Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 - Image from Disney+
Frozen 2 swept box offices becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Not bad for a sequel that had big shoes to fill! Now, fans of Arendelle can go behind the magic to see how the movie was made in the new Disney+ series, Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2. Even as someone who had the chance to walk the red carpet at the Frozen 2 World Premiere in Hollywood and attend the press junket with the creative minds and stars of the film, I still can't wait to tune in!
Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 - Image from Disney+
Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 is comprised of six episodes that highlight the work of the team behind Frozen 2 in the year leading up to the world premiere of the movie. I don't know about you, but I am always amazed when we have the chance to peek behind the curtain and see all of the work that goes into making a movie. I give a big thumbs up to Disney+ for providing fans with a number of opportunities to view this kind of content! And looking at the upcoming episodes, I personally can't wait for the second episode which talks about the creation of my favorite song from the movie. . .Lost in the Woods.
And those of you that like a good binge fest will be happy to know that unlike the behind-the-scenes look at creating The Mandalorian with Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, all six episodes of Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 will be available to stream beginning June 26!
Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 - Image from Disney+
About Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 (From Disney+)
With the clock ticking and less than a year until the world premiere of Frozen 2, the
filmmakers, artists, songwriters and cast open their doors to cameras for a six-part
documentary series to reveal the hard work, heart, and collaboration it takes to create
one of the most highly-anticipated films in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ near-century
of moviemaking. For the first time, cameras were there to capture an eye-opening - and
at times jaw-dropping - view of the challenges and the breakthroughs, the artistry,
creativity and the complexity of creating the #1 animated feature of all time.
The series follows director/writer/chief creative officer Jennifer Lee, director Chris Buck,
producer Peter Del Vecho, songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez,
actors Kristen Bell (“Anna”), Idina Menzel (“Elsa”), Josh Gad (“Olaf”), Jonathan Groff
(“Kristoff”), Sterling K. Brown (“Lieutenant Mattias”), Evan Rachel Wood (“Iduna”) and
the talented artists and technicians of Disney Animation as they race against time to
finish the film, with both creative breakthroughs and frustrations along the way.
Produced by Lincoln Square Productions and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
The queen of social distancing, Elsa, and the entire Arendelle crew is now available in Frozen 2 on Disney digital and on Disney+. Today, I'm excited to share with you FREE coloring pages and activities to share with the whole family!
Frozen 2 became the number one animated movie of all time with it's blockbuster success and appeal to Frozen fans, both young and old. I also think it's the perfect film for families to watch during tough times. All of the characters are grappling with big emotions - fear, frustration, anger, questioning what they've been taught - and it provides a great back drop to have a conversation with your own kids about things going on in the world that they may not understand. Even if kids don't fully understand WHAT is happening in the world, they certainly have feelings about it. A family movie night is a great way to blend conversation with fun in your household. Before we look at how to have a Frozen family fun night at home, check out my complete coverage of Frozen 2:
Now that you're up to speed on everything you need to know about Frozen 2, let's talk about ways to have a Frozen family fun night.
Play Charades - Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff enjoy a fun evening in the castle at the beginning of the film playing charades. This is something easy for the whole family to enjoy on a relaxing night in. You can create your own charade cards or search Pinterest for some ideas that you can print out.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt - Frozen 2 takes us Into the Unknown, but you can search the familiar with a new perspective by having a family scavenger hunt while walking in your neighborhood. Depending on the ages of your children, you can make the items easy or hard. For real young kids, you can have them look for things of various colors, while older kids may be able to find more specific items like types of birds or flowers. Spring is a great time to get outside!
FREE Frozen 2 Coloring Sheets and Activities - Download this FREE activity packet from Walt Disney Studios here. Your family can enjoy these before, during, or after your movie night!
With all of this time at home, we've been enjoying movie nights revisiting our favorites AND trying new movies. Make family movie night a tradition in your house!
About Frozen 2
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,” she must hope they are enough. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad.
Frozen 2 is now available for digital purchase and is currently streaming on Disney+!
