EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After Just Got an Upgrade Date—And Disney’s Finally Fixing Those “Creepy” Animatronic Faces

If you’ve ever ridden Frozen Ever After at EPCOT and thought Elsa and Anna looked a little… off… you’re not alone. For nearly 10 years, guests have complained about the “uncanny valley” effect of the characters’ projected faces, with some calling them downright creepy. Now, Disney’s finally doing something about it—and the change is happening MUCH sooner than you might think.

According to Disney Food Blog, Frozen Ever After will temporarily close beginning January 26, 2026, for a major animatronic upgrade. Your last chance to see the original projection-faced figures will be January 25th.

What’s Actually Changing

When Frozen Ever After debuted in 2016 as the replacement for the beloved Maelstrom attraction, it was groundbreaking in many ways. The Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff animatronics were the first Disney figures to be completely run on electric motors and manufactured using 3D printing techniques. Revolutionary stuff.

But there was one controversial decision: instead of sculpting the characters’ faces traditionally, Disney used projected animation. The idea was to capture the exact look of the animated film. In practice, many guests found the effect unsettling—describing the figures as having a “creepy bulb-headed look.”

Fast forward to recent years, and Disney’s international parks have cracked the code. The Frozen animatronics at Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea feature fully sculpted faces that maintain the characters’ animated appearance while looking far more lifelike and natural. Guest reception has been overwhelmingly positive.

Now, EPCOT is getting those same upgrades.

Why This Actually Matters

This isn’t just a cosmetic touch-up. The difference between projection-mapped faces and sculpted faces is significant—especially on a dark ride where you’re supposed to be immersed in the world of Arendelle.

The projected faces created a disconnect for many guests. The technology, while innovative in 2016, has since been improved upon. The newer sculpted faces combine those same electric motors and smooth movements with realistic three-dimensional features that actually look like Elsa and Anna stepped out of the screen.

It’s the kind of upgrade that Disney doesn’t always make to existing attractions. The fact that they’re investing in this change shows they’ve heard the feedback and want Frozen Ever After to match the quality standards set by their newer international installations.

When to Visit (Or Avoid)

The ride closes January 26, 2026, and Disney expects to reopen sometime in February—ideally before Presidents’ Day weekend (February 13-22), which is projected to be one of the busiest weeks at Walt Disney World due to the overlap of Presidents’ Day, Mid-Winter Break, Ski Week, and Mardi Gras.

If you want one last look at the original animatronics, you have until January 25th. If you want to see the upgraded versions, plan your visit for late February or beyond.

Keep in mind that Frozen Ever After is consistently one of EPCOT’s most crowded attractions, so expect longer waits once it reopens with the new figures. Curious guests and die-hard Frozen fans will undoubtedly flock to see the improvements.

The Bigger Picture

This upgrade is part of a larger pattern we’re seeing at Disney World right now. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is getting reimagined scenes and a new track. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin is receiving handheld blasters and real-time scoring screens. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is being re-themed to The Muppets.

Disney is investing in its existing attractions, not just building new ones. And for guests who’ve been critical of certain elements—like those projection-mapped faces on Frozen Ever After—it’s a sign that Disney is listening.

So if you’ve been putting off riding Frozen Ever After because the animatronics gave you the creeps, mark your calendar for late February. The new Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff are coming—and this time, they’ll actually look like they belong in the real world, not trapped somewhere between 2D and 3D.