We think we know the world of Arendelle, its snow-capped mountains and its icy lake by heart. However, behind this decor that has become cult, a real village exists, hidden in the middle of the Alps.
It is in the spring of 2026 that Disneyland Paris is preparing to open World of Frozen, an area entirely dedicated to Snow Queen in the expansion of Disney Adventure World. Visitors will be able to discover a brand new attraction that instantly immerses them in the icy world of the kingdom of Arendelle, alongside children’s most popular sisters, Anna and Elsa. The pharaonic project long awaited by fans will be especially dazzling with its impressive decor, made up of buildings inspired by traditional Scandinavian architecture. Without forgetting Elsa’s Ice Palace, and above all, its three-hectare lake, which will amaze young and old alike.
But did you know that this breathtaking landscape was inspired by a real village? Indeed, the directors of the Disney cartoon were inspired by a particular place, where the majestic and rugged landscapes are imbued with magic and enchantment, just like the kingdom of Arendelle! It is also surrounded by a lake and mountains, offering a breathtaking panorama. With its small streets, its houses and its vegetation, it is even classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.
It’s a village in the Austrian Alps called Hallstatt, which is regularly covered in snow, making it even more like the kingdom of Arendelle. And that’s not all: in Frozen 2, Elsa and Anna set off with Kristoff, Sven and Olaf to explore a once enchanted forest and the two sisters seek to uncover the origin of Elsa’s powers. In fact, not far from Hallstatt, on the west side, a path leads walkers towards the Echern valley, known for its ice caves and the Waldbachstrub waterfall.
However, given the success of this village, curious tourists rush to take their best photos in front of these snowy landscapes. The mayor of Hallstatt had considered reducing the number of visitors, which reached nearly 10,000 people per day, by closing certain roads to the public and restricting bus parking in order to allow residents to move freely. Finally, according to The Guardian, the village of Hallstatt, which appeared in 2006 in a South Korean program, would have given ideas to a Chinese businessman who had a copy of Arendelle Castle built in Huizhou in the province of Guangdong. Despite this imitation, Frozen fans mostly choose to visit Hallstatt, the real-life village that inspired the Disney film. A large proportion of travelers who come to Austria come from South Korea, Japan or China.
