Disneyland Park (Paris)

For other uses, see Disneyland (disambiguation).

Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Park

**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 at Walt Disney World in Florida. Spanning 56.656 ha (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 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 March 14, 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 July 15, 2020 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.

## Lands

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 140 acres (57 ha) of the park and lead to the lands. The 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge Disneyland Railroad runs along the perimeter of the park and stops in Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland.

 Discoveryland |  | *Discoveryland* is themed after the visions of famed European thinkers and explorers such as Leonardo da Vinci, HG Wells, or Jules Verne.

### Main Street, U.S.A.

Main article: Main Street, U.S.A.

* Liberty Arcade (covered walkway)
* Discovery Arcade (covered walkway)
* Horse Drawn Streetcars (3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge tramway)
* Main Street Vehicles
* Disneyland Railroad - Main Street Station

### Adventureland

Main article: 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

### Frontierland

Main article: Frontierland

* Legends of the Wild West
* Big Thunder Mountain
* Phantom Manor
* Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing
* Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery
* Pocahantas Indian Village
* Disneyland Railroad – Frontierland Depot

### Fantasyland

Main article: 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 Railroad – Fantasyland Station

### Discoveryland

Main article: Tomorrowland

* Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
* Orbitron
* Autopia
* Arcade Beta
* The Mysteries of the Nautilus
* Hyperspace Mountain
* Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
* 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

**Top amusement parks in Europe of annual attendance**

red Disneyland Paris, #1 amusement park in Europe of annual attendance
yellow Europa-Park, #2 amusement park in Europe of annual attendance
blue Efteling, #3 amusement park in Europe of annual attendance
## Shows and parades

Disneyland Park hosts a range of daytime and nighttime entertainment throughout the year.

### Current

#### Daytime Shows

* Mickey's PhilharMagic: 2018–present
* Disney Stars on Parade: 2017–present

#### Seasonal Events and Shows

* Frozen Celebration: 2020–present
* The Lion King and Jungle Festival: 2019–present
* Christmas Season
	+ Royal Sparkling Christmas Waltz: 2019–present
	+ Mickey's Magical Christmas Lights: 2015–present
	+ Disney's Christmas Parade: 2012–present
* Halloween Season
	+ Mickey's Halloween Celebration: 2013–2016, 2018–present
	+ Are You Brave Enough?: 2019–present
* Disney's New Year's Eve Parade: 2017–present
* Sparkling New Year's Eve Fireworks: 1992–present

### Retired

#### Nighttime Shows

* Mickey's Goodnight Kiss (2017–2018)
* Disney Dreams! of Christmas (2013–2017)
* Disney Dreams! (2012–2017)
* The Enchanted Fireworks (2008–2012)
* Wishes (2005–2007)
* Fantasy in the Sky (1992–2005)

#### Train Parades

* 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)

#### Parades

* Disney Magic on Parade (2012–2017)
* Disney's Fantillusion (2003–2012)
* Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade (2007–2012)
* Main Street Electrical Parade (1992–2003)
* Disney ImagiNations Parade (1999–2001)
* The Wonderful World of Disney Parade (1998–1999 and 2001–2007)
* The Hunchback of Notre Dame Carnival (1997–1998)
* Disney Classics Parade (1992–1997)

#### Shows

* The Starlit Princess Waltz (2017–2018)
* Mickey Presents Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris (2017–2018)

## See also

* Rail transport in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts