CHESSY, France — A 118-foot mountain of ice now dominates the landscape just outside Paris, marking the official opening of World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris this weekend. The immersive land, dedicated to the blockbuster animated franchise, opened Sunday as the centerpiece of a massive, 2 billion euro ($2.18 billion USD) transformation of the theme park, and a significant debut for Disney’s novel chief executive, Josh D’Amaro.
The expansion, which renames one of the park’s two areas from Walt Disney Studios Park to Disney Adventure World, represents the largest investment in the 34-year history of Disneyland Paris. It’s also a key component of a roughly $60 billion global investment Disney is making in its parks, resorts, and cruise lines, signaling a renewed focus on the physical Disney experience. Celebrities including Penélope Cruz, Naomi Campbell, and Teyana Taylor attended the inauguration, underscoring the event’s significance within the entertainment industry.
For D’Amaro, who assumed the role of Disney CEO on March 18 – just eleven days before the French park opened – the launch is a high-profile international debut. His rise to the top job was largely fueled by the success of Disney’s parks and experiences division, which generated 57% of the company’s $17.5 billion in segment operating income last year, according to company reports. The parks are now, more than ever, a critical driver of Disney’s overall financial performance.
“The Walt Disney Company was built on one man’s dream, and for more than 100 years we’ve shared that dream with the world,” D’Amaro told attendees at the opening ceremony. “Storytelling is fundamental to everything that we do, whether that’s on screen or stage, in our theme parks, on our cruise ships, or even at home.” He described the opening as “a transformational moment,” acknowledging the creative team, including “Frozen” writer-director Jennifer Lee, who is currently at work on “Frozen 3.”
A President’s Endorsement and a History Reversed
The opening of World of Frozen wasn’t just a Disney event. it drew the attention of the French government. On Friday, D’Amaro stood alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the resort. Macron publicly positioned Disneyland Paris as a vital national economic asset, calling it “the leading tourist destination in Europe” and “a genuine ecosystem of success.” He stated that the expansion would create 1,000 new direct jobs.
“Since the beginning, that’s 13 billion euros invested on this territory,” Macron said, highlighting the park’s long-term economic impact. Disneyland Paris reports having recorded more than 445 million visits since 1992, contributing 6.1% to France’s national tourism revenue. This level of support marks a dramatic shift in perspective.
When the park first opened as Euro Disney in 1992, it faced considerable criticism from French intellectuals, who derided it as a “cultural Chernobyl.” Now, decades later, a French president is championing it as a cornerstone of the national economy. This reversal speaks to the park’s successful integration into the French cultural and economic landscape.
Rooted in European Storytelling
The choice of Arendelle as the centerpiece of this expansion isn’t accidental. According to Michel den Dulk of Walt Disney Imagineering, “Frozen, of course, has its roots in European storytelling.” The film draws heavily from the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, providing a natural thematic connection to the European setting of Disneyland Paris. “So to have a northern European, charming wooden little village here in Disneyland Paris — it just made sense,” den Dulk explained.
This connection to European folklore extends to other areas of the expanded park. The new Tangled-themed family ride, for example, is inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s Rapunzel. The land itself is meticulously designed to recreate Arendelle, featuring a lagoon, timber buildings painted in muted Scandinavian colors, and facades adorned with rosemaling, a traditional Norwegian decorative art.
At the heart of World of Frozen is Frozen Ever After, a boat ride utilizing state-of-the-art animatronics and immersive projection effects. Guests can also meet Anna and Elsa inside Arendelle Castle, interact with a responsive baby troll named Mossy, and enjoy the Snow Flower Festival, a lagoon celebration featuring an original song.
A Moment of Magic and a Promise Fulfilled
The opening weekend wasn’t just about the spectacle of the new land; it was also about individual moments of joy. An Associated Press journalist accompanied D’Amaro on the “Frozen” ride Saturday night, witnessing firsthand the childlike wonder of riders as the carriage splashed through water and glided past singing Elsa. D’Amaro himself was seen laughing along with the guests.
Perhaps the most poignant moment came when 11-year-old Lou, whose wish was granted through Develop-A-Wish France, took the stage to sing a few notes of “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” A next-generation robotic Olaf joined her, marking the 25,000th wish fulfilled for a sick child at Disneyland Paris since 1992.
Beyond World of Frozen, Disney Adventure World boasts a new lake called Adventure Bay, the Tangled ride, 15 new dining locations – including the Regal View Restaurant – and a nighttime spectacular called Disney Cascade of Lights, featuring over 380 drones. Construction is already underway on a Lion King-themed land, promising further expansion in the future. Disney states that more than 90% of the park’s offerings have been redesigned since 2002, and the overall footprint will roughly double upon completion of the transformation.
While Disney’s streaming services have faced challenges, the parks remain a consistently strong performer. D’Amaro, the architect of this success, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and storytelling. “We continue to dream bigger and bring stories to life in brand new ways,” he said.
As pyrotechnics lit up Arendelle Village and the ice palace glowed blue, it was clear that Disneyland Paris has entered a new era. Thirty-four years after its initial, rocky start, a new kingdom has opened its gates, offering a magical experience “for the first time in forever.”
Looking ahead, Disney will continue to roll out new experiences at Disneyland Paris, with the Lion King land slated for completion in the coming years. The company will also be closely monitoring the performance of Disney Adventure World to inform future expansion plans at its parks around the globe. For the latest updates on the park’s progress, visit the official Disneyland Paris website.
What are your thoughts on the new World of Frozen? Share your comments below and let us realize what you consider of the transformation at Disneyland Paris.
