Disneyland Park (Paris)

**Disneyland Park** (formerly known as **Euro Disneyland Park**) is a theme park at Disneyland Paris in Chessy, France.

It opened on April 12, 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 Resort in Florida.

## 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 re-evaluated 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 installations of thirty-five 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 October 29, 2020 following a second nationwide lockdown.

## Lands

Disneyland Park is divided into five themed "lands", which house forty-nine attractions. Designed like a wheel with the hub on Central Plaza before Sleeping Beauty Castle, pathways spoke out across the 140 acres of the park and lead to the lands. The 3 foot 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.

Main Street U.S.A. serves as the main entrance boulevard into the park and is themed after early-20th-century small-town America, inspired by Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline, Missouri, complete with a train station and Victorian architecture. The street terminates at the central hub of the park with Sleeping Beauty Castle.

### Frontierland

Frontierland is themed after the 19th century American Old West mining town of Thunder Mesa. Features include desert and wilderness landscaping, large rock formations, a river and frontier architecture.

### Adventureland

Adventureland is themed to recreate the feel of the Caribbean, North-Africa, Africa and India. Lush landscaping is abundant throughout the land to give visitors the impression of being in a remote jungle.

### Fantasyland

Sleeping Beauty Castle serves as the main entrance to Fantasyland, which is themed after a storybook village taking many architectural traits from various European villages.

### Discoveryland

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

## 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

Nighttime Shows

* Disney Illuminations, 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 Seasonon
	+ 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

### Former

Daytime Shows

* Jedi Training Academy, 2015-2017

Nighttime Shows

* Mickey's Goodnight Kiss, 2017-2018
* Disney Dreams! of Christmas, 2013-2017
* Disney Dreams!, 2012-2017
* The Enchanted Fireworks, 2008-2012
* Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, 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; 2001-2007
* The Hunchback of Notre Dame Carnival, 1997-1998
* Disney Classics Parade, 1992-1997

Shows

* The Stairlit Princess Waltz, 2017-2018
* Mickey Presents Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris, 2017-2018