Disney Adventure World: Disneyland Paris renames Walt Disney Studios as part of massive expansion

Apr 12, 2024 in "Disneyland Paris Resort"

Posted: Friday April 12, 2024 9:55am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disneyland Paris is set for a major revamp of its second park, currently known as Walt Disney Studios Park, which will be renamed Disney Adventure World.

This transformation marks a shift towards more immersive experiences, starting with the introduction of the "World of Frozen," an area inspired by the popular Disney movie. The park's expansion will nearly double its size, incorporating new themed areas alongside existing ones like Marvel Avengers Campus and Worlds of Pixar.

The project, fueled by a two-billion-euro investment, aims to overhaul more than 90% of the existing park, enhancing it with attractions that allow visitors to step into their favorite Disney stories. The revamp also includes updates to Disney Village and Disney Hotels, aiming to boost the overall guest experience.

Future attractions include the "World of Frozen," set by a new 70,000 cubic meter body of water called Adventure Bay, which will feature high-tech entertainment stages. The park entrance will also be reimagined to resemble a vibrant, open-air movie studio, enhancing the thematic journey from the moment guests arrive.

"Today, we are changing the story of Walt Disney Studios Park, evolving from 'how it's done' soundstages to celebratory theaters and adventures that come to life in immersive worlds. These fully realized adventure worlds will become the focus of the park's new identity and appear as realms that guests discover as they navigate deeper within the park and are invited to participate in adventures inspired by our most beloved stories," Tom Fitzgerald, Walt Disney Imagineering Chief Storytelling Executive and Senior Creative Executive for Disneyland Paris, commented.

"Embracing a transformation that involves the overhaul of more than 90% of Walt Disney Studios Park since its debut in 2002, we're unveiling a fresh creative vision that has completely redefined our second gate. Guests will embark on a journey that blends the magic and emotion of our beloved franchises with explorations into faithfully recreated new worlds. This significant evolution inspired us to rename the Park, heralding a vibrant new chapter for Disneyland Paris. The new name will officially take effect coinciding with the grand opening of our next themed land, World of Frozen, marking a harmonious start to this exciting new era. With our commitment to pushing the boundaries of immersion and innovation, we're crafting breathtaking new experiences and spectacular moments at Disney Adventure World that will resonate more than ever with our guests. It's set to offer unique adventures in immersive worlds, serving as a perfect complement to Disneyland Park," Natacha Rafalski, Présidente of Disneyland Paris, shared.

World of Frozen

World of Frozen will take guests on a journey to the kingdom of Arendelle, with its colorful facades and remarkable North Mountain gradually coming into view. The land will feature the Frozen Ever After ride and a meet-and-greet experience with Anna and Elsa.

The land will be well located on the edge of Adventure Bay, a 70,000 cubic meter body of water surrounded by picturesque banks and a promenade at the heart of the park expansion, serving as a gateway to the new themed universes that will surround it.

More than a scenic icon, Adventure Bay will serve as a unique entertainment stage with a 360-degree viewing area. It will be fitted with the latest technologies to provide exciting water-based entertainment, complete with fountains, music, lights and special effects that are sure to delight guests.

A brand-new immersive world, whose concept and design are currently being finalized by Imagineers, will further enhance the appeal of this reimagined park in the years to come. Disney says more details will be shared in the future.

A Reimagined Park Entrance

Beginning this month, the park's transformation work will extend to the entrance area to immerse guests in the brand-new story as soon as they step into Disney Adventure World.

After passing through the turnstiles, guests will be transported into a vibrant, contemporary open-air movie studio before becoming special guests of a glamorous film premiere in the heart of Hollywood on a starry night. To bring this all-new immersive experience to life, the interior décor of the "soundstage" — which currently depicts a filming scene on Hollywood Boulevard — will be replaced with crafted décor that pays homage to historic movie theaters in Hollywood and the entertainment industry as a whole. The new entrance building, renamed World Premiere, will reopen in Spring 2025.

Once outside the building, guests will arrive in the heart of World Premiere Plaza, an area that brings together theaters, currently celebrating Disney Animation and Pixar stories, in a stylish Art Déco-inspired setting. The Walt Disney Imagineering Paris teams are already at work to turn the park's former central square into a dynamic and warm environment with décor inspired by the famous facades of Broadway and West End theaters. The atmosphere will be even more vibrant and magical at night, with bright lights illuminating the whole experience!

