Outside, it was damp, dreary and depressing.
Inside, a welcoming winter wonderland awaited.
Snowflakes sparkled. Icicles shimmered. A snowman smiled.
Around 50 adults and children braved the stormy Florida weather to attend the “Frozen” Tea Party at Haile Village Bistro at 5323 SW 91st Terrace on Sunday afternoon. The restaurant is located at the Village Center of Haile Plantation. The family-friendly event was held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“Oh, I love Disney,” said Jayne Yazdi, co-owner of the bistro. “I love anything that’s magical, really. And all this is magical. Isn’t it?”
“Frozen” is a Disney movie about two royal sisters, Princess Anna and Queen Elsa, in the kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa can create snow and ice with her hands, a magical power she keeps hidden from her sister. When exposed at a party, fear causes her powers to spiral out of control. Summer quickly becomes winter. Elsa runs away to live on her own. But the two sisters must mend their relationship to free Arendelle from the eternal winter.
The movie grossed nearly $1.3 billion at the box office when released in November 2013.
Haile Village Bistro has been hosting its popular Disney-themed tea party for about three years. The event is held in January and July, on one weekend in each month.
In previous years, the kid-oriented tea parties consisted of two general themes: princesses and pirates. Over time, it just developed into what it is now, Yazdi said.
The event was so well-liked, the restaurant had to stretch it over both weekend days.
“Initially, we only did it one Saturday,” the 58-year-old Disney fan said. “This is the third time we’ve had to do two days. And we were sold out both days.”
The cost to attend the tea party was $11.99 for children under 10 and $26.99 for adults. The price included finger foods, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks. “Elsa’s Cold Front Cocktail,” a drink made of Malibu rum, peppermint Schnapps and white chocolate liqueur, was available to the adults for $5.
Music from the “Frozen” soundtrack set the mood as the families were seated. There, they feasted their eyes on quiche, four kinds of finger sandwiches (egg salad, Nutella, ham, and cucumber and cream cheese), cerulean-colored macaroons, and snowflake-shaped sugar cookies. Lisa Glave, general manager of The Queen’s Arms Pub next door, said all the desserts were made in-house.
Two kettles were also on the table: one with hot tea for the adults and one with lemonade for the kids.
As guests sipped, snacked and socialized, the “Frozen” characters began to make an appearance.
First came Olaf, the lovable, magical snowman who had an unrealistic fascination with summer. Next was Princess Anna followed by her frosty sister, Queen Elsa.
One character, however, was missing: Anna’s adventure companion and eventual love interest, Kristoff.
“We do have the costume, but we couldn’t get anybody to play him,” Glave, 46, said with disappointment.
The snowman, princess and queen made their rounds, greeting the littlest guests with smiles and hugs at each table. Princess Anna handed each child a goodie bag containing marshmallows, pretzel sticks and chocolate pieces, the makings of an edible snowman. Later, each character posed for pictures with the tiny Annas, Elsas and one mini Olaf in front of a twinkling icy-blue backdrop.
All three costume characters were volunteers who received free dinners for their time, Yazdi said.
Although most of the guests came to know and love “Frozen” by simply watching the movie, 3-year-old Lucia Santiago was introduced to it in a different way.
“She didn’t watch TV for two years,” said Shanna Santiago, Lucia’s mother. “She likes the music. We listen to the soundtrack all the time. We didn’t let her watch TV, but she knew all the songs.”
When Lucia finally saw the movie, she loved it even more, Santiago said.
Young girls weren’t the only “Frozen” fans in attendance Sunday afternoon. Three families brought along their little boys, who appeared to be enjoying the party despite being outnumbered.
Near the afternoon’s end, the small guests were asked to come to the dance floor, a large mat with a picture of Anna, Elsa and Olaf on it. Elsa’s signature song, “Let It Go,” wafted from the speakers as the kids joined hands while they danced and sang along.
“It’s fabulous. And the kids love it,” Yazdi said. “That’s what it’s all about.”