If you’ve walked through EPCOT’s Norway pavilion lately, you might have noticed a “Closed for Refurbishment” sign where the line for Frozen Ever After usually snakes around the corner. After nearly a decade of operation, Disney is finally addressing the one thing fans have been “frozen” on since 2016: the faces.
The End of “Projection Faces”
When the ride first opened, it used cutting-edge (at the time) rear-projection technology for the characters’ faces. While this allowed for fluid, cartoon-accurate expressions, it came with a few “chilling” side effects.
The “World of Frozen” Upgrade
The reason for the closure is to bring the EPCOT animatronics up to the gold standard set by World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Instead of projectors, Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff are getting all-electric, physical-face Audio-Animatronics. These new figures feature incredibly realistic skin textures and sophisticated internal motors that allow for lifelike expressions without the “digital screen” look.
Fast Facts for the Refurbishment
• Closure Start Date: January 26, 2026
• Expected Reopening: February 2026 (A quick turnaround!)
• Can I still see them? Yes! Anna and Elsa are still scheduled to meet guests at the Royal Sommerhus right next door during the construction.
What This Means for Your Visit
If you’re in the parks this week, don’t panic. The rest of the Norway pavilion—including the shops and the bakery (Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe)—remains open. You can still grab a School Bread while you wait for the “Summer Snow Day” to return.
The highly anticipated new Audio-Animatronics are officially set to make their debut at EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After on February 12.
Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83