Disneyland Park (Paris)
Encyclopedia
Disneyland Park is a theme park at Disneyland Paris, a resort complex just outside of Paris
, in the new town
of Marne-la-Vallée
, France
. The first of two parks built at the resort, it opened as Euro Disneyland on 12 April, 1992. Operated by the French company Euro Disney S.C.A., the park was designed and built by Walt Disney Imagineering
and the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California
and the Magic Kingdom
at the Walt Disney World Resort
in Orlando, Florida
. Occupying 566,560 m² (140 acres), Disneyland Park is the largest Disney park based on the original in California.
In 2009, Disneyland Park saw 12,740,000 visitors, an increase of 0.4% since 2008, making it the most visited theme park in both France
and Europe
, and the fourth most visited theme park in the world.
to "Discoveryland", giving the area a retrofuturistic theme rather than futuristic. Other elements that were altered include the Haunted Mansion
, which was redesigned as Phantom Manor
, and Space Mountain. The park's location in Europe brought forth its own challenges.
For instance, 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 were added, though these are described as "Arcades" and not covered walkways, and Michael Eisner
ordered the installation of 35 fireplace
s in hotels and restaurants.
The park, as well as its surrounding complex, initially failed to meet financial expectations. This resulted in an image change in which the word "Euro" was phased out of several names, including Euro Disneyland.
1until May 1994
2June 1994 until September
3October 1994 until February 2002
4March 2002
Michael Eisner noted,
runs along the perimeter of the park and stops in Main Street, U.S.A.
, Frontierland
, Fantasyland
and Discoveryland.
* denotes part of the Magical Moments Festival
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, in the new town
New town
A new town is a specific type of a planned community, or planned city, that was carefully planned from its inception and is typically constructed in a previously undeveloped area. This contrasts with settlements that evolve in a more ad hoc fashion. Land use conflicts are uncommon in new...
of Marne-la-Vallée
Marne-la-Vallée
Marne-la-Vallée is a new town located near Paris, France.Disneyland Paris, Val d'Europe,Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée,and École des Ponts ParisTech are located in Marne-la-Vallée.-Status:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The first of two parks built at the resort, it opened as Euro Disneyland on 12 April, 1992. Operated by the French company Euro Disney S.C.A., the park was designed and built by Walt Disney Imagineering
Walt Disney Imagineering
Walt Disney Imagineering is the design and development arm of the Walt Disney Company, responsible for the creation and construction of Disney theme parks worldwide...
and the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and the Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
at the Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. Occupying 566,560 m² (140 acres), Disneyland Park is the largest Disney park based on the original in California.
In 2009, Disneyland Park saw 12,740,000 visitors, an increase of 0.4% since 2008, making it the most visited theme park in both France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and the fourth most visited theme park in the world.
Dedication
History
In order for the fourth park to be based on the original (in Anaheim, California) modifications were made to the concepts and designs of the park. Amongst these changes was a shift from TomorrowlandTomorrowland
- Tomorrowland 1955–1967 :The first Tomorrowland opened at Disneyland on July 18, 1955, with only several of its planned attractions open, due to budget cuts. The construction of the park was rushed, so Tomorrowland was the last land to be finished. It became something of a corporate showcase,...
to "Discoveryland", giving the area a retrofuturistic theme rather than futuristic. Other elements that were altered include the Haunted Mansion
Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion is a dark ride located at Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland. A significantly re-imagined incarnation of the ride, known as Phantom Manor, is located in Disneyland Paris...
, which was redesigned as Phantom Manor
Phantom Manor
Phantom Manor is an attraction located in Frontierland at Disneyland Park in Disneyland Paris. Sharing a similar theme with the Haunted Mansion attractions at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, it opened with Euro Disneyland on April 12, 1992...
, and Space Mountain. The park's location in Europe brought forth its own challenges.
For instance, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant
Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant
Le château de la belle au bois dormant is a structure that stands at the centre of the Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris and is a continuation of a concept first seen at Disneyland in California....
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
Weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate...
in the Parisian climate
Climate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
. Covered walkways were added, though these are described as "Arcades" and not covered walkways, and Michael Eisner
Michael Eisner
Michael Dammann Eisner is an American businessman. He was the chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company from 1984 until 2005.-Early life:...
ordered the installation of 35 fireplace
Fireplace
A fireplace is an architectural structure to contain a fire for heating and, especially historically, for cooking. A fire is contained in a firebox or firepit; a chimney or other flue allows gas and particulate exhaust to escape...
s in hotels and restaurants.