Finding yourself inside and unable to go to school can be difficult for everyone. Parents are worried and stressed about, well, everything right now and know that your kids are also feeling some of that worry as well. While little minds may not be able to understand everything that is happening, they do know that their daily lives are being disrupted with not being able to go to school, not playing with friends, and not seeing family members outside of their own house. Times like these call for good old fashioned family time to make everyone feel a bit better. I've compiled a list of some of my favorite movies currently on Disney+ that you can enjoy with your family. . .either just for fun or with an educational component! Check them out!
Lady and the Tramp
I loved this remake of the animated classic, probably even more than I liked the original. Here is my review of the film if you're wondering if it's right for your family. Looking for a way to turn this into a family fun night? Why not set up your own Tony's restaurant! Your kids can design menus including pasta, breads, salads, and drinks. They can take orders and add up a bill to practice some of those math skills. Then your family can enjoy a night of spaghetti and meatballs while watching Lady and the Tramp come to life in your living room!
The holidays are officially here and with many kids home from school and adults taking time or having time off from work, it's a perfect opportunity to head to the movies! Here's a round-up of movies I've seen that are still out in most (if not all theaters) to help you make your viewing choices. Click the titles of each for a more detailed look.
We still can't let this film go! This movie has been out since before Thanksgiving and has already surpassed $1B globally. If you are one of probably only a handful of people who haven't seen this film, what are you waiting for? Grab the kids and head "into the unknown" to uncover the source of Elsa's powers and watch the next chapter of the story unfold for our friends in Arendelle. I still can't believe I had the chance to see this at the Hollywood World Premiere back in November with The Geekly Retreat - walking the red carpet and taking celebrity selfies! ALL of my Frozen 2 coverage is linked here including my experience at the premiere, a review, a closer look at Olaf, and my favorite musical moments!
This is another movie that I had the chance to see in it's entirety at The Geekly Retreat out in California, weeks before the fancy world premiere. We had the chance to watch this with some of the creative minds behind the film and then dish on the secrets of making it. Your kids will really enjoy this action-packed look at an unlikely friendship and championing the fact that it's good to be weird. With the voices of Will Smith and Tom Holland behind the main characters, you know you're getting quality. I've again linked all of my coverage to Spies in Disguise here because there is also a mobile game available when the movie releases that I had the chance to preview at The Geekly Retreat and then received a free download of in advance of the release for my kids to enjoy. Check it out!
What will most likely be the undisputed winner of every box office stat this Christmas season, Star Wars has raced back into theaters for the final chapter in the Skywalker saga. If you're a hard core Star Wars fan, you're going to be feeling LOTS of feels with this one. My review linked here is spoiler-free so you are totally fine to read it ahead of time. In fact, you may want to if you're debating taking your kids as I have a whole section devoted to whether or not that's a good idea. May the Force with you!
I didn't write an official review for this one, but I did record an initial reaction after I saw the movie for my YouTube channel. This is definitely one to leave the kids home for as the content and language is not appropriate for them. I really enjoyed this movie for a few reasons. I remember the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing and the name Richard Jewell, but I didn't really remember the details into what happened. It's a fascinating look at the concept of "innocent until proven guilty." Is that really the case anymore with media coverage scrutinizing every detail of an investigation? And this was 1996 people. . .imagine if this happened in 2019 how this would have played out with not only traditional media, but the advent of social media. It's a heavier film to watch, but their our some comedic one liners and the actors all do an incredible job. There has been some criticism of Clint Eastwood with the way he directed this film and portrayed Kathy Scruggs, the Atlanta journalist who broke the story on Richard Jewell. Scruggs has passed and her family is strongly denouncing the the way that she is portrayed here, and Eastwood even acknowledges that we may never know what REALLY happened. See it with that in mind. There may be some liberties that were taken with characterization of the people who were there covering events.
Knives Out
This is another movie that has been around since mid-November, but has picked up speed after opening weekend. Again, I didn't write a full review on this one, but I LOVED this movie. It's certainly a grown-up night out - not appropriate at all for your littles. It's a fun, witty whodunit story with an all-star cast including Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Chris Evans. . .in cable knit sweaters. I mean, that right there is reason to go see it, right??? It's like a giant game of Clue as the patriarch of the family dies on the night of his 85th birthday party. The twists and turns will keep you guessing and you may or may not see the ending coming! This movie may be getting pushed out of your local theater depending on it's size, but it's still at a few local ones for me so I included it here. See it if you can!
