Taking the Kids: The 'Frozen' effect in unexpected places

Akershus Fortress/Castle in Oslo dates from medieval times (completed in the 1300s). This is the place to experience 700 years of history -- and perhaps imagine the outside of the castle where Anna and Elsa lived. Come celebrate the holidays. There is also the Norwegian Armed Services Museum and the excellent Norway's Resistance Museum, which tells the story of the tireless Norwegian resistance fighters who fought the Nazis during the five-year occupation of World War II. Here's what I wrote about touring Oslo museums, including the Fortress with the Oslo Pass that provides admission to more than 30 museums. (If the name sounds familiar, that's because at Walt Disney World, the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Epcot is where you can dine with Disney princesses.

Stiftsgarden in Trondheim (the royal residence) is the king's official residence and one of the largest wooden buildings in Scandinavia.

Sognefjord is in the middle of Norway's fjords and it's the place for some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, from strep mountains, the clear blue water and tiny villages. There are winter and summer day cruises and the chance to hike on a glacier. One waterfall is bigger than the next.

The St. Olav’s Church near Balestrand inspired the church in which Princess Elsa was crowned, but the real church has a memorable love story of its own. It was built in memory of Margeret Sophie Green Kvikne, a vicar's daughter from England, who came to Norway as a mountaineering pioneer and married a Norwegian. Her husband promised her when she was dying that he would build an Anglican church in her honor. It was completed three years after her death.

Hungry? The Bergen market was crowded with locals when we visited, sampling food along the way -- a lamb sausage dished up on a flat potato cake, some smoked salmon, etc. A big plus for Americans here, everyone speaks some English.

If you can't make it to Norway, there's more than enough to entertain your young "Frozen" fans at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and onboard Disney ships, including the "Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa and Friends" deck party and the new "Frozen, A Musical Spectacular," which is scheduled to premiere aboard the Disney Wonder next month:

Head to Disney California Adventure for "Anna and Elsa's Royal Welcome," a hug from Olaf the snowman and the chance to draw a snowman with the help of an artist at the Royal Academy before you watch the stage interpretation "Frozen, Live" at the Hyperion.

In Orlando, Walt Disney World’sHollywood Studios features "A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration" and the sisters also figure in "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" musical celebration at the Magic Kingdom. At Epcot, the Norway pavilion has expanded with the "Frozen Ever After" attraction, which gives you a change to tour Arendelle, meet Anna and Elsa at the Royal Sommerhaus just outside a "Norwegian village" and peruse souvenirs at the Wandering Reindeer, housed in a split-log shop.

Hopefully, some day you can take the kids to see the real thing.

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