Reopening Date Set for Frozen Ever After in EPCOT. The gates to Arendelle have officially swung shut at EPCOT, but we now know exactly when they will open again. Frozen Ever After, which closed on January 26, 2026, for a high-tech “Character Upgrade,” is now officially scheduled to reopen to guests on February 12, 2026.
When the ride shuttered late last month, Disney had only provided a vague “February 2026” return window. However, updated operating hours on the Walt Disney World website now confirm that the refurbishment will last just over two weeks, with the first boatloads of guests expected to return next Thursday.
Thursday, March 12, 2026 Early Theme Park Entry 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM / 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Today’s Special Ticketed Event – 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM
What’s Changing?
The primary focus of this brief but significant closure is the replacement of the original Audio-Animatronics for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff.
When Frozen Ever After first debuted in 2016, it was hailed as a pioneer for using all-electric motors and 3D-printed components. However, the use of rear-projection mapping for the characters’ faces—which projected digital expressions onto plastic heads—was a point of contention for many fans, as the “glowing” faces could sometimes appear blurry or misaligned.
This upgrade will replace those projected faces with the latest generation of Audio-Animatronics technology. These new figures will feature:
- Physical, Articulated Faces: Moving away from projections, the new figures will have physical eyes and mouths that move, similar to the advanced animatronics seen in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
- Movie-Accurate Realism: The designs are inspired by the figures found in the “World of Frozen” at Hong Kong Disneyland, which are widely considered to be the most lifelike versions of the characters ever created.
- Fluid Movement: While the 2016 versions were already fluid, the new internal mechanics allow for even more expressive gestures and refined body animation.
Visiting During the Closure
While the ride remains closed through February 11, the rest of the Norway pavilion is still very much open for business. Fans of the film can still meet the royal sisters at the Royal Sommerhaus meet-and-greet, which is not affected by the ride’s refurbishment.
With the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts currently in full swing, expect slightly higher wait times at neighboring attractions like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Gran Fiesta Tour as crowds redistribute until the sisters make their “physical face” debut on February 12.
