Wandering Oaken's and The Trading Post--Part of FROZEN Summer Fun at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Do you want to have some FROZEN Summer Fun?  We sure did when we landed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during our 2014 Summer vacation!

Part of the fun included visiting Wandering Oaken's and the Trading Post, located smack dab between Toy Story Midway Mania and The Backlot Tour.

Don’t be surprised by the roped queues in front of both of these offerings as the husband says, the Trading Post is the only store with a line to get in, and he is right.  Just know where you are headed so you can get in the correct line.

Wandering Oaken's

Wandering Oaken's is the indoor winter playground featuring snow and ice skating.  Just walking in on a hot summer’s day transports you to another place; a cool place.  The husband could have stayed in their all day!

Be sure to download the Aurasma app on your phone prior to arriving, as there are magical photos you can take that insert FROZEN characters into your photos.  There are two photo opportunities inside Wandering Oaken and another at the exit that features two different Olaf choices.  Just have your phone and app ready and ask a Cast Member if you need help.

Kids who want to play in the snow line up in the queue and wait for the snow to be cleared.  I so wanted them to play the ice cutters song from FROZEN while the Cast Members were raking and clearing the snow for the next group of kids.  The kids get about 10 minutes to play and build which is just enough time.

The ice skating costs $10.  We did not participate, but did take a look.  I also understand that there is a “show” of sorts on the ice throughout the day.  Check the Times Guide for specifics.

If you are looking for Anna and Elsa cupcakes, Wandering Oaken's is your place.  FROZEN inspired sweet treats can be found next door at the Trading Post, but not the cupcakes, so plan accordingly and indulge.  I say plan as a line quickly forms for Wandering Oaken and you could be waiting in a line to get inside to buy a cupcake, if that was your heart’s desire.

There is also a Photopass photographer inside Wandering Oaken taking magical FROZEN photos to add to your Photopass account.

Actually, there were several magical FROZEN Photopass opportunities in the area.  Be sure to check them out.

Trading Post

Trading Post is the store featuring FROZEN merchandise.  We bought an Olaf stuffed toy and Olaf Christmas tree ornament here, BUT they are not the only store on property featuring Olaf merchandise—as we were told by a Cast Member hosting the Information Desk at World of Disney.

World of Disney at Downtown Disney has some FROZEN merchandise and I say “some” because it was three small shelves.  The kiosk outside the Frozen Sing-a-long at Disney’s Hollywood Studios probably had more of a merchandise selection. 

There is also a huge selection of FROZEN merchandise in the store just outside Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom, near where guests can meet Anna and Elsa.  In fact, we found a playset that we regretted not purchasing on the ship here—after looking everywhere else.

Back to the Trading Post. . . in addition to FROZEN merchandise, there is also a case of FROZEN inspired sweet treats.  The store is very well themed and it is fun to look around, even if you don’t plan on buying anything.  But, be prepared to wait in line to get in during busy times.

Tips for getting the most out of Wandering Oaken's and Trading Post:

• Know where you are headed.  How disappointed/frustrated you could be if you get in line for Trading Post only to find out it is a store and you thought you were waiting for the snow playground.
• The earlier the better. . . just like anything in the parks.  This area gets busier as the day goes on.
• Download the Aurasma app on your phone before you go.
• Enjoy the coolness of Wandering Oaken's.  It is a refreshing treat in an Orlando summer.
• Don’t skip it because you “don’t know what’s in there.”  Now you know! 

The boy commented that he “didn’t know that was there,” meaning Wandering Oaken's, and he was glad we gave it a go.  I told him that I did know it was there (I just didn’t know which was which when we arrived).  He was pleasantly surprised. 

I want to applaud Disney’s Hollywood Studios for “plussing” the summer with FROZEN Summer Fun.  This is the second summer in a row that we have seen, and experienced, their quick response in providing an immersive theme for guests (last summer it was Monster University).   It takes a lot of work and planning to add temporary attractions and offerings for guests and Studios did it well, very well.  In fact, all of Walt Disney World Resort grabbed a bit of FROZEN Summer Fun by allowing Olaf to make the wake-up calls!