to locate a certain platinum blonde in an ice-blue dress he met earlier: Queen Elsa. This is because we are in Arendelle, or as close as one can get to the fictional kingdom from Disney's Frozen.
This marks the grand opening of the World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris, the result of a multi-billion-euro expansion. We have been fortunate enough – along with French President Emmanuel Macron, supermodel Naomi Campbell, Spice Girl Emma Bunton, and TV presenter Holly Willoughby – to enjoy a behind-the-scenes preview before the tourist crowds arrive.
A Whimsical Scandinavian Village Comes to Life
For the record, I am decidedly not a "Disney adult," that specific type of grown-up fan whose lives revolve, in part or entirely, around the parks, films, and mythology. Yet, it is difficult not to be impressed by the World of Frozen. The fictional kingdom of Arendelle, from the Frozen films, springs to life at Disneyland Paris.
Visitors can explore a Scandinavia-inspired village, complete with gabled rooftops and colourful Nordic-style waterfront buildings. The engineered "mountain" soars 118 feet high, appearing unnervingly realistic and topped with Elsa's ice palace. Even the water of the 7.5-acre Adventure Bay lake has a strange blue-green sheen, as if it belongs in a fairy tale.
Kooky shop and sauna proprietor Oaken and Mossie, the pint-sized baby troll, cheerfully roam the village centre. Several times a day, the "A Celebration in Arendelle" show features characters such as Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff, along with "villagers," singing and dancing, while the lovable snowman Olaf comes to life in animatronic form.
Immersive Rides and Character Encounters
Guests get closer to the stars inside the "castle," enjoying one-on-one encounters with Anna and Elsa. Frozen Ever After is a musical boat ride that glides through landscapes of fjords and ice, slowing at vignettes that depict pivotal scenes from the first film. Catchy songs like Let It Go fill the air, and on all sides, you encounter Disney's impressive "Audio-Animatronics" robotic figures.
In short, it is a blast. We ride it three times. Theo alternates between sitting silent and staring, and moments of unencumbered joy. Loud "oooohhhhs" emerge as he recognises his favourite characters, shouting "hello" as we pass – waving so much I worry his arm might drop off.
A Coherent Expansion with Broader Plans
World of Frozen is not subtle, nor does it try to be, but it operates with remarkable efficiency. Combined with the setting – so meticulously managed that you lose sight of anything beyond Arendelle – it becomes something closer to theatre than a theme park.
World of Frozen blends with striking coherence as an expansion of Disney Adventure World, the new name for Walt Disney Studios Park, more than two decades after it opened as an addition to the original Disneyland Park. Here, attractions draw inspiration from Toy Story, Ratatouille, Cars, and the Marvel heroes.
Yet, Disneyland Paris is not finished yet. Late last year, construction began on a large area dedicated to The Lion King, the first of its kind, promising to plunge visitors "deep into the Pride Lands to follow Simba's adventures."
Economic Impact and Lasting Impressions
There is still plenty of charm in the other park – from the jaunty Mad Hatter's Tea Cups to the sea shanties of Pirates Of The Caribbean – but older rides like Peter Pan's Flight now feel distinctly dated. However, little can stop this tourism behemoth. Since opening, Disneyland Paris has contributed a staggering €120 billion (£104 billion) to the French economy, accounting for 6.1 percent of the country's tourism revenue.
By the time we make our way home, I am humming Disney tunes that have, it turns out, been lodged somewhere in my mind since childhood. For parents, the experience may be exhausting, but seeing the happiness in your child's eyes makes it entirely worthwhile.
Am I still perplexed about die-hard Disney adults? Yes. But if World of Frozen has taught me anything, when it comes to that feeling, I might just need to Let It Go.
