Disney Restricts Thousands of Kids From Meeting Princesses, New Shut Down Initiated

One Disney park has officially eliminated meeting princesses.

Planning a Disney vacation is a big deal, and being told that one of the main things you came to experience will be shutting down is detrimental. While closures often indicate that upgrades are being made, and Walt’s goal of Disneyland (and any other subsequent Disney park) will never be complete as it will keep evolving is coming true, it does not erase the fact that a one-week vacation of a lifetime for thousands of guests may be sacrificed to make these changes occur.

While Walt Disney World is home to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, and each of these parks endure closures, there is one Disney resort that is preparing for a closure that will have many guests left upset.

At Disneyland Paris, aka EuroDisney, there is so much for guests to enjoy, just a short Metro ride away from the Eiffel Tower.

Disneyland Paris boasts a fantastic array of rides that cater to different tastes and age groups. Hyper Space Mountain is a high-speed roller coaster through outer space is a thrilling favorite for many guests, especially those who have been on the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland Park version of the attraction and are looking to up the intensity.

Phantom Manor offers a uniquely spooky twist on the classic Haunted Mansion ride. Ratatouille: The Adventure in Walt Disney Studios Park provides a delightful 4D experience, shrinking guests down to the size of a rat in Gusteau’s restaurant. Big Thunder Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean are iconic classics, delivering exciting adventures for all. Families with little ones will appreciate “it’s a small world” and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, both known for their whimsical charm.

Dining at Disneyland Paris is a delightful experience with a variety of culinary options. Auberge de Cendrillon offers a fairytale setting for character dining with princesses.

For a taste of French cuisine, Ratatouille-themed Bistrot Chez Rémy is a charming choice. In Disney Village, Café Mickey provides another opportunity for character dining. For a quick bite, try the delectable pastries at Au Chalet de la Marionnette or indulge in a classic crepe from Creperie de la Belle Epoch.

To immerse in a unique dining atmosphere, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show at Disney Village combines a dinner show with Wild West entertainment, creating a memorable dining experience for guests of all ages. Basically, if you are hungry, Disneyland Paris has you covered.

Of course, choosing the right accommodation at Disneyland Paris is crucial for a magical and convenient experience. Disney offers a range of themed hotels catering to various preferences.

For a luxurious stay, the Disneyland Hotel, located at the park’s entrance, provides a premium experience with direct park access. The hotel is currently under refurbishment but will reopen on January 25, 2024.

The recently renovated Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel combines elegance with a celebration of Marvel superheroes. Disney’s Newport Bay Club, nestled by a lake, offers a nautical-themed escape, while Hotel Cheyenne and Hotel Santa Fe provide more budget-friendly options. For a unique experience, Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch offers bungalow-style accommodations surrounded by nature. Each location ranges in pricing, to accomoate a majority of guests.

The Disneyland Paris park is presently undergoing construction, impacting both the park’s entrance and the Disneyland Hotel.

Certain sections within the park are currently concealed by tarps or construction facades, with periodic closures of rides for routine refurbishment occurring each month. Notably, attractions like Hyperspace Mountain and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs experienced temporary closures throughout November.

While Disneyland Paris continually expands, the focal point of significant change lies in Walt Disney Studios Park. Serving as the equivalent of Disney California Adventure or Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Paris, this park centers on the world of movies, providing guests with an immersive Hollywood experience. Currently, the park is in the process of expansion, introducing a new Frozen land called World of Arendelle. This addition complements the existing Pixar-themed areas dedicated to Cars, Toy Story, Ratatouille, and Finding Nemo. Additionally, a Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to join the park, building upon previous renovations that brought forth an Avengers Campus.

Upon entering Walt Disney Studios Park through Studio 1, a movie set-themed space that simulates a sound stage, guests can enjoy food and shop for merchandise. This indoor area, unique to this park, stands as one of its prominent features.

However, it is worth noting that this building is also slated for closure during the upcoming years, from 2024 to 2025. This decision has stirred controversy as guests will need to exit the park for dining options due to the anticipated closure, impacting the accessibility of affordable food within the park premises.

While this closure will certainly devastate millions of guests who will not be able to visit Studio 1 all year, one closure that begins today will restrict thousands from meeting the Disney princesses.

The Disney princesses represent a cherished and diverse lineup of iconic female characters originating from Disney animated films, and for many, they are the group of characters that guests are most excited to meet in the parks, aside from Mickey Mouse, of course.

This enchanting roster includes classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora, each known for their grace, kindness, and enduring optimism. These early princesses, originating from the classic Disney fairy tales, set the stage for the beloved archetype, often marked by a strong connection with animals and a theme of love overcoming adversity.

In the later years, Disney expanded its princess lineup to include more contemporary and empowered characters. Ariel, the adventurous mermaid in The Little Mermaid, and Belle, the bookish beauty in Beauty and the Beast, brought new dimensions to the princess persona. These characters challenged traditional roles, with Ariel pursuing her dreams beyond her underwater kingdom, and Belle valuing intelligence and independence.

The inclusion of Mulan and Pocahontas further diversified the princess lineup, introducing heroines who defied expectations and embarked on daring journeys. Mulan disguised herself as a man to save her father and became a symbol of courage, while Pocahontas connected with nature and advocated for harmony between cultures.

More recent additions like Tiana, Rapunzel, Anna, and Elsa have continued to break stereotypes and showcase the evolving traits of Disney princesses. Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog, is a hardworking aspiring chef, Rapunzel, from Tangled, is a spirited adventurer with a magical mane of hair, and Elsa, from Frozen, challenges the notion of true love’s kiss, emphasizing the strength of sisterly love.

These Disney princesses collectively embody a range of personalities, backgrounds, and aspirations, resonating with audiences young and old. Their stories transcend time, delivering timeless messages of courage, love, and the pursuit of dreams, solidifying their place in the hearts of Disney fans worldwide.

As of today, sadly, The Princess Pavilion is now closed.

As we reported, “Meet and greets with the princesses will be restricted from November 27 to December 1. While this is a short closure, it will certainly disrupt thousands of vacations. Normally, three Princesses are meet-able a day, with the selection always being randomized. Standard selections include Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Princess Aurora, Jasmine, Ariel, Tiana, and Elena — now that perk and offering will be gone.”

Guests will still be able to see the princesses in the Disney Stars on Parade, however, they will only be able to wave from afar.

Would you be upset if you could not meet the princesses while on a Disney vacation?

This post is originally appeared on Inside the Magic.