If you’ve got a kiddo who cannot seem to let it go about the royal sisters of Arendelle, then you’re going to want to head over to the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. Not only can you ride the insanely popular Frozen Ever After, you can actually get some face time with the Frozen duo at their exclusive summer retreat.
The Details
- What: Character Experience
- Where: Norway Pavilion, World Showcase, Epcot.
- When: Experience is open from Rope Drop to close, including Morning and Evening Extra Magic Hours.
- FastPass: No.
- Rider Switch: No.
- Best For: People who like building snowmen, anyone without a frozen heart, and those who believe that love is a an open door. But seriously, you know your kids want to meet Queen Elsa and see that hair in person.
The Experience
My little Frying Pan pretty much thinks she is Queen Elsa (she tried to use her freeze powers on me this morning) so this was a must do for us. And be forewarned, this is going to be a must do for a lot of families. Waits average in the 30-40 minute mark, with 50 minutes being reported during peak times. But don’t let that news turn you ice cold. There are some definite strategies that can help you beat the crowds.
The most important thing to note is that like Frozen Ever After, the Royal Sommerhus actually opens before the rest of the World Showcase. World Showcase proper opens at 11am (because of alcohol sales) but your buddies in the Norway Pavilion open with the rest of the park, usually at 9. If you plan to meet Anna and Elsa before 11, the lines tend to be a little shorter.
This is exactly what we did. We had at 8:05 breakfast reservation at Akershus (also in the Norway Pavilion) before the park opened at 9am. We were done eating by 9, at which point we walked right onto Frozen Ever After with practically no line. We then doubled back and hit up with Royal Sommerhus with only about a ten minute wait. If you can’t make it before 11, consider waiting until after dinner, when most families with princess loving tots are headed out of the park.
There is no FastPass for the Royal Sommerhus, so you’re going to be in the queue no matter what. But the good news is, the queue is GORGEOUS. The Royal Sommerhus was built during a time when more attention was being paid to the queue experience, and the details here are breathtaking. While you wait, you will make your way through several rooms of the family summer home. There is gorgeous art on the walls, magnificent easter egg details for super fans (check out their dolls in the corner!), and splendid Norwegian architecture. The Imagineers went all out here. There is so much to look at, you hardly realize you’re waiting.
My children definitely want their likenesses carved into our house now.
Love this family portrait. Check out the buddies in the corner!
You could sit at this table. I know this, because my pregnant self did.
Oh look, it’s the B Family before breakfast.
I’m glad Olaf is represented at the family cabin.
My Glass Slipper made herself comfortable. Wonder where she learned that from.
The Main Event
Anna and Elsa meet in separate sections of the same room, each with their own window backdrop and PhotoPass attendants. In our room, Elsa met first. It’s important to note than unlike in some publicity shots and commercials, the sisters do not pose for pictures together. You get Elsa and Anna, but you get them separately. For us this was great, because it meant double the princess time, but maybe make sure you prepare your little one for the fact that the sisters won’t be harmonizing on “When We’re Together” with her.
I was a little nervous about the Elsa meet, since she’s the more reserved sister and my Frying Pan gets nervous when she meets her idols. But just like other character experiences, the cast members here were pros. Elsa was as dignified as a queen and as welcoming as best friend. She got right down on my girls level, and talked to them about everything from what other royalty they had met to what kind of powers they had. She even helped us announce the gender of Baby Bee and gave my girls the excellent advice that it is a big sister’s foremost duty to introduce the little sister to chocolate. A lesson that I think will last with my girls forever.
This was a solid three minutes of just my Frying Pan cuddling Elsa while the Glass Slipper waited patiently in the wings. What a good big sister.
Not only was Elsa very excited for us, but the PhotoPass and Character Attendants broke out into applause.
I’m not 100% sure what was said here, but I think my youngest just asked Anna for some sandwiches.
Bottom Line
A not to be missed character experience for Frozen fans and Imagineering buffs. While you can see Anna and Elsa in the Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom or their ride, Frozen Ever After in Epcot, this is the only place where you can talk with the princesses themselves. Plan to hit it earlier in the day or later, to avoid the crowds and get the most out of your interaction time. This is definitely a character experience we’ll be returning to again…and again.
What did you think of the Royal Sommerhus? Were you as stunned by the atmosphere as I was? If you haven’t been, why noooooot?? Tell me all your icy thoughts in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!