We hope that you survived Christmas in the parks and that you got all that you asked for from old St. Nick.  While the Disneyland Resort is still going strong in holiday mode, the park hit maximum capacity around 1pm on Christmas day. Today is a rather interesting update as we give you a sneak peek at the Frozen Fun offerings that are slowly making their way into both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland. The parks are likely to experience multiple capacity situations between now and the New Year.

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Entering Disneyland we are still greeted with nothing less than a world-class presentation of Christmas Americana.

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This update, however is all about the new Frozen additions filtering into the park.  So here we go.

Frozen Fun

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Frozen Fun began what Disney is calling a “Sneak Peek” one week ago.  The additions are coming online as fast as Disney’s workers can get them done. As the days go by, more and more of this chilly, resort-wide overlay are being revealed.

Storybook Land Canal Boats

The first addition to share is the new scene added to Storybook Land Canal Boats. The relatively unknown  tableau of Walt Disney’s Oscar-winning The Old Mill was removed.  In its place is a stunning recreation of the kingdom of Arendelle from Frozen.

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After entering Monstro, the very first thing that you see in the distance are the sky blue spires of the Norwegian castle from the film.  The scene is framed by a continuation of the snow-capped mountains from the Pinocchio scene across the way.  Nestled into the new mountain range is Elsa’s ice castle.

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The rest of the ride is also in perfect shape.  The refurb team should be very proud of the meticulous details they have brushed up on this classic attraction.  Every water feature is flowing, every plant perfectly placed, each miniature sparkles and shines.  This is a treasure not to be missed.

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Leftovers

Of course, Since Anna and Elsa have moved over to Disney California Adventure, their meet and greet in Fantasyland has been closed.  Oddly enough the sign remains and Olaf is still talking up a storm to passers by from the roof of the old meet and greet.  If Disney were smart, they would simply keep this location open as well.  Yes, the demand is that huge.  As it is right now there is only a face painting location open here.

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Frozen Stage Show

Disney is also promising a new show at the Royal Theatre based on Frozen.  This could happen anytime between now and the official opening date of January 7th.

The Royal Theatre’s resident storytellers, Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones, present the tale of “Frozen” in a fun-filled, fast-paced retelling of the story, featuring their own wacky performances in key roles, along with Anna, Elsa and the Faire Maidens.

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Refurb Round Up
Below is a listing of the scheduled refurbishments as of today at Disneyland.

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  • Matterhorn Bobsleds: Closed January 5-May 13 for refurbishment.

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  • Haunted Mansion: Closed January 12-22 to remove holiday overlay.
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Closed January 12-February 5 for refurbishment.
  • Splash Mountain: Closed January 12-April 2 for refurbishment.

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  • Snow White Grotto and Wishing Well: Closed January 12-April 30 for refurbishment.
  • Peter Pan’s Flight: Closed January 12-May 7.

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Here in Disney California Adventure we have the lion’s share of the Frozen Frenzy.  Some of it is already opening too.

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The gate of front is adorned with rather cheap looking vinyl banners.
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Things don’t look too much better here at the entrance to Hollywood Land.

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Inside Hollywood Land the arches are now an icy blue, decorated with snowflakes.
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The light fixtures are now blocks of ice.

Olaf’s Snow Fest (Stage 17) &

Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post

It is expected that Olaf’s will operate in limited capacity until January.   We are told that the Merchandise and Foods teams setting up shop in Stage 17 are the most behind schedule.

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For now, you can meet up with Olaf outside.

The old Studio Store that once carried Hollywood and Muppet themed merchandise has become Frozen merch central. Wandering Oaken’s Trading post is quite a nice refurbishment and the reworking of this shop really helps increase shopping capacity.  They have removed the  old counter and opened up the floor space for more room and it works.

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Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome

Want to meet Anna and Elsa?  Okay.  Get over to the Animation building and grab your FastPass in the beginning of the day.  Located just outside the Art of Animation to the left, the mobile FastPass carts distribute tickets to see the Royal pair inside.  As we took these pictures at noon, the return time for an audience with the Ice Queen already had a late return time of 9:00pm.

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You can also draw a snowman in the reworked Drawn to Animation show.
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Vinyl wraps have been applied to the entrance of The Art of Animation which are more in line with the Frozen aesthetic.

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We are really hoping that the these pieces aren’t done just yet. As they are now they just feel cheap and poorly applied.

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Over at the Animation Academy, lines often form that stretch all the way out to the entrance of the building.

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Freeze the Night

Where do we begin?  Freeze the Night began previews last Saturday and we are truly hoping for more to be added before the official grand opening.  What we saw here last Tuesday was a little on the sparse side for both offerings and crowds.  This during one of the busiest times of the year for the Disneyland Resort.

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During the day, we can see the old gears from T Party that have just had snowflake arches placed in front of them.

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Not the most polished craftsmanship here.

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The Frozen Fun rule for decor appears to be vinyl wraps and plenty of it.

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During the day we took a close look at the stage.
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Once the “tablecloth’ for the Mad T Party stage, the Disney team has again decided on vinyl applications to re-theme instead of creating something unique.
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We can see that, even before opening, wear and tear is already occurring.

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The stage has the rather uninspired additions of translucent blocks of “ice”

 

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At night things look a little better.  But so far, not by much.

