Less than two weeks ago, Walt Disney World announced its new “Frozen Summer Fun — Live at Disney’s Hollywood Studios” event, and those of us with “Frozen” fans in our families began planning our visits to the theme park so we could see and do all the movie-themed activities.
And then, a few days later, the resort released the news that a Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package would be available. If you’re like me, you started thinking about whether you could justify the cost because being able to skip the almost-certain long lines would make your day much more enjoyable. Here are some things you may want to consider.
Frozen Summer Fun runs through Sept. 1, and the premium package is available each day (unless it sells out). The cost is $59 for adults and $34 for children ages 3 to 9; both prices include taxes. So, for my family with children who are 9 and 11 years old, that would be $211. That’s on top of park admission prices. Is it worth it?
The premium package includes refreshments and reserved viewing for Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome procession in the morning, reserved seating at one afternoon showing of For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, and a nighttime dessert party in a reserved area for viewing of the Frozen fireworks.
Know that you *can* see the procession, the show and the fireworks without purchasing the package, if you don’t mind waiting in lines or on the curb of Hollywood Boulevard. This package is similar to the one offered during Star Wars Weekends. My family did not purchase that premium package, and we found ourselves in thick crowds who all want to see the same things. Remember: Hollywood Boulevard does not have the same capacity for waiting guests as Main Street, U.S.A., in the Magic Kingdom — and even that currently is being revamped to accommodate more visitors.
So, you are paying to be able to skip the crowds in the hot Florida sun and also to have more time for other entertainment in Hollywood Studios. But the food and beverages that come with the Frozen Summer Fun premium package — especially the dessert party — are actually a step above what they serve at comparable hard-ticket events and shouldn’t be discounted as part of the value of the package.
In the morning before the processional, guests will be offered Mickey premium ice cream bars, frozen lemonade cups, frozen strawberry lemonade cups, and Dasani bottled water, Coke, Diet Coke and Sprite. If you figure one treat and one bottle per person, that adds up. At snack carts in the park, the Mickey bars are $4 and the frozen lemonade cups each are $3.75. Bottled drinks are about $2.50 each. So, for my family of four, that would be about $25 plus tax. But reports so far indicate that package participants are not limited to one of each item, so if you get a bottle of water to take with you afterward, you are saving more money, assuming you would have purchased the drink anyway. For those playing along, that would be another $10 or so for my family.
Many folks will be happy to know that alcoholic drinks are included in the Frozen Summer Fun dessert party. For comparison: Epcot’s IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party includes two sparkling wines and a smaller assortment of desserts and costs $49 for adults and $29 for children ages 3 to 9. I think this example really illustrates the value in the Frozen offerings. The Epcot experience is only slightly less expensive and it doesn’t offer as many selections at the dessert party or include the reserved seating and treats at the morning parade or afternoon show.
So, what do you get at the Frozen dessert party? Adults can quench their thirst with one of these three alcoholic beverages: Iced Summer, a combination of rum, blue curaçao liqueur, pineapple juice and a splash of Sprite; Iced Coffee, a mixture of Baileys, Kahlua and coffee; or Warm Winter Grog, which contains citrus vodka, lemonade and ginger beer. In addition, sodas, bottled water and coffee or tea are available. Let’s say that each adult in the family has two alcoholic drinks, and the average price of a cocktail or specialty coffee is about $10. That could be a savings of $40.
If your kids are like mine, they always ask for the brightly-colored — and expensive — drinks when we’re visiting the theme parks. That desire will be satisfied at the Frozen dessert party with the choice of two virgin specialty drinks: Troll Juice, lemonade and blueberry Monin syrup; and Olaf’s Summer Sunset, passion fruit, orange and guava juice, and peach Monin syrup. The latter sounds a lot like the POG juice that ‘Ohana is so well-known for! These types of drinks typically cost $5-$6, so if my children try each drink, that would have cost at least $20.
And we haven’t even discussed the sweets yet. The Frozen dessert party offers a selection of wonderfully-themed goodies: large Anna and Elsa cupcakes; Olaf cake pops; Anna yogurt push-pops; and a chocolate fondue station with fruit, marshmallows and cake. In addition, there are other dessert-party staples, such as Key lime tarts, brownie bites, lemon icebox cookies, Rice Krispie treats, strawberry shortcake and cookies. Plus, items from the Walt Disney World ice cream carts are available, including the Mickey bars, Mickey ice cream sandwich, chocolate-covered banana, strawberry bar and orange bar. It’s difficult to put a price on this, but if I estimate two desserts per person at about $5 each, we would have spent $40 on sweets.
