Frozen

DISNLEYLAND Paris has opened its doors for an exclusive look at the World of Frozen.

In a rare, behind-the-scenes look, a spectacular drone show revealed the date for its newly reimagined second park, Disney Adventure World.

Fans are now counting down to 29th March 2026, the date unveiled during a stunning night time reveal.

The sky above Adventure Bay erupted into colour as hundreds of drones assembled into a giant World of Frozen logo before forming the opening date in mid-air – with the images perfectly reflected in the water below.

Once complete, Disney Adventure World will have almost doubled in size, offering new experiences that it says will push the boundaries of storytelling.

Ahead of next year’s grand debut, Disney Imagineers are adding the final touches to North Mountain, a towering 36-metre structure that anchors the land.

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The mountain required 400 tons of metal to build before being hand-sculpted in concrete and painted to create its icy, snow-capped look.

At its summit sits Elsa’s glittering Ice Palace – the highest point in World of Frozen.

Matthieu Robin, lead show creator for Disneyland Paris, said: “It’s our biggest expansion ever – truly the first time in forever.

“We’re extending worlds our guests already love, bringing those stories to life in new ways. There is so much to discover, explore and experience.

“My personal favourite moment is simply standing by the lake, taking in the view of Arendelle from across the water, maybe enjoying something to eat from Regal View Restaurant.

“We’re creating world-class entertainment, and we want to continue pushing that forward.

“With the drone innovations, the new lake show, and the aquatic drones we’ve developed, we’re always creating something new for our guests – and this is just the beginning.”

Inside the new area, guests will encounter 34 state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronic figures, explore Arendelle Castle – inspired by traditional Scandinavian architecture – and discover how Anna and Elsa live behind the castle walls.

Alongside its attractions, World of Frozen will offer immersive dining, bespoke shopping and a royal encounter with Anna and Elsa.

The expansion also brings a new night time spectacular to the resort.

Staged across the central lake at Adventure Bay, the show will combine soaring drone choreography, dramatic water screens and a brand-new musical score recorded at Abbey Road Studios.

John Mauro, portfolio executive creative producer for Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, said: “World of Frozen will certainly draw guests in, but it’s really all the elements coming together.

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“Even at the front of the park, we’ve transformed Studio 1 into World Premiere with a whole new look that starts the storytelling the moment you enter.

“You walk through what feels like a movie theatre and it opens up into this brand-new world. I hope guests leave thinking ‘Wow – they’ve really created something incredible here’.”

A SNOW-capped mountain towers behind an ancient clock tower, its frosty peak protruding a whopping 36-metres into a cloudy sky.

At its foot, a wooden-rimmed postbox is waiting to receive a bundle of postcards, Arendelle’s first ever mail, while a magnificent snowflake-shaped fountain sparkles in the centre of the street.

No detail has been spared on ensuring Disneyland Paris’ new World of Frozen is its most magical venture yet.

I was taking an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the much-hyped area of the theme park, scheduled to open on March 29 next year with a bundle of new rides and activities based entirely on the animation blockbuster.

Visitor postcards sent home from the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, over which Frozen characters Elsa and Ana rule, are just one small part of what makes this land so special.

The clock tower, complete with mini Ana and Elsa figurines, sparks into song every 15 minutes and flickering lanterns dangle from pastel-coloured buildings.

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Classic cuddly toys have been scrapped and in their place sits Rúna, an animatronic teddy-sized troll doll that interacts with its owner.

Only available to buy at World of Frozen’s themed shop, for a rather hefty 70 euros, this doll communicates not just with its owner, but the park too.

As kids carry their Rúna doll towards certain trigger points, he’ll vibrate with excitement or gossip enthusiastically about the ride he’s approaching – something that hasn’t been seen at any Disney park before.

I’d like to know what Rúna thinks about the food at the kingdom’s local boozer, Nordic Crowns Tavern, where dishes have been inspired by the flavours of Norway.

It’s certainly not your typical Disney fare – think fermented goods, smoked fish and light cakes shaped into an icy snowflake, in fitting with the Frozen theme.

But that’s just the pub. There’ll be a whopping 13 other dining venues in Arendelle alone, including food stalls serving sticky cinnamon rolls and the grand Regal View, World of Frozen’s character-dining venue.

This spot is impressive enough without the meet-and-greets. Disney Princesses have been painted into fresco-like murals across the walls and curved chandeliers dangle from the ceiling.

Parents haven’t been forgotten about either. How does a flight of kir royales sound?

Knock them back to keep you going until the nightly fireworks displays.

These are the pinnacle of any Disney trip and the fiesta here promises to be spectacular.

