This morning the new Royal Sommerhus for Anna and Elsa began soft openings! I was among the first to enter the beautiful new meet and greet area. Here’s a full inside look at their new meet and greet in Epcot.
As you enter the queue, you’ll see this signage and a wait time board to the right. Of course, everyone was running to the new version of Soarin’ so there was no wait this morning. Still isn’t at 9:45am.
A short path leads the the Summerhus. Before we get started, there is NO Fastpass. This is standby only, but Elsa uses a little magic to help reduce the waits.
Nice filagree work greets you with the authentic Norweigan / Arendelle look.
Snow shoes anyone? You’ll need those in July in Florida.
The first part of the entrance offers a nice hearth
A wooden flower and grandfather clock with a detailed staircase are in the same area.
There are many beautiful tapestries within the queue line including this one that nods to Cinderella.
You can’t climb the winding staircase, but it’s lovely to look at.
Here’s the tribute to the trolls that used to be featured in the Maelstrom attraction. Back, back, over the falls!
You’ll see this type of painted detail on all the doors and even on the ceilings. I feel for the people who laid on their backs to paint the ceilings.
The next room includes a sitting area, another hearth and several bookcases. Inside the bookcases are toys from Anna’s childhood. Anna would tell you she’s still a bit of a kid though.
Another authentic looking European tapestry.
Here’s the sitting area with more books. They are going to have a hard time keeping Belle out of this place and in the Akershus meal.
Beautiful stone hearth.
My oldest will love this feature on the ceiling. Actual hand painted violins!
You’re almost at the meet when you reach this part of the bookshelf room.
The almost final holding room offers a norweigan sailing ship and fish tapestry.
A few more books and toys.
Chess anyone? Bring your own pieces though.
After this room, you’re held briefly in a nondescript room with multiple hand painted doors. The magic is created behind the doors ;)
Anna and Elsa meet in the same room, but separate photos.
Queen Elsa was so happy to show off her Sommerhus.
Between the ladies is table with some accouterments and flowers.
Elsa has a nice view of her ice castle in the distance.
Look, I didn’t wear a t-shirt today for the special occasion!
Anna then meets you with a view of Arendelle’s harbor area. It’s a really well done backdrop and there’s authentic music playing throughout the Sommerhus.
Anna said she has everything down to be a full Princess, except dancing. We talked about how each of us are basically just “swayers.” We just sway back and forth so we don’t step on feet or break anything.
Great job to the Imagineers, designers and craftsmen!
As I stated the meet does NOT offer Fastpass. I’d say since it’s new to visit early in the day or late in the day. It does offer Photopass and the ladies do sign autographs.
I hope your hint means what I think it means :)
;)
Question regarding Frozen Ever After…will it open early if the park offers EMH at 8 am, or will it still be a 9am opening? Thanks so much for the great photo review!!!!!
It’s open for every Extra Magic Hour.
(((Yay))))!!!!!! There is EMH at 8am when we are there next week! Plan is to be at the gate at 7:20 and head straight to Norway (missed out on the FP). Fingers crossed that we can get in & out quickly.
You’ll do great.
I thought EMH only applied to Future World??
Not any longer
My Disney experience says prince naveen has two sets today, but he is meeting alone.
And that is why we don’t trust MDE for character information. Naveen is no longer meeting.
Excellent post. Thanks!!
It looks fabulous!
I think they should continue to meet at Magic Kingdom. That might might reduce wait times since there is no fast pass, I also don’t understand why this meet and greet doesn’t have a fast pass
Fastpass increases wait times for standby guests
It is lovely.
Why oh why do they make Elsa’s hair look like a powdered wig a la George Washington!?
Next time it will be suit and tie!! ;-)
That is my suit :)
You look very nice in your “grown up” shirt. I know Queen Elsa and princess Anna appreciate it. Thanks for photos and info.
Do you know when the ride will soft open? We are in the meet and greet line today. We leave tomorrow but do have fast passes for epcot in the morning. Thanks!!
When walls come down
We just ate dinner and the cm told us cms ride tomorrow and soft opening on Monday. But earlier someone told us there were a few last minute things and the walls could come down today, tomorrow or another day.
Won’t bring down walls during park hours
Thank you for all the beautiful pictures. Looking hard for some hidden Mickeys (thought there was one in the troll painting.
I was wondering about the “magic” you kept hinting at when referring to reducing wait times. I finally figured it out with your comment about multiple closed doors. Duh. Such a simple, elegant solution!
Great job Kenny,
Will they meet for extra evening magic hours?
Can you actually “sit” in the waiting areas? or are the chairs/chaise lounges just for show?
Lounge chairs were available for relaxation
Thank you so much for this! I’m shocked there’s no fast pass!…. Does this place open early even with it being in the world showcase? I thought showcase didn’t open till 11?
Norway doesn’t follow 11am rule.
That looks really nice! Thanks for all the pictures!
Is frozen ever after doing a soft opening as well?
Not yet
Great Job gettin’ there 1st Kenny! Roll Tide!1!
It looks awesome! We have evening FP+ for Epcot we plan to hop to after a day at the water parks, with a 7.45pm-8.45pm trip on the new Frozen Ever After ride… think I might be heading to the Summerhus after that! :D