To gain access to the park's immersive worlds, guests will be able to walk along Adventure Way, a beautiful promenade surrounded by lush landscape and themed gardens. As guests wander through this enchanting area, they will discover Raiponce Tangled Spin, an all-new family attraction offering a fun take on a classic ride, inspired by the beloved Disney Animation movie Tangled.

It will invite guests to "take a spin" through the iconic floating lanterns scene that has touched the hearts of viewers of all ages.

Finally, before setting off on new adventures, guests will have the chance to treat their taste buds to delicious dishes served at The Regal View Restaurant and Lounge, a stylish table-service restaurant that will offer guests spectacular views over Adventure Bay, along with a chance to meet some of their favorite Disney Princesses.

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etc983 days ago

That’s good to hear. I definitely thought it would be more unthemed and much bigger in the skyline

EPCOTCenterLover3 days ago

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'll have to give the Studios a fresh chance next trip to Paris.

J45463 days ago

they just planted some big trees that should help as well

Aramar3 days ago

The back of the Tower of Terror has always been visible from inside the park. I agree it's not the most beautiful sight, but it's not a plain tall wall either. It has some windows and very subtle ornaments at the top and vertical stripes running from top to bottom. From the likeside of Arendelle, the TOT will be quite far. It will be visible, of course, but I don't think it's going to be a big problem. From the ground perspective, the trees will block the view in many places. Our eyes will focus more on the Regal view restaurant and the East pavilion building. As a reference, this is the Google maps view from the berm. A small tree is enough to completely block the view of the tower. In the lake, the distance will be aprox half of the distance from the berm, so a larger tree might be needed, but still will be able to block the view from many places.

Gusey3 days ago

The trees are also going to help obscure parts of it too

marni19713 days ago

It’s hardly “blank”. Plus it’s purposely angled to add variation from behind as well as in front. More stepping would help break up the bulk but that’s not happening.

etc984 days ago

I’m sure I already know the answer, but with the new lake, the backside of Tower of Terror is going to be so much more visible. Are they doing anything to theme it more, or will the view from Arendelle looking back toward the entrance really just include a blank 200 foot tall wall?

Jordan dby4 days ago

its hard to do direct comparisons, because the rides serve different purposes. think ToT is more fun than PM. Webs more fun than Buzz. SM would beat Flight force but the queue for FF is often 15 min or less, I'd take that over an hour for SM. Remy is a great dark ride, matching peter pan. i can leave the rest of fantasy land, especially with the queues they get. my younger kids love slinky dog spin and dumbo, the rest is meh for them. i appreciate that the castle park is full of classics and studios has the huge benefit of most of those rides being built with later technology but the point was i can fill a day as easily at studios as i can the main park. there are enough good rides, usually 2 or 3 great shows. what i miss is the atmosphere and beauty of the main park, and some nice places to sit and just enjoy being there. oh and a night time show. similarly i am equally happy in DCA now as i am DL.

Gusey4 days ago

Aramar5 days ago

I'm not Jordan, but in my opinion, the Tower of Terror and Ratatouille match the level of the Disneyland Park. I love the Ratatouille area. The fountain, the shop, the brilliant themed restaurant and the ride itself. Also, personally I love the entrance to the Walt Disney Studios park with the arch, the fountain, the water tower and the big studio 1 front. I haven't seen Together, but Mickey and the Magician is one of the best theatre shows Disney has ever made in any of the parks worldwide.

EPCOTCenterLover5 days ago

I'm sincerely curious, Jordan. What do you see in the Studios park that matches up fairly close with Phantom Manor, Pirates, or Small World. I don't know of anything in the Studios park that has this amount of creativity or depth of execution.

Jordan dby5 days ago

i find myself spending a fair bit of time in WDSP. it doesn't have the 'magic' feel of the others because the theming and design are ill fitting and in places ugly, but the attraction list isn't far off the main park (especially when BTM or HSM are down, a lot recently) and more importantly the shows in WDSP have been fantastic. it is however the ugliest disney park, built right next to the prettiest. if that gets fixed then with the sitting of 3 extra rides and a night show i think it will be in good shape

marni19716 days ago

As opened, you got as far as the north side of Sir Mickeys. The only damp bit was in Town Square at the fire gate next to The Storybook Store.

Bernswss6 days ago

The original design that unfortunately was reduced. It opened with an amazing design still, from Disneyland Hotel all the way to Peter Pan's Flight via Frontierland and Adventureland. Once again, unfortunately it got slightly split in half with the creation of the Agrabah restaurant, which used to be open.