New 'Frozen' ride opening at Disney's Epcot park

This image provided by Disney shows a teenage Elsa the Snow Queen, voiced by Idina Menzel, in a scene from the animated feature "Frozen." (AP / Disney)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- When the Frozen Ever After boat ride opens at Disney's Epcot theme park, guests will sail past audio-animatronic "Frozen" characters as they recreate scenes from the popular movie.

The Orlando Sentinel reports the ride is expected to open in early 2016, replacing the Maelstrom log ride in the Norway pavilion. The new ride uses the existing Viking ships and water flume with renovated scenes from the make-believe kingdom of Arendelle.

The newspaper reports that once on the log ride, they'll be taken to a winter in summer celebration during which Queen Elsa uses magical powers to make it snow on a sunny day.

The ride is based on the wildly popular 2013 film.