The highly anticipated Disney film “The Princess and the Frog” opens everywhere on December 11 but for audiences in New York and Los Angeles, they’ll not only get a chance to see it beginning Wednesday, November 25, but they’ll get a full blown Disney Experience surrounding it.
I was lucky enough to enjoy “The Princess and the Frog” Ultimate Disney Experience in Los Angeles this past weekend and I must say, if you have kids who are into Disney (and particularly princesses) it is pretty darn awesome.
By clicking the photo on the right, you can check out some photos I took from the tour, including the famous Disney water tour, the frog marks you follow to get to the theater and even the inside of the experience where you can meet all your favorite Disney princesses, see all sorts of cool Disney memorabilia, get photos taken and play “Princess and the Frog” themed games.
The Los Angeles experience goes a little something like this… (In New York, the experience is similar, but instead of being all in one place, the film is playing at the legendary Ziegfeld Theater and the experience part is a few blocks away at Roseland Ballroom)
We drove up to The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank and were greeted but a ton of friendly people who lead us to a parking garage. From there, we followed the green frog prints to the Welcome Center where we checked in and picked up some refreshments. That room has a ton of cool Disney props and is just a hint of what is in store.
Following the frog prints again, we were lead to the luxurious theater which had a huge “Princess and the Frog” banner in front of it. The theater is large and comfortable but the bathrooms are small. Take note. Inside, there was a organ player belting out all your favorite Disney tunes, a perfect mood setter. Then the film began. Our review will be coming soon, but safe to say the movie is quite excellent.
After the film, more frogs feet lead us to the experience on Sound Stage 3. Upon entering, the first thing one notices is is Tiana, the lead character right in the center of the room for kids to take photos with. Then, as you look around you realize that Every. Single. Disney. Princess. is there too. I’m talking Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Belle, Pocahontas and more. All played by beautiful actresses who are super personable and willing to take photos and answer questions.
On the left side, there are several games that kids can play where they can throw frogs or velcro darts in (loose) theme with the movie. There’s even a bayou obstacle course. All the way across from that are several glass cases of Disney props – I took photos of Troy Bolton from “High School Musical 3″ as well as “Hannah Montana: The Movie.” That’s right next to the small gift shop and a special section where you and your family can be digitally placed in a photo with characters from the movie (see the last photo of the gallery featuring yours truly). You can even learn to draw like a real Disney animator!
All in all, “The Princess and the Frog” Ultimate Disney Experience is a very fun couple of hours for the whole family. It’s a little expensive, but if you bring your camera – and your patience – the memories that you can make are well worth the price.
The experience will be happen from November 25 through December 13 and it’s highly encouraged that tickets are purchased in advance at www.princessandfrogtickets.com.
And keep checking KidGlue.com for more photos and information about “The Princess and the Frog,” opening in theaters everywhere December 11.