Technological enhancements have been made to a team of drones, which can withstand most weathers as they flash to the beat of the music, morphing into characters in the sky and concluding with an explosive fireworks finale.

You won’t need to panic about securing a decent spot, either, like many do for the displays at the main park, with the show taking place above the circular lake, offering 360-degree views.

And of course, no trip to Arandelle would be complete without a visit to the kingdom’s impeccably dressed Elsa and Ana.

And the duo won’t just appear on the street; they will dramatically sail across the lake via a huge wooden vessel, preparing to greet their fans at the “Royal Encounter” in the castle.

A lifesized and hyper-realistic Olaf will make an appearance, too. But unlike every other character at Disneyland Paris, Frozen’s star snowman has been built using clever robotics that allow the character to talk and even waddle away on his stumpy snow feet.

And what about the rides? The highlight will most definitely be the lands boat ride, Frozen Ever After, which will carry riders through the snowy forest towards the Valley of the Trolls and Elsa’s sparkling Ice Palace.

Animatronics promise to bring scenes to life as riders approach Arendelle Bay which will be showered in snowflake-shaped fireworks.

It’s not all about Elsa and Ana, though. Rapunzel has left her mark on the Raiponce Tangled Spin ride.

This is a reinvention of the classic teacups where a series of wooden boats twirl underneath a ceiling of swaying pastel lanterns.

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It was the postbox that stuck out for me, though.

What could be more special than returning home to a self-written letter, delivered straight to your door all the way from Arendelle?

Disneyland Paris has officially confirmed the opening date for its World of Frozen land in 2026 – and we got a sneak peek into the land where guests can meet Anna, Elsa, Olaf and more

Disneyland Paris has finally confirmed an opening date for its highly-anticipated World of Frozen land – and we’ve got an exclusive first look inside the Arendelle kingdom.

From March 29, 2026 , Disney fans will be able to explore the home of Anna and Elsa with a host of experiences including a brand new ride, character meet and greets, new shows and exclusive food and drink.

I was lucky enough to be one of the first to get a sneak peek at the new Frozen land in the Walt Disney Studios Park (which will rebrand as Disney Adventure World when the Frozen land also opens). From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that Frozen fans aren’t going to be disappointed.

As you walk up to the area, you can see a huge snowy mountain with Elsa’s ice palace visible in the distance, Nordic inspired buildings that look like the stuff of Instagram dreams, and pretty fountains with icicles because – well, it’s Frozen. I also spotted some Mickey-shaped detailing for those who like to search for hidden Mickeys in the park!

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As for the character meet and greets? There is a brand new little Olaf animatronic who you’ll be able to spot with the princesses; he’s absolutely adorable and kids are no doubt going to love him. It’s very impressive technology; he waddles around, talks and waves, and had everyone awwing and cheering as he wandered about, joined by Anna and Elsa. The Olaf animatronic is a first-of-its-kind in the world, and really brings the character to life especially when he interacts with the princesses.

If you want to meet the princesses, you’ll need to book a slot at the Arendelle castle – the perk being that you then can enjoy the rest of the park rather than waiting around for hours. The good news is that it won’t be the only character interaction available throughout the land. There’ll be chances to meet Oaken (‘Yoohoo, big summer blowout’), some of the adorable baby trolls, and villagers ready to share some quirky stories about life in Arendelle.

There will be a show occurring multiple times a day within the bay in the Frozen village including a float of boats led by Kristoff and Olaf, with a chance to spot the princesses as they wave to their guests from their own gorgeous boat. The 15-minute colourful show will include a chance for the audience to sing along with characters too, including iconic songs like ‘Let It Go’ or ‘Show Yourself’.

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Foodies, you won’t want to miss the abundance of snacks; at the Nordic Crowns Tavern you can create your own bowl for lunch/dinner including a base, protein, veg and sauce. Apparently, chefs went through 30 different types of mashed potato before they settled on the one that’s used in the restaurant. The restaurant will also include vegan and gluten-free options.

For those who fancy a tipple, The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge is the place to be. It’s so pretty with murals inspired by the princesses – and yes, you can book Character Dining to meet the princesses at the restaurant. The vibe is gorgeous florals, dark green furniture and heaps of nods to all of the princesses, not just Elsa and Anna. Meanwhile the lounge bar – a first for these parks – felt quite fancy for a theme park, especially with the impressive range of Kir Royale and Champagne cocktails on offer.

We didn’t get a sneak peek at the new ‘Frozen Ever After’ ride (it’s still under construction!), but it will involve a gentle boat ride taking families from a snowy forest to the Valley of the Trolls, through Elsa’s dazzling Ice Palace, before ending in Arendelle Bay lit by snowflake-shaped fireworks.

