Disneyland Park (Paris)

Disneyland Park (Paris)
Disneyland Park, originally Euro Disneyland Park, is a theme park found at Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, France. The park opened on 12 April 1992 as the first of the two parks built at the resort. Designed and built by Walt Disney Imagineering, its layout is similar to Disneyland Park in California and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World in Florida. Spanning —the second largest Disney park based on the original, after Shanghai Disneyland Park—it is dedicated to fairy tales and Disney characters.
In 2016, the park hosted approximately 8.4 million visitors, making it the most-visited theme park in Europe and the 13th-most visited theme park in the world. The park is represented by Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty Castle), a replica of the fairy tale castle seen in Disney's 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty.
History
In order to make things more distinct and not be a mere copy of the original, modifications were made to the park's concepts and designs. Among the changes was the change of Tomorrowland to Discoveryland, giving the area a retrofuturistic theme. Other altered elements include the Haunted Mansion, which was redesigned as Phantom Manor and a retro, more intense version of Space Mountain (now Hyperspace Mountain). The park's location brought forth its own challenges. Sleeping Beauty Castle (Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant) is said by its designers to have been necessarily reevaluated for a continent on which authentic castles stand. Modifications to the park were made to protect against changes in weather in the Parisian climate. Covered walkways referred to as "arcades" were added, and Michael Eisner ordered the installation of 35 fireplaces in hotels and restaurants.
The park, as well as its surrounding complex, initially failed to meet financial expectations, resulting in an image change in which the word "Euro" was phased out of several names, including Euro Disney. The park was known as Euro Disney until May 1994, Euro Disneyland Paris until September 1994, Disneyland Paris until February 2002, and Disneyland Park (English) and Parc Disneyland (French) since March 2002.
Michael Eisner noted, "As Americans, the word 'Euro' is believed to mean glamorous or exciting. For Europeans it turned out to be a term they associated with business, currency, and commerce. Renaming the park 'Disneyland Paris' was a way of identifying it with one of the most romantic and exciting cities in the world."
On 14 March 2020 Disneyland Park, alongside the Walt Disney Studios Park, was temporarily closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Both parks remained closed for four months, resuming operations on 15 July with strict rules such as limited guest attendance, social distancing, and mandatory wearing of face masks. The park closed again on 29 October 2020 following a second nationwide lockdown. The park reopened in 17 June 2021.
Park layout and attractions
Disneyland Park is divided into five themed "lands", which house 49 attractions. Designed like a wheel with the hub on Central Plaza before Sleeping Beauty Castle, pathways spoke out across the of the park and lead to the lands. The narrow gauge Disneyland Railroad runs along the perimeter of the park and stops in Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Liberty Arcade (covered walkway)
Discovery Arcade (covered walkway)
Horse Drawn Streetcars (narrow gauge tramway)
Main Street Vehicles
Disneyland Railroad - Main Street Station
Frontierland
Legends of the Wild West
Big Thunder Mountain
Phantom Manor
Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing
Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery
Frontierland Playground
Disneyland Railroad – Frontierland Depot
Adventureland
Aladdin's Enchanted Passage
Adventure Isle
Swiss Family Treehouse
Pirates Beach
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirate Galleon
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril
Fantasyland
Sleeping Beauty Castle
The Dragon's Lair
Lancelot's Carousel
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Peter Pan's Flight
Alice's Curious Labyrinth
Mad Hatter's Tea Cups
It's a Small World
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Meet Mickey Mouse
Princess Pavilion
Disneyland Paris Railroad – Fantasyland Station
Discoveryland
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
Orbitron
Autopia
The Mysteries of the Nautilus
Hyperspace Mountain
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Discoveryland Theatre
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Disneyland Railroad – Discoveryland Station
Attendance
2008 – 12,688,000
2009 – 12,740,000
2010 – 10,500,000
2011 – 10,990,000
2012 – 11,500,000
2013 – 10,430,000
2014 – 9,940,000
2015 – 10,360,000
2016 – 8,400,000
2017 – 9,660,000
2018 – 9,843,000
2019 – 9,745,000
2020 – 2,620,000
2021 - 3,500,000
Top 3 amusement parks in Europe of annual attendance
Efteling
Disneyland Paris
Europa-Park
Shows and parades
Disneyland Park hosts a range of daytime and nighttime entertainment throughout the year.