And of course, there are some other big movies that have just recently released for the holiday that I haven't seen yet to comment on including Black Christmas, Bombshell, Jumangi: The Next Level, and CATS (why would you want to see this one though??). What are you planning to see this holiday season?
The release of Frozen 2 has answered many questions for fans of the first film and has taken the box office by storm. One of the lingering questions though that Frozen fans continue to ask is - will there be a Frozen 3??? Well, I don't know about that, but I do know that there are still more questions I have and more stories I want to see told from the Kingdom of Arendelle. I'm going to keep this post as spoiler free as I can, but I do caution that there are some mild spoilers ahead so if you haven't seen Frozen 2 yet, you may want to hang on and read this after your visit to the movies.
Love Story of Anna & Elsa's Parents - In Frozen 2 we learn a lot more about Anna and Elsa's parents. We find out how they first met and then what happened on that voyage that ultimately cost them their lives. But I feel like there is still more I want to know about these two. What was their love story like? How did they go from little kids to adults who fell in love with one another? We see their mother rescue their father and then they land in a wagon together, but we don't know how her sudden appearance in Arendelle is explained and how she grows up as an orphan in a strange land. And after they fall in love and give birth to their first child, life only gets more complicated. When did they first realize Elsa had powers and what did they make of this discovery? It seems that magic and adventure is a part of this love story from the beginning and I think it would be a great tale to explore.
Kristoff's Backstory - Can we all just agree right now that Kristoff is simply amazing? He is everything a woman would want - rugged mountain man with a heart of gold that wears his emotions on his sleeves. I mean, that power ballad, says it all. So where did he come from? When we meet young Kristoff in Frozen, he is in the woods with his favorite reindeer friend, Sven. They follow the King and Queen into the woods to seek the wisdom of the trolls and obviously end up becoming "family" with them. Where are Kristoff's parents? What was it like to be raised by the trolls? I don't think I'm alone in wanting more Kristoff - especially if it involves more 80s musical numbers, right??
Anna and Kristoff's Wedding - Forget the royal weddings of Charles and Diana or Will and Kate, THIS would be the royal wedding event of all time. Anna and Kristoff have a love that is pure and sweet. They are both a bit clumsy from time to time (Kristoff's attempts to propose in Frozen 2 had me cracking up!) and have a way of bringing humor to every situation they touch. This special event would be the perfect show! What would the bride wear? How about Sven and Olaf? They would obviously be involved in the wedding party - maybe loosing the rings sometime before the ceremony?? I could write this script in about an hour if you're out there listening Disney - it practically writes itself!
So whether Frozen 3 is in the works as a major movie event remains to be seen, but with the new streaming service of Disney+ already a resounding success, Disney has yet another platform to tell more Frozen stories. I'm hoping there is more in the works and I bet I'm not along in that desire. So Disney, if you're out there listening, please give us more Frozen in the years to come! Love, the loyal citizens and fans of Arendelle!
As Olaf told us all in Frozen, "some people are worth melting for" and it's certainly true that one little snowman melted hearts all over the world in the original Frozen. From his delightful song to his charming sense of humor to his deep love and loyalty to Anna and Elsa, Olaf captivated audiences and became a star. Olaf fans have nothing to worry about in Frozen 2 as he is once again back and, in some ways, steals the show. But, like some of the other characters, our favorite snowman has done some growing up since we last left him in Arendelle.
In Frozen, we meet Olaf - the snowman lovingly created by Anna and Elsa as children when they played in the castle. When Elsa's powers are unleashed, Olaf becomes real and befriends Anna and Elsa in adulthood. However, we meet a very naive Olaf in the original film. His song, "In Summer," tells of a snowman longing to spend days relaxing in the summer sun, oblivious to the danger that would pose to him. Throughout the film he is equal parts lovable and goofy. While his character is certainly dedicated to his friends and can clearly articulate love, he seems blind to what's going on in the world around him.
Josh Gad (Olaf) discusses his character's growth at the Frozen 2 press junket.
