**Official Frozen Sing-Along, Oaken's, Holiday Premium Package Tips, updated 1/5/15

[ktgg828]

My trip is in a week. Can anyone comment on crowd levels right now with all the frozen stuff? We have the package and I'm curious how packed it'll be. Also how's the weather? Thanks!

 

[dawnhaze]

Anyone know how the merchandise availability is? My DHS day is next Tuesday and that's really the only thing I'm anxious about!

 

[lovethattink]

My trip is in a week. Can anyone comment on crowd levels right now with all the frozen stuff? We have the package and I'm curious how packed it'll be. Also how's the weather? Thanks!

The crowds should be less than they've been. Summer vacations are mostly over, and area schools are back in session. Weekends will be busier than weekdays, but it's still in the slower season now.

Temps are still in the 90's during the day and high 70's for lows. It's hot and humid, with occasional thunder showers.

About 200 packages are sold daily. It won't feel crowded in that area.

Anyone know how the merchandise availability is? My DHS day is next Tuesday and that's really the only thing I'm anxious about!

Are you looking for anything in particular?

I'm 99% sure that I am going to cancel our premium package for august 31st. If anyone is interested let me know, it's for 4 people. ....maybe we can coordinate

Thanks for the heads up. I hope you can help someone out if you decide to cancel.

 

[dawnhaze]

Are you looking for anything in particular?

I probably should have included that. I was hoping for one of the LE talking Olaf MBs but if there's none of those left, I'd be happy with one of the Anna/Elsa/regular-Olaf ones. I'd also really like to get Anna and Elsa plush dolls, or one of the "topsy-turvy" flip-over dolls that can be either one of them.

I already got an Olaf plush online and I've seen Sven available so I can just order one when I get home if I need to.

Not hoping for dresses, costume accessories, etc. They don't make them in my (very large) size.

 

[princessekrus]

Anyone know how the merchandise availability is? My DHS day is next Tuesday and that's really the only thing I'm anxious about!

I was at the trading post today. They had Elsa dresses and Anna's traveling dress. Looked like lots of sizes. I found it interesting that the dress was actually the Disney store dress, not the park dress. I think BBB may be the only spot to get the park dress, I have not seen it out at other stores (but I haven't been paying super close attention either.

They had all the magic bands displayed, including the Olaf limited edition- but I didn't ask about availability. Lots of Barbie-sized dolls, figurine sets, pins. Didn't see any Sven plus, buts tons of Olaf, and I've seen the switch dolls(half Elsa/half Anna) several places.

Have a great trip!

 

[lovethattink]

I probably should have included that. I was hoping for one of the LE talking Olaf MBs but if there's none of those left, I'd be happy with one of the Anna/Elsa/regular-Olaf ones. I'd also really like to get Anna and Elsa plush dolls, or one of the "topsy-turvy" flip-over dolls that can be either one of them.

I already got an Olaf plush online and I've seen Sven available so I can just order one when I get home if I need to.

Not hoping for dresses, costume accessories, etc. They don't make them in my (very large) size.

There were plenty of each magic band last week. Lots of Topsy turvy dolls. I'm not sure what the Anna or Elsa plush dolls are.

 

[dawnhaze]

Thanks, folks! Can't wait to go spend money.

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks, folks! Can't wait to go spend money.

Lol.

 

[jenhelgren]

Does anyone know how much the Anna and Elsa dresses are at the Trading Post? My daughter is saving up every dollar she has and I want to put it all into a gift card before our trip. She has high hopes of buying both so I want to have a realistic expectation of prices before we get there

Anyone-even an estimate????
I know the Disney Store dresses are always in the $45-$55 range but I'm guessing they will be more in the parks.....

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

We were Disney bounding that day-I was Anna, my daughter was Olaf and my husband was Elsa (his hair is nearly white). The ladies saw us and were noticed we were bounding.
On a side note-I am now completely addicted to Disney bounding. It is so much fun.

[/QUOTE]

You seriously must post a picture of your DH as Elsa. This I have to see.

 

[esmom]

Did anyone do the package since the fireworks changed to 9:15? What time were you to return for the dessert package?

Great question, I'm heading there next Monday and this info could really help me out. If no one responds I'll let you know next week! Thanks for all your updates.

