Last week when I was down in Orlando for vacation and had the chance to attend the special summer event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! Along with me came my set of Funko Frozen Pop! Vinyls for an exclusive photo shoot and review of the event.
Before we get to the photo shoot and review of the event, here is a little bit more about the event. Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! includes a multitude of extra entertainment around the theme park, most of which is free. From a morning parade and ceremony to an afternoon sing-along and evening fireworks show, for kids and adults alike there is a full day of Frozen there for the taking.
Now, on busier days, it will take a lot of waiting around, especially if you are with a family with smaller kids or if you want to experience everything from a great vantage point. If you do not want to do that waiting around, you can always do what I did, and purchased the special premium package. This package includes special viewing locations for the parade and ceremony in the morning, and the fireworks at night, with refreshments at each. In addition, it gives you guaranteed seating at one of the sing-along shows during the afternoon. It might be a bit pricey for a large family, but for someone who wanted to make sure the experience was worthwhile, I got the ticket.
Before the day even began, an ambassador to Hollywoodland greeted everyone on the main stage (located in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat at the end of Hollywood Boulevard) with a special guest (Olaf- who appeared on screen) to welcome everyone to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! event. It was a cute little park opening, something that all of the theme parks aside from the Magic Kingdom seem to lack these days.
Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Frozen Funland
I started the day with a visit to Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Frozen Funland. This area, located in Sound Stage 1 (next to Toy Story Midway Mania over at Pixar Place), has been transformed into Arendelle, including a ice-skating rink, a snow playground, Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, a snack area, and a few photo ops. The inside of Sound Stage 1 is kept very cold in order to not melt the ice skating rink (yes, it is made of real ice). It is here where the gang gathered for some photos.
Kristoff and Sven in front of Wandering Oaken’s.
Olaf feels at home at his “Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Snowground”. Admission to the snowground is free, but the line forms quickly and only a set number of children are allowed in the area every 10 minutes.
Anna and Elsa find the ice rink very beautiful. Guests can rent skates and skate on the ice for a nominal fee of $10. Skaters change out every 1/2 hour.
Elsa’s ice castle is in the background.
Throughout the day, Wandering Oaken’s cousins take to the ice, dancing to some of the songs from Frozen.
However, before that, the Zamboni (smallest one I have ever seen) comes out to clear the ice. The shavings are then moved over to the snowground.
After playing on the ice and in the snow, guests can buy snacks nearby. Here, Anna, Elsa, and Olaf found their cupcake versions.
Using the Aurasma App on smart phones, guests can “pose” with some of the Frozen characters. Here I am, dressed as Wandering Oaken, with the Trolls, Sven, and Olaf (who comes with two poses).
Next to the Funland, you have Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, which is chock full of fun Frozen inspired merchandise. It is also the only place you can get the exclusive Frozen MagicBands. As a treat to myself, I got all three added to my account. Elsa and Olaf were musts for me, and Anna rounded out the set. Will I ever actually use them as MagicBands? Who knows.
Welcoming Parade & Ceremony
After a visit to Sound Stage 1, I made my way back to Hollywood Boulevard and to the special viewing area for the parade. Prior to the start of the parade, Premium Pass guests were invited to get frozen lemonades, Mickey ice cream bars, soda, and water (all unlimited) from the vendors inside the special area. Since it was before 11am, I just stuck to soda and water… but those other treats looked delicious.
Since it looked like it was going to rain, they started the parade a little early. I wasn’t complaining.
It’s a very short parade, especially in comparison to others I have seen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, it serves it’s purpose: to welcome Anna and Elsa to Hollywoodland.
After the parade, they allowed the Premium Pass guests, and then other guests, fill in the parade route up to the stage. Then, Anna and Elsa took to the stage, where they were officially welcomed to Hollywoodland and then led the crowd in a singing of “Let It Go”, complete with snow. NOTE: If you do not like the music from Frozen, this event is not for you, as you here the songs a lot throughout the day.
If you want a great vantage point for the parade and the ceremony, you need to scope out a seat along the parade route closer to the stage pretty early in the morning. The parade usually starts at 11am, and I saw people queuing up for it as early as 9am, when the park opened that day.
“First Time in Forever” Frozen Sing-Along
Throughout the afternoon, guests flocked to the Premier Theater in the Streets of America, where they joined the newly appointed Arendelle historians (as well as cameos from Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff) in a retelling of the Frozen tale… mainly focusing on the songs. Hence the “Sing-Along”. It is a very fun 1/2 hour show, and I lucked out getting a really great cast of characters for my showing. There are numerous shows throughout the day (I think 6 or 7 each day), but the showings do get crowded. Tickets for some of the shows are given out throughout the day outside of the theater, so you can plan your day around which show you get. However, some shows are more popular than others, and “sell out” quicker. All tickets are free for this event. Premium Passholders get a special section in the center front of the theater for seating.
“Frozen in the Sky” Fireworks
The evening ends with the “Frozen in the Sky” Fireworks show at 9:45pm on select evenings. This combination stage show and fireworks over the Sorcerer’s Hat is set to the music of Frozen. From my vantage point, it was a good set of fireworks, but the closer to the stage you are, the less of it you see. Unfortunately, the Premium Pass viewing area and dessert party is closer to the stage than it should be. I would have preferred to have been a little further away in order to see the fireworks better. That being said, the desserts at this party were amazing… and so delicious. There was also an unlimited drink menu, including alcoholic drinks for the adults. I don’t drink, but if I did, I could have made my money back on the ticket price right then and there. (NOTE: In September, the Fireworks are only happening on the weekends, and the Fireworks will not take place on August 23rd, which is the special Villains event at DHS.)
Well, that will about do it for the Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! event. A couple of things to note, though:
~ There are NO Meet & Greets for any of the Frozen characters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Do not expect to show up to find some.
~ The hotter the day gets, the more crowded the Frozen Funland gets. When I went back with friends towards late afternoon, it was actually warm in there compared to what it was in the morning… and not really a good kind of warm.
~ They only sell 250 Premium Passes for each day. Right now the event has been extended through the end of September. If you are planning on going and want the ease of the Premium Pass, call asap. There is talk of them extending it until the end of December, but nothing is confirmed.
Would I recommend getting the Premium Pass? For me, it was more than worth it. No waiting for a parade or a fireworks show… snacks and beverages were included… a special seating are for all events. Right now, the Premium Pass is sold out through September 1st, but is still available on select weekends in September. Please visit the official website for more information and pricing.
Before I let you go, here is one more photo from the day. Disney’s PhotoPass cast members are at different locations in the park taking Frozen inspired photos. Inside the Frozen Funland near the bridge, they have one where they can give you Elsa’s ice powers. Here I am, Disneybounding as Wandering Oaken, with my friend’s daughter, who surprised me that afternoon and showed up and Oaken’s Sun Balm. I tell you, we were quite popular with the cousins that day.
Have you been to the Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! Event? What were your thoughts? Let us know below.
Matt Norris