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A Transformation is Coming to This Disney Resort

The Walt Disney Company is well known for progression, where Parks, lands, and Resorts are reimagined to bring new adventures and experiences to Guests. The recent Disney D23 Expo confirmed several new additions and developments that will arrive in the Disneyland Paris Resort over the coming years. The Disney Resort celebrated its 30th anniversary this year; celebrations are in progress, and Guests will be able to experience them through September 30, 2023.

In the last few days, The Walt Disney Company has shared more information with Disney fans about the transformation that will occur to a current part of the Disney Resort. Let’s take a look at what is to come!

Disney Village

Disneyland Paris consists of two theme parks, seven Resort hotels, and a shopping and dining district known as Disney Village. Disney Village is a 428,000-square-foot complex that most Guests will pass through to travel between the Disney theme parks and their Disney hotel. Since opening 30 years ago, the shopping and dining district has more than doubled in size and is set to undergo a new transformation soon.

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Credit: Disneyland Paris

The Walt Disney Company confirmed the transformation earlier this year, which will bring a new identity to Disney Village and add unique offerings for Guests to enjoy. The transformation will be phased, due to the need to keep the district accessible for Disney Guests throughout the reimagining process. The vision is to create a holistic and strategic district that will celebrate Disney storytelling in a contemporary and artistic style. Imagineer and Executive Architect Greg Ashton is working on the project and explains that the existing infrastructure in Disney Village will be changed strategically, to have a significant and positive impact on Guest experience.

The reimagined Disney Village will be influenced by the vibrant and active Parisian lifestyle whilst keeping its own identity. The Disney touches that will feature, including music, lights, and art will create a bridge between the immersive worlds in the Disney Parks with places to relax, dine and shop. 

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Credit: Disney

Jean-Marc Mounet is a Disney Imagineer and Senior Project Manager for the Disney Village project. He confirms that the first stage of works on Disney Village is intended to begin in early 2023. January will see construction commence on Cafe Mickey to transform the restaurant into Rosalie. This new, contemporary French brasserie will bring fresh flavors to a modern yet elegant lakeside setting. Rosalie will offer full-service and quick-service dining that Guests can enjoy inside and outside on terraces that overlook Lake Disney. 

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Credit: Disney

Following construction works on Cafe Mickey, the first of many new facades to Disney Village will be added. Disney Fashion Junior provides the perfect place for the brand-new facade as the store is located to the side of the main Disney Village walkway, providing a good starting place to adjust the district’s design, and to set the construction process for future facades.

The transformation will extend beyond Disney Village to the perimeter of Lake Disney. A new lakeside park will make for a perfect place to relax after time in the Disney Parks, and a boardwalk will add character to the current walkway that Guests use to get to Disney Village.

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Credit: Disney

Walt Disney Studios Park

Disney Village isn’t the only part of the Disney Resort that will be reimagined. The Marvel Avengers Campus opened this summer and added two new attractions to the Walt Disney Studios Park: Avengers Assemble: Flight Force; and Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure. A new shop, known as Stark Factory, has also opened, as well as the new PYM Kitchen restaurant.

Works are currently taking place in the Disney Park to prepare for the addition of ‘The Kingdom of Arendelle’. The new land is set to immerse Guests in a winter wonderland that will feature Elsa’s Ice Castle, a 131-foot snow-capped mountain, and a beautiful Norwegian-inspired village. The Frozen (2013) land will bring magical, new experiences for all Guests to enjoy in the theme park, including an attraction, merchandise locations, a restaurant, and character experiences.

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Credit: Disney

Before arriving in ‘The Kingdom of Arendelle’, Guests will pass along a ‘Picturesque Promenade’, featuring themed gardens inspired by favorite Disney stories. A Tangled (2010) attraction has been confirmed to be a part of the themed gardens. The family ride is set to be similar to the Mad Tea Party, where Guests can sit in boats inspired by the one that Rapunzel and Flynn Rider occupy at the floating lantern festival in the Disney movie. 

Disneyland Hotel

The Disney Resort hotel located at the entrance to Disneyland Park is currently closed to Guests as extensive works take place to transform this iconic hotel into a perfect residence for Disney royalty. The Disneyland Hotel is due to reopen in 2024. The decor of the reimagined hotel will be inspired by Disney princesses and will ooze 5-star elegance and luxury.

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Credit: Disney

It isn’t the only Resort hotel to be reimagined at Disneyland Paris. What used to be the Hotel New York, located on the other side of Disney Village to the Disneyland Hotel, has been transformed into the Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel in recent years. The Disney hotel now showcases the most extensive collection of Marvel artwork and offers unique experiences to Guests.

The updates to Disneyland Paris over the next few years will surely make it a destination any Disney fan will want to visit. Whether you’ve visited before or it’s still on your list, a visit to the European Disney Resort should be on your list soon. We can’t wait to see the finished product when the works are complete at Disneyland Paris.

About Victoria Mills

Victoria is a Disney-loving, tea-drinking, Math teacher from Liverpool, England. Her motto is 'work hard, Disney harder'! Having taken part in the Disney College Program back in 2010, Victoria's love and appreciation for Walt Disney World only grew, and it's the place where she feels most herself - it's home!