As for that all-important merchandise, one highlight has to be the adorable Rúna troll, at the Fjord View Shop. This little toy is a bit like a Furby, in that it interacts with you. The Runa can talk, it can be ‘put to sleep’ with rocking, and if you have more than one, it interacts with other toys. However, one of the coolest features is that if you carry it around the Frozen land, it will interact with specific ‘trigger points’ in the land, for example by fountains or certain buildings.

Anyone who buys one will be given a map to show you the areas where you can find these interactions, although you won’t be given the specific locations as part of the fun! These dolls will cost €70 each which didn’t feel wildly overpriced considering how much you can get out of the toy if you buy it before going around the land.

Frozen won’t be the only exciting attraction at Disney Adventure World. The theme park already boasts Marvel and Pixar inspired lands, and is set to undergo another expansion with a Lion King land over the next few years.

As you walk towards World of Frozen, you’ll get to enjoy two new adorable attractions; one swing-style carousel inspired by Up, and a teacups-esque ride inspired by Tangled.

Disney fans will also get to see a new nighttime show above the large Adventure World lake that offers a central point leading out to the lands; we got a sneak peek and it involves drones, pyrotechnics, fountains and some very impressive special effects, including nods to beloved films like Moana.

You can find out more on disneylandparis.com

The picturesque European destination only has a population of around nine million people – but it welcomes around 32 million international visitors on an annual basis

A European country has been named the world’s most overcrowded tourist destination – and it might come as a bit of a surprise.

Rather than places like Spain or Greece, which attract holiday-makers in their throngs, there is a landlocked location which welcomes the most visitors per local – Austria. Research carried out by MoneyTransfers.com in 2024 found that for every resident in Austria, there are almost four times the number of tourists, at a ratio of one resident to 3.6 tourists.

The country only has a population of around nine million; however, Austria accepts around 32 million international visitors yearly. Most of the tourists are concentrated in Austria’s capital, Vienna.

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The capital city is the country’s top tourist draw. Known as the ‘City of Dreams’, it’s no wonder so many people are eager to explore it. Top attractions include the Schonbrunn Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and the Museum of Natural History. It is packed with beautiful baroque architecture, historic landmarks and a great nightlife thanks to the bustling bars and restaurants.

But while Vienna is used to catering for huge numbers of visitors, other areas of the country are becoming increasingly popular – but they are not equipped to take on the influx of tourists.

One example is Hallstatt, a small town known for its picturesque Alpine houses, waterfalls and salt lakes, all backed by a beautiful snowy mountain range.

The town, the rumoured inspiration for the kingdom of Arendelle in Disney’s Frozen, was previously caught up in a battle with overtourism.

Wooden fences were constructed to obstruct the view of the lake, which had become a famous selfie backdrop, amid attempts to scale back the number of visitors to the area.

But they were later dismantled following backlash on social media. In a statement to local website Upper Austrian News in 2023, Mayor Scheutz said: “The only thing that would help is if the photo point is no longer a photo point.”

The town, a protected Unesco World Heritage site, has seen over a million tourists a year since it was rumoured to be the muse for Frozen.

Before the pandemic, foot traffic in the small town rose to around 10,000 visitors a day, causing Hallstatt’s mayor, Alexander Scheutz, to introduce a cap on the number of tour buses and cars allowed to enter the area.

The town itself only has around 800 residents, leading Scheutz to declare at the time that he’d like to slash tourist numbers by a third.

There’s a never-ending list of places across the UK where you can get your hands on a hearty dish of fish and chips. But there’s one particular chippy that has long been hailed as ‘the best’

Fish and chips are a staple in British cuisine, and have been famously classed as the national dish for centuries. Whether that’s eating them at the seaside, indulging in a fish supper at your local pub, or making your own variation at home, there’s nothing quite like it.

But there’s one UK village thought to offer one of the best places to enjoy the delicacy. Nestled in the village of Beamish in County Durham, which “hasn’t changed over 100 years”, is Davys Fish & Chips.

Content creator and avid foodie, Callum (@streetfoodanalysis), took to TikTok to share a video of the hearty eatery, labelling it the “best” in the country. In a video showing a glimpse inside Davys Fish & Chips, Callum said: “This is the fish and chip shop trapped in time.

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“One of the last in the world that uses coal to heat the original 1950s fryers with fish and chips cooked in beef dripping.”Proving just how delicious Davys Fish & Chips is, Callum shared a clip of himself indulging in the dish as he exclaimed, “Wow”.

