Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris opened on March 6, 2002, but in recent years, the resort’s second gate has had a bit of an identity crisis. The shift away from the “movie-making” theme has become particularly noticeable with the addition of Cars: Road Trip in 2021, Avengers Campus in 2022, and the upcoming World of Frozen in 2024. So, Disney has decided to rebrand the park to…. Disney Adventure World!
Let’s take a look at what’s in store for… Disney Adventure World (it’s going to take a minute to get used to that!)
“We are changing the story of Walt Disney Studios Park, evolving from ‘how it’s done’ soundstages to celebratory theaters and adventures that come to life in immersive worlds,” said Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald. “These fully realized adventure worlds will become the focus of the park’s new identity and appear as realms that guests discover as they navigate deeper within the park and are invited to participate in adventures inspired by our most beloved stories.”
But first…
Even before the park’s rebranding, a new show will debut at the Theater of the Stars outdoor arena in (still) Walt Disney Studios Park: Alice & The Queen of Hearts: Back to Wonderland, which will debut on May 25, 2024.
The new musical show inspired by “Alice in Wonderland” features acrobats and BMX riders plus a battle of the bands-style showdown between Alice and the Queen of Hearts, with the audience at each performance (and the Mad Hatter) deciding the ending.
And now, back to Disney Adventure World
Disney promises the reimagined park will allow guests to “experience beloved Disney characters and stories like never before,” which is a little confusing since many of the lands are similar to those in other Disney Parks, including the aforementioned Cars: Road Trip, a smaller version of Cars Land in California Adventure; Avengers Campus, a variation of Avengers Campus (also in California Adventure); and World of Frozen, which is a version of the newest land at Hong Kong Disneyland (and an upcoming section of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea).
Nevertheless, we’re willing to go with Disney on this premise as the new park develops, starting with the opening of World of Frozen this year (when the park will officially take its new name).
“Embracing a transformation that involves the overhaul of more than 90% of Walt Disney Studios Park since its debut in 2002, we’re unveiling a fresh creative vision that has completely redefined our second gate,” said Disneyland Paris President Natacha Rafalski. “It’s set to offer unique adventures in immersive worlds, serving as a perfect complement to Disneyland Park.”
In addition to nearly doubling the park’s footprint, Disney says the French World of Frozen will “transform [the park] into a world of adventure (and in Arendelle’s case, a world of snow).” We see what they did there.
Currently, guests enter the park through Disney Studio 1, a large “soundstage-style” building, and exit into Production Courtyard; however, Disney Adventure World will have a brand-new park entrance “sequence” (opening Spring 2025) to welcome guests into the park’s promenade – Adventure Way – with new experiences, attractions, and enhancements to transport them “right into the heart of memorable Disney stories.”
The sequence includes an open-air movie studio called World Premiere, with current “soundstage” décor replaced by a tribute to historic movie theaters. Production Courtyard will become World Premiere Plaza, an Art Déco-inspired theater district celebrating Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios.
World of Frozen
The third Frozen-themed land opening this year, Disneyland Paris’ World of Frozen, will be located along Adventure Bay, a newly constructed lake, with the Adventure Way promenade leading into the park’s new expansion.
The World of Frozen at Disney Adventure World will also include Frozen Ever After, the popular boat ride already at Epcot and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Adventure Bay will feature an entertainment stage with a 360-degree viewing area for water-based entertainment with fountains, music, lights, and special effects (a la World of Color in California and Luminous in Florida).
Tangled Spinning Ride
Also along Adventure Way is the all-new family attraction Raiponce (Rapunzel) Tangled Spin, inspired by “Tangled” (another land at Fantasy Springs in Tokyo), which spins riders through the iconic floating lanterns scene.
The Tangled-themed area will include The Regal View Restaurant and Lounge, a new table-service restaurant with views of Adventure Bay and meet-and-greets with Disney Princesses.
New Avengers Assemble at Avengers Campus
A new nighttime activation on the Worldwide Engineering Brigade building, beginning “by the end of 2024” and continuing through Spring 2025. The new immersive experience will combine projections, music, and special effects with an all-new storyline featuring favorite and “new-to-Disneyland Paris Super Heroes,” including Dr. Strange and Scarlet Witch.
Avengers Campus at Disneyland Paris previously offered the Avengers: Power the Night drone show, which we were very jealous of, so we’re looking forward to seeing what they do next.
Speaking of drones, the spectacular Disney Sky Electrical Parade drone show in Disneyland Paris Park will end on Jan. 6, 2025 – another show we wish we had in Anaheim.
Luckily, you can see it here:
Transformation Continues at Disney Village
Disney Village (Disneyland Paris’ version Downtown Disney) is in the midst of a multi-year (and much-needed) transformation, includes the introduction of a new Disney lifestyle shop and Disney home store by the end of the year, followed by a reimagination of the current Disney Store.
The Lego Store at Disney Village has also been updated with new photo ops, big builds, and interactive play stations.
Two new restaurants added to Disney Village last year are The Royal Pub and the Rosalie brasserie, both operated by Groupe Bertrand, the resort’s longtime partner who manages several well-known Paris restaurants.
New Disney Davy Crockett Ranch Bungalows
Following the royal renovation of the five-star Disneyland Hotel, Disney Davy Crockett Ranch bungalows are next in line for a makeover, which will “elevate the hotel’s theming with nods to the Junior Woodchucks, together with Donald Duck and his friends.”
So, Let’s Recap
The park will no longer be called Walt Disney Studios but will retain the studio theme—at least for the entrance—and will add a new Frozen-themed land, a new Tangled-themed spinning ride, and two new shows: the interactive Alice in Wonderland show, which will debut on May 25, and the immersive new Avengers show, which will debut later this year.
Plus, Disney Village is finally getting a much-needed glow-up.
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Let’s Hear From You!
What do you think of Disney rebranding Walt Disney Studios Park? Can you imagine a similar rebranding of Disney California Adventure? Does the new Disney Adventure World sound like a park you are excited to visit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!