Just minutes after sharing the first images of the new, sculpted audio-animatronics for Frozen Ever After at EPCOT, Walt Disney World Resort surprised guests with a soft opening of the refreshed attraction. Head to the Norway World Showcase Pavilion for a chance to experience the updated boat ride before its official grand debut!
First Look at the Refreshed Frozen Ever After
On Wednesday afternoon, Walt Disney World Resort shared four photos of the new Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff audio-animatronics on Frozen Ever After. The nine-year-old EPCOT ride closed on January 26, allowing Walt Disney Imagineers to replace the controversial face projection-mapping animatronics with sculpted heads. Technicians also updated the animatronics’ bodies to allow for more fluid, life-like movements.
Theme park journalist Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) shared the official images on X (formerly known as Twitter):
NEW: Disney released a first look at the upgraded Anna, Elsa and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics installed at Frozen Ever After at EPCOT. The refreshed figures officially debut tomorrow.
NEW: Disney released a first look at the upgraded Anna, Elsa and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics installed at Frozen Ever After at EPCOT. The refreshed figures officially debut tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/fIRd3c6CCm
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 11, 2026
The updated Frozen Ever After attraction is scheduled to reopen on Thursday, February 12. However, some lucky EPCOT guests got the chance to experience the refreshed ride one day early!
Soft Opening on Wednesday
Moments after releasing the official photos from Frozen Ever After, Walt Disney World Resort quietly opened the ride for guests visiting EPCOT on Wednesday afternoon. According to several social media posts, the ride opened sometime after 3:00 p.m. on February 11. @AllEars shared these videos of the ride in operation:
THIS IS NOT. A. DRILL. Frozen Ever After soft opened in EPCOT just now with the BRAND NEW animatronics! Take a look!
THIS IS NOT. A. DRILL. Frozen Ever After soft opened in EPCOT just now with the BRAND NEW animatronics! Take a look! pic.twitter.com/yzHjlFa1rr
— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) February 11, 2026
Because this is a soft-opening, there may be technical malfunctions or scheduling issues that require the attraction to close suddenly. Walt Disney World Resort has not said how long the ride will operate on Wednesday; it may close before EPCOT does. If you want to ride, get to the Norway World Showcase Pavilion as soon as you can, or wait until the attraction officially reopens on Thursday, February 12.
Are you planning a trip to see the new audio-animatronics in Frozen Ever After at EPCOT? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
