Hello, and welcome to part one of a two part version of this week’s Dateline Disney World. In today’s article, we’re covering the Frozen meet and greet area at Epcot as well as Soarin’ Around the World. Tomorrow, we’re going back to Epcot to see Frozen Ever After and then over to Magic Kingdom for their new stage show.

Welcome to Epcot!
Welcome to Epcot!

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This food kiosk is still open past the Flower and Garden Festival for one reason...
This food kiosk is still open past the Flower and Garden Festival for one reason…
...The margarita stand has closed on the other side of Mexico.
…The margarita stand has closed on the other side of Mexico.
The new Frozen meet and greet area has opened, and the area is quite nice.
The new Frozen meet and greet area has opened, and the area is quite nice.
Royal Sommerhaus
The Royal Sommerhaus has opened!

 

Details in the rock work.
Details in the rock work.
We didn't get the chance to go in, but there is a tribute to Maelstrom in the queue somewhere.
We didn’t get the chance to go in, but there is a tribute to Maelstrom in the queue somewhere.

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The meet and greet dumps into a gift shop, with all Frozen merchandise, of course.
The meet and greet dumps into a gift shop, with all Frozen merchandise, of course.

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There is an additional queue area, you know, just in case.
There is an additional queue area, you know, just in case.
Frozen Ever After wasn't open this weekend, but is open now, and we should have coverage on it in tomorrow's article.
Frozen Ever After wasn’t open this weekend, but is open now, and we should have coverage on it in tomorrow’s article.

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Trolls still exist in the gift shop!
Trolls still exist in the gift shop!
The back portion of the gift shop though has been changed to all Frozen.
The back portion of the gift shop though has been changed to all Frozen.

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Over in China, there is a new preview center for Shanghai Disneyland.
Over in China, there is a new preview center for Shanghai Disneyland.

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Mickey Avenue, the replacement for Main Street USA.
Mickey Avenue, the replacement for Main Street USA in Shanghai.

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The monster from Roaring Rapids.
The monster from Roaring Rapids.
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The Crystal Grotto boat ride in Shanghai Disneyland is a cross between Jungle Cruise and Storybook Land Canal Boats.

 

Enchanted Storybook Castle.
Enchanted Storybook Castle.
Models from the very exciting new Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
Models from the very exciting new Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
Molds for the TRON Lightcycle Power Run.
Molds for the TRON Lightcycle Power Run.
The exhibit is cool, and worth checking out the next time you're in the park.
The exhibit is cool, and worth checking out the next time you’re in the park.

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Tip boards still MIA.
Tip boards still MIA.
Time to go Soarin'!
Time to go Soarin’!
The entrance sign got the new title.
The entrance sign got the new title.

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Yup. 25 minute standby wait on a Sunday in the late afternoon. Having the extra capacity seems to be really helping.
Yup. 25 minute standby wait on a Sunday in the late afternoon. Having the extra capacity of a third theater seems to be really helping.

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Concourse C up and running!
Concourse C up and running!

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The new pre-flight video shows the landmarks you'll be visiting.
The new pre-flight video shows the landmarks you’ll be visiting.
Patrick also made it through to the new version! We aren't allowed to take photos or video on the ride, but I'll say that I loved it! It was thrilling, and some of the imagery was pretty jaw dropping. Definitely sure to make Epcot guests happy for quite some time.
Patrick also made it through to the new version! We aren’t allowed to take photos or video on the ride, but I’ll say that I loved it! It was thrilling, and some of the imagery was pretty jaw dropping. Definitely sure to make Epcot guests happy for quite some time.
Time to head out, back soon for Frozen.
Time to head out, back soon for Frozen.

What do you think of the Frozen meet and greet? Excited to Soar Around the World? Let us know in the comments below. Remember, we’ll be back tomorrow with more! Thanks for reading!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.