After joining the elusive billion-dollar club at the worldwide box office (and nabbing an Oscar or two), Disney’s animated sensation Frozen has finally arrived on Blu-ray so that kids everywhere can experience its magic over and over (and over). The journey of Anna (Kristen Bell) to get her magical sister Elsa (Idina Menzel) to unfreeze the world with the help of a big lug named Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his reindeer, and a goofball snowman named Olaf (Josh Gad) has touched the hearts of audiences across the globe, so we journeyed to the place where it all began: Quebec City, home of the world-famous Hotel de Glace.
This hotel, crafted entirely out of snow and ice by many talented artists, stood a mere three months this year, melting away until next winter when an entirely new design will be erected, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was this spot where the makers of “Frozen” went to experience for themselves a world made entirely out of ice, a trip which ultimately informed the look of the film, including Elsa’s snow fortress. It all came full circle when these creators came back to Hotel de Glace — where a Frozen-themed room complete with Olaf now stood — to talk to the press about the film and its success.
We had the chance to make the journey to The Great White North with them, and it proved to be a memorable trip spending a night in a luxury ice suite. It’s something you will have to experience for yourself for full effect, but rest assured that we were plenty warm inside our sleeping bags, and the quiet serenity of this unique environment made for one of the best night’s sleep imaginable. It also helped knowing that hot chocolate and an ice bar stocked with alcohol were only a few steps away!
Check out this video of our trip, featuring interviews with Frozen directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, along with art director Michael Giaimo and producer Peter Del Vecho, who discuss the challenges of making the film and how the Hotel de Glace played such a pivotal role in a new screen classic’s creation.
