Elsa's Frozen Ice Palace Shines at Night!

For the first time in forever, Elsa's ice palace is lit up!Thanks to this photo by HKDL Fantasy, we can see it in all its nighttime glory. As part of the new World of Frozen opening in Hong Kong Disneyland, this will be the mountain that sets the smallest but perhaps the most charming park in China apart from Shanghai Disneyland. Bigger is not always better! Yet, compared to the measly attraction in Epcot, this land will also draw guests in with Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs, its own version of Frozen Ever After, and a slew of shops and restaurants set around a sparkling Norwegian lake. Is it enough on its own to make you book a trip there? No. But throw in Mystic Manor, the Disney kingdoms largest Adventureland, and the beautiful city of Hong Kong itself and you might have enough reason to go!

New Attraction Posters for Hong Kong Disneyland's World of Frozen

Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs is just one of the new attraction posters recently released for Hong Kong Disneyland. The ride itself is a fairly simple reworking of the Magic Kingdom's fun little Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but in Hong Kong, this will be part of entire land: The World of Frozen. These three posters have a unique feel to them, but they just don't say "Classic Disney" to me. What do you think?

Unfortunately, the headlining attraction is a revised version of Frozen Ever After from the Norway pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase. We know the Imagineers can come up with better, but the suits tie their hands for the U.S. parks where all too often, "good enough" is what gets built. Of course, recent additions to Disneyland and Walt Disney World prove they can give us the best of the best- when they want to.

If Disney park fans are looking for the ultimate Frozen themed land, they'd be better off waiting for Tokyo DisneySea's gorgeous Fantasy Springs. Like most all things Disney and Japanese, when the new land opens next Spring, it will have a one of a kind E Ticket attraction based on the beloved sisters. But that's not all. Peter Pan gets a brand new land with its own mega ticket as well as a whole new Tangled themed section. It pains me to say, but yes, things do seem to be designed better for the Japanese. 

I'm all for expanding the overseas parks, but we should never forget the idea for these are rooted in a uniquely American locale and mindset. He may be gone, but the homeland parks should always be the ultimate example of Walt Disney's Imagineers.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Thanks to HKDL Fantasy for first sharing the images.)

Attraction Poster for World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland

The World of Frozen is kind of a lame name for the new land coming to Hong Kong Disneyland, but the attraction poster is also not what I would have hoped for. It's "ok", but that's the problem. Hopefully, the execution of the land with its Frozen Ever After boat ride and Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs roller coaster is better!

(Thanks to HKDL Fantasy. Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

 

Joy and Happiness, Frozen or Not, at Hong Kong Disneyland

Fans of Hong Kong Disneyland eagerly await the opening of its brand new Frozen themed expansion in Fantasyland. The new land will be home to a new version of Epcot's Frozen Ever After as well as the Magic Kingdom's popular Seven Dwarfs Mine Train redone as Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs. Until they open, there's always some old standbys to keep visitors happy. Particularly its on-of-a-kind stellar attraction, Mystic Manor. However, there's more. The older iconic Disney attractions are classics for a reason.

 

 

As these photos clearly show, It's A Small World has so much charm that it is also a must-see attraction in the little park that could. The Imagineers took care to include landmarks that are specific to Hong Kong, a savvy tip of the hat to the locals as well as looking at the overall set design from a very appropriate Asian point of view.

 

 

Beginning with new colors on the exterior, they also used a different palette of colors once inside the building to bring joy and happiness to their audience. Many of the sets here are highlighted by darker, more dramatic backgrounds, giving the entire attraction a distinct feel compared to those in Tokyo, Paris, or in the States. Golds and rose tones create a brand new look for the classic finale scene that was first used for the beloved show at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

 

It's a Small World might be mocked by many, being the target of disdain for the more jaded person, but it's a wonderfully delightful and heart-warming attraction for the rest of us. Truly, one of my all time favorites in any of the Disney parks I visit!

 

(Photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)