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These cast members are dancing, dressed in winter clothing. We have to wonder how that costume decision will work out in the hotter months.

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The bar nearby is, again, just blue and white.

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Meanwhile, the stage opposite the Frozen Fun stage features ice sculpting.  Why didn’t they remove the larger stage that has been obscuring the beautiful Art Deco fountain in front of Monsters Inc and instead put the dancers and DJ here?

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Over at the A-Frame, the stage has been removed.  In its place we find interactive digital projections on the ground along with a Marshmallow figure photo op.

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He’s a really cool looking puppet

 

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The nearby Food Truck has simply been re-wrapped.

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For the First Time in Forever – A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

We finally got a preview of For the First Time in Forever A Frozen Sing – Along Celebration.  We have to admit that the interior retheme of the Muppet Vision Theater is, for the most part, impressive.  The show is a mix of film clips and character appearances, framed by a “history” lesson that serves only to recount each plot point from the movie.

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Night time shot.
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Last week this prop was still standing.
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This is all that remains.
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Entering the queue we see that it looks similar to the interior shots of the Arendelle palace from the film.

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The holding area is redressed as a theatre lobby in Arendelle.

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They couldn’t vinyl wrap a trash can?
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Inside the theatre the space is transformed. With a few flourishes the entire feel of the room is changed.

 

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A historian greets the crowd and begins the recounting of the history of Arendelle, complete with inexplicable Sing – Along moments.

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The two historian characters narrate the experience and bellow the lyrics from the sidelines.

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Occasional character appearances from Kristof, Anna, and Elsa take place.

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Showings occur throughout the day, every hour. But a FastPass is also available (and highly advisable once word gets out that the show is now open).

 

Refurb Round Up

Below is a listing of the planned closures at Disney California Adventure.

  • Bakery Tour: Closed through January 16 for refurbishment.

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  • Soarin’ Over California: Closed January 6 through May 14 for refurbishment.  The entire Condor Flats area will get a theme enhancement as the buildings will be given a more period specific look.

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  • World of Color: Dark January 7-March 12 for refurbishment.
  • Luigi’s Flying Tires: Closed January 12-December 1, 2015 for conversion to a new attraction.

We hope you enjoyed this preview of all things Frozen Fun today.  The entire experience is still in previews so we will withhold an official review until then.  The opening date for all offerings is January 7th, so let’s wish the teams behind the production a major amount of luck in getting this off the ground.

Join Us For MiceChat’s New Year’s Eve Celebration at Knott’s

That’s right!  MiceChat is, once again spending New Years Eve on the farm.  Knott’s Berry Farm that is.  Come on down and join us for a fun night of down-home cooking and entertainment that will take us into 2015!

Expect live entertainment everywhere you turn.  Adding to the line-up of can’t miss performers are:

  • Krazy Kirk & The Hillbillies!  From the deep country hills of Anaheim, these boys will have toes tappin’ hands clappin’ and guts bustin’ during the best darn musical comedy show ever performed in the historic Bird Cage Theatre.
  • The Clueless Remix is a non-stop live music adventure where old school R&B meets new school dance & hip hop. And before The Clueless Remix takes the stage, DJ Howly spins popular high energy music in the Calico Square.
  • Salsa Dancing with DJ JC invites you to show off your dance moves at Fiesta Plaza and groove to the beat of this spicy music scene that’s Hot, Hot, Hot! Snoopy will also make a special cameo and show off his paw-tastic dance moves.
  • Family friendly comedian, Adam Christing, brings his hilarious comedy, magic and fun audience interaction to Ghost Town’s Wagon Camp.

A New Year’s Eve celebration is not complete without a delicious meal, and Knott’s has just what you need.  MiceChat will be offering a private room inside Spurs restaurant for all of us to sit and eat to our hearts content.  We will also be treated to special priority seating for a showing of the Snoopy ice show!

  • Merry Christmas, Snoopy! in this exciting new show filled with whimsy and spectacular skating, Snoopy enjoys all of the best parts of the season, including trimming the Christmas tree, awaiting Santa’s arrival, and attending the festive Christmas Ball!

After the wonderful ice show, we will venture out into the park and enjoy all of the other things that Knott’s is offering for New Years Eve.

  • When the sun sets on the Farm, the buildings and paths in Ghost Town’s Main Street will be filled with snow and glow! Thousands of sparking lights will dance to the beat of familiar holiday music while snow gently falls in this spectacular one-of-a-kind moment each night.
  • In the intimate setting of Ghost Town’s historic Bird Cage Theatre, catch a live performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol or O. Henry’s A Gift of the Magi.
  • Santa’s Christmas Cabin serves up holiday delights like Santa’s homemade cookies, mouthwatering pastries, winter wine, craft beer, and more. Guests can also enjoy the fresh made-to-order maple lollipops in Ghost Town, churros from the Churro Factory, cakes, cookies, muffins, and gingerbread men in the Farm Bakery.

This will be a fun night with the MIceChatters that you simply will not want to miss.  Ring in 2015 with us and have a great time doing it.

EVENT TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE:
MiceChat Dinner Only Ticket – Adult   $ 28.99
MiceChat Dinner Only Ticket – Child/Senior (3-11, or 65+)   $ 16.99

Norman Gidney
Norman Gidney, also known as Fishbulb, has produced and edited many of the articles on MiceChat over the years.