Elsa's long term plans on the mountain

Question

After Elsa's powers are revealed to the people of Arendelle Elsa runs away and climbs up to the shoulder of an impressive mountain crag. Then she uses her magic to build a majestic ice palace. It is unclear how long all this takes, but I think it is safe to say that Anna doesn't reach the palace until early afternoon.

When Anna does confront Elsa in Elsa's new ice palace Elsa seems to think she will be able to live alone in the ice palace for the rest of her life. However she would clearly need some support in the form of food at a minimum. By this time the adrenaline of the flight from Arendelle should have worn off, and Elsa surely would be getting hungry. We know both girls love the smell of chocolate, but that doesn't signal in my mind that Elsa must eat.

Was Elsa just being obstinate with Anna, or is Elsa capable of living without food/logistical support?

Answer 1

Elsa had no long term plan. She spent the latter half of her childhood and all of her teen years as a pariah due to her powers. Her parents died leaving her unequipped to deal with the responsibility of a kingdom. The first time they had opened the gates to the castle in nearly a decade, and snow hits the fan pretty much immediately. Elsa freaks out and climbs a snow covered mountain out of fear. The same night, her sister comes to find her.

This not a well thought out plan. It was a spur of the moment fight or flight response by a teen who thinks she's a monster. The reality of her situation did not hit yet. Logistics wasn't considered.

Then again, it's possible that she's no longer human with a need for food. Most snow monsters don't eat. She also lacks a need for warmth. Most people would die without a fire or warm clothes for extended time in a freak blizzard. She can also create life by accident. Olaf and the little snow bastard Snowgies from the short sequel, Frozen Fever. Of course, Elsa catches a cold, so her biology is so strange it's hard to explain.

Historically, Soybeans weren't grown outside of botany curiosities in Norway and Europe until the late 1800s, turn of the century 1900. Ice Cream Sandwiches were first documented in turn of the century 1900 USA. Soy Ice Cream was first created around 1920s USA. Frozen was set in Norway July of 1839. So soy ice cream sandwich is... unlikely.

Answer 2

Practical Architecture

The original concept art for Frozen shows a few additional features that were ultimately removed from the film:

Bedroom

Throne Room

Food

Idina Menzel (the actress who voiced Elsa) stated in a recent web Q+A that the Queen eats "Soy ice cream sandwiches".

Marina Vickery : What does Elsa eat in her ice castle? Serious question lol my son wants to know

Idina Menzel : Elsa eats soy ice cream sandwiches.

Drink

It seems reasonable that she could simply melt some snow when she gets thirsty.

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(ahem) Pooping

History doesn't record where the Ice Queen poops but I suspect that there's an ice toilet somewhere in the palace, complete with an ice bidet. Well, she did say that the cold doesn't bother her...