Get ready to set sail for Arendelle! Since March 29, the World of Frozen fjord comes alive during « Arendelle Celebration. » This daily ceremony features your favorite Frozen characters celebrating the Snowflower Festival on incredible boats. We sat down with directors Françoise Baffioni and Matteo Borghi, along with music producer Guillaume Coignard, to learn how they created this new must-see show.
With its traditional houses, clock tower, and castle, the setting for Disney Adventure World is naturally inspiring. Françoise Baffioni explains that the team wanted to bring something innovative to the park. This unique location gave them the perfect opportunity to imagine a spectacle unlike anything seen before at the resort.
The fjord provides a stunning backdrop for the show. Matteo Borghi remembers dreaming about this performance years ago when he first saw the blueprints for the land. He knew immediately that the water was the place to be. The show commemorates the moment Anna saved Elsa with an act of true love, bringing villagers and guests together for a massive celebration.
The event kicks off with Kristoff and Olaf arriving by boat, followed by villagers trying to surprise the sisters with a giant snowflower symbol. Of course, since Olaf is trying to run the show, things don’t go exactly as planned! The boats themselves are a visual feast. The creative team worked closely with set designer Thomas Gallou to make sure every boat matched the personality of the characters on board.
Using a fjord as a stage is a major technical challenge. Boats don’t stop or turn on a dime like actors do. The team spent months testing movements with drivers and trainers to ensure a perfect ballet on the water. They also designed special lighting to highlight the intricate costumes, including the new Frozen 2 inspired dresses, even in gray weather.
Music plays a starring role here. Robert Lopez and Kristin Anderson-Lopez, the songwriters for both Frozen films, wrote a brand-new anthem called Snowflower Magic just for this occasion. Producer Guillaume Coignard worked with them to weave this catchy tune into the show’s narrative.
The recording process was massive. A 90-piece symphony orchestra recorded the score at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London. To keep things authentic, they also added traditional Nordic instruments like the nyckelharpa and Norwegian flutes, recorded right at Disneyland Paris with Nordic musicians.
The music acts like a camera lens. It becomes grand and symphonic for wide, spectacular moments, but turns intimate during solos to focus on the characters’ emotions. Guillaume also worked with technical designers to ensure the sound perfectly covers the entire fjord, so every guest hears the richness of the score no matter where they stand.
The result is a show that pushes the limits of what a theme park show can be. The creative team thrives on surprising fans and exceeding expectations, and Arendelle Celebration is the perfect example of that passion in action.
