2019 is looking set to be an exciting year at Disneyland Paris. Here are 9 things to be looking forward to.
Continue reading9 things to look forward to in 2019
Is 2018 the most exciting Disneyland Paris year yet?
Happy New Year! And with each New Year period, it’s time to both reflect on the year that has passed but perhaps more fun is to be excited for what lies ahead. For Disneyland Paris, 2018 is set to be perhaps one of the most exciting yet with seasons based on our favourite heroes; galactic warriors and wonderful princesses and dazzling pirates, and that’s not forgetting that it will still be time to sparkle! 2018 is set to be the most exciting year yet for Disneyland Paris!
Saving the galaxy – Season of the Force 2018!
Season of the Force is back on January 13th 2018 for another year of intergalactic fun! Last year’s season was a pleasant surprise and the success of last year will be built upon for 2018. The highlights are back including Star Wars: A Galactic Celebration, the charming and thrilling night time spectacular in the Walt Disney Studios park. This show will be updated to include scenes from the new edition of the Star Wars saga and builds on the huge success of last year. Additionally, there will be a celebration of famous vehicles from the saga with an exhibition from the 501st legion.
Swashbuckle and Sparkle Princesses – Festival of Pirates and Princesses
The new addition to the 2018 roster at Disneyland Paris involves the Festival of Pirates and Princesses; whilst we still don’t have a lot of information on the season, we do know that there will be a big show on Central Plaza that will involve both Pirates and Princesses. There will also be some themed meet and greets for the season.
This season will take place from late March until May 2018 and will provide a nice filler between Season of the Force and the Superhero spectacular of the summer.
Be dazzled by Disney FanDaze
The item on some Disney fan’s agenda will be Disney FanDaze, we’re still finding out more information about this exciting evening of entertainment but it is already shaping up to be one of the most memorable in the history of Disneyland Paris. This is an evening that is all about fan service of the highest degree, be it classic Disney characters or an evening of attractions and imagineering presentations, this evening will be one to satisfy all Disneyland Paris fans.
This special evening will take place during the first weekend of June 2018 in the Walt Disney Studios park.
Save the world! – Marvel Summer of Superheroes
Perhaps the most exciting new event of 2018 will be the Marvel Summer of Superheroes, this special summer of unique entertainment will take place in the Walt Disney Studios park and will see a unique show take centre stage in the Studio Theatre (formerly home to Cinémagique), a dance party and much more.
Marvel fans will want to keep an eye on all Disneyland Paris news in 2018 as the Disney’s Hotel New York closes to begin making way to the new Marvel-themed hotel. This special summer will take place from June until September 2018.
Fan favourites return – Halloween and Christmas
One of the stapes of the Disneyland Paris year are the Halloween and Christmas celebrations. In 2017 we saw changes in both celebrations, and it remains to be seen how this will develop in 2018. Halloween should grow back onto Main Street USA once again as this year it was moved entirely into Frontierland (in order for Main Street to celebrate the 25th anniversary). Christmas 2017 saw a large scale growth, 2018 should see some changes to the offering and hopefully further growth into the Walt Disney Studios Park.
A sparkling finale – 25th anniversary
The 25th anniversary has enchanted guests since March 2017, however on September 9th 2018 it must end. Until then we can still enjoy all the special entertainment that has been created for this unique celebration from Disney Illuminations, to Disney Stars on Parade via the two new castle stage shows.
It has been an amazing celebration, and one we can only hope that will be matched by whatever comes next following its conclusion.
A key refurbishment – Phantom Manor
Perhaps the most intriguing thing to come from Disneyland Paris this year will not be the seasonal celebrations (as enjoyable as they are), it will be this key refurbishment. Phantom Manor is a staple of Disneyland Paris, that attraction that you can’t miss on any visit (although, there are quite a few of those), and in January 2018 it will close for a period of time for a complete refurbishment. We have no precise re-opening time frame as of yet, all we do know is that the similar refurbishments recently have been of an exceptional quality.
Time will tell what is being reimagined at this highlight attraction, but it’ll be intriguing to know more.
2018 will be unmissable – will you be there?
2018 is going to be another stellar year for Disneyland Paris in which there will truly be something for every type of guest. What are you most looking forward to? Do drop a comment and let me know.
Otherwise, may I take a moment to wish you a very happy new year and all the best for 2018. I hope you have the best year yet!
How will our perception of Disneyland Paris change in 2017
A lot will be happening at Disneyland Paris in 2017. That much we already know; the indisputable event of 2017 will be the 25th anniversary of the resort, but other exciting developments will also be taking place such as Season of the Force and an expanded Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend.
But rather than asking the straight forward question of what is coming up which you can read in countless places and on social media, the better question is what will change in our minds. Disneyland Paris fans have become increasingly optimistic over the direction of the resort, but niggling doubts and negativity remains. And in the wider Disney parks community Disneyland Paris is still seen in some circles as the ugly duckling. But will that change over 2017?
Disneyland Paris is gaining in reputation
The answer to the above question is, undoubtedly. Each year and with each piece of news that Disneyland Paris releases the reputation of Disney’s European outpost increases. This is true not only with local fans but with the international segment as well. Returning to the 20th anniversary and fan appreciation of Disneyland Paris was at an all time low.
