Brittany Jones-Cooper
Want to Build a Snowman? 7 Frozen-Inspired Vacations
Brittany Jones-Cooper
Updated
Adventures by Disney
1 of 7
If a cruise isn’t your thing, Disney has another opportunity for you to feel the spirit of Frozen. Adventures by Disney hosts a vacation package in Bergen, Norway, that’s sure to give participants an authentic Frozen experience. The quaint villages and stunning landscapes of the area served as the inspiration for the animated film, and there are plenty of activities around to keep your family entertained. Go river rafting, learn Norwegian folk dancing, and hike through the mountains. A few days in this town and you’re guaranteed to feel just like Anna exploring the countryside.
Live Like a Princess at the Palazzo Regina Vittoria
2 of 7
Now you can check “find castle” off of your princess to-do list. Palazzo Regina Vittoria is a 14th-century palace in Venice that has been restored to feel modern and new. In addition to spacious living accommodations, the palace boasts a grand staircase resembling the one in Frozen. And the good news is that renting these digs won’t cost you a royal sum. The house is available on HomeAway and starts at just $239 a night.
Stay in Your Own Ice Castle
3 of 7
Nothing says “frozen” quite like staying in an ice hotel. The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Norway will make you feel like you’re staying the night in Queen Elsa’s palace. The ice rooms contain your beds, which are covered in natural reindeer-hide mattresses and sleeping bags. You may get a bit chilly overnight, but the hotel opens a heated sauna every morning at 7 a.m. to thaw out guests. While it’s guaranteed to be a freezing experience, it’s probably the closest you’ll ever get to living in an ice castle like Elsa. A night at the ice hotel will cost you NOK 2250 per person, per night (About $287).
Dogsledding in Leavenworth
4 of 7
Sure, Anna and Kristoff traveled through the snowy forest on a reindeer, but a pack of dogs will also do the trick. Leavenworth, Washington, is home to Northwest Dogsled Adventures, who will take families on rides though the wilderness and forested trails in the Cascade mountains. Half-hour dogsled rides cost $70 per person ($50 per kid under 80 pounds), and you can even play with the dogs after the run. Leavenworth is also a great place to go skiing, tubing, and sledding, making it the ideal destination to have a Frozen vacation.
Ice Skating at Rideau Canal
5 of 7
Anna and Elsa love to ice skate, so why not get in on some of the action? The Rideau Canal Skateway is located in Ottawa and boasts the designation of being the world’s largest skating rink. A five-mile-long stretch of the Rideau Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Rideau Skateway winds through downtown Ottawa and is the perfect place to practice your spins and jumps. Open until late February, it’s also a part of the city’s winter carnival, Winterlude.
Search for Olaf at a Snow Competition
6 of 7
Do you want to build a snowman? In Frozen, Anna and Elsa build one named Olaf that magically comes to life. If you want to experience some lifelike snow creations for yourself, check out the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, Colo. Visitors can view the sculptures from Jan. 31 to Feb. 8, and a winner will be selected by a panel of judges. After you’ve had your fill of snowmen, Breckenridge is also a major hot spot for skiing and snowboarding.
Channel Arendelle at a Winter Wonderland
7 of 7
The townspeople in Frozen didn’t necessarily embrace the cold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Quebec is known for its chilly temps, and every year the city hosts the largest winter carnival in the world. From Jan. 30 to Feb. 15, visitors will have the chance to explore the Bonhomme’s Ice Palace, observe an ice sculpting competition, go ice skating, and dine on specialty cocktails. The event is perfect for families and will have you surrounded in a literal winter wonderland. After all, the snow never bothered you anyway, right?
The movie Frozen encourages viewers to “Let It Go,” but thanks to its limitless appeal, fans of the movie just keep holding on. And it’s not just the song or the countless little girls running around in Anna and Elsa dresses. No, Frozen is so popular that Disney Cruise Lines announced it will launch a cruise this summer inspired by the movie. Select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ships to Europe and Alaska will offer Frozen-themed activities including the opportunity to meet costumed characters from the movie, and lessons on how to do a traditional maypole dance.
The Disney Cruise news is big, but there are a lot of other ways to have a Frozen-inspired vacation. Here are some of our favorites.