Disneyland Park (Paris)
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Previously known as Euro Disneyland Park | |
![]() Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Park | |
Location | Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France |
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Coordinates | 48°52′21″N 2°46′36″E / 48.872608°N 2.776747°E |
Status | Operating |
Opened | 12 April 1992 |
Owner | Disney Experiences (The Walt Disney Company) |
Operated by | Euro Disneyland Participations S.A.S. |
Theme | Fairy tales and Disney characters |
Operating season | Year-round |
Website | Official website |
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 56.656 ha (140 acres)—the second largest Disney park based on the original, after Shanghai Disneyland Park—it is dedicated to fairy tales and Disney characters.[1]
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. In 2023 the park hosted 10.4 million visitors, making it the ninth-most visited theme park in the world and the most-visited theme park in Europe.[2]
History
[edit]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.[3] 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."[4]
On 14 March 2020, Disneyland Park, alongside the Walt Disney Studios Park, was temporarily closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[5][6] 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.[7][8] The park closed again on 29 October 2020 following a second nationwide lockdown.[9] The park reopened in 17 June 2021.[10]
Park layout and attractions
[edit]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.[11] 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.
Themed Land | Picture | Notes |
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Main Street, U.S.A. | ![]() |
Main Street USA 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, the Middle East, 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. |
Main Street, U.S.A.
[edit]- Liberty Arcade (covered walkway)
- Discovery Arcade (covered walkway)
- Horse Drawn Streetcars (3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge tramway)[12]
- Main Street Vehicles
- Disneyland Railroad - Main Street Station
Frontierland
[edit]- Legends of the Wild West
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Phantom Manor[13]
- Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing[14]
- Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery[15]
- Frontierland Playground[16]
- Disneyland Railroad – Frontierland Depot
Adventureland
[edit]- Aladdin's Enchanted Passage[17]
- Adventure Isle[18]
- Swiss Family Treehouse[19]
- Pirates Beach[19]
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Pirate Galleon
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril
Fantasyland
[edit]- Sleeping Beauty Castle[20]
- The Dragon's Lair
- Lancelot's Carousel
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs[21]
- Pinocchio's Daring Journey[22]
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Peter Pan's Flight
- Alice's Curious Labyrinth
- Mad Hatter's Tea Cups[23]
- It's a Small World
- Storybook Land Canal Boats[24]
- Casey Jr. Circus Train[25]
- Meet Mickey Mouse
- Princess Pavilion
- Disneyland Paris Railroad – Fantasyland Station
Discoveryland
[edit]- Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast[26]
- Orbitron
- Autopia
- The Mysteries of the Nautilus
- Hyperspace Mountain[27]
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue[28]
- Discoveryland Theatre
- Disneyland Railroad – Discoveryland Station
Attendance
[edit]- 2008 – 12,688,000[30]
- 2009 – 12,740,000[31]
- 2010 – 10,500,000[32]
- 2011 – 10,990,000[33]
- 2012 – 11,500,000[34]
- 2013 – 10,430,000[35]
- 2014 – 9,940,000[36]
- 2015 – 10,360,000[37]
- 2016 – 8,400,000[38]
- 2017 – 9,660,000[39]
- 2018 – 9,843,000[40]
- 2019 – 9,745,000[41]
- 2020 – 2,620,000[42]
- 2021 - 3,500,000[43]
- 2022 - 9,930,000[44]
- 2023 - 10,400,000[45]
Top 3 amusement parks in Europe of annual attendance
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/eu1yui5a5pdggfh6n3d3ymoatu7fdmy.png)
- blue Efteling
- red Disneyland Paris (Parc Disneyland)
- yellow Europa-Park
Shows and parades
[edit]Disneyland Park hosts a range of daytime and nighttime entertainment throughout the year.[46]
Current
[edit]- Main parade:
- Disney Stars on Parade: 2017 – Present
- Daytime shows:
- Rhythms of the Pride Lands: 2019–2020, 2022 – Present
- A Million Splashes of Colour: 10th Feb 2024 – Present
- Nighttime shows:
- Disney Illuminations: 2017–2023, 2024 - Present
- Mickey's Goodnight Kiss: 2017–2018, 2021 – Present
- Disney Electrical Sky Parade: 8 January 2024 – Present
- Special or seasonal events, shows, or parades:
- Early Season (Jan - March 2025)
- None announced
- Early Season (Jan - March 2025)
- Spring Season (April - May 2025)
- None announced
- Spring Season (April - May 2025)
- Summer Season (June - September 2024)
- None announced
- Summer Season (June - September 2024)
- Halloween Season [Disney Halloween Festival] (October - November 2024)
- Mickey's Halloween Celebration: 2013–2016, 2018 – present
- Halloween Scene addition to Disney Electrical Sky Parade: Present
- Halloween Party:
- Now part of main season (2023 season - Present).