So, based on my estimates, if my family of four had purchased the food and beverages included in the premium package individually at Hollywood Studios, we would have spent about $135. That means we are paying $76 for the reserved seating and viewing for four people at three Frozen events. To some, that may seem expensive, especially if they would not ordinarily spend that much on snacks and drinks in one day at a theme park. Others may find that a bargain for peace of mind and some breathing room at what are sure to be very popular events. We’d love to hear what you think.
Tell us in the comments and share a review HERE~
To book the Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package, you must call 407-939-1939. It cannot be booked online at this time.
Special thanks to MouseSteps.com for use of the photographs.
Bought the premium package when we were there last month. Definitely worth it for us. Our granddaughters were besides themselves. Loved seeing their faces during the show. Oh and those Olaf cake pops were awesome. Drinks for the adults were great. Glad we did it. Also we were able to enjoy every aspect of light show from where we sat.
We purchased this package after they extended the dates in Sept. However, I had already purchased Night of Joy tickets at MK months before. So there will be no possible way to attend the fireworks/dessert party that night. Any chance I can “pixie dust” another family and let them have our passes for that event? I hate for that opportunity to go to waste and it seems to be what the bulk of the cost is going towards. It was worth it for me to buy this package for the convenience of seeing the parade and sing-along without wasting time waiting in line. You only get these opportunities once, right?
So I was angry that this came out as I always take the family for 10 days every year after Labor Day. But recently Disney extended this Frozen Summer Fun through 9/28. The second I caught wind of the announcement I purchased the premium package.
Thanks to your article, this was a no brainier and I did not have to think if I should get it or not. Although I always spend an extra $500-$700 dollars on events like this every trip, or add-ons like the boat cruise to watch fireworks in Epcot, or tours. SO the money was not the concern, it was the ability to not have to be stuffed around other people for a good spot.
My daughter also has no idea this is coming. But to add to the excitement I asked her if she was in-charge what would she do to have Anna and Elsa at a park. She called out Hollywood Studios, A Fireworks with desserts, and building a snowman. She did this without knowing any of this was coming. So when we get there for it, she will lose her mind.
I would like to know from families that did NOT purchase the premium package for the Frozen celebration, what their wait times were like? My family is going to Hollywood Studios on the last day of the Frozen celebration and I am not able to purchase the package, but I would like to have a general idea of what I can expect other than large crowds. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
We participated in the premium package on July 26th and to me it was worth it. 2 adults and 2 children (4 and 6) we all loved it. For whatever your time is worth that to me was the biggest savings. Think about showing up for a Disney parade 5 minutes before it starts and having prime seating, or instead of waiting an hour plus for a sing along and instead showing up 10 minutes prior and be seated in row 2….At night the drinks (I recommend the Grog) are unlimited and plenty of desserts for the kids to enjoy. Did we spend quite a bit for it? YES. But we saved at least 2 hours plus of wait time that we spent in the park instead and received all the beverages and adult beverages that Kristin mentions above….to me it was well worth it!!
Hi! Thanks for posting this! I bought tickets almost immediately, but now I’m re-thinking it. A fellow blogger posted about the “special seating” for the parade and fireworks for the Star Wars package, and it looked as if the reserved seating wasn’t really anything special. He was 3 people deep, which in our case would mean the kids not being able to see anything at all. What was your experience in this regard? He also posted that the hat was in the way of the fireworks view, which was terribly disappointing. Was that your experience? Again, thanks for all your insight!
We have this booked for 8/25. I think it is great value for money if you are paying a child price for a child. However it is a bit steep for the 10s and over when you consider they will not be partaking of alcohol. There really needs to be an additional tier to the pricing for these types of events.
Does anyone know if they are selling the infamous Elsa and Anna costumes in the stores at this event?
KRISTIN: Yes, they are available at Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post. You do not have to purchase the Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package to go into this location.
I just called for the event…sold out every date until the end off it Sep. 1st. We are so sad!!!
KRISTIN: If you have your heart set on going, I would suggest calling every day to ask if there are any cancellations. Guests must cancel the day before to receive a refund.
I really hope they continue this. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I know I want to do this when I make it there in February.
My daughter turned 5 July 2nd, she was scheduled for BBB on the Thursday of our visit July 24th. Then we heard about the Frozen festivities at HS, to say she is a Frozen nut would be putting it lightly she loves it. So we called booked this package cancelled BBB (that will be there next trip) and so glad I did. She would be heart broken to miss this and my shoulders can’t hold her 50 lb body for very long and doing it in crowds scares me because my balance isn’t that great. If she sees them here she won’t be devastated that I don’t stand in the hours long line at MK and they get the ice cream bars they would pest me for anyway, the iced coffee served adult style makes me happy.