 

[esmom]

Whoops, double post

 

[lovethattink]

Great question, I'm heading there next Monday and this info could really help me out. If no one responds I'll let you know next week! Thanks for all your updates.

Thanks. Appreciate it. I'm sure they'll tell you the day of the package. But it would be nice to know in advance.

 

[lovethattink]

Anyone-even an estimate????
I know the Disney Store dresses are always in the $45-$55 range but I'm guessing they will be more in the parks.....

I think I'm stopping by tomorrow. If I get into Oaken's I'll check out those dress prices.

 

[ldymcbth]

We got back today, did the Frozen Premium package yesterday. Here are my thoughts:

Parade: Would have been happier without the package. Package seating is not great, and CMs are not enforcing the kids only (or kids + 1 parent) seating at the roped areas. There were SEVERAL grown adults sitting front row rope in front of little kids, and 1 grown grandmother who was a row back and KNEELED the whole time and allowed her granddaughter to stand the whole time. Even after other patrons asked them to be seated, it didn't change, and CMs absolutely did nothing and did not care. The snacks and water are nice but to get a good seat you have to be there easily as early as you would to get a regular good seat, so IMO the premiere package totally not worth it at this point. Also, on the day we did the package Dara Vamp came out and quizzed the premiere people with Frozen questions, awarding correct answers with rings and keychains. If that's the sort of thing that trips your kid out (not getting chosen, etc), then plan accordingly and maybe bring something of your own to give them. The kids who were chosen were the ones who were loud, jumping around, waving hands, etc. - if your kids (like mine) are more of a patient hand in the air kinda kid, they will likely not get picked.

The parade itself is cute but very short.

Singalong: The singalong is great - wonderful - a must see. I hope they keep this somehow, it's so cute and well done. It was nice to pick a time to see it. It's not the front rows reserved, though, it's rows 3-5 or 6. There are 2 rows in front of the premium seating - 1 is a row for wheelchairs and companions, and one is supposedly for performer's family though on our day they let anyone sit there. Just an FYI.

Dessert party : The desserts were lovely. It was a fun time. The viewing area is really good for the stage things, ok for fireworks. But again, to get a good table you have to queue up in advance of the party start, and for ME one of the things I felt like I was paying premium $$ for was to NOT have to waste so much time waiting. I don't feel like the premium tickets saved me any time at all. So if that's why you are buying them, I recommend saving that money and doing something else with it.

Hope that helps someone! I think my attitude suffered because I felt like we spent SO MUCH to be there (park tickets + premiere package for six) that I felt like we really needed to get our money's worth. We would have been better off without the package, honestly.

Other stuff:
Wandering Oaken's shop - there was little to no wait to get in all day. Merchandise was well-stocked, even dresses. There's a pressed penny machine in there, which is awesome and made a good, cheap keepsake and we didn't have to stand in line to check-out.

Frozen Funland - we spent a ton of time in here. Did snowman building twice, and ice skated. It was really fun, and well-themed, and we enjoyed our time in here a bunch.

 

[ldymcbth]

Thanks. Appreciate it. I'm sure they'll tell you the day of the package. But it would be nice to know in advance.

We had to be back for the party at 8:00. We showed up at about 10 til 8 and the line was probably 40 people deep already to get into the party area, so keep that in mind. They will NOT run out of drinks/desserts but closer tables go quickly.

 

[ldymcbth]

I think I'm stopping by tomorrow. If I get into Oaken's I'll check out those dress prices.

I didn't check prices, but did notice that a) there were plenty in stock and b) they were the Disney Store dresses. I think a guesstimate of $50-60 is probably right - I think that's what I spent when I bought Elsa at Disney Store before the movie came out. Hope that helps.

 

[andeesings]

Anyone-even an estimate???? I know the Disney Store dresses are always in the $45-$55 range but I'm guessing they will be more in the parks.....

I was there on Thursday-- the dresses are $64.95

 

[andeesings]

I had the premium package, and I just wanted to say that we thought it was worth it not to be CROWDED. It was hot as anything and the fact that no one was crushing us and we could just stand back and enjoy was worth any money that I spent on it. Plus we literally ate three ice creams and took three drinks that morning so that made it worth it for us,

I also didn't mind people seating in the premium area. It wasn't crowded, so we stood back and enjoyed. I did like that our dessert party was in playhouse Disney, though it would've been nice if there had been ice cream again for us during the fireworks-- they had the carts with everything inside but it would've been better had they been outside after the dessert party.

