EPCOT Location's Shutdown Gets Update From Disney World

After EPCOT refreshed Test Track last year, Disney turned its attention to another fan-favorite in the park.

Frozen Ever After first opened at EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion in 2016, transforming the former Maelstrom boat ride into a musical adventure through Arendelle. Guests boarded Viking-style boats to celebrate “Summer Snow Day” with Olaf, Anna, Elsa, and friends, enjoying show scenes and songs straight from Disney’s hit animated film.

The attraction’s combination of detailed sets, lighting, and Audio-Animatronics created a new type of immersive experience in the World Showcase. But one element stirred debate among fans: the projection-based character faces.

EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After uses a mix of traditional Audio-Animatronics and projection technology to animate facial expressions. Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff’s faces are projected from internal devices, allowing for lifelike lip-sync and movement—but occasionally, misalignment or technical hiccups have produced some awkward visuals.

While innovative in 2016, the system has sometimes faltered, leaving characters frozen or in shadow mid-ride. Despite these issues, the attraction has remained a guest favorite, celebrated for its music, charm, and the creative transformation of Maelstrom’s space.

Hong Kong Disneyland’s World of Frozen, which opened in November 2023, takes the same concept and elevates it further. The ride mirrors EPCOT’s story and layout but introduces upgraded scenes, enhanced lighting, and next-generation Audio-Animatronics with fully sculpted faces.

Unlike the projection-based figures at EPCOT, these animatronics feature physical, detailed facial structures that move naturally with the characters’ bodies. Guests have praised the lifelike effect, as well as subtle differences in tone and pacing—including warmer opening lighting, a more dynamic Ice Palace sequence, and a slightly steeper finale drop.

This shift from projected faces to sculpted animatronics demonstrates Imagineering’s ongoing refinement of storytelling technology. EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After now feels like a snapshot of the ride’s 2016 debut, while Hong Kong’s version offers a cinematic reimagining that pushes the boundaries of Disney’s technical artistry.

And now, that artistry is coming to EPCOT. Disney shut the Frozen-themed ride indefinitely in January 2026 while Imagineering teams completed the work. Now, Disney has confirmed that Frozen Ever After will reopen to guests on February 12, 2026, with ride times listed on the official website. The Norway Pavilion fan favorite received these major updates after 10 years in operation.

Since its opening in 2016, Frozen Ever After has invited guests to sail through Arendelle with impressive Audio-Animatronics of Olaf, Sven, Kristoff, Marshmallow, and the Snowgies.

The ride was a breakthrough for Disney, marking the first time fully electric Audio-Animatronics were paired with 3D-printed components—a big leap in theme park technology. One of the most complex challenges involved Elsa’s signature hand movements. Imagineers carefully engineered the perfect wrist size to house all the necessary motors and cables while keeping her ice-casting gestures fluid and natural.

It was late last year when Disney Experiences confirmed that Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff’s figures would be upgraded with the latest innovations inspired by Hong Kong Disneyland’s lifelike designs, offering a more authentic, film-accurate look for guests.

“…in a full circle moment of innovation, the Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics figures will soon receive new updates after ten years of delighting fans in Frozen Ever After,” Disney Parks Blog wrote. “Taking inspiration from the advancements seen in figures at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland, the Frozen Ever After figures will face the future of Audio-Animatronics.”

The Frozen franchise continues to expand globally. Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs opened in 2024 with Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey, a reimagined boat ride retelling the sisters’ story. Meanwhile, Disneyland Paris is preparing its own World of Frozen, which will open on March 29, 2026, at the newly coined Disney Adventure World. Each new addition builds on EPCOT’s original, ensuring that Arendelle’s magic is accessible no matter which Disney park you visit.

How do you feel about the updates to Frozen Ever After? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments below!