Walt Disney Co. is gearing up to unveil the world’s inaugural Frozen-themed attraction at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort as part of the company’s broader plan to invest $60 billion in its global parks and resorts. Known as the ‘World of Frozen’ and inspired by the immensely popular animated films, this themed land is set to debut on November 20.

It will recreate iconic locations from the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, including Elsa’s Ice Palace. The attraction will offer visitors two exciting rides: a boat journey through a winter wonderland with music from the movies and a sleigh-themed roller coaster. Additionally, a restaurant will serve Nordic-inspired cuisine.

For Disney, this investment in the World of Frozen is a significant endeavor in Hong Kong, where they have already contributed to a HK$10.9 billion ($1.4 billion) expansion of the park, including a Marvel-themed attraction. The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has experienced eight consecutive years of financial losses, including a deficit of HK$2.1 billion last year, as it faced challenges in attracting tourists to the world’s smallest Disneyland park, compounded by the impact of COVID-related travel restrictions.

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Michael Moriarty, Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, expressed optimism, saying, “This beloved franchise will elevate Hong Kong Disneyland’s global presence.” He emphasized Disney’s commitment to delivering innovative offerings.

Disney’s ambitions extend beyond Hong Kong, as the company aims to solidify its position as the world’s largest theme-park operator. They have outlined a plan to nearly double their spending on theme parks and resorts to $60 billion over the next decade, capitalizing on the profitability of rides, cruises, and other attractions. This strategy is part of their efforts to navigate the shifting landscape of the film and TV industry and address challenges in their streaming business.

Credit: iStockDisney has signaled its intent to leverage its popular characters further, with plans to introduce Frozen-themed attractions in Tokyo and Paris, and a Zootopia attraction at Shanghai Disneyland later this year.

This new Frozen-themed attraction also serves as a test for Hong Kong’s broader economic revitalization efforts, given the city’s challenges from years of pandemic-related isolation. The government, which owns 52% of Hong Kong’s Disneyland, has launched initiatives to reinvigorate the city’s appeal to visitors and boost consumption, although these efforts have had limited success thus far.

Visitors to the Hong Kong park will face higher costs during peak periods. The park recently announced that a one-day ticket for popular days and seasons will cost HK$879 for those aged 12 and older, while a standard one-day pass for other times will be HK$639. Annual pass holders will have access to the World of Frozen starting from October 23.

The Frozen franchise stands as one of Disney’s most lucrative, with combined earnings of $2.7 billion worldwide from the two films released in 2013 and 2019. Its popularity has spawned a range of spin-offs, including a Broadway musical, short films, a podcast, and an extensive line of merchandise. A third Frozen movie is currently in development.