IT’S every little girl’s dream to dress up as their favourite princess and then meet them in person at Disneyland Paris.
And there is no more popular member of cartoon royalty than Frozen’s Elsa — unless you’re my daughter that is.
My six-year-old was not interested in a blonde wig, blue dress or heels. Oh no, she demanded to be decked out as Olaf, the slapstick pot-bellied snowman.
Complete with twigs for arms and lumps of coal for buttons, Arabella proudly wore the widest grin when meeting her idol — a sight I’ll never forget.
My daughter and I were at Disneyland Paris to try out three new live Frozen experiences, launched to tie in with the Frozen 2 that hit cinemas this weekend.
From January 11 to May 3 next year, Mickey and Co will welcome a Frozen Celebration to accompany the rides, shows and parades around the park.
The centrepiece, already opened to visitors, is Frozen: A Musical Invitation — a multi-room interactive musical experience set in Kristoff’s barn and Elsa’s ice castle.
In the Walt Disney Studios Park attraction, kids of all ages will be able to join in the musical magic of the original film, which was first released way back in 2013.
In the first room, decked out in the cosy Norwegian style of Kristoff’s barn, Kristoff and Anna, with the help of mechanical reindeer Sven, teach the audience some funky moves.
INTERACTIVE FUN
Kristoff kicks-off a live rendition of the Frozen song Reindeer(s) Are Better than People.
The audience is then beckoned through a door by Anna and into Elsa’s frozen palace.
Here, the children’s eyes grow wide with wonder while Elsa sings the show-stopping Let It Go, as everyone uses the moves they’ve been taught.
It’s a super-cute way to see your kids have some interactive fun, along with a special guest who appears on the screen for some comic relief.
Lastly, as an extra treat they throw in a stomping rendition of Love Is An Open Door.
To add to your icy experience, you can have a picture taken — and share some warm hugs — with Olaf, everyone’s favourite snowman. This takes place at the Animation Celebration, around the corner. And what Disney celebration would be complete without a parade float to mark the release of the new film.
This year, Disney has created its largest ever — a giant ice canoe headed by the new mysterious water horse Nokk from Frozen 2, along with all the characters including Anna and Elsa in their new outfits accompanied by 20 dancers.
All these new experiences will add to the Frozen elements already woven into the park’s fabric, like the Magic Over Lake Disney: The Frozen Edition, a new take on the magical Disney Illuminations show at the end of every day.
The park has also introduced a new range of Frozen 2-themed toys, food and outfits.
And if you really “can’t hold it back anymore” there’s a range for the adult Frozen fan, too.
Meaning even dads have snow excuse not to get involved.
GO: DISNEYLAND PARIS
GETTING/STAYING THERE: A two-night, three-day package is from £387.85pp based on two adults and two children sharing a Cars Standard Room, River Side, at Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe. Includes three-day park hopper tickets with unlimited access to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, return travel with Eurostar, direct to Disneyland Paris disneylandparis.co.uk