It's hard to believe it has been 13 years since Frozenfirst hit the big screen. The adventures of Elsa and Anna quickly became one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, followed by its sequel released in 2019. It meant pretty much every parent of a primary school aged child will, at some point, be able to recite all the lyrics to Let It Go.
My daughter, aged seven, has had the Frozen films on heavy rotation on Disney+ for years now. There's just something about the sweet tales of the two sisters that is utterly irresistible to her age group. So when I had the chance to explore Disneyland Paris for the opening of Disney Adventure World (formerly Walt Disney Studios Park), including the World of Frozen, I answered with a resounding yes.
The area is the latest part of ambitious expansion plans for Disneyland Paris, and includes some beautiful manicured gardens set around a lake, new restaurants and shops, and perhaps most importantly, the chance to step into Arendelle itself and feel like part of the adventure.
Not only was this my first trip to Arendelle, it was also a first Disney trip for both myself and my daughter, which added to the magic. Ahead of the grand opening, we were given a sneak peek so we could wander around the town, and it's seriously impressive. While Frozen is set in a fictional kingdom, it has a very Norwegian style, and the park has captured this perfectly. Amidst the backdrop of a huge artificial recreation of the North Mountain - where you can spot Elsa's frozen palace in the distance - there are cute timber buildings with tiny details and references that will delight Frozen fans.
After a walk around the lake taking in the view, we started our day with a trip to get my daughter's hair done. There's a wooden cabin by the lake where kids can choose from a range of Scandi-style hairstyles such as braids and updos topped with Frozen-style hair accessories. There's also face painting and flower crowns for that Arendelle villager look.
We had a peek at the new Nordic Crowns Tavern, a cosy option in the centre of the park that offers quick service dining options. On the menu were meatballs, fish, and other dishes that suit the general Scandinavian vibes of Arendelle.
But the main attraction is arguably the World of Frozen ride, and so stepping onto a boat we ventured into the unknown. The ride is a perfect retelling of the story from the first film. You ride through various scenes spotting characters from the trolls, or love experts, to Sven, before climbing a steep hill to Elsa's frozen fortress.
As the tune of Let It Go rings out, your boat is thrown backwards at speed, before you are flung from the North Mountain by the terrifying Marshmallow down a steep drop - a small warning, but I left my bag on the floor of the ride and it got soaked. You then enjoy a rather more calming firework show and some lovely Frozen songs. My seven year old absolutely loved the ride, and it was a highlight of the trip. And yes, we went round twice, it would be rude not to.
Time your visit right and you can witness a Celebration in Arendelle, where the characters put on a show on boats on the water, and of course, you can enjoy meet and greet with Anna and Elsa (you need to book a slot for this ahead of time).
If you'd like to enjoy more Disney princess meets without the queues, then the new Regal View Restaurant is a must-visit. I have to admit, it's a little strange stepping into a fine dining restaurantafter spending the morning in a theme park, and I felt quite scruffy in comparison to the pretty interior full of oil paintings and Disney-inspired ceramics. However, the staff could not have been friendlier.
As we sat down and enjoyed a three-course French meal, complete with little nods to Disney princesses from edible rose petals to crowns, the princesses wandered around the tables to greet us. We got to meet four of the princesses from the comfort of our table, from Jasmine to Mulan, and they were all wonderfully professional and engaging. My child tends to be shy when meeting characters, but they were soon chatting to her and practising princess twirls, and we got plenty of time to take photographs.
While it's a pricey meal at €100 for adults and €50 for children for the set menu (about £86 and £43), it was a relaxed and fun experience and definitely one for a special occasion.
With all the excitement around the World of Frozen, the new Tangled ride was a little overshadowed, but it's a great one for younger kids. On Raiponce Tangled Spin, you gently float around on spinning boats under lanterns, and its the perfect ride for younger kids.
In the evening, we headed for the opening ceremony, where in an explosion of glitter and confetti, the gates were opened. And much like when the gates to Arendelle were flung open in the first movie, there was a rush of excitement as we followed a brass band playing Frozen tunes.
French singer Santa took to the stage to belt out Let It Go, amongst other songs, and the park was officially open, with a huge rush to see the new ride and meet the princesses. And to top off your day at the World of Frozen, there's a new night-time show, Disney Cascade of Lights, which takes place on the lake. Featuring a mix of drones, fireworks, and pyrotechnics, it's an impressive feat and the perfect way to end the day for Frozen fans.
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Overall, World of Frozen was an incredible day out and one of the highlights of Disneyland Paris for us. As a Disney first timer, I had high expectations for the park, and the level of detail and quality of entertainment in Arendelle certainly met them. And most importantly, my daughter, walked around with a look of awe on her face the entire time, which always makes the journey worth it.
Want to see it for yourself? Prices start from £179pp/per night for selected arrivals between 31st July to 29th August 2026, based on two adults and two children sharing a room at the Disney Hotel Cheyenne with a ticket package for unlimited access to Disneyland Park & Disney Adventure World. Find out more at www.disneylandparis.com. Prices may be subject to change.
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