CHESSY, France (AP) 鈥� A cutting-edge nighttime show at Disneyland Paris is heralding a bold new chapter for Europe鈥檚 most-visited theme park, as a raft of ambitious developments comes to fruition under a 2 billion euro ($2.05 billion) expansion plan.
The overhaul includes the completed revamp of the luxury Disneyland Hotel, the upcoming renaming and doubling in size of Walt Disney Studios Park, and the much-anticipated arrival of The World of Frozen and a first-of-its-kind The Lion King land 鈥� cementing the resort鈥檚 gains after the during the pandemic.
Disney Tales of Magic
Disney Tales of Magic was unveiled this month. It's a dazzling 20-minute spectacle blending drones, synchronized fountains, high-definition projections and ultra-bright lasers.
鈥淔or the very first time, not only will we be projecting onto Sleeping Beauty鈥檚 Castle, but also Main Street USA,鈥� said Tim Lutkin, artistic director of the production, referring to the park鈥檚 main commercial artery lined with boutiques and merchandise.
The show鈥檚 standout feature 鈥� ultra-bright lasers 鈥� has been used only once before, at at the Eiffel Tower during the iconic opening ceremony that featured a performance with Celine Dion. The lasers, which travel 23 miles (37 kilometers), deliver extraordinary power while remaining safe near crowds.
鈥淭he Paris Olympics used it first. But we saw it first,鈥� said Dana Harrel, executive entertainment director at Disneyland Paris.
Featuring Disney and Pixar tales brought to life by drone-made 3D figures, synchronized fountains and a 100-piece orchestra, the show is elevated further by the original anthem 鈥淟ive in Magic.鈥�
Audiences have been awestruck. 鈥淚t鈥檚 marvelous. We鈥檝e never seen such a beautiful light show,鈥� said Sacha Tellier, a 33-year-old mother visiting with her family. 鈥淚t gave me goosebumps,鈥� added Nathan Ruiz, a graphic designer from Madrid. 鈥淭he combination of music, lights, and the drones felt like pure magic. I鈥檝e been to Disney before, but this show is on another level.鈥�
The spectacle also reflects Disney鈥檚 storytelling evolution. Lutkin noted the shift from classic ballgown tales to modern narratives like 鈥淓ncanto鈥� and 鈥淚nside Out 2,鈥� which delves into deeper themes such as anxiety and depression. The latter鈥檚 unexpected box office success, Lutkin said, proved that 鈥渢he world and its relationship with Disney are ready to embrace more complex stories.鈥� This shift is mirrored in the show鈥檚 selection of movies, spanning Disney鈥檚 timeless classics and emotionally resonant modern hits.
Disney Adventure World
At the heart of Disneyland Paris鈥� expansion is the transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park, doubling in size and reimagined as Disney Adventure World. Opening in spring 2025, a new park entrance, World Premiere, will greet visitors with the glamour of a Hollywood film premiere, leading them into immersive themed areas.
鈥淭hese projects reflect our commitment to innovation and storytelling,鈥� said Natacha Rafalski, head of Disneyland Paris, adding that they will further strengthen it as Europe鈥檚 top tourist destination.
Already Europe鈥檚 most-visited theme park and France鈥檚 top tourist attraction outdrawing the Louvre, Disneyland Paris welcomed over 10 million visitors in 2023.
The expansion includes two eagerly awaited themed lands. The World of Frozen, debuting in 2026, will transport guests to Arendelle with a central lake hosting water performances and the Frozen Ever After boat ride, alongside themed dining, shopping, and accommodations. Meanwhile, The Lion King land will bring the Pride Lands to life with a log flume cascading from Pride Rock and encounters with beloved characters like Simba and Timon.
Life after the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic delivered one the toughest challenges to Disneyland Paris, as with all resort parks around the world, forcing an eight-month closure in 2020 and another in 2021.
But Disney doubled down.
The ongoing 鈧�2 billion expansion is part of a $60 billion global investment announced in September 2023, aiming to redefine Disney parks, cruises and attractions over the next decade.
A centerpiece of the Paris overhaul is the revamped Disneyland Hotel, with suites themed around classic Disney royalty.
Birth and evolution
Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 under its original name, Euro Disney Resort. Situated just outside Paris in Marne-la-Vall茅e, it marked Disney鈥檚 first foray into Europe. However, the park鈥檚 early years were fraught with challenges, including cultural missteps, financial struggles and lower-than-expected visitor numbers. Critics in France derided it as an American cultural invasion, dubbing it a 鈥渃ultural Chernobyl.鈥�
To reverse its fortunes, the park underwent significant rebranding, changing its name to Disneyland Paris in 1994 to emphasize its French location and connection to the capital. Over time, strategic changes, including the addition of new attractions and a shift in marketing, helped the resort recover. It is now a cornerstone of Disney鈥檚 global operations.
Thomas Adamson, The Associated Press