Since then Disneyland Paris has opened Ratatouille, launched a large scale refurbishment plan and swapped out annual celebrations and opted to run shorter seasonal celebrations which ensured guests experienced something very different on each visit.
This has worked, Disneyland Paris fans are consistently praising the work of those leading the parks and the quality of the refurbishments and new additions.
The big event!
This year all eyes will be on Disneyland Paris which will shortly be celebrating its 25th anniversary. The celebration is almost unprecedented, two new attractions, a new nightly evening spectacular, a brand new parade and a few new shows and happenings. On top of all of this there will be, presumably, some form of decoration in the park to create a festive atmosphere.
It is very difficult to imagine that Disneyland Paris emerges from this monumental event without its reputation in both the press and online communities increasing.
Season of the Force
The other big push at the moment is Season of the Force. Disneyland Paris has always suffered in the winter months after the Christmas season. Whilst many take advantage of the cheaper rates, many are put off by the colder weather meaning that the parks can be very quiet indeed.
To combat this, Disneyland Paris has launched the Season of the Force. This Star Wars themed celebration will attract many guests from a previously untapped demographic. We already know that this celebration shall be returning in the 2018 winter period, and next year will also boast Star Tours and the upcoming meet and greet in Discoveryland – Season of the Force may well be the first big celebration to span both parks!
Beautiful refurbishments
The “Project Sparkle” refurbishment plan is scheduled to end this summer when Pirates of the Caribbean reopens. This schedule has been tough for fans with some key attractions closed for months at a time; the rewards of this, however, are marvellous.
Fan favourites are returning with increased colour and magic and the park genuinely is looking “as-new”. Painting a ride may seem trivial to some, but to fans it is greatly appreciated and is noticeable.
Disneyland Paris once had a reputation of being the ugly duckling of Disney resorts, but no longer. 2017 will be the year that everyone will take notice and look to book a trip.
Walt Disney Imagineering
Now for the negatives. I cannot ignore the change of Space Mountain into Hyperspace Mountain. Here’s the problem, I see this more as a reflection on WDI than Disneyland Paris – although the blame will, perhaps unfairly, land on the shoulders of the resort itself.
The reasoning is clear, Star Wars is popular and it sells. It’s easy to understand the commercial decision behind this swap and it makes commercial sense. However Disney parks have always been about more than pure commercial elements. We love the parks because of the story they tell, story is king – theoretically.
As I have said, however, I feel this is a wider direction for Walt Disney Imagineering as similar switches have occurred in other parks (to Hyperspace Mountain as a seasonal change and the Tower of Terror change to a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction which is permanent.
A transformative year… and the best is yet to come!
2017 will be the year Disneyland Paris fans finally makes it. And by this I do not mean in the eyes of Disneyland Paris fans who, I think, have been careful watching the developments but to international onlookers.
Local fans have a reason to really brag about the resort and international fans a reason to visit. I cannot think of a better birthday gift for Disneyland Paris.
2014: A huge year for Disneyland Paris
When looking back at 2013, it almost seems as if it was all build up to this mega year that we have just entered. We know that the big thing on the radar for 2014 is the Ratatouille attraction in the summer. But that’s not all, there is a great sense of optimism for the year that lies ahead. So, what can we look forward to?LEGO Store
After almost six months since Hollywood Pictures closed in Disney Village, it’s almost time for the new store to open in its place. The store suffered a number of setbacks including the incredibly unfortunate roof collapse, but now it’s almost ready. In the coming days or weeks the launch will happen to the press, and guests will be discovering a new product range in perhaps the most unique store in Disney Village. Famous Disney scenes will be depicted in LEGO in this, the largest of the European LEGO stores.
It’s a small addition, but one that is very welcome in Disney Village and will be immensely popular – Let’s look forward to welcoming them to the Disneyland Paris family.
Spring Time
It might come as no surprise that there is no yearly celebration this year something that hasn’t happened since the 15th anniversary seven years ago. So, after the usual low season after Christmas, what will be in the parks? Well, according to the current rumours we’ll be seeing the return of the Festival des Fleurs from April until July. This festival could see some famous Disney scenes in a flower form, but one thing is certain, the park will look stunning with the flowers. I’ve always been a great admirer of the work that the Disney gardeners do, I just know we won’t be let down by this. Prepare to be amazed.
Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy
Obviously this is the major pull of the upcoming year, this is why you’ll be booking trips over there. The latest images from InsideDLParis show an incredible facade being created in La Place de Rémy as it’s been called in the French press release (but not in the English release). Aside from this new trackless ride that will be unique in the world, the new land will feature a restaurant Bistrot Chez Rémy and a shop Chez Marianne Souvenirs de Paris. The restaurant should open at the same time as the attraction, whereas the shop will be a little later in the Autumn and will offer a unique style of restaurant (as detailed in this article from Dedicated to DLP).
Halloween & Christmas
Naturally, as of yet there is no news on these, but if they keep expanding at the rate they have been these last couple of years, I’m expecting big things from them both. Even if Christmas doesn’t change much, I’ll be very content. These seasons are becoming a staple of the end of year in Disneyland Paris. I cannot wait to see what they come up with this year.
And so, there we have it. That’s a brief overview of the fantastic things to come to Disneyland Paris this year. Get your seat belts on, it’s going to be one heck of a ride.
Coming up soon: I’ll share my wishes for 2014 at Disneyland Paris.