- Halloween Season [Disney Halloween Festival] (October - November 2024)
- Christmas Season [Disney Enchanted Christmas] (November 2024 - January 2025)
- Mickey's Dazzling Christmas Parade: 2021 – Present
- Christamas scene addition to Disney Electrical Sky Parade: Present
- Let's Sing Christmas!: 2018 - Present
- New Years eve Party:
- Now part of main season (2023 season - Present).
- Sparkling New Year's Eve Fireworks: 1992 – Present
- Christmas Season [Disney Enchanted Christmas] (November 2024 - January 2025)
- Anniversaries
- No current Park specific or Disney wide anniversaries open or announced. The next scheduled anniversary (if announced) should be Disneyland Paris' 35th Anniversary in 2027.
- Anniversaries
Retired
[edit]- 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 Dreams! (2012–2017, April 2023–May 2024)
- Disney Dreams! of Christmas (2013–2017, 2022)
- 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)
- Early Season
- Disney Symphony of Colours (Early & Spring seasons 2024)
- Spring season
- Festival of Pirates & Princesses (Spring 2018 and Early 2019)
- Summer Season
- The Lion King & Jungle Festival (2019–2020)
- Jungle Book Jive (2019–2020)
- The Lion King & Jungle Festival (2019–2020)
- Halloween Season
- Are You Brave Enough? (2019)
- The Disney Villians Halloween Parade (2017–2019)
- Christmas Season
- Royal Sparkling Christmas Waltz (2019–2020)
- Mickey's Magical Christmas Lights (2015–2020)
- Disney's Christmas Parade (2012–2019)
- Ready for the Night (2022/23 New years Parade)
- Early Season
- 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 - 11 April 2023, v2.0: 12 April - 29th September 2023, 'Final day' version 30 September 2023 only)
- 25th Anniversary (2017–2018)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Doctor Disney Explains: Comparing The Size Of The Disney Parks Around The World". 13 October 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2023 Global Attractions Attendance Report". 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Imagineers (1998). Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look At Making the Magic Real. Disney Editions. ISBN 978-0-7868-8372-1.
- ^ daniels. "Individual Term Paper International Marketing, Dan Snyder 30 April 2002" (PDF). Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- ^ Barnes, Brooks (12 March 2020). "Disney Parks and Cruise Line Will Close in Response to Coronavirus". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ "Temporary Closure of Disneyland Paris". Disneyland Paris. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "Disneyland Paris Set to Reopen on July 15". The New York Times. Reuters. 22 June 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ Rafalski, Natacha (22 June 2020). "Disneyland Paris to Begin Phased Reopening Beginning July 15". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ Ziady, Hanna (29 October 2020). "Disneyland Paris shuts down again as France enters lockdown". CNN. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Disneyland Paris Welcomes Back the Magic with a Reopening Starting June 17".
- ^ "Disneyland Park Map". DLRP Magic.
- ^ "Trams of the World 2017" (PDF). Blickpunkt Straßenbahn. 24 January 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ "Phantom Manor". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Frontierland Playground". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ "Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Adventure Isle". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ a b "La Cabane des Robinson". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Sleeping Beauty Castle". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains®". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Les Voyages de Pinocchio". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Mad Hatter's Tea Cups". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Le Pays des Contes de Fées". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Star Tours". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Discoveryland Theatre". Disneyland Paris website. Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2008 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2009 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2010 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2011 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2012 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2013 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2014 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2015 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2016 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2017 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2018 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2019 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 November 2020.
- ^ "TEA/AECOM 2020 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2021.
- ^ "AECOM Theme Index 2021 Global Attractions Attendance Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2022.
- ^ "AECOM Theme Index 2022 Global Attractions Attendance Report" (PDF).
- ^ "AECOM Theme Index 2023 Global Attractions Attendance Report" (PDF).
- ^ "Disneyland Park Entertainment Schedule" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)