Hollywood Studios is part of the Walt Disney Orlando theme parks and it is more well known for the new Galaxy’s Edge Star Wars experience yet it is Frozen that is a must-see outside of the galaxy far, far away.
It is easy to miss with the revamp of Hollywood Studios over the years. The Slinky Dog Dash takes you on a wild and interesting roller coaster in Toy Story Land while Galaxy’s Edge captures your inner youth. Recently the park opened Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad but while fans clamor to get in line at one of these top attractions, it’s “For the First Time in Forever” that holds a special place in my heart.
I didn’t know what to expect the first time I lined up for the large theater with the air conditioning and the Arendale set on stage. I only knew that my daughter is a Frozen fan and loves Queen Elsa and Princess Anna. I also knew this was a sing-a-long. With my ears ready to be closed I entered and now, three years after that first trip to the show, I can’t help myself and go back in with each and every trip.
I can’t ruin it for you so watch for the SPOILER tag towards the bottom. Yes, there is something to be spoiled about telling you how awesome this show is. I will get to that in a moment. There are two people who tell you the tale of Arendale’s history. They go through it with a mix of quick wit and humor and the banter between the two leads is fun for both young and old.
Intermixed with the banter is a large video screen that plays the more popular songs from the movie and of course this is where the sing-a-long comes into play. I get it, who wants to sing along with a film that has pretty much driven every parent crazy? Well, you kind of finds it hard not to.
One would think that listening to a room full of tone-deaf children and their parents singing along with a bouncing ball on a video would be annoying but it isn’t. Seeing these children experience it along with their parents is quite literally one of the best things ever.
When Anna and Sven make their first appearance, you get to see the pleasure and joy on these kids’ faces, and let’s face it, we all turn into kids at Disney, right?
SPOILERS – If you have heard enough, now is a good time to click off because the ending is really awesome.
Naturally, we all know that at some point Queen Elsa will show up and she does just that at the end of the “historical” presentation. And yes, she sings “Let it Go” to a wild and bewildered group of young kids who are drawn into the special effects, the smoke, and the snow that falls from the rafters above on their little heads. All the while parents beam from ear to ear with a smile that doesn’t fade. And in your own little world, you can’t help the fact you are doing the same.
It is easy to want to skip For the First Time In Forever, a Frozen sing-a-long but you shouldn’t.
Hollywood Studios has a lot of new and exciting things to do but sometimes you need to take in some of the old, even if you have done it before.