After 10 years of guests requesting a change, Frozen Ever After at EPCOT will be getting updated Audio-Animatronics figures of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff, inspired by those seen on the newer version of the attraction that opened at Hong Kong Disneyland in 2023.
When Frozen Ever After replaced Maelstrom in 2016 in the Norway pavilion at EPCOT, these projection or “screen-face” figures were groundbreaking as it was the first Disney attraction ever to have all-electric Audio-Animatronics, and the first to combine electric motors and 3D printing. Since then, these techniques have become standard implementations.
Since Elsa is known for her magical, ice-forming hand gestures, her Audio-Animatronics figure had to handle the fluid movements just like the character does on screen. Imagineers needed enough space to run cables and motors down her arms and hands, so they figured out how big Elsa’s wrist needed to be and scaled everything else in the attraction to match.
In 2023, World of Frozen opened at Hong Kong Disneyland, featuring many technical updates for the Frozen Ever After boat ride. Among those updates were impressive Audio-Animatronics figures of Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff with articulated, physical faces. The immediate feedback from Disney fans was strong: bring these figures to Walt Disney World. Well, it appears Disney has listened.
The new Audio-Animatronics figures of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff in Frozen Ever After at EPCOT will debut in early 2026. It has not been stated as of yet if the attraction will be closing for a period to make these installations.
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