The park, as well as its surrounding complex, initially failed to meet financial expectations. This resulted in an image change in which the word "Euro" was phased out of several names, including Euro Disneyland.
Name changes
Disneyland Park has been subject to a number of name changes, initially an effort to overcome the negative publicity that followed the inception of the Euro Disney Resort.| 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euro Disneyland1 | Euro Disneyland Paris2 | Disneyland Paris3 | Disneyland Park (English)/Parc Disneyland (French)4 | |||||||||||||||
1until May 1994
2June 1994 until September
3October 1994 until February 2002
4March 2002
Michael Eisner noted,
Lands of Disneyland Park
The park map lists forty-nine attractions in five themed "lands". Designed like a wheel with the hub on Central Plaza before "Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant", pathways spoke out across the 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) of Disneyland Park and lead to these five lands. The Disneyland RailroadDisneyland Railroad (Paris)
The Disneyland Railroad , originally the Euro Disneyland Railroad , is a narrow gauge railroad at Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Paris Resort in Marne-la-Vallée, France that was inaugurated on the park's opening day, April 12, 1992...
runs along the perimeter of the park and stops in Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street, U.S.A. is the first "themed land" inside the main entrance of the many 'Magic Kingdom'-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world....
, Frontierland
Frontierland
Tokyo Disneyland's instance is known as Westernland, as "frontier" does not adequately translate into the Japanese language. The Mark Twain sails this park's Rivers of America...
, Fantasyland
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is one of the "themed lands" at the many Magic Kingdom-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. Each Fantasyland has a castle as well as several gentle rides themed after Disney movies...
and Discoveryland.
Main Street, U.S.A.
- City Hall
- Liberty ArcadeLiberty Arcade (Disneyland Paris)Liberty Arcade is a covered walkthrough area in Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Paris. This is an exhibition about the Statue of Liberty, and a walkway parallel to the main entrance. It opened with the park in 1992...
(Sheltered and Covered walkway) - Discovery ArcadeDiscovery Arcade (Disneyland Paris)Discovery Arcade is a sheltered walkthrough area in Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Paris. This is an exhibition about inventors of the 19th Century, which opened with the park in 1992...
(Sheltered and Covered walkway) - Dapper Dan's Hair Cuts
- Horse-Drawn Streetcars
- Main Street Vehicles
- Disneyland Railroad - Main Street StationDisneyland Railroad (Paris)The Disneyland Railroad , originally the Euro Disneyland Railroad , is a narrow gauge railroad at Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Paris Resort in Marne-la-Vallée, France that was inaugurated on the park's opening day, April 12, 1992...
Frontierland
- Legends of the Wild WestLegends of the Wild WestLegends of the Wild West is a walkthrough attraction located in Frontierland in Disneyland Paris. It opened in 1993, and features wax characters from the American Far-West, and even famous "Legends".-Fort Comstock:...
- Big Thunder MountainBig Thunder Mountain RailroadBig Thunder Mountain Railroad is an indoor/outdoor mine train roller coaster located in Frontierland at several Disneyland-style Disney Parks worldwide...
- Phantom ManorPhantom ManorPhantom Manor is an attraction located in Frontierland at Disneyland Park in Disneyland Paris. Sharing a similar theme with the Haunted Mansion attractions at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, it opened with Euro Disneyland on April 12, 1992...
- Thunder Mesa Riverboat LandingMark Twain RiverboatThe Mark Twain Riverboat is an attraction, located at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, on which passengers embark on a scenic, 12-minute journey around the Rivers of America. Originally named the Mark Twain Steamboat when the park opened in 1955, the stately, 5/8-scale...
- River Rogue Keel Boats
- Rustler Roundup Shooting Gallery
- Pocahontas Indian Village
- Woody's Roundup Village
- Chaparral Theatre
- Disneyland Railroad - Frontierland DepotDisneyland Railroad (Paris)The Disneyland Railroad , originally the Euro Disneyland Railroad , is a narrow gauge railroad at Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Paris Resort in Marne-la-Vallée, France that was inaugurated on the park's opening day, April 12, 1992...
