Gian Steinbusch
Major changes are coming to Disneyland Paris Resort. In just a few weeks, the former Walt Disney Studios Park, located right next to Disneyland Park, will become the new Disney Adventure World. However, the renaming represents far more than just a new title. In this article, you’ll discover the new concept behind the park and what attractions, experiences, and changes await visitors this year and beyond.
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Background
Walt Disney Studios Park opened in 2002, ten years after the neighboring Disneyland Park. The goal was to establish a second park focused on film, animation, and television. However, guest reception in the early years was rather mixed. Criticism mainly focused on the limited number of attractions, the relatively sparse theming, and the overall compact size of the park.
A major turning point came on February 27, 2018, when Bob Iger, then CEO of The Walt Disney Company, announced a €2 billion investment program for Disneyland Paris. The plan included expanding Walt Disney Studios Park with new themed areas based on Marvel, Frozen, and Star Wars, as well as the creation of a newly designed central lake as the heart of the expansion. The original Star Wars plans were later replaced by a Lion King themed area.
In the years that followed, the first elements of the transformation were completed. Avengers Campus opened in 2022, while additional areas were gradually developed or redesigned. In April 2024, Disneyland Paris officially confirmed the park’s renaming to Disney Adventure World and revealed further details about the new overall concept. It became clear that this was not simply an expansion, but a fundamental transformation of the former Studios Park.
Disney Adventure World
With its new concept, the park is moving away from its original studio theme. Instead of offering a behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking, visitors will step directly into the premieres of their favorite films and experience these worlds firsthand.
Disney Adventure World will be divided into six themed areas. In addition to the existing Worlds of Pixar and Avengers Campus (2022), as well as the newly redesigned World Premiere Plaza (2025), the expansion will introduce Adventure Way with its large central lake and the new World of Frozen.
Two new attractions and a brand-new nighttime spectacular will also be added. The official reopening under the name Disney Adventure World is scheduled for March 29, 2026.
Adventure Way (2026)
The new Adventure Way will lead from the park entrance to the central lake, around which World of Frozen and additional future themed areas will be built. It will not only connect the existing park with the expansion area, but also form a distinct themed environment of its own.
Along the boulevard and around the lake, guests can look forward to 14 new dining locations, including quick-service outlets, cafés, and snack stands. New shops, thematically designed gardens inspired by Disney and Pixar stories, and regular live entertainment offerings will also be added. In addition, a new Rapunzel-themed attraction will become part of the area.
Raiponce Tangled Spin
The new family-friendly attraction, Raiponce Tangled Spin, will allow guests to experience the famous lantern scene from the animated film Tangled in a unique way. Seated in beautifully sculpted gondolas, they will spin beneath a sky filled with floating lanterns, surrounded by frescoes depicting Rapunzel’s adventures.
Accompanied by well-known songs from the film, such as “I See the Light,” the romantic festival atmosphere will be brought to life in an immersive way.
Cascade of Lights
Each evening, the new nighttime spectacular Disney Cascade of Lights will take place on Adventure Bay. Designed as a 360-degree experience, the production will combine cutting-edge technology with emotional storytelling, engaging guests all around the lake.
The show will feature fireworks, drones, fountains, and water projections. A newly recorded soundtrack performed by a 90-piece orchestra will combine beloved Disney songs with an original new anthem.
Just like Tales of Magic in the neighboring Disneyland Park, Disney Cascade of Lights will offer a paid reserved viewing area with premium sightlines. Capacity is limited and bookings are already available.
The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge
The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge will introduce a new table-service dining experience to Disney Adventure World, welcoming guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an elegant setting. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet selected Disney Princesses such as Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Merida (Brave), Jasmine (Aladdin), Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Mulan, and Ariel (The Little Mermaid), some appearing in exclusive new costumes.
Select tables will offer direct views of Adventure Bay, making it an ideal location to enjoy Disney Cascade of Lights.
The offering is complemented by the first bar located inside the Disneyland Paris parks, featuring royal-blue accents, an elegant wooden bar, and views of both the lake and World of Frozen.
World of Frozen (2026)
In World of Frozen, guests will soon be able to stroll through the lively streets of Arendelle, meet beloved characters from the films, and experience a new attraction and stage show designed for the whole family.
Frozen Ever After
The centerpiece of the first expansion phase is the new boat ride, Frozen Ever After. This family dark ride brings the landscapes and stories of Frozen to life. Detailed theming, state-of-the-art effects, and advanced Audio-Animatronics, combined with popular songs such as “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Let It Go,” promise a magical experience for guests of all ages.
Versions of this attraction already exist at EPCOT in Walt Disney World Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and as Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey at Tokyo DisneySea.
Meet & Greet
Inside Arendelle Castle, guests will be able to meet Elsa and Anna in the royal throne room. Access will require joining a virtual queue via the official Disneyland Paris app. Availability will be limited.
A Celebration in Arendelle
Visitors will be invited to join the joyful atmosphere of the Snowflower Festival and celebrate alongside the citizens of Arendelle.
The show featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff is expected to take place multiple times daily on the waters of Arendelle Bay.
World of Frozen will also include Nordic Crowns Tavern, Arendelle Boutique, and the Fjord View Shop.
Future Additions to Disney Adventure World
With the opening of Adventure Way and World of Frozen on March 29, 2026, a new era will begin for Disneyland Paris Resort. However, further projects are already under construction.
Up-Themed Attraction on Adventure Way
A new family attraction inspired by Pixar’s Up is planned as the next addition to Adventure Way. It will take the form of a classic swing carousel, thematically designed around the film’s imagery and motifs.
The Lion King Themed Area & Attraction
One of the most anticipated future highlights is the Pride Lands themed area, inspired by The Lion King, featuring the world’s first attraction dedicated entirely to the animated classic.
The main attraction will be a water ride that will operate mostly indoors. Guests will experience an adventure alongside Simba, accompanied by the iconic songs from the 1994 film. The ride will take visitors through familiar scenes and landscapes from the movie.
There will be three drops in total, including a 16-meter drop beneath the impressive 37-meter-tall Pride Rock. Advanced special effects and numerous Audio-Animatronics will bring the story to life and position the attraction as one of the park’s new headline experiences.
In addition to the water ride, the area will include character meet-and-greets, themed dining, and shopping experiences.
Construction is already underway and is expected to be completed before 2030. An official opening date has not yet been announced.
Images: Disneyland Paris
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