it's a small world (after all) – A song for the ages

When thinking about the songs that capture the essence of Disney attractions, "it's a small world" immediately comes to mind. It has been said that, once you hear the melody, you can never forget it. Where does the magic of this enchanting musical score come from?

Walt Disney and the story of Animation

Today, the world of cinema is incredibly diverse with fantastic movies for everyone to enjoy, but many technologies had to first be invented to create an immersive universe through short films and feature films. The Disneyland Paris Ambassadors go back to tell you some of its main milestones...

The Sword in the Stone at Disneyland Paris

Did you know that Disneyland Paris sits on land that was the site of high society during medieval times? The field of La Marne, located close to Lagny, hosted the largest and most spectacular jousting tournament in Europe in November 1179 to celebrate the coronation of King Philip Augustus. The event attracted more than 3,000 guests, including Richard, Duke of Aquitaine (the future King Richard "The Lionheart") who is featured in Robin Hood, the classic 1973 animated film.

Inspirations for Sleeping Beauty Castle

The star of Disneyland Park, Sleeping Beauty Castle, is the emblematic building of Disneyland Paris. Do you know all of its secrets? Here are a few of them, as told by the Disneyland Paris Ambassadors!

History of Efteling

1933: the birth of an idea

In 1933, Chaplain Rietra and Pastor De Klijn conceive a plan to install a sports park to the South of Kaatsheuvel. With this idea, the basis for Efteling was born. Two years later, on 19 May 1935, R.K. Sport and Wandelpark opens, with a main football pitch, two training pitches and a playing field. One year later a playground is installed next to the sports park, with among others a steam carousel, a high slide, a cable way and a real pony ride. During the following years the sports park continues to expand for the important exhibition De Schoen (The Shoe) in 1949.

The Origins of the Disney Family

Did you know that some of Walt Disney's ancestors were French? They came from a small seaside town in Normandy: Isigny-sur-Mer. To what era do these origins date back? Who were these ancestors? The Disneyland Paris Ambassadors are happy to share this great story...

The Grand Opening of Disneyland Paris

It was on April 12, 1992 – at 9.01 a.m. on the dot – that Disneyland Paris opened its doors for the first time. It was the beginning of the dream and yet, so much had already been accomplished!

The live action films behind Adventureland

April 24, 2020

Walt Disney was always inspired by the wonders of nature and produced many documentaries and live-action films on the subject. When creating Disneyland, he immediately thought of dedicating a land to the natural world. As he once famously said, "The unbelievable splendor of exotic flowers… the eerie sound of the jungle…with eyes that are always watching. This is Adventureland."

A New Dimension of Chills - A short film on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

in September 2019, a team of fifty people from Disneyland Paris revived the Hollywood Tower Hotel at the height of its golden age, 1939 on the occasion of the launch of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - A New Dimension of Chills.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: a memorable grand opening

This story takes us back 12 years (and even more…) to the launch of the iconic Tower of Terror at Walt Disney Studios Park. On the evening of April 5, 2008, guests expected a traditional inauguration with an official speech and ribbon, but they certainly didn’t expect to travel to… The Twilight Zone!

Mickey right at home at Disneyland Paris

The bond between Mickey Mouse and Disney Parks goes back a long way. At the end of the 1940s, when Walt Disney was planning construction of the first theme park in history, he called it "Mickey Mouse Park" to begin with, going on to call it "Disneyland" in the end. But Mickey Mouse still has a place of honour at Disney Parks. Some Cast Members have the affectionate nickname of "the boss" for him, and plenty of guests on their way to Disneyland Paris simply say they're going over "to Mickey". There's no doubt that the most famous mouse in the world is a powerful symbol for the tourist destination, featuring in shows, attractions and even the décor all at the same time.

Zorro at Disneyland Paris

In the summer of 1993, a street show inspired by the Zorro series delighted visitors crossing Frontierland in front of the Fuente Del Oro Restaurant.

13 Fun facts about Tower of Terror

Halloween, 1939, a mysterious event forces the closing of the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel. What was once the favorite hotel of the Hollywood elite is now only the shadow of itself. Since its reopening in 2008 for those brave enough to dare to walk inside, the infamous building has yet to tell all its secrets. Discover 13 secrets about the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

[Documentary] Phantom Manor : A Spirited Attraction

On April 30, 2019 Phantom Manor officially reopened after a very long refurbishment of the attraction. For the reopening Disneyland Paris made a special documentary about this beautiful dark ride. In case you've missed it on You Tube, I'd like to bring this great documentary to your attention.

In Cinderella's Footsteps

The Glass Slipper
The story of Cinderella dates back to the moment when Walt Disney first got his start in the industry. In 1922, he opened his studio in Kansas City and produced his first series of cartoons, called the “laugh-O-Grams.” As part of this series, he released his first adaptation of the fairytale, with contemporary and comic undertones, in December that same year. A Silly Symphony based on the same story was considered for a while in 1933, but the project was nipped in the bud.

On Aladdin's Footsteps

At Disneyland Paris, Aladdin has long held a prominent place, whether in Disneyland Park or Walt Disney Studios Park. Each of them celebrates this iconic character and invites visitors to share his adventures through attractions and shows worthy of the Arabian Nights.

Dumbo Clowning Around At Disneyland Paris

In 1941, Walt Disney told us the story of a little elephant like no other, who reversed his destiny by making a subject of mockery - his ears of an unusual size - an extraordinary power, flying. This deeply touching adventure has always held a special place in the heart of Walt Disney to such an extent that in 1954 he planned to integrate it into the theme park he was then creating, Disneyland.

The release of Tim Burton "live" version (which had already staged the adaptation of another Classic, Alice in Wonderland, in 2010) was the perfect opportunity to revisit evocations of Dumbo at Disneyland Paris.

Fact Sheet: Disneyland Paris

April 3, 2020

Opening date: April 12, 1992
Location: Marne-la-Vallée, approximately 32 kilometers (20 miles) east of Paris
Land area: More than 2230 hectars (more than 5500 acres)
Theme parks: Two
Disney hotels: Six
Disney nature resorts: Two
Workforce: More than 17,000 Cast Members

Download Digital Copy of 'Disneyland Paris celebrates its Heritage'

March 27, 2020

For the European Heritage Days in 2019, Disneyland Paris released a limited copy of "Disneyland Paris celebrates its Heritage and is artistic crafts".

Sleeping Beauty: 60 Years of Inspiration for Disney Parks!

January 29, 2019

Disneyland Paris shared a very interesting article in honor of the 60th anniversary of Sleeping Beauty and how it was an inspiration for the Disney Parks. Here below you can read this article: