Our FROZEN Summer Fun!

With the popularity of Disney’s FROZEN it was no surprise that we spent a portion of our summer vacation with the hottest characters!

 Our plans to meet or get a glimpse of the characters started way before our vacation began.  We knew Olaf, or a replica of Olaf, was located at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in The Bahamas.  And, we had snagged a Fastpass + to meet Princess Anna and Queen Elsa at the Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom 60 days prior to our vacation. 

We had also “heard” that Anna was greeting guests on board Disney ships, so imagine our delight when we saw that both Princess Anna and Queen Elsa would be on the Disney Fantasy.  All we needed was a special ticket!  I headed off to D-Lounge at the designated time—shortly after 12:30—and had to speak to three different Cast Members before obtaining the magic ticket.  One ticket per stateroom, everyone in the party there at the designated time, no need to arrive early, etc.  The time on the first ticket was going to overlap with some activities we already had planned, and eventually, we were given a ticket with a time that worked for us.  I did not have to wait in line very long to obtain the ticket, but had heard that the line had been quite long just a few minutes prior.  Also, many guests did not see the advertisement in the Navigator when they checked in at the port, but were still able to obtain a magical ticket from Guest Services.

Our designated day was our first “at sea” day and our time was 11:30 am.  Location—Animator’s Palate on Deck 3 Aft.  The restaurant had been turned into a frozen paradise by the creative use of lighting and digital displays on the screens.  We showed our ticket at the door, followed the path, and gave our ticket to the appropriate Cast Member, and our Key to the World Card to the photographer and the rest was history.  It was great to meet the characters together.  We did not need to bring autograph items as that was being handled for us. . . but more about that another time.  All three of us agreed this meet and greet was a highlight from our cruise.

Next came Olaf at Castaway Cay.  We said hello first thing in the morning as we exited the ship.  Good thing, too, as when we returned to the ship, one of Olaf’s arms had been broken off.  We informed the nearest Cast Member upon discovery.

Our next interaction with Olaf came when the phone rang in our resort room at Walt Disney World.  Olaf’s voice was telling us it was time to get up and have some FROZEN summer fun!  Just a note—one of our recommendations is to set a wake-up call and then answer by pushing the speaker button on the phone.  That way, everyone in the room can hear the character on the other end.  I asked people throughout our trip if they had heard Olaf’s wake-up call and I could not find anyone else who had made a wake-up call! 

 At Disney’s Hollywood Studios we once again bumped into Olaf as a puppet of sorts and then again on the big screen in front of the hat for the “Welcome Show.”  And, of course, all of the characters from FROZEN showed up in some magic photos throughout Hollywood Studios.

The FROZEN fireworks display was also hosted by the characters—both live and digital.  Just another treat!  Oh, and speaking of treats—we enjoyed the Olaf cupcakes at Hollywood Studios, too!

We “hopped” back to Hollywood Studios on another afternoon and took in the FROZEN Sing-a-long.  We obtained a ticket for a specific showing, queued up 20-30 minutes prior, and made our way in the Premier Theater.  We ended up with great seats in the second row! (NOTE:  There are plans to move the sing-a-long to the location which previously housed The American Idol Experience, as that attraction is closing.)

The show itself was delightful!  Hosted by two citizens of Arendale who are then joined by Anna, Elsa, Kristof, and Olaf digitally.  The story is retold with great movie footage and of course, singing along!  (Remind me to tell you the story of the young lady sitting in front of us.)

Finally, it was our day to meet Anna and Elsa at the Magic Kingdom.  We had a Fastpass+ time for 9:00 am which was great for morning extra magic hours.  The wait was less than 5 minutes for us and we were ushered into the room to greet the Princess and the Queen—separately, but in the same room.  No wonder the wait is so long—as Elsa just watched us greet Anna and by the time we got to Elsa, another family had been let in.  My efficiency radar went way up on this one, but nonetheless, it was magical.

There was also a shop when guests exit that is filled to the brim with FROZEN and other Disney Princess merchandise.  We found the playset that we had been hunting for since leaving the ship and promptly paid for it.  It included the figures of all the characters and we didn’t buy it on the ship thinking we would get it at Walt Disney World.  Alas, no one had it, even World of Disney! 

Speaking of merchandise, we also brought home an Olaf plushy and ornament for the Christmas tree to commemorate our FROZEN summer fun!

NOTE:  We saw the movie for FREE when it opened in theaters courtesy of Adventures by Disney--click here to read more.

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!