Then we meet Olaf in Frozen 2. Olaf has become older and wiser and is now questioning the world around him. I attended the Frozen 2 press junket with The Geekly Retreat where Josh Gad jokingly talked about Olaf getting "a license" and taking out "an insurance policy" as the moderator mentioned his permafrost and new found ability to read. But Gad turned serious when he shared Olaf's fears about change and growing up. He shared a story of his own daughter at about 5 years old suddenly crying and asking "what if I don't want to grow up?" Olaf is going through that same journey in the film. He questions why things have to change and even his song, "When I Am Older" hints at the fact that kids question the world around them and recognize that they don't have all of the answers. Gad described it as that moment you "realize that maybe the world isn't just raindrops and lollipops and roses."
Olaf will definitely be a relatable character for kids trying to figure out the world around them. He reminds me of my own son who at 7 notices everything and questions "why" when he sees things that are difficult for him to understand. Gad again delivers a memorable performance that will leave an impression on your heart even after the movie ends. Olaf will once again we worth melting for when your family sees Frozen 2!
About Frozen 2
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,” she must hope they are enough. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. Looking for more Frozen 2 fun? Check out my experience on the red carpet, download FREE activities for the family to enjoy, learn about the music of Frozen 2, and read a full review of the film!
Reviews are pouring in for Frozen 2 as it gets ready to open everywhere on November 22. But you don't have to wait until then to start enjoying this magical journey in your own home! The soundtrack just released and it is a force to be reckoned with. Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who were also the songwriters for Frozen and Coco, really come through on this film with a soundtrack that is as memorable as the first. I had some favorite musical moments that stood out from the film, but listening to the soundtrack (over and over again!), brings that whole flood of emotions back and I once again find myself in the woods with our favorite Frozen friends. As an animated movie musical, the songs enhance the story so listening to the soundtrack may give you a few details about the plot itself, but no major spoilers to be found in the music or in this post! Take a look at my top 3 songs from the film.
#3 - Some Things Never Change
This song comes early in the movie as we are catching up with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf. I think part of what I like about this song is it features all of our lead characters singing to and about each other. It's a cute song to watch as you see those close relationships the between each of the characters and the perfect way to bring them all back to us on the big screen. Listening to the song again after seeing the movie, I enjoy the message of the song even more. The world is constantly changing around us and sometimes it feels like things are spiraling beyond our control. It's in these times that we look for the constants in our lives. Who are the people that are always there for us no matter what? When life gets scary, lean on those around you and take comfort knowing that "some things never change."
#2 - Into the Unknown
Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, songwriters for Frozen 2.
Much like it's predecessor, Frozen 2 turns to Idina Menzel to deliver a powerful and memorable musical performance as the rising action in the story climbs and our characters embark on their daring journey. I mean, as if there were any doubt, this song is a technical masterpiece. Menzel is spectacular. It's mystical, beautiful, and powerful - all at the same time. But don't overlook the alternative version of the song performed by Panic at the Disco during the closing credits and also available on the soundtrack. It takes a totally different spin on the song which is equally delightful for listeners. Whether your journey into the unknown is a new job, a new beginning, or venturing into the North Woods, you'll find all the courage you need to face the unknown with confidence in this song.
#1 - Lost in the Woods
Ok, ok. . .hear me out on this one. If you are just listening to the soundtrack, I hope that you're enjoying this song like I do, but this is also one that you have to "see it to believe it" when I tell you this is simply the best musical moment of the film. As you can tell from the lyrics, we find Kristoff at a bit of a crossroads emotionally and in a true 1980s power ballad way, he delivers a heartfelt song where he puts all of his feelings on the table. He is in love and not afraid to say it. The way he loves Anna during this film will leave people talking about how every man should treat his Disney princess. I really fell in love with Kristoff during this movie and this number is a big reason why. I have listened to it on repeat and each time can't help but feel my heart smile. The delivery of this song in the movie is a highlight which will leave you feeling all the feels with Kristoff and also laughing out loud at the creative minds of the animators. Hands down #1, I don't care what anyone else says!
If you haven't downloaded the music yet, what are you waiting for?? This is the perfect way to pass the time until the film opens and to relive all of your favorite parts once you've seen it. Looking for more Frozen posts? Check out what it was like to walk the red carpet and attend the Frozen 2 after party, read my review, and download FREE printable activities for the family to enjoy all here at Running on Pixie Dust!
