One of the biggest riddles of Disney Frozen is how the choir gets up to the gallery. Nowhere in the movie is an entrance to the gallery or an access of any kind to be seen. All we see during Elsa's coronation scene is a completely open construction of the chapel, but there are twelve singers above the altar. How do they get there? Many fans have wondered how this is possible for ten years of Frozen's existence and everyone has puzzled over it. Even in books and comics, not a single clue is given and, stupidly, nowhere can you see the back of the chapel, i.e. from the west. Not even in Mindcraft designs is this side more clearly visible, which proves that the fans have no idea. However, there is Disney concept art and two, almost identical books about Arendelle Castle. The latter is clearly intended for children, but even there you can see the beginnings of a solution to the problem.
I myself was at a loss until yesterday, when I suddenly realised something while downloading screenshots and concept art. And tada!, suddenly everything was completely simple and logical. I could hardly believe it. You're probably asking yourselves now, "So how does that work? I don't believe anything without proof!" No problem. Let's go!
But first I'd like to show you my initial approach - until it turned out to be rubbish and couldn't work at all because of the open construction, no matter how you twist and turn it. Maybe you've already got there yourself.
Then I looked at the concept art of the chapel from the outside and the floor plan. Suddenly everything was clear to me and it made perfect sense. The only thing that didn't quite fit is the illustration in the book "All Around Arendelle" and the almost identical book "A Frozen World". There, the lower windows of the chapel are not shown, which can be seen in the concept art and round off the picture - also to the original model, St Olaf Church! But hey, it's a children's book and, in my opinion, the only incorrect depiction of the actual situation.
Here is the final proof:
Some side thoughts:
it makes no sense whatsoever to see a ladder or stairs in the church. It also makes no sense for something like this to be brought in from outside before every service.
a permanently installed staircase, but invisible to churchgoers, makes much more sense. But it must be easily accessible for the choir singers who
a) want to rehearse independently of church services and
b) do not enter the chapel at the same time as churchgoers. They arrive in their everyday clothes perhaps half an hour early and only need to put on their robes, which are
c) always ready for them in a locked room behind the altar.
The entrance is well hidden behind the altar screen, and it is very likely that this door is even wallpapered in the style of the immediate surroundings, so it can withstand a casual glance from a curious person. In the room behind it, there is either a ladder to the gallery or - more likely - a permanently installed, narrow staircase leading to a hatch in the gallery. The singers' robes are always hanging ready for changing and the hatch at the top is there so that none of the singers accidentally tumble down the steps when closed.
The stained glass windows around the small room also let in enough light for the singers to get changed in daylight without being seen, to talk face to face before the service and to get into the right mood with the coloured light from this type of window.
There is another good reason for having a room separate from the church. The pastor or bishop can prepare there in peace, store things for the sermon and talk to the choristers undisturbed.
I'm sure there are other reasons for such a room that I just can't think of right now, but you can certainly think of them yourselves.
This is how it would look like if the tapestry wall wouldn't be there:
PS: the only thing I haven't been able to solve yet is how to get up into the bell tower. There is a staircase that leads nowhere and no rope to ring the bell. Very strange…
But on the real model, St Olaf's Church in Norway, you can see a ladder leading up to the bell tower.
Credits to: Art of Animation for the concept art images, and to GETTY images, David Nikel (for Forbes), Visitnorway.com for the images of St. Olaf Church in Balestrand, Norway.
Here are a few more pictures of St Olaf's Church in Balestrand, Norway, for those of you who are interested:
UPDATE 04/2024:
I stumbled upon a screencap from Frozen Fever where you can clearly see the rear left side of the chapel. And there are windows to be seen! I would say: because it's not only a part of the concept art but is seen in the Frozen Fever short too, my theory is confirmed now.
Hi :D Qick question (if it doesn't apply, just ignore me): A few weeks ago I sent you three asks with six Obi-Wan & Dooku fic recs? Did they get lost? I don't want to deprive you of some potentially new Obi-Wan & Dooku interaction. P. S.: I really love your content
Hello, friend! I did receive your messages and then they promptly got buried in the many other messages I have at the moment that I, uhhh, haven’t answered yet. (What is time in quarantine, anyway?) I’m about to head off to bed, but I’ll try and get your recs up tomorrow. THANK YOU for the recs, as I adore Obi-wan and Dooku together and thank you by stopping by the Friendly Lego Compound! :)
Praise the lord!! I am so pleased:) Now I can study be on tumblr from the living room while I watch tv!. Also, called lost and found and my phone still hasn't turned up. So tomorrow, I am getting a new phone.