Adventureland
- Le Passage Enchanté d'AladdinLe Passage Enchanté d'AladdinLe Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin is a walkthrough attraction at Disneyland Paris, which opened in 1993 at the entrance of Adventureland, in a recreation of the Arabian City of Agrabah...
(Aladdin's Enchanted Passage) - Adventure IsleAdventure Isle (Disneyland Paris)Adventure Isle is an island in the center of Adventureland at Disneyland Paris. It opened with the park in 1992.-Adventure Isle:When creating Disneyland Paris, Imagineers decided Big Thunder Mountain would be the centerpiece of Frontierland. As such, finding a new spot of land for Tom Sawyer Island...
- La Cabane des RobinsonSwiss Family TreehouseSwiss Family Treehouse is an attraction that features at several Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The remaining versions based on the original are located at Magic Kingdom Park, Tokyo Disneyland and at Disneyland Park in Disneyland Paris...
- (Swiss Family Treehouse) - La Plage des Pirates (Pirates Beach)
- Pirates of the CaribbeanPirates of the Caribbean (theme park ride)Pirates of the Caribbean is a log flume type of dark ride at the Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris theme parks....
- Indiana Jones et le Temple du PérilIndiana Jones et le Temple du PérilIndiana Jones et le Temple du Péril is a roller coaster attraction at Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris. It opened on July 30, 1993. Based on the Indiana Jones films, guests are taken on an adventure riding in a mining train through a lost temple...
(Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril)
Fantasyland
- Le Château de la Belle au Bois DormantLe Château de la Belle au Bois DormantLe château de la belle au bois dormant is a structure that stands at the centre of the Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris and is a continuation of a concept first seen at Disneyland in California....
(Sleeping Beauty's Castle) - La Galerie de la Belle au Bois DormantLe Château de la Belle au Bois DormantLe château de la belle au bois dormant is a structure that stands at the centre of the Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris and is a continuation of a concept first seen at Disneyland in California....
(Sleeping Beauty's Gallery) - La Tanière du Dragon (The Dragon's Lair)
- Le Théâtre du Château (The Castle Stage)
- Le Carrousel de Lancelot (Lancelot's Carousel)
- Blanche-Neige et les Sept NainsSnow White's Scary AdventuresSnow White's Scary Adventures is a dark ride at the Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Park theme parks. Located in Fantasyland, it is one of the few remaining attractions that was operational on Disneyland's opening day in 1955...
(Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) - Les Voyages de PinocchioPinocchio's Daring JourneyPinocchio's Daring Journey is a dark ride at the Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Park theme parks. Located in Fantasyland, this ride is based on Disney's animated film version of the classic story, which was the studio's second animated feature film. Stromboli's marionette show is also...
(Pinocchio's Fantastic Journey) - Dumbo the Flying ElephantDumbo the Flying Elephant (ride)Dumbo the Flying Elephant is a carousel-style ride located in Fantasyland at five Disney parks around the world. The original attraction opened at Disneyland in October of 1955, three months after the park opened...
- Peter Pan's FlightPeter Pan's FlightPeter Pan's Flight is a suspended dark ride at the Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Park theme parks. Located in Fantasyland, it is one of the few remaining attractions that was operational on Disneyland's opening day in 1955...
- Alice's Curious LabyrinthAlice's Curious LabyrinthAlice's Curious Labyrinth is a hedge maze attraction at the Disneyland Park within Disneyland Paris. It opened in 1992 with the Park, and belongs to the British part of Fantasyland.-The Labyrinth:...
- Mad Hatter's Tea CupsMad Tea PartyMad Tea Party is a spinning tea cup ride at all five Disneyland-style theme parks around the world. The ride theme is inspired by the Unbirthday Party scene in Disney's Alice In Wonderland...
- It's a Small World
- Le Pays de Contes de FéesStorybook Land Canal BoatsStorybook Land Canal Boats is an attraction located at the Disneyland and Disneyland Park theme parks. Passengers embark on a leisurely-paced outdoor boat ride through a winding canal featuring settings from Disney animated films recreated in miniature...
(Storybook Land Canal Boats) - Casey Jr. - Le Petit Train du CirqueCasey Jr. Circus TrainThe Casey Jr. Circus Train is an attraction found at Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Based on the train of the same name from the 1941 film Dumbo, it gives passengers a tour of many miniature versions of classic Disney animated film scenes. This tour is similar to the one given on the slower paced...
