Hong Kong Disneyland debuts the first-ever World of Frozen

Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Sven now call a subtropical island in Asia home. The World of Frozen, Disney's first themed land entirely dedicated to the 'Frozen' franchise, opened at Hong Kong Disneyland on November 20.

Located on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island, the new area brings Arendelle to life, showcasing iconic scenes from the beloved films, including the North Mountain, Elsa’s Ice Palace, a snowflake-topped ice fountain, and the clock tower where Anna and Prince Hans sing 'Love is an Open Door' in the original 'Frozen.'

‘The ‘Frozen’ franchise is one of Disney’s most successful, and it shows the incredible power of storytelling,’ said Disney CEO Bob Iger at a November 16 event marking the opening of the World of Frozen.

Disney Imagineers spent over three years crafting the concept and design for the new land. The ‘Frozen’ franchise, now just 10 years old, began with the 2013 release of the first ‘Frozen’ film, followed by ‘Frozen II’ in 2019, along with multiple short films and TV series.

While Disney is facing revenue challenges in other areas, its international theme parks are flourishing, with Iger mentioning in August that the parks in Asia are performing 'exceptionally well.'

At the new World of Frozen in Hong Kong, cast members portraying Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff will walk among guests, engaging with them, unlike other areas where characters are typically available only for photo ops.

Instead of scheduled shows, a roaming band will play music throughout the World of Frozen, creating a more spontaneous atmosphere.

Hong Kong’s World of Frozen features two exciting rides: Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, a thrilling roller coaster offering scenic views of the Arendelle castle, and Frozen Ever After, a boat ride with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Marshmallow, Sven, Olaf, and Pabbie Troll. As visitors float through the boat ride, they’ll hear songs from the films, including ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,’ ‘Let It Go,’ and ‘For the First Time in Forever,’ performed by the original cast of the movies.

Michael Moriarty, managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland, described World of Frozen as 'the most immersive attraction we’ve ever created.'

He explained that the decision to bring World of Frozen to Hong Kong was driven by the growing regional interest in the franchise and the unique natural beauty of Lantau Island, where the park is located.

Moriarty explained that the decision to debut World of Frozen in Hong Kong was an easy one, citing the park’s ability to create a uniquely immersive environment that blends perfectly with the Lantau mountains and the stunning surrounding scenery. 'It was an easy decision,' he said, 'given the beautiful space we have.'

When asked how the team chose which iconic scenes and elements to include, Moriarty responded, 'We focused on recreating the moments that truly connect you with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Sven.'

Moriarty shared that the World of Frozen is a fully immersive experience where guests feel like they are at the heart of the story itself, 'It’s a wonderfully immersive experience where you are at the center of the narrative,' he said.

To enhance the immersive experience, the architecture and design of World of Frozen are influenced by Norway, reflecting the inspiration for Arendelle in the films.

Throughout World of Frozen, visitors can spot storefronts inspired by 19th-century Dragestil (meaning 'dragon style') Norwegian architecture, along with rosemaling-inspired floral patterns seen in the clothing worn by the cast members.

The menu at the Golden Crocus Inn in World of Frozen also takes inspiration from traditional Norwegian dishes, including a Bayside Seafood Medley, referencing both Arendelle’s harbor setting and the park’s own waterfront.

At night, Elsa’s 'Ice Magic' transforms World of Frozen as the Ice Palace, Arendelle Castle, and Friendship Fountain glow in a mesmerizing icy blue.

Despite the frosty theme, Hong Kong’s climate is quite different from Norway’s, with snow being extremely rare. Even in November, the average temperature hovers around 75°F (24°C), well above the chill of a typical Norwegian winter.

A ticket to Hong Kong Disneyland grants access to the World of Frozen. In celebration of the new land, the park has introduced a collection of four limited-edition 'Frozen' themed tickets, each featuring Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf.

Visitors can reach Hong Kong Disneyland by car or by taking the MTR’s orange line. Additionally, Disney operates a special train from Sunny Bay station, adorned with World of Frozen-themed decals to mark the land’s debut.