Current
Parades
Disney Stars on Parade: 2017–present
Daytime shows
Rhythms of the Pride Lands: 2019–2020, 2022-present
Nighttime shows
Disney Dreams!: Reopened 12th April 2023 - present
Mickey's Goodnight Kiss: 2017–2018, 2021-present
Events & seasonal shows
Early Season (Jan - March of current year)
Taken up by 30th Anniversary celebrations
Spring Season (2023)
Taken up by 30th Anniversary celebrations
Summer Season (2023)
Taken up by 30th Anniversary celebrations
Halloween Season (2023)
Mickey's Halloween Celebration: 2013–2016, 2018–present
Christmas Season (2022)
Mickey's Dazzling Christmas Parade: 2021–present
Disney Dreams! of Christmas: 2013–2017, 2022–present
Halloween Party
Now part of main season (2023 season - Present).
New Years eve Party (2022)
Disney's New Year's Eve Parade: 2017–present
Sparkling New Year's Eve Fireworks: 1992–present
Anniversary Specific Celebrations & Events
None currently open. 30th Anniversary celebrations ended 30th September 2023.
Retired
Parades
Disney Magic on Parade (2012–2017)
Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade (2007–2012)
Disney's Fantillusion (Nighttime Parade 2003–2012)
Disney ImagiNations Parade (1999–2001)
The Wonderful World of Disney Parade (1998–1999 and 2001–2007)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Carnival (1997–1998)
Main Street Electrical Parade (Nighttime Parade 1992–2003)
Disney Classics Parade (1992–1997)
Daytime shows
The Forest of enchantment: A Disney Musical Adventure (Feb-May 2016 & Jul-Sept 2017)
Jedi Training Academy (2015–2017)
Chantons La Reine des Neiges - Frozen Sing-Along (2015-2018)
Tarzan: The Encounter (2000-2008, 2011-2012)
Winnie the Pooh and Friends, too (1998-2005, 2006-2011)
Mulan, la Légende (1999-2002)
Beauty and the Beast (1992-1996)
Nighttime shows
Disney Illuminations (2017 - 2023)
Disney Dreams! (2012 - 2017)
The Enchanted Fireworks (2008–2012)
Wishes (2005–2007)
Fantasy in the Sky (1992–2005)
Train parades
Minnie's Little Spring Train (2015 - 2016)
Disney's 20th Anniversary Celebration Train (2012–2013)
Disney Dance Express (2011–2012)
Disney All Stars Express (2010–2011)
Minnie's Party Train (2009–2010)
Disney Characters Express (2007–2009)
Events & seasonal shows (Most recently retired)
Spring season
Festival of Pirates & Princesses (Spring 2018 and Jan - March 2019)
Summer Season
The Lion King & Jungle Festival (2019–2020)
Jungle Book Jive (2019–2020)
Halloween Season
Are You Brave Enough? (2019)
Christmas Season
Royal Sparkling Christmas Waltz (2019–2020)
Mickey's Magical Christmas Lights (2015–2020)
Disney's Christmas Parade (2012–2019)
Anniversary Specific Celebrations & Events
25th Anniversary (2017 - 2018)
The Starlit Princess Waltz (2017 – 2018)
Mickey Presents Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris (2017 – 2018)
30th Anniversary & 30th Anniversary Grand Finale (2022 - September 2023)
Dream... and shine brighter (2022 - 2023)
Disney D-light (v1.0 2022 - 11th April 2023, v2.0 12th April - 29th September 2023, 'Final day' version 30th September 2023 only)
See also
Rail transport in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
References
External links
Paris
1992 establishments in France
Amusement parks in France
Buildings and structures in Paris
Amusement parks opened in 1992