Walt Disney World isn't about to let go of its most popular property in ages: A new "Frozen" ride is coming to Epcot Center in 2016.

The Walt Street Journal reports that the new attraction, dubbed Frozen Ever After, will take up residence in the Norway pavilion, where it replaces the Maelstrom ride. The former attraction's floating log ride will stay intact, but will be redesigned to focus on the "Frozen" characters, featuring music from the flick and special appearances by Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Krisoff, and Sven, among others.

"Frozen" songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez have penned new lyrics to tunes from the film (though no new songs), and characters such as Marshmallow the snow monster and the proprietor of Oaken's Trading Post will interact with guests. "The setting for 'Frozen Ever After' is the winter festival that takes place in summer," says WSJ of the attraction's concept, "when residents of Arendelle apparently celebrate their favorite season of the year in the midst of its polar opposite."

WSJ's report includes a detailed rundown of all the different characters and scenes guests can expect from the ride, including a showstopping sequence that features "Elsa, on a balcony, singing 'Let It Go' in her ice castle. It's the centerpiece of the ride, 'the big, big scene,' [Imagineering creative executive Kathy] Mangum said, and it features elaborate effects to create simulated snow crystals soaring around the room."

"What we try to do is take you back to the movie without retelling that story," Magnum told WSJ. "This is a celebration of the characters, a way for guests who love the film to experience it in a completely different way."

Frozen Ever After was first conceived before "Frozen" even hit theaters in November 2013, but was fast-tracked after the film's blockbuster box office success. It's currently scheduled to open sometime in 2016.

[via: The Wall Street Journal]

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