(Casey Jr. Circus Train) - Fantasy Festival Stage
- Disneyland Railroad - Fantasyland StationDisneyland Railroad (Paris)The Disneyland Railroad , originally the Euro Disneyland Railroad , is a narrow gauge railroad at Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Paris Resort in Marne-la-Vallée, France that was inaugurated on the park's opening day, April 12, 1992...
Discoveryland
- Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
- Orbitron - Machines VolantesAstro OrbitorThe Astro Orbitor is a rocket-spinner attraction featured at all five Magic Kingdom-style parks at Walt Disney Resorts around the world. Although each ride may have a different name, all share the same premise of rockets spinning around a central monument...
- AutopiaAutopiaAutopia is a Disneyland attraction, in which patrons steer specially designed cars through an enclosed track. Versions of Autopia exist at Anaheim, California, Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, France, and at Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island, Hong Kong...
- VideopolisVideopolis (Disneyland Paris)Videopolis is an auditorium in the Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris, near Marne-la-Vallée. It was an opening day attraction, and is located within the Discoveryland section of the park, an alternate take on the Tomorrowland concept, which takes into consideration the science fiction pioneered by...
- Arcade Alpha & Arcade Bêta
- Les Mystères du NautilusLes Mystères du NautilusLes Mystères du Nautilus is a walkthrough attraction at Disneyland Paris in France. It is an updated version of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea walkthrough attraction that was at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA in the early 1950s, based upon the film of the same name.This attraction takes guests...
- Space Mountain: Mission 2Space Mountain: Mission 2Space Mountain: Mission 2 is a steel roller coaster-type attraction in Discoveryland at Disneyland Park in Disneyland Paris themed around a journey into space. The attraction opened on June 1, 1995, three years after the opening of the park, as a revival of interest to draw more guests to the...
- Star ToursStar ToursStar Tours is a motion simulator attraction currently operating at Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris. The ride is based on the successful Star Wars film series created by George Lucas, making it the first Disney attraction based on a non-Disney produced film.The first...
- L'Astroport Services Interstellaires
- Captain EOCaptain EOCaptain EO is a 3-D science fiction film starring Michael Jackson and directed by Francis Ford Coppola that was shown at Disney theme parks from 1986 through the 1990s...
- Disneyland Railroad - Discoveryland StationDisneyland Railroad (Paris)The Disneyland Railroad , originally the Euro Disneyland Railroad , is a narrow gauge railroad at Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Paris Resort in Marne-la-Vallée, France that was inaugurated on the park's opening day, April 12, 1992...
Seasonal and special events
Different seasons offer different park opening hours and different entertainment offerings.- Magical Moments Festival - April 2011 - ?
- New Generation Festival - 2 April 2010 to 13 March 2011
- Summer Time at Disneyland Paris - 3 July to 29 August 2010
- Disney's Halloween Festival - 2 October to 1 November 2010
- Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - 8th, 15th, 22 and 26 October 2010
- Disney's Halloween Party - 31 October 2010
- Mickey's Magical Fireworks & Bonfire - 3rd, 5 and 8 November 2010
- Disney Enchanted Christmas - 7 November 2010 to 6 January 2011
- St David's Welsh Festival - 4 to 6 March 2011
- St Patrick's Day - 17 March 2011
Entertainment and parades
Disneyland Park hosts a range of daytime and nighttime entertainment throughout the year, although the nighttime entertainment is seasonal.Entertainment
- Mickey's Magical Celebration*
- Following the leader with Peter Pan*
- Disney Dance Express*
- The Enchanted Fireworks (Summer season only)
Parades
- Disney's Once Upon a Dream ParadeDisney's Once Upon a Dream ParadeDisney's Once Upon a Dream Parade is a daily parade at Disneyland Park, that premiered on March 31, 2007 for the resort-wide 15th Anniversary Celebration....
- Disney's Magic on Parade
- Disney's FantillusionDisney's Fantillusion*Park: Tokyo Disneyland*Original Run: July 21, 1995 - May 15, 2001*Sponsor: Unisys*Succeeded by: Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLights...
(Summer and Winter seasons) - Stars'n'cars (Studio Disney only)
* denotes part of the Magical Moments Festival