About Frozen 2
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,” she must hope they are enough. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. Facebook - www.facebook.com/disneyfrozen Instagram - www.instagram.com/disneyfrozen Twitter - http://twitter.com/disneyfrozen
#Frozen2
Are you ready to go "into the unknown" and "let it go" when Frozen 2 hits the big screen on November 22? I had the chance to walk the red carpet and attend the Hollywood world premiere as part of The Geekly Retreat and it was an amazing way to experience this film! Get ready to fall in love all over again with your favorite characters and meet incredible new faces along the way.
Review of Frozen 2
We find Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff living their best lives in Arendelle as the movie opens. However, Elsa quickly begins to question what is happening as she hears a strange voice calling to her. She tries to shake it off, but the sound keeps coming back. When the full force of nature seems to unleash on Arendelle, the queen and princess lead their subjects into the mountains surrounding the city to seek safety. Grand Pabbie appears and fills Anna and Elsa into the mystical happenings taking place around them. It becomes clear that to get the answers she seeks and to save her kingdom, Elsa must leave Arendelle. Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff begin their journey northward to find out what is happening.
My thoughts on the film? The story is as good as the first - if not a bit better. All of the characters have more depth this time around - even little Olaf! The trailers show a "darker" and "scarier" story than we saw in the original film, but I don't think this should deter young families from seeing the movie. It's a more serious story at times, but also has many moments of heart, humor, and song that all everyone with find a connection with as they watch. I will say that I thought the story is a bit more complex than the original and I feel like the first 20-30 minutes are a bit slow, but stick with it and pay attention because the information they go over at the start of the movie is crucial and the action picks up quickly once they arrive in the woods. And then there is the music! The songs from this film are their own version of iconic. While I *think* I enjoyed the original soundtrack more on a standalone basis, I'm excited to listen to the music again when the soundtrack releases and when I see it with my kids to see if that changes. Regardless, the songs are PERFECT for the film. The powerhouse team of Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez certainly deliver again. There is one song that may go down as my favorite Disney "music video" of all time. . .but I'll let you discover that one one your own!
After all of the years watching and re-watching Frozen, I was left with a number of plot questions. And when I heard a Frozen 2 was in the works, I found myself hoping that these questions would get answers. This is a spoiler-free zone, so while we're talking about what questions that will be answered - no answers will be actually be given!
What happened to Anna and Elsa's parents?
In Frozen, we get a brief few scenes with Anna and Elsa's parents before they embark on a journey by boat. We see the boat thrown around the ocean and then Arendelle receives news that the King and Queen have died. While it appears clear that they perished at sea, I always wanted to know where they were going and more about what happened on that fateful day that changed the lives of both Anna and Elsa forever. You WILL find out more about the death of their parents in this film. Apparently Anna and Elsa, like me, have been asking this same question.
Where do Elsa's powers come from?
Anyone else find it strange that Elsa is the only one in her family that turns the world to ice when she touches things? Grand Pabbie asks Elsa's parents early on in Frozen if she was born with the powers or cursed and her dad reveals that she was born with the powers. How does that happen? My academic brain thinks back to Punnett Squares and I'm fascinated that she has these icy powers while mom, dad, and Anna don't. Well, rest assured that you WILL find out why Elsa has these magical powers as the story unwinds.
What's Kristoff's backstory?
Can we talk about Kristoff for a moment? Here is this rugged mountain man who lives with his reindeer best friend and falls in love with a princess. What happened to his parents? Why does he live with a bunch of trolls? I love me some Kristoff and want to know more!! So in this movie, Kristoff plays a more prominent role and we learn more about him for sure (in fact, some of my favorite moments from this film involve Kristoff) - but I did not get ALL of my questions answered. Maybe this is Frozen 3 territory? Or a Disney+ series? One can hope!