The cupcakes are normally $5.60 and are incredible. I didn’t do the package. We each bought a cupcake and a $3.50 popcorn and then stood on Hollywood boulevard. I dont think the reserved seating is necessary – anywhere on Hollywood boulevard is awesome. For me, I don’t think it would be worth it – you can buy a lot of cupcakes for that price.
Thank you for the summary! Packages are already sold out via telephone, what are the chances of getting a package at the ticket booths upon arrival to Disney?
KRISTIN: As far as I know, Disney World is not holding any packages back for gate sales. However, I would keep calling. When I called on the day the packages became available, I was told that every single day was sold out, which seemed impossible. I called back the next day and plenty were available. It seems the first cast member did not understand how to book the package. In the event that the packages truly are sold out now, you might get lucky with a cancellation. The package has a 1-day cancellation policy for all money to be refunded.
Thanks for posting your thoughts. I was unsure if it would be a good deal for us, and it looks like it will be.
Also, I appreciate you posting the drink info from the dessert party. I’m allergic to several of the items listed, so it’s good to know before we get there.
Thanks again!
Surprising the family this Saturday with the premium package! Cannot wait. Great article.
Thanks for the review and line-up of what to expect. We have it booked for 07/26. I thought it sounded like a good value just for the reserved viewing and seating alone. I am now even more convinced of its value. But I can definately see how it would be pricey for a bigger family. Thanks again!!
My question is…If you do the Frozen Dessert Party are you still able to see either the 8:30 or 10 Fantasmic show? What time do the Frozen fireworks end?
KRISTIN: It would be difficult because the dessert party runs from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Frozen fireworks are at 9:45 p.m. on most nights. Some nights in August have the fireworks at 9:15 p.m., though.
This is very well done and you are very conservative with the items that you speculate ordering.
I must say, I shunned this when the news broke about it saying it was WAAYYYYY over priced. But after reading this and getting a better-than-Disney explanation as to what is offered and available I am seriously considering it!!!
Thank You!!
Thanks so much for the information! We are in Disney right now and have this booked for Friday 7/11…..the treats look amazing and now I am excited about the grown-up drinks! So glad I booked this!
Thanks for all the info and photos. Would you know if cupcakes are nut-free? Took my nephews for Star Wars Weekend and both specialty cupcakes had nuts. One of the boys has a nut allergy, so neither could enjoy the treats. Can’t get one a treat and not the other.
KRISTIN: The Elsa cupcake is vanilla and the Anna cupcake is chocolate. I’m told there is no peanut butter flavoring like the Yoda cupcake had. Because of your nephew’s allergy, I would ask cast members about how the cupcakes are prepared in case of cross-contamination. Either way, there are plenty of other sweets at the dessert party, including the Olaf cake pops. 🙂
Thanks for this.
One of your later sentences is crucial – to assess the value of an event like this you need to look at what you would want to eat/drink rather what you can eat/drink, and I think you have argued a balanced, reasonable consumption to estimate “value”.
Like so many such things at WDW (and elsewhere) the “intangibles” are the real value – like not having to wait in the sun for a limited view – and the price is carefully set to ration the limited supply to those willing to pay the price.
Some possibly interesting questions: what is the impact on that part of the park at relevant times? (How to get through that side to do other things?) Where else to get snacks at that time (assuming Min & Bill’s will be swamped)? Will the food offer become stricter/leaner over time? Etc.
Thanks again – if they offer this next summer we will probably buy.
Hi! 🙂 So excited! We leave in one week for our vacation… and we are heading to Hollywood Studios on Saturday, July 19th! My daughter has no idea what is in store for her!! I “purchased” the package for both of us on our “Me and Minnie-Me” Mother/Daughter vacation!! 🙂 She is celebrating her 8th birthday and she is going to be so thrilled when she finds out what we will be doing!! I weighed all the costs in my mind, and made a pros/cons list before deciding to go for it!! And to me, it seems so worth it…and priceless in the end!! Thanks for your information and really breaking down the “day”…you helped me to see that I did indeed make the perfect decision. After all, to me Disney vacations are all about relaxing and enjoying magical moments at every turn…no worries…no stress…we need to just let it go! 🙂 Thanks so much!
I did it on July 5th, and it was TOTALLY worth it!!!! No lines, all you can eat and drink at both events, and right at the front of the stage. It was so much fun!!
We booked this for August. Comparing this to other add-ons and hard-ticketed events, this is comparatively a great value. Time is the most valuable commodity being sold, but the actual desserts, refreshments, etc., do add up quickly. Also consider that the refreshments will likely allow us to eat smaller meals or share them saving a bit of extra money there, as well.
Thanks for breaking this all down! We will be there at the end of august…I was thinking it might not be worth the money but it seems like it might actually be a great deal for us! Thanks again!