Big changes have arrived at Arendelle! If you’ve visited EPCOT recently, you might have noticed the Norway pavilion’s flagship attraction, Frozen Ever After, was briefly closed. Well, the gates are open again, and Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff are looking better than ever.
Disney has finally replaced the original projection-based animatronics with fully articulated, physically-faced figures. Here is everything you need to know about the update and the stunning new photos that have fans buzzing.
Goodbye, Projection Faces; Hello, Realism
When Frozen Ever After first opened in 2016, the “frozen” projection faces (where the character’s features were beamed onto a plastic head from the inside) were considered cutting-edge. However, as many fans noted over the years, they often suffered from “glitches”—faces going dark, looking blurry, or giving off an uncanny “glow” that didn’t quite match the rest of the scene.
The new figures, inspired by the technology used in the World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland, feature:
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Articulated Heads: Physical eyes and mouths that move with incredible precision.
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Silicone Skin: A more lifelike texture that reacts naturally to the attraction’s lighting.
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True-to-Film Looks: The characters now look exactly like their CGI counterparts from the movies.
Disney recently released several high-res photos showing off the upgrade, and the difference is night and day.
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Elsa in the Ice Palace: The “Let It Go” scene has always been the showstopper, but now it’s breathtaking. The new Elsa figure has a fluidity that makes it look like she literally stepped off the screen. Her expressions are softer and much more emotional.
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Anna & Kristoff: In the “For the First Time in Forever” scene, the duo looks significantly more “present.” Without the projection glare, you can see the fine details in their costumes and the warmth in their expressions.
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The Finale: The final scene with the sisters now looks much more cohesive. Because they are no longer “glowing” in the dark, the lighting in the room has been refreshed to better showcase the intricate set work.
This update is a massive win for EPCOT. It brings the 10-year-old attraction up to the modern standards set by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Disney’s international parks. If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World this spring, make sure to grab a Lightning Lane for this one—seeing Elsa in all her new, articulated glory is worth the wait!
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