About Frozen 2
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,” she must hope they are enough. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. Looking for more Frozen 2 fun? Check out this trailer preview post including FREE downloads of activities for the whole family to enjoy! Follow the Frozen fun on their social media channels! Facebook - www.facebook.com/disneyfrozen Instagram - www.instagram.com/disneyfrozen Twitter - http://twitter.com/disneyfrozen
#Frozen2
Alright, somebody is really going to need to pinch me because I'm still in a fog wrapping my head around the fact that I was able to attend the Hollywood Premiere of Disney's Frozen 2 as part of The Geekly Retreat. Seriously, y'all. . .as both a self-proclaimed DisNerd and blogger, this experience is one that will take a long time to top. Let's start from the beginning and walk you through the night!
Prepping a Red Carpet Look
Deciding what to wear to the premiere was more stressful than I thought. Never having been to an event like this before, I leaned heavily on the advice of my friends who had experienced a red carpet and after party before. Blending comfort with style can sometimes be tricky, but I was able to find something that was truly me and also paid tribute to Frozen 2. I'm definitely more of a short dress girl so I opted for a short dress with capped sleeves. Since warm colors are more my thing, I went with a navy blue dress that had a bit of shimmer at the top - like the glitter you may expect from our favorite ice queen. I paired the look with a silver bag and silver shoes to contrast the dark dress and trigger thoughts of snow and ice. When I went shoe shopping, my youngest insisted that I buy the most shimmering pair of shoes they had - and I happily obligied! I also added a snowflake broach to the dress which had extra special meaning. The pin belonged to my grandmother who passed away nearly 5 years ago. We were incredibly close in a number of ways, but especially in our love for Disney! Grammie was with my on my first visit to Walt Disney World Resort in 1989 and I have vivid memories of singing, dancing, and acting out scenes from our favorite Disney films when I would spend time at her house. Having her with me on the red carpet meant a lot to me!
Walking the Red Carpet
The red carpet experience is every bit as insanely amazing as it looks on TV. Lights, cameras, and celebrities are all around and there's a bunch of staff who are keeping the chaos as organized as possible. We were behind where the stars walked the carpet so no one asked me who I was wearing (haha!), but I was able to watch all of that happening. There were also plenty of photo opportunities along the carpet celebrating the premiere. As you would expect the theming was spot on - from the colors, to the characters, to the fall leaves along the way. . .everywhere you looked it was Frozen fever! I had my red carpet buddy, fellow Mid-Atlantic Mom-On-The-Go Rachel from Pretty in Baby Food, and we took turns snapping pictures of one another along the way.
After finishing our time on the carpet, we headed inside the Dolby Theater. . .yup, the same one that is used to host the Oscars. I can't be sure, but I may have sat in a seat where Chris Hemsworth has sat. Just that thought makes me a little happy! I had an incredible seat - orchestra right, row C. That's every bit as close as it sounds being just 3 rows from the stage. I would have taken pictures inside the theater to share this incredible building, but phones go into a locked pouch during premiere events to keep anyone from sharing any part of the film early. Prior to the movie starting, the live stream of the red carpet is playing for those inside to watch.
Before the movie started, the talented cast and crew took the stage for introductions. Familiar Frozen talents like Indina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff were joined by new cast members for this film including Sterling Brown, Jason Ritter, and Evan Rachel Wood. Everyone on stage was simply glowing as they celebrated their big night! When the cast was taking their seats, one of my friends gave Sterling Brown a "We love you!" shout out and he commented back "I love you too!"
The After Party
Once the movie ended, we headed upstairs to The Ray Dolby Ballroom for the after party. What a whirlwind experience!! Before even entering the ballroom, you can tell this event is all about families and fun. There were areas for photos outside the ballroom, a dance video game, and. . .get this. . .McDonald's Happy Meals! The family friendly food continued inside with hot dogs and mac and cheese joining more sophisticated winter squash lasagna and carrots on the buffet. Over at the dessert station, frozen themed cupcakes, cookies, and treats delighted both kids and adults!
Speaking of kids, it was clear from the start that Disney's Frozen 2 Premiere had kids and families in mind. There were so many games and fun activities around the ballroom - very different than what I expected in a Hollywood After Party but also WAY more fun for the kid in me! Throughout the evening they had charades at the Build-A-Bear table, build your own Olaf with Lego, cartoon drawing instruction, and much, much more. One of my highlights of the night - hanging with Olaf. I mean, I've met the snowman at Walt Disney World before, but being able to congratulate him on his big night in person was a pretty cool experience.
