At a Glance
Duration: 5 minutes
Look Out For: some spooky characters, animatronics, a 28 ft drop, and a smaller backwards drop
Opening on June 21st, 2016, Frozen Ever After is a water-based dark ride that takes you on a magical journey through Arendelle. But how scary is Frozen Ever After? Let’s take a look at the ratings:
1. Ride Length
Frozen Ever After has a ride duration of 5 minutes. Those familiar with the old Maelstrom attraction will find that the track remains exactly the same.
2. Height Requirement and Warnings
Frozen Ever After has no height requirement. This makes it suitable for most young riders – with a few caveats I’ll get into later.
3. Ride Vehicles and Restraints
The Frozen Ever After ride vehicles consist of Viking-themed boats with 6 rows – each seating 2 riders with no lap bar. This might make it a good pick for larger groups who would all like to sit together.
4. How does Frozen Ever After Work?
Frozen Ever After works like a standard water-based dark ride in which the boats travel along a track through the show scenes. With its 2 drops and backwards section, the track does shift at times to change direction.
5. Is Frozen Ever After Scary?
Frozen Ever After could be a bit scary to some younger riders. While definitely a step down in spookiness from its predecessor, Maelstrom, it does feature some lightly thrilling moments and – notably, a large snow monster who roars and blows frozen mist (just smoke effects) into your boat. While not overly menacing (especially with the little smiling snowmen surrounding him), he is definitely a large, intimidating presence and could be frightening to some riders.
This is also made more intense by the fact that your boat shifts tracks during this section of the ride, and you’ll find yourself pivoting around the huge beast for about 20 seconds – which might be an issue for those who don’t do well with anticipation. Again, he will roar as your boat passes by and blow “frozen mist” at you just as your boat slides down a pretty thrilling little drop.
This is definitely the most intense sequence in the attraction but many riders will be able to handle it no problem. Be sure to check out the ride POV video below for a complete visual.
6. How High is Frozen Ever After?
Frozen Ever After does not involve heights. As an indoor ride, the track remains very low to the ground and contains one slight lift – though it is so well-themed that many people won’t realize it’s a lift at all.
7. How Fast is Frozen Ever After?
Frozen Ever After does not go very fast. Aside from the 2 small drops, this ride moves at a slow, leisurely pace around the show scenes. Think Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, or other water-based dark rides.
8. Does Frozen Ever After Have Drops?
Frozen Ever After does technically have 2 drops. The first takes place after Elsa serenades you in her palace and she uses her ice powers to send you backwards down a gentle slope. While this feels more like a quick backwards slide than a drop to me, those sensitive to backwards motion might find it more intense.
The second drop occurs after coming face to face with the snow monster. Facing forward this time, you’ll plummet down a 28 foot drop in the dark. For reference, this ranks somewhere between Pirates of the Caribbean‘s 14 foot drop and Splash Mountain‘s 53 foot drop. This one is also made more unsettling by the snow monster encounter, its roar, and the frozen mist blowing towards you right before your descent.
9. Does Frozen Ever After Cause Motion Sickness?
Frozen Ever After should not cause motion sickness for most riders. However, be aware that it does move backwards for about 54 seconds – and at varying speeds.
10. Is Frozen Ever After Claustrophobic?
Frozen Ever After should not feel claustrophobic to most riders. As a slow-moving dark ride with a fairly average ride duration and no lap bar, the largely “outdoor” setting of the attraction, friendly familiar characters, and shifting track make this ride a fun and lightly thrilling experience for most riders.
11. Are There Animatronics on Frozen Ever After?
There are many animatronics on Frozen Ever After. These, however, are highly advanced with fluid motion, face projections, and cartoonish designs – think Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Aside from perhaps the snow monster mentioned before, I would consider these animatronics very inoffensive and not uncanny compared to others you might find in Pirates of the Caribbean or Spaceship Earth.
Frozen Ever After Queue Walkthrough
The queue entrance is located outside in the Norway Pavilion and takes you into a regal, castle-like entry. The line moves into a beautifully-themed “outdoor” area complete with hanging lights, trees, and cute Scandinavian buildings lining your path.
You’ll briefly pass through Oaken’s shop (you know, the yoo-hoo guy from the movie) and find yourself stepping onto the loading platform.
It should be noted that while the queue is fairly open and outdoor-themed, it can get very crowded, cramped, and loud with the line snaking through the large area. Those with claustrophobic tendencies or fear of crowds may want to be aware of this.
Frozen Ever After Ride Walkthrough
Once boarding the ride vehicle, you’ll float through a glittery, frozen landscape and encounter Olaf and Sven welcoming you to Arendelle. You’ll pass some friendly trolls recounting the story of Frozen and begin your magical ascent up to Elsa’s ice palace.
You’ll spot Olaf and Sven again by an icy fountain alongside our beloved characters, Anna and Kristoff. Finally, you’ll find yourself face to face with Elsa as she sings her oh-so famous song and sends you sliding backwards down a gentle slope.
Surrounded by ice magic, you’ll continue backwards for a few seconds until reaching the giant snow monster surrounded by tiny snowmen. The ride vehicle will pivot around the beast and he will roar and blow mist as you pass. You’ll then plummet into the dark down its 28 foot drop and – just a heads up, you might get soaked.
You’ll pass the glittering castle of Arendelle before Anna and Elsa sing you out, hand in hand. With that, the ride comes to an end and you’ll find yourself back at the loading station.
That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not. I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Disney experience!
So what do you think? How scary is Frozen Ever After? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!
For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW:
