Since the release of Disney’s Frozen 2, much has been said regarding the influence Iceland played on the creative team. The country’s beautiful terrain and emphasis on conservation made Iceland the perfect setting for a story that includes so many natural elements.  These same places are accessible to you and I! Today I’ll be talking about some of the places in Iceland that inspired Frozen 2.

Reynisfjara Beach (aka the Black Sand Beach)

The first location is one of the most recognizable locations in the film: Iceland’s famous Black Sand Beach. This is the setting for the scene where Elsa must cross the sea to get to Ahtohallan.  In the film, we see Elsa take off her shoes and dig her bare feet into the black sand rocks as she prepares to run across the water.  While it was WAY too cold for me to do the same (I had every intention of doing that), it was very easy to see how Reynisfjara inspired the Disney team.  It’s almost an exact replica.

Vatnajökull National Park & Glacier (aka the Blue Ice Caves)

The second place that inspired Frozen 2 is the Vatnajökull, the largest and most voluminous ice cap in Iceland. When Elsa finally reaches Ahtohallan, she finds herself in a mysterious ice cave that holds the secrets of her past.  While it’s unclear exactly which glacier influenced the Disney creative team, a good argument can be made for Vatnajökull National Park which has around 30 outlet glaciers flowing from its ice cap. It’s these glaciers that create the stunning blue ice caves that visitors can explore each winter.

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Lava Fields & Icelandic Moss

Iceland has many active and inactive volcanos. These volcanos have created fields of lava that are ALL over the countryside of Iceland.  These lava fields are covered with a wooly fringe moss that is unique to the country.  I was told that this moss forms because of how clean the water, air, and land are (free of pollutants and human tampering). Don’t those elements sound familiar?  When creating the towering “Earth Giants” in Frozen 2, animators used these lava fields and the vast moss coverings as inspiration for the design and structure of these creatures.

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Skógafoss Waterfall

The fourth location that inspired the filmmakers is arguably the most famous of all waterfalls in Iceland, Skogafoss waterfall. It has even been used as the setting in several movies and TV shows over the years. When you stand underneath this thunderous waterfall, it’s easy to see how it closely resembles the barrier between the Enchanted Forest and Arendelle.

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Icelandic Reindeer

In Frozen 2, Kristoff and Sven suddenly find themselves surrounded by tons of Sven’s brothers and sisters! This can, again, be tied back to Iceland, where the reindeer are given free “reign” of the countryside during the winter.  They hang in packs and are free to explore as desired.

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The Northern Lights

Last but not least are the Northern Lights. The nods to the world’s most famous “light show” are ALL over Frozen 2. From the opening credits of the movie to Grand Pabbie’s visions, to the colors of the elements that follow Elsa throughout the film. Anna and Elsa even see them as they look out the windows of the Arendelle palace.

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Throughout their journey, Anna and Elsa take in many breathtaking vistas, expansive waterfalls and mysterious caverns.  The examples above are just a few of the real life places in Iceland that inspired Disney’s Frozen 2.  Visiting post-film release felt almost like walking straight into the settings from the movie.  If you want to feel like Elsa for a day, definitely make your way to Iceland in the winter.

To learn more about the making of Frozen 2, check out Disney’s documentary Into the Unknown. Below is a quick clip showcasing their research trip to Iceland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=045yGFfyNK4

Are you adequately inspired to travel to Iceland in search of this same Frozen 2 magic?! If so, check out my ultimate 3-day Frozen 2 itinerary before you begin your planning.

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