No lines at Oaken's, and the singalong was the most fun we had ALL TRIP (and we are two adults). Happy to see they're shutting down Idol and putting it permanently in there.

 

[lovethattink]

ldymcbth, thanks for sharing your experiences.

We got back today, did the Frozen Premium package yesterday. Here are my thoughts:

Parade: Would have been happier without the package. Package seating is not great, and CMs are not enforcing the kids only (or kids + 1 parent) seating at the roped areas. There were SEVERAL grown adults sitting front row rope in front of little kids, and 1 grown grandmother who was a row back and KNEELED the whole time and allowed her granddaughter to stand the whole time. Even after other patrons asked them to be seated, it didn't change, and CMs absolutely did nothing and did not care. The snacks and water are nice but to get a good seat you have to be there easily as early as you would to get a regular good seat, so IMO the premiere package totally not worth it at this point. Also, on the day we did the package Dara Vamp came out and quizzed the premiere people with Frozen questions, awarding correct answers with rings and keychains. If that's the sort of thing that trips your kid out (not getting chosen, etc), then plan accordingly and maybe bring something of your own to give them. The kids who were chosen were the ones who were loud, jumping around, waving hands, etc. - if your kids (like mine) are more of a patient hand in the air kinda kid, they will likely not get picked.

The parade itself is cute but very short.

Your parade experience is pretty common. There is just a taped off area for the kids. I think I was calling it a roped off area, but actually it's tape on the ground. That is the only area where seating is required. Anywhere else along the rope is fair game to stand, and most people do.

People do line up as early and some earlier to get a decent spot in the package area. Which was partly why we chose to not stay in the viewing area for the parade. We ate some snacks then left, taking a drink and snack with us, and found our own spot.

The plus to the package viewing is seeing the stage part of the welcome. It's my understanding that they now let the package guests to the front of the stage before the rest of the guests.

Singalong: The singalong is great - wonderful - a must see. I hope they keep this somehow, it's so cute and well done. It was nice to pick a time to see it. It's not the front rows reserved, though, it's rows 3-5 or 6. There are 2 rows in front of the premium seating - 1 is a row for wheelchairs and companions, and one is supposedly for performer's family though on our day they let anyone sit there. Just an FYI.

The 1st weekend it was the 1st 5 rows for the package. But since then it's been just the 3rd and 4th, possibly the 5th if needed. Any seats left in the 1st and 2nd row get filled in with late arrivals if the show is filled to capacity.

Dessert party : The desserts were lovely. It was a fun time. The viewing area is really good for the stage things, ok for fireworks. But again, to get a good table you have to queue up in advance of the party start, and for ME one of the things I felt like I was paying premium $$ for was to NOT have to waste so much time waiting. I don't feel like the premium tickets saved me any time at all. So if that's why you are buying them, I recommend saving that money and doing something else with it.

The desserts were the best part!

I guess we got lucky having rain and the tables inside at Disney Jr. When we came back out after the dessert, there were no tables in the viewing area. It was the same as it was for the parade.

I agree, the package doesn't save any time. But it does help with providing a reserved non-crowded area for the fireworks and parade, and reserved seating for the singalong.

The package is certainly not necessary as the parade, singalong, and fireworks are available to everyone.

Hope that helps someone! I think my attitude suffered because I felt like we spent SO MUCH to be there (park tickets + premiere package for six) that I felt like we really needed to get our money's worth. We would have been better off without the package, honestly.

It is a costly package. And you're right, to optimize your experience even in the package it takes invested time on top of the package price.

Other stuff:
Wandering Oaken's shop - there was little to no wait to get in all day. Merchandise was well-stocked, even dresses. There's a pressed penny machine in there, which is awesome and made a good, cheap keepsake and we didn't have to stand in line to check-out.

Frozen Funland - we spent a ton of time in here. Did snowman building twice, and ice skated. It was really fun, and well-themed, and we enjoyed our time in here a bunch.

Glad you enjoyed Oaken's. The press penny is cool. That's the only one at DHS that has all 3 penny's as Frozen. The others, In Character and Disney & Co. only have 1 Frozen character.