Frozen Ever After, the boat‑ride attraction at Epcot in Walt Disney World, will temporarily close beginning January 26, 2026 for a planned refurbishment. The ride is scheduled to reopen in February 2026.
Main characters Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff are slated to receive updated Audio-Animatronics.
The Old Projection-Based System
For years, the ride has used projected or “screen‑face” figures for those characters.
The new version will replace those with fully sculpted faces — matching the design and technology introduced at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland.
Anna Elsa and Olaf in Frozen Ever After at EPCOT in Walt Disney World – YouTube, 4K WDW
READ: Jason Bateman Had No Idea He Was in Zootopia: Better Zoogether at Disney World
When the ride originally opened in 2016, it was the first Disney attraction to feature all‑electric Audio‑Animatronics using electric motors and 3D‑printed components. This was a departure from older hydraulic or pneumatic systems used in many previous Disney attractions. Disney had used screen-projection before with characters such as Buzz Lightyear, but never to this extent. This technique allowed their faces to display expressions and mouth movements in synchronization with dialogue.
However, Frozen Ever After unveiled to mixed reviews. Many noted the “uncanny valley” effect of the glowing faces on otherwise normal bodies.
The projection-face approach also created maintenance challenges. Projectors occasionally failed or misaligned, and lighting conditions in the ride could reduce the clarity of the projected faces. These issues contributed to Disney’s decision to replace the projection faces with fully sculpted heads.
Upcoming Changes
Over time, newer attractions have raised the bar for realism and character presentation. The upcoming update will utilize with those advancements to give the Frozen characters a less jarring look. The new figures are designed to provide consistent expressions without relying on projection equipment. This upgrade is expected to improve both reliability and visual realism, bringing the ride’s human characters closer to the level of detail seen in more recent attractions, such as World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Anna and Kristoff in Frozen Ever After at EPCOT in Walt Disney World – YouTube, 4K WDW
READ: New Short Film Announced for KPop Demon Hunters
The refurbishment also maintains the all-electric system of the animatronics. Disney engineers continue to use electric motors and modern control systems, which allow precise movement while reducing the mechanical wear associated with older hydraulic systems.
Background and Broader Context
Frozen Ever After has not undergone such a major overhaul of its human animatronic figures since it replaced Maelstrom in 2016. The planned update seems part of a broader wave of enhancements at Walt Disney World in 2026, as the resort works to align older attractions with more modern design and technology standards.
Olaf and Sven in Frozen Ever After at EPCOT in Walt Disney World – YouTube, 4K WDW
Prior reporting had indicated that a refurbishment for Frozen Ever After was slated for “early 2026,” but at that time no specific dates had been confirmed. The December 2025 announcement resolved that uncertainty by naming the start date and giving a target reopening month.
What do you think of the upcoming changes for Frozen Ever After? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
UP NEXT: Zootopia 2 Box Office Stampedes Toward $1 Billion as Asian Markets Hold Strong
[…] READ: Frozen Ever After to Close for Refurbishment at EPCOT to Finally Fix Animatronic Faces […]