Frozen Ever After - Olaf

My Favorite Attractions: EPCOT – World Showcase

World Showcase is Disney World’s permanent World’s Fair. There are 11 country pavilions circling the 1.2-mile, man-made World Showcase lagoon each representing the culture of the respective country. World Showcase is an incredible experience because of its authenticity. Guests can experience the architecture, landscape, streetscape, shopping, and dining of each of the countries and even speak to the friendly Cast Members who, as part of the Cultural Representative Program and a Q1 visa agreement, come from their country to work in World Showcase. There are even some special shows by musical, acrobatic, and arts performers.

The eleven themed pavilions, starting at Future World and going left to right, include Mexico, Norway, China, an unofficial pavilion called African Outpost where Equatorial Africa was supposed to be, Germany, Italy, the United States represented as the American Adventure, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada.

All of the pavilions were present on opening day except Morocco and Norway, which were added in 1984 and 1988 respectively. While the intention was for the country to sponsor its pavilion, Morocco is the only one to follow through with that plan. Other countries are sponsored by private companies usually from the respective country.

Besides the permanent country pavilions, World Showcase has adopted a nearly year-round festival schedule including the Festival of the Arts in January and February, the International Flower and Garden Festival in the spring, the International Food and Wine Festival in the fall, and Festival of the Holidays around Christmastime.

Finally, Epcot is unique because it is the only park in Disney World with two points of entry. The World Showcase entry is called the International Gateway. From this point, you can hop on the Skyliner and travel to nearby resorts and Disney’s Hollywood Studios or walk to Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club, Disney’s Beach Club, and the corresponding Disney Vacation Club properties plus the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

World Showcase is definitely unique and special, which is probably why it’s a favorite for many guests. Speaking of favorite, my favorite attraction in World Showcase is Frozen Ever After in Norway!

Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After is a musical log flume ride featuring scenes from Frozen, Frozen II, and the Frozen Fever Short. The ride replaced the long-standing Maelstrom ride, which was deemed to no longer be representative of the Norwegian culture. Frozen Ever After follows the same general ride layout as Maelstrom and uses the same ride vehicles. However, it works because the ride vehicles look like Norwegian ships, and the attraction was planned around the course.

Frozen Ever After is my favorite attraction in World Showcase!
Frozen Ever After is my favorite attraction in World Showcase!

Frozen (the movie) was wildly successful world-wide, and the ride regularly has an hours-long wait time even still.

Frozen Ever After is the story of the anniversary of the day Princess Anna warmed her sister’s heart thus thawing it and ending eternal winter. In response, Queen Elsa proclaimed an Official Summer Snow Day in Arendelle. This means that Olaf might finally find out what snowmen do in summer!

Throughout the ride, you’ll see your favorite Frozen characters as audio-animatronics. What makes these animatronics special, though, is that they are the first-ever all-electronic animatronics with no pneumatics or hydraulics. This means they have smoother, more natural, movements.

Frozen Ever After is not a thrill ride, but it is a great family ride and is very fun especially if you like the Frozen movies. I highly recommend it. It’s worth the wait!

What’s your favorite attraction in World Showcase?