'Frozen' fest heating up Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney World is sharing more "Frozen" treats for Anna and Elsa fans.

Its "Frozen Summer Fun" promotion debuted at Disney's Hollywood Studios last weekend with loads of little royal touches — not to mention an ice-skating rink — to fill up princesses' days.

Longtime Studios-goers might see it as a sort of "Prepubescent Super Soap Frozen Star Wars Weekend the Musical! — Now With Kristoff!!" event. There's a bit of a mania here, fed with a parade, shows, photo ops, fireworks and winding queues for special merchandise.

The day kicks off with an 11 a.m. "Royal Welcome" processional, led by a horse-drawn carriage toting movie heroines Anna and Elsa. This parade has familiar elements, including roller-skating couples and skiers normally seen in "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime" parade at the Magic Kingdom. There's a brigade of flag-bearers and a dancing pick-ax patrol, whose members must march out to "Frozen" music that's more in the power-ballad family than a Sousa number.

Bringing up the rear is Kristoff, the helpful mountain man in the film. For his first theme-park appearance, Kristoff has his own float and curled-toe boots. He also has an adoring fan base, for whom he strikes heroic poses along the Hollywood Boulevard parade route.

The parade is brief. By 11:07 a.m., I had joined the curious group of folks who follow theme-park parades up the street. That move got us a good view of the stage near the giant sorcerer's hat. For once, I wasn't bitter about kids sitting on their fathers' shoulders. It really is an event made for little ones.

On this stage was the first "Let It Go" sing-along, organized by an on-screen Olaf, the comic-relief snowman from "Frozen." If this Oscar-winning song sends chills up your spine in the bad way, you should avoid the "Frozen Summer Fun" days, which are scheduled to run through Sept. 1.

After the parade, I hot-footed it to Wandering Oaken's Frozen Funland, which is in an old soundstage just beyond Toy Story Mania. Inside, in air-conditioned splendor, are a snowy playground for kids and a skating rink that sometimes has a production going and sometimes is available for guests. (It's $10 per person for about 30 minutes.) Specialty cupcakes — Olaf-shaped carrot cake, for example — are on sale.

Thawing out next door is a "Frozen" merchandise outlet with goods including those in-demand princess gowns for $64.95. I was tempted to sing "Let It Go," but it seemed rude.

Besides, I was about to get a double dose of "Go" at the (deep breath) "For the First Time in Forever: A 'Frozen' Sing-Along Celebration" at the park's Premier Theater.

This production features fast-talking citizens of Arendelle, the film's setting, retelling the "Frozen" story and leading us, the citizens of Hollywoodland, in several movie tunes. Grab a sing-along ticket early on the San Francisco street. There are multiple performances daily, but this place was packed.

Lyrics are projected on screens for folks who aren't total "Frozen" fans. Here I saw some adults belting it out, and everyone seemed to enjoy the sassy "the cold never bothered me anyway" line. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and their accompanying squeals make appearances.

But that's not all. Throw in a Take-Along Olaf paper cutout (it doubles as a hand-powered fan), a dance party and end-of-night "Frozen" fireworks, and watch Disney bask in its latest hot property.

dbevil@tribune.com or 407-420-5477

Frozen Summer Fun

Where: Disney's Hollywood Studios, off Interstate 4, southwest of Orlando

When: Daily through Sept. 1. Hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Cost: Included in regular park admission. A one-day ticket to Hollywood Studios is $94 ($88 for ages 3-9). A Frozen premium package, which includes reserved spots for the parade and sing-along, plus a dessert party during the fireworks, is an extra $59 ($34 for ages 3-9).

Phone: 407-824-4321

Online: Disneyworld.com/frozen