One of the highlights of the evening though was having a chance to say "hi" and celebrate this fabulous film with some of the talented actors that lend their voice talents to the cast. First off, I had met up with Josh Gad, voice of Olaf in both the original Frozen and Frozen 2. He couldn't have been nicer in person and carries just as big of warm smile as his character in the movie. Later on, I ran into Sterling K. Brown as well. You probably recognize him most for his lovable character Randall in This is Us, but you will also fall just as quickly in love with his character, Lieutenant Mattias in Frozen 2 and he is a wonderful addition to the Frozen 2 family. As the night was winding down, I also had a chance to chat with Jason Ritter who voices another new character, Ryder, in Frozen 2. I LOVED him as Mr. Cyr in the television series, Parenthood, and he was wonderful to talk with. He shared his excitement about being part of this film and had a smile that echoed that feeling!
We closed down the after party, literally staying until the lights were back on full force in the ballroom as I wanted to soak in every last minute of this magical evening. There were truly too many pictures and moments to share from the evening, so check out the YouTube video above for a quick recap of the night!
About Frozen 2
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,” she must hope they are enough. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. Looking for more Frozen 2 fun? Check out this trailer preview post including FREE downloads of activities for the whole family to enjoy! And you can find my review posted now to find out what questions you'll have answered during this sequel! Facebook - www.facebook.com/DisneyFrozen
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#Frozen2
I watched the new Frozen 2 trailer and I just can't "let it go!" The royal sisters of Arendelle make a return to the big screen in November 2019 to tell the next chapter and add some backstory all at one time in this upcoming release from Walt Disney Studios.
Let's recap what we know from our original film. Frozen introduced us to Princesses Anna and Elsa who tragically lost their parents in a boating accident at sea. During Elsa's coronation as the new Queen of Arendelle, a secret that she has been fighting to keep hidden for many years is revealed - she has magical powers that freeze items she touches. During her coronation ball, Elsa becomes upset and the whole kingdom witnesses her powers in action. Scared of what this means for her, her sister, and the future of Arendelle, Elsa retreats into the woods and plans to live a life outside of town. Anna's deep love of her sister sends her looking for her - venturing into the frozen woodlands, where she meets Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and a magical snowman, Olaf. Together, they find Elsa, but she refuses to return to Arendelle worried that she'll just bring destruction and misery to the kingdom. During their argument, Elsa accidentally strikes Anna with an ice blast to the heart and Anna leaves to return to Arendelle. Unbeknownst to everyone, Anna's plan to rescue her sister has led Prince Hans' officers to capture Elsa and bring her back. Prince Hans has aspirations of taking over the kingdom and doesn't care who he hurts to get what he wants! When Anna returns to the castle hurt and fighting for her life, Hans turns his back on her and then goes after Elsa who has escaped from prison. Anna, knowing her sister is in danger, uses her last bit of strength to save her sister's life. In the end, we find that it is love that melts a frozen heart and Arendelle is restored to it's un-frozen state with Queen Elsa once again reigning over her people and Hans being exiled from the kingdom.
The latest trailer for Frozen 2 definitely sheds more light on the story that's about to come to life on the big screen - just like our favorite snowman comes to life with Elsa's magic! Let's take a look. . .
So what does it all mean? It looks like we'll find out more about the origin of Elsa's powers as Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf journey into the Enchanted Woods. I'm sure the journey will be an emotional one as we also have more interaction with Anna and Elsa's parents then just a fleeting glimpse of them that we saw in the original. The kingdom of Arendelle appears to be in jeopardy with crazy weather (blowing leaves??) leaving the people wondering how their queen will save them yet again. The bond between these sisters also seems to grow even stronger. In the trailer, Elsa tells Anna "you can't follow me into fire" to which Anna replies "then don't run into fire." As Olaf points out, mortal danger seems to follow this group of heroes wherever they go and I plan to be here for every minute of their next adventure.
Can't wait to share the magic with your family? You can download these FREE printable family activities for the whole family to enjoy! And don't forget to follow #Frozen2 on social media for all the latest buzz.