With a perfect crisp on both the fish and chips, it’s not just Callum who has given rave reviews of this frozen-in-time fish and chip shop. His video was flooded with comments from others who have sampled the famed meal from this charming eatery, with its blue counter and original features. One affirmed: “Beamish fish and chips were the best fish and chips I have ever had.”

A second penned: “Beamish is one of our favourite places to go, as for the chip shop, it’s amazing, you can’t get better. It’s the one on the mining village, beware, the portions are huge. Can’t wait to go back.”

“Love going to Beamish, those fish n chips are absolutely worth the 2 hour wait”, a third noted. Another added: “Love Beamish the chips are a must.”

While another commented: “The fish n chips looked amazing! Absolutely beautiful place! And visitors still keep on visiting Beamish!” “Love Beamish, the chippy is unreal!” one more declared.

In the video, which has accumulated more than 500K likes, Callum said the chippy is found in Beamish, where “the sweet shop makes candy by hand and the bakery makes the same cakes as a century ago.” He also noted that it’s a place which rarely has phone signal, adding to its quaint and historic appeal.

The town is the oldest in the country and was the capital for several hundred years, with wealthy merchants flocking to the thriving trading hub which is well preserved today

A town that is more than a thousand years old sits on the banks of a picturesque lake and is filled with colorful wooden houses.

Sigtuna, often described as Sweden’s first town, is a small and charming destination that blends history and natural beauty. Located just 45 minutes from Stockholm and only a short drive from Arlanda Airport, it is ideal for a day trip if you’re in the modern Swedish capital.

Despite having a population of just 10,000 today, Sigtuna was effectively the capital of Sweden following its founding in 980AD, serving as the royal and commercial center until the 13th century. Although it may have lost its economic and political clout, Sigtuna remains a fascinating place that offers an authentic glimpse into Sweden’s past.

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Its rich history is evident at every turn, from the cobbled streets and medieval ruins to the ancient runestones scattered throughout the area. These runestones—over 150 in total—serve as open-air monuments to the Viking Age, engraved with inscriptions commemorating people who lived and traded here more than a thousand years ago. The Sigtuna Rune Stone Walk takes you around the town centre and along the Procession Road, passing a total of 15 rune stones, mostly dating from the 10th and 11th centuries. Each has its own information board and translation of the runic inscription.

The town’s archaeological heritage has been carefully preserved and is well contextualised at the Sigtuna Museum.

One of the town’s main attractions is Stora Gatan, Sweden’s oldest main street. “This street is special because its layout has not changed for nearly a millennium,” writes Atlas Obscura.

Sigtuna’s founder, King Erik the Victorious, wanted to make the city the country’s capital, but this was not a straightforward task. To get the public, and more importantly, wealthy landowners, on board, he divided up the land into plots and gave them away to influential people. They would not live on the land, but would often visit and flaunt their riches.

“Over time, it truly became the capital of Sweden, and travelers from all over the world would arrive here with their goods. Underneath the road, archeologists have found items from the Byzantine empire, Asia, and the old Russian empire,” Atlas Obscura continues.

Sadly, all of the old buildings except for a few churches have been broken down or were burned in fires. New houses were constructed and the city evolved, but the main street remains much the same.

Lined with colourful wooden houses, boutique shops, cosy cafés, and art galleries, it’s a beautiful place for a wander of an afternoon, and one that will make you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time.

Many of the shops sell local handicrafts, design pieces, and Swedish-made souvenirs, making it an excellent place to pick up a tasteful nifty-gifty.

The street also leads directly to the picturesque shores of Lake Mälaren, where visitors can stroll along the water, enjoy a fika by the marina, or take a boat trip during the summer months.

Sigtuna’s three medieval church ruins—St. Lars, St. Olaf, and St. Peter’s—stand as atmospheric reminders of the town’s Christian heritage. These stone ruins, surrounded by quiet gardens and walking paths, contrast with the still-active Sigtuna Church, which dates back to the 13th century and remains a focal point for the local community. The blend of old and new architecture gives the town a timeless quality, appealing to travellers interested in both history and culture.

Beyond its historical significance, Sigtuna is known for its relaxed pace and natural surroundings. The town is nestled among forests and lakes, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as cycling, kayaking, and hiking. In winter, the frozen lake becomes a natural ice-skating rink, and during the warmer months, visitors can swim, picnic, or simply enjoy the serenity of the landscape. The nearby Sigtunastiftelsen, a cultural and conference centre with a café and beautiful gardens, is another peaceful retreat ideal for reflection or afternoon tea.

Sigtuna offers something that few other destinations can: a living link between the Viking Age and modern Scandinavia. It’s history isn’t confined to museums, but it’s woven into the streets, stones, and scenery.

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