By the D23 Team
It all started on April 12, 1992, when Disneyland Paris—the kingdom of dreams and magic that has been enchanting guests for decades—first opened to the public. Having hosted more than 375 million visitors and debuting countless new experiences, Disneyland Paris has over the years created unforgettable memories that last a lifetime… no wonder it’s become Europe’s top tourist destination! The resort is known for bringing unique ideas to life, exploring new paths, and continuously reinventing itself.
30 Years of Magic, Innovation, and Pop Culture
Anchored in today’s popular culture, Disneyland Paris has inspired numerous international artists over the past three decades, from chefs and pastry chefs to fashion designers and photographers, all of whom shared their own artistic interpretations of the resort in their work. Check out this incredible legacy in a new clip from Disneyland Paris, highlighting the last 30 years:
For three full decades, Disneyland Paris has continued to develop more immersive experiences to bring stories and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars franchises to life. And the role of 16,000 talented cast members has been essential—their attention to detail, creativity, quality of service, and passion have truly brought the resort’s magic to life. Whether it be through attractions, shows (more than 200 shows have been produced by Disneyland Paris’ Entertainment department since 1992), restaurants, shops, hotels, gardens, or even décor, more than 500 professions contribute to shaping the future of the entertainment landscape every day.
March 6, 2022, will kick off a brand-new era marked by transformation, limitless creativity, and new technology—creating even more unforgettable memories for all the guests to come. Read on to find out more!
Dazzling New Nighttime Entertainment Comes to the Iconic Castle
Any visitor to Disneyland Paris knows that unique shows are part of the resort’s DNA… from Mickey and the Magician and The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands to Disney Junior Dream Factory, colorful, tuneful shows contribute to creating magic for resort guests.
And now, there’s a brand-new show on the horizon: For Disneyland Paris’ 30th, Dream… and Shine Brighter! will be performed several times each day, on Central Plaza at Disneyland Park in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle—which recently went through a 12-month-long refurbishment.
Celebrating three themes—the power of laugh, passion, and dreams—the show will feature more than 30 Disney characters and dancers with new colorful floats and a unique soundtrack. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and all their friends will be decked out in new iridescent costumes created especially for the 30th anniversary… and they’ll be joined by other favorites including the Genie from Aladdin, Rapunzel from Tangled, and Jessie and Woody from Toy Story, to name just a few.
To give you a sneak peek of the new costumes designed for this celebration, Disneyland Paris organized its own fashion show where Mickey, Minnie, and pals “hit the catwalk” in a totally one-of-a-kind setting:
But that’s not all! Come nighttime, a spectacular new moment will delight guests before one of the park’s most beloved shows, Disney Illuminations. Called Disney D-Light, this new pre-show will combine video projections, illuminated water jets, lighting effects, mist, iconic Disney songs—and in the skies above—incredible drone choreography to bring an additional touch of magic to the iconic Castle. Filled with all manner of special effects, the different scenes will transform the Castle as never before. Check out a special sneak peek below:
To kick off the celebration and for a limited time, a light and air show featuring 200 drones– designed with the assistance of European expert Dronisos, the show’s official technology provider– will be performed to as an unforgettable finale to this new nighttime pre-show. It’s the first time a Disney Park will be using the drone technology as part of a daily outdoor show above its Castle! These synchronized drones will form a sparkling figure “30” in the sky right above Sleeping Beauty Castle, as the new theme song created for the 30th Anniversary—“Un monde qui s’illumine”—plays. The soundtrack was recorded with a symphony orchestra at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London.
Elements to Make Fan Favorites Extra Magical
In addition to these incredible new shows, guests will be able to enjoy countless other experiences with family and friends… over 50 attractions perfect for both young and young at heart. “Selfie Spots” featuring favorite Disney characters will be seen throughout the park, and many shows including Mickey and the Magician (performances will start in Spring/Summer 2022), Disney Junior Dream Factory, Disney Stars on Parade (which made its big comeback in early January 2022 after being suspended for nearly two years) will delight fans as part of the celebration… and Disney Illuminations will immerse guests in Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars stories from the past and the present!
Gardens of Wonder Celebrate the Artistic Side of Disney and Pixar Characters
Sleeping Beauty Castle is the gorgeous centerpiece to Disneyland Park, and something new is blooming in front of the castle for the 30th anniversary celebration! Gardens of Wonder is an entirely new installation of art pieces, featuring kinetic Disney and Pixar sculptures which will all “come to life.” The 10 theme-based gardens will feature 30 art pieces total, celebrating nature and embodying the diversity of popular Disney and Pixar characters.
Through the production of local craftsmen, each art piece will take inspiration from a variety of influences, from windmills for children to the world of Salvador Dali. Each of the 10 gardens will have a different theme that showcases a wide variety of Disney and Pixar characters; for example, the Garden of Asia includes sculptures of Baymax, Mushu, and Sisu. Check out the video above for a closer look at art that will be coming to the gardens.
The Most Delicious Way to Celebrate
Of course, you can’t ring in 30 years of Disneyland Paris without new and delicious food and beverages! All foodies need to mark their calendars for March 6, 2022, which is when more than 60 new dishes will debut at the resort. You’ll be able to enjoy new vegetarian options, such as a vegan panini or a salted mashed potato waffle. Plus, look out for new desserts and cocktails! Disneyland Paris’ pastry team has been hard at work developing sweet treats for guests to enjoy, such as a white chocolate and strawberry cake served under a dome, called “Le Boquet final.”
If you’ve got an even bigger sweet tooth, you’ll want to check out the new 30th Anniversary-themed macarons assortment at the resort’s all-you-can-eat buffets. When you’re done dining on this feast for both the eyes and stomach, try a refreshing new exclusive drink, such as the pink “Happy Birthday Cocktail” or the “Smoothie with a Twist,” which features blueberries purees, banana, and coconut.
A Shopping Experience Unique to Disneyland Paris
With its 63 theme-based boutiques and shops, shopping is an experience in itself at Disneyland Paris. For the resort’s 30th Anniversary, teams have designed more than 350 new exclusive items—the most significant product development program ever conducted at Disneyland Paris! From limited edition collectibles to keychains, Anniversary-themed plush, iconic ear headbands, and trendy sweatshirts, the 30th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris will offer items to suit all tastes, so that everyone can shine in his/her/their own way!
And as the celebration continues, new collections and products designed in collaboration with renowned brands will be added to the 30th Anniversary merchandise collections in Disneyland Paris shops—meaning there will be even more surprises in store for guests.
Minnie Mouse Gets a Fashionable New Look
For the 30th Anniversary, Minnie Mouse called upon renowned British fