Disneyland Paris officially inaugurated Disney Adventure World, its reimagined second park, on March 28, 2026, in a ceremony marking what the resort is calling the most ambitious expansion in its 34-year history.
The inauguration event, sponsored by Visa, featured a blend of live performances and official remarks from senior Disney leadership. Josh D’Amaro, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Natacha Rafalski, Présidente of Disneyland Paris, and Thomas Mazloum, Chairman of Disney Experiences, were all in attendance. The ceremony drew a broad guest list including actress Isabelle Huppert, designer Christian Louboutin, actress Léa Seydoux, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, footballers Olivier Giroud and Wayne Rooney, and French Olympic champion Perrine Laffont, among others.
A highlight of the evening was a performance by French-American singer Santa, who performed three songs from the Frozen franchise, including a closing rendition of “Let It Go” alongside characters Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, set against pyrotechnic effects over the new Adventure Bay lake. The ceremony also marked a significant charitable milestone: an 11-year-old child named Lou, whose wish was granted through Make-A-Wish France, joined Santa on stage, representing the 25,000th wish fulfilled for a child at Disneyland Paris since 1992. The appearance of Olaf — brought to life using robotic technology developed by Walt Disney Imagineering — drew a strong response from the crowd.
A €2 Billion Transformation
Disney Adventure World is the centerpiece of a €2 billion investment plan announced in 2018. The park, which originally opened in 2002, has had more than 90% of its offerings redesigned, and its footprint is set to roughly double upon completion of the full transformation. The expansion has already created more than 1,000 direct new jobs and involved nearly 400 suppliers, 82% of which are French or European.
The new World of Frozen land, set in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, is among the most prominent additions. Key creative figures from the broader Frozen franchise attended the inauguration, including Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush, Frozen director and writer Jennifer Lee, co-director Trent Correy, and returning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, all of whom are working on Frozen 3.
Presidential Visit Underscores Economic Significance
The day before the inauguration, on March 27, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the resort alongside public officials and international media. The visit coincided with the release of a new economic contribution study by consultancy SETEC, which found that Disneyland Paris accounts for 6.1% of France’s national tourism revenue. Since opening in 1992, the resort has recorded 445 million visits and invested €13 billion in France, making it Europe’s top tourist destination. It currently employs more than 20,000 people across more than 120 nationalities.
The resort’s presence has also reshaped the surrounding Val d’Europe region, where the population has grown sevenfold to more than 54,000 residents, and more than 9,300 businesses are now established, including offices for Deloitte, Henkel, Orange, and Crédit Agricole Brie Picardie.
Rafalski commented that the park’s transformation is intended to deliver both an elevated visitor experience and lasting economic benefits for the region. D’Amaro framed the expansion as consistent with Disney’s broader mission, describing it as an expression of “boundless imagination that brings people together.”
A Repositioned Destination
With the rebranding and redesign of its second gate, Disneyland Paris is positioning itself as a multi-day destination. The two parks are now intended to offer complementary experiences: Disneyland Park retaining its classic, fairytale identity, while Disney Adventure World focuses on immersive, adventure-driven worlds drawn from Disney Animation, Pixar, and Marvel properties.
Additional developments are already planned, including an attraction inspired by Pixar’s Up and a dedicated land based on The Lion King. The resort has also launched a new nighttime drone show, Disney Cascade of Lights, featuring more than 350 drones, and is undertaking major hotel renovations, including work at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge that began in January 2026.
Cover image courtesy of Disneyland Paris.
