Walt Disney World’s Newest Offerings for ‘Frozen’ and ‘Star Wars’ Fans

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Year:2016

Walt Disney once said, “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.” The Imagineers are those people and the newest additions to Walt Disney World in Florida show just how creative these folks are. This summer several new attractions will be opening and, as Disney also said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

FROZEN

'Frozen Ever After' Attraction Rendering
Let’s face it; Frozen is a phenomenon that has taken the world by storm, no pun intended. Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf are beloved characters and have taken their place among the other Disney characters that have entertained generations. The World Showcase in EPCOT is bringing these characters to visitors in the Norway pavilion. “Frozen Ever After” transports visitors to Arendelle where they will see the North Mountain and Elsa’s Ice Palace. The original cast from the film provides the voices on this magical boat ride and the classic songs from the film accompany the excursion, “with a twist,” as the Imagineers revealed.

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The idea to change the Norway pavilion began in November 2013, before the movie even premiered. The creative people at Disney knew the relationship between Norway and the film was something that would appeal to visitors to EPCOT. They are lengthening the original boat ride that has been part of the pavilion since it opened. The ride also builds on the songs with the characters, and, as was explained to me, everyone is friendly now, even Marshmallow (the big snowman that guarded the Ice Palace in the film).

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Besides the boat ride, visitors to Norway will see the summer home of the royal family. This is the place where Elsa and Anna spent their childhoods and contains plenty of artifacts from that time in their lives.




STAR WARS

In 2012 Disney announced the company was acquiring Lucasfilm, which meant the Star Wars franchise would now be part of the company. Star Wars fans have plenty to be excited about in Walt Disney World. Disney’s Hollywood Studios now has several attractions to take visitors to a galaxy far, far away.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple

At “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue,” guests are now taken to a new destination from the latest film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Plus a new live show brings the characters up close and personal to visitors. There is also Jedi training area, which young visitors to the park especially enjoy.

At the “Star Wars Launch Bay” items from the films are on display. It’s here you’ll see the uniforms and the droids. And of course, there is a store where all kinds of Star Wars items are available to take home.

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The piece de resistance for Star Wars fans is the new nighttime fireworks spectacular, “Symphony in the Stars.” Imagine standing – or sitting – and hearing the music we all recognize accompanied by an amazing light and fireworks show. As the tempo swells the fireworks explode, bringing a rush of excitement to all the fans. But that’s not all. There are sound bites from the films that also accompany this nighttime extravaganza. There’s no one that can put on a fireworks spectacular better than the folks at Disney! And thank you, John Williams, for composing that theme song that is impossible not to hum while leaving the park after the show.
Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios

There are plenty more new additions coming this summer to Walt Disney World. These are just the tip of the iceberg (again, no pun intended)! May the force be with you.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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