It’s a busy time at Disneyland Paris with Walt Disney Studios becoming the new Disney Adventure World, the opening of the World of Frozen, a host of new attractions and experiences being added, and upgrades to Disney Village and Disney Hotels.
Disneyland Paris has celebrated its 33rd anniversary with the release of new details and images as it continues a major transformation.
The resort’s second park is undergoing a huge expansion and what has long been known as Walt Disney Studios will be renamed Disney Adventure World in 2026 and offer new attractions and experiences.
Opening of World Premiere
Called Studio 1 since the creation of Walt Disney Studios Park in 2002, this space has undergone a retheming, evolving from a place that used to offer a behind-the-scenes insight into the magic of movie-making to World Premiere, transporting visitors to the heart of a glamorous Hollywood film premiere.
Opening on 15th May, the décor, refurbished spaces and brand-new storyline aims to immerse guests of all ages in an authentic Hollywood boulevard, recognisable by its palm trees, varied architectural styles, iconic stars on the ground, and nods to its famous movie theatres. There will also be new eateries and retail spots.
Once outside the building, guests will arrive in the heart of World Premiere Plaza, an area bringing together several theatres, including Studio Theatre, Studio D and Animagique Theatre, where many shows celebrating Disney Animation and Pixar stories are performed every day.
Natacha Rafalski, president of Disneyland Paris said: “As part of the 2-billion-euro investment plan announced in 2018, we continue to reinvent this park with a fresh creative vision. At the end of its expansion journey – which includes the opening of Adventure Way, Adventure Bay, and World of Frozen in 2026, and later an immersive world themed to The Lion King – we’ll have reimagined more than 90% of the park’s offerings since its debut in 2002, and roughly doubled its footprint to truly become a can’t-miss experience!”
“We’ll have reimagined more than 90% of the park’s offerings since its debut in 2002, and roughly doubled its footprint to truly become a can’t-miss experience!”
Natacha Rafalski, president of Disneyland Paris
World of Frozen set to be a huge draw
A brand-new themed area dedicated to Disney Animation’s Frozen is highly anticipated, and set to open in 2026. More is coming into view and the finishing touches are being added to the North Mountain, which rises 36 metres above the ground.
World of Frozen will immerse visitors in the heart of the Kingdom of Arendelle and introduce an all-new attraction that will bring young and old on a journey alongside the ever-popular characters of Anna and Elsa. There will also be shopping and dining experiences as well as the opportunity to meet the beloved sisters in person.
Plus, an all-new night-time spectacular will debut on and above the central lake. The banks along Adventure Bay and The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge will be the spot to see a combination of water screens, fountains, special effects, and an innovative drone choreography that will come to life at night.
Adventure Way featuring new ride and themed gardens
Disney Adventure World is also set to introduce a flying carousel linked to the animated move, Up which will be located across from Raiponce Tangled Spin, another attraction that is already being brought to life in the heart of Adventure Way. The construction of this new family attraction and its themed garden will begin by the end of 2025.
Featuring themed gardens inspired by Disney Animation’s Tangled and Pixar’s Toy Story, Adventure Way has been dreamed up as a crossroads between the front of the park – which is notably made up of Marvel Avengers Campus and Worlds of Pixar – and the future immersive areas inspired by Frozen and The Lion King.
Adventure Way will also be home to The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge, a restaurant where guests will not only be able to meet Disney Princesses but also watch the new night-time spectacular that will light up the new Adventure Bay central lake at night.
An immersive world dedicated to The Lion King
In August 2024, Disneyland Paris announced the construction of the first-ever immersive world entirely dedicated to The Lion King and construction is set to begin this autumn.
When the sun rises on this realm after the grand opening of World of Frozen, an all-new attraction blending a spectacular water experience with state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics® technology will plunge guests into the heart of the Pride Lands, where Simba will await them for an adventure complete with iconic songs from the 1994 animated movie. This attraction will be one of the biggest at Disneyland Paris.
Make-overs for Disney Hotels
After the reopening of Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel in 2021 (561 rooms) and the unveiling of the reimagined Disneyland Hotel in 2024 (487 rooms), Disneyland Paris has revealed the transformation of the Disney Sequoia Lodge, and its 1,010 rooms.
Starting in 2026, a major refurbishment project will be carried out to enhance and elevate the experience that celebrates nature in the heart of a setting filled with pine trees and sequoias on the shore of Lake Disney.
There will be a development of the hotel’s theming of landscape and forest animals, and Disney Sequoia Lodge will remain open during the refurbishment work, which will start in 2026 and be carried out in phases.
Other upgrades include Disney Davy Crockett Ranch, where 584 bungalows are gradually being replaced with a new theme, to provide a more modern and comfortable experience. Interior decorations will be inspired by the adventures of Disney Characters, such as Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, together with the Junior Woodchucks. The first set of new bungalows will be available for booking from 12th June for stays beginning after the 2025 summer holidays.
Big improvements to Disney Village shopping and dining
Located at the crossroads between the two Disney parks and Disney Hotels, Disney Village continues its major transformation journey to offer new shopping and dining experiences in a modern setting.
Two new shops, Disney Glamour and Disney Style, have recently opened their doors, and on 19th April the new LEGO Store and Deco by Disney will also open. The latter will be dedicated to homeware, interior decoration, and Disney collectible items.
Disney Store will close its doors in the autumn to become Disney Wonders, a reimagined shop that will welcome all major Disney franchises under one roof.
Dining experiences are also being reimagined, with Brasserie Rosalie adding a new terrace bordering Lake Disney. While the Sports Bar & Lounge will reopen in the autumn with an all-new design, a greater seating capacity and a new menu.
A three-story Italian restaurant called Casa Giulia will open next year in addition to what is being described as a state-of-the-art McDonald’s restaurant boasting unique architecture.
You can find out more about Disneyland Paris at www.disneylandparis.com.
