If you're a Frozen fan living in the tri-state area, you'll definitely want to venture to the Big Apple to see this limited time magic!
With the debut of Frozen 2, Disney paired with the renowned luxury department store, Saks Fifth Avenue, to bring several themed experiences to the heart of New York City. On November 25th, Saks unveiled their beautiful display of windows and corresponding light show with the help of the incomparable Idina Menzel and characters from the newly released film.
Known for their wondrous Christmas offerings, Saks produced yet another iconic display with their six Frozen 2 vignettes at the center of their flagship store. Each window of the display highlights an element or moment in the journey of our fearless Frozen favorites.
In the first vignette, we meet Elsa in the midst of singing 'Into the Unknown.' She appears in a burgundy-violet dress, amidst the mysteries of her parents' past, her powers, and the elements she must calm during her impending journey.
Everyone's favorite snowman, Olaf, appears in the second vignette, blowing about a collection of autumnal leaves. Motion is included in this display as Olaf rotates, slowly pivoting from left to right.
Elsa appears again in the third window from behind a tree. In her blue ombré garment, determined to discover what has set the forest ablaze, Elsa shifts from left to right with an ever changing backdrop and guest appearance by Bruni, the salamander fire spirit.
The fourth display reveals Elsa with her new companion, the Water Nokk, riding a massive glowing wave. Fresh from her trials in the water, Elsa no longer has her distinctive braid. She tames the Nokk and courageously rides to Ahtohallan, the location where Elsa will discover the key to who she truly is.
Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and the Earth Giants appear in the fifth vignette, paralleling their story in a compressed series of scenes from the film. One Earth Giant awakens from his slumber as Anna calls out and Kristoff gallops to her aid.
The final and most stunning window illustrates a segment of Elsa's ballad titled 'Show Yourself.' Symbols of all the elements surround Elsa as diamonds and glitter as the lighting changes from a warm glow to an icy blue-violet.
As the sun sets for the day, Saks' light show begins. This year's melody matches the inspired windows as the twinkling castle lights on the facade of the luxury store twinkle to the tunes of Frozen and holiday favorites. The show replays every ten minutes, which is indicated by a clock within the castle decor.
While the windows and musical light show are widely publicized, the experience on Saks' 9th floor is somewhat of a secret. When the pairing between Disney and Saks was first introduced, guests were offered a very special opportunity to purchase a ticket to the Enchanted Forest, a multi-room experience that parallels Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf's journey through the film. Tickets were extremely limited and required guests to reserve a time slot for a day of their choosing ... so limited in fact that it sold out within minutes, leaving many fans disappointed. Now here is a little known secret - You CAN partake in this experience even if you did not nab one of those coveted sets of tickets! However, much like not having a FastPass for the parks, you will have to wait on a standby line and hope that reserved guests move swiftly through the exhibit.
That is exactly what happened for us. Prior to our visit, I inquired through the store's online contact form about the experience and whether or not guests without a ticket would be permitted into the exhibit. The response I received from the staff member assigned to my inquiry was 'unfortunately not.' As disheartening as that was, we did not give up. On December 15th, we investigated what was available on the 9th floor of the flagship store and were delighted when a staff member let us in on the standby secret. After several tries to join the standby line (due to the increased influx of holiday patrons), we finally were able to reserve a spot. Yet another gracious staff member gave us a code and walked us through the procedures of securing a standby ticket. Much like the coveted limited release reservations, this ticket cost $5 per person which, in turn, would be donated to NewYork-Presbyterian Phyllis and David Komansky Children’s Hospital.
With our standby tickets at the ready, we waited for our chance to go in. The procedures were much like the parks, and understandably so. Those with reserved times proceeded into the exhibit first. Once the exhibit cleared, staff members would allow small parties from the standby line into the experience. While those working at Saks stated that the wait would be about 20 minutes, it was longer than that provided time frame.
Before you enter the exhibit, a member of the experience's team scans your ticket (in our case, it was a mobile ticket) and provides you with a booklet to help navigate the experience. The booklet (as seen here) is geared towards children and guides them through the elements present in each room in addition to coloring pages, a maze and word-search, and display of Saks' Frozen merchandise.
After acquiring the booklet, you enter a narrow passageway where the storytelling begins. Symbols of the elements appear on rock formations (much like those present in the film) in the causeway where a screen illuminates with visuals and words spoken by the Saks attendant at the origin of the experience. It is there that guests are encouraged to use their icy powers to open the door of the exhibit and begin their journey. Once all their powers combine, guests are invited into the first room of the experience where a trailer-like video is played introducing guests to the storyline and main characters of Frozen 2. This room contained forest-like theming in addition to benches for guests to sit on during the showing of the video.
Upon conclusion of the brief video, guests were escorted into the first of the elemental rooms - wind. It was here that we learned of the diamond-shaped symbols representing the elements which were hidden throughout the exhibit. It was our assignment as guests to find all the symbols in each room a mark it in our booklets (this was an especially fun activity for little explorers).
In the wind-dedicated room, we see the effects of Gail, as she lifts Olaf and Sven about the warm autumn forest. Kids can get in on the fun with Gail too as they gather a bundle of leaves and throw them above their heads in celebration.
As guests approached the next room, the exhibit attendants introduced the havoc that an adorable little troublemaker has created in the forest. While on the lookout for Bruni, guests were once again asked to use their Elsa-like powers to put out the raging magenta fires that illuminate the base of each wall within the room. After the fires where extinguished, Bruni began to hop about the room from wall to wall. The little ones loved that as they chased him throughout the room.
The next elemental room - earth - proved to be a portrait photo opportunity as guest could sit atop tremendous stumps and take photographs amongst the scenery. Much like the earlier two rooms, the earth room also had hidden symbols to find.
Upon entering the next room, guests were met with the Water Nokk, a gorgeous, glowing green-eyed horse against a shimmering cresting wave. Once again, guests were encouraged to take photographs here and search for the hidden water signs.
What seemed like the last room in the exhibit was by far our favorite. The unification of all the elements is on display, marking the culmination of Elsa's journey with wall to wall mirrors crowned by a beautiful snowflake. Without giving away spoilers for those yet to see the film, it really does make you feel as if you have stepped into Elsa's shoes.
While Elsa's journey as shown through the exhibit may be complete, there was one more surprise up Saks' sleeve. At the very end of the experience, Elsa and Anna, dressed in their final garments from the film, await your arrival to hear all about your journey. No need to take out your camera or cell phone to capture the moment - there are two character attendants who are at the ready to take your photo which is later printed and present in a Frozen - themed envelope, completely complimentary of your visit.
Just when you think your experience is over, there are two encased costumes at the exit of the exhibit which match those worn by Elsa and Anna for a majority of the sequel. You will definitely want to get up close to see the incredible level of detail that these costumes contain.
While this may be the best kept current Disney secret in the Big Apple, it is also the most limited in terms of its timeframe. If you want to catch this experience, you will have to head over to Saks Fifth Avenue before Christmas as the exhibit closes at the end of the day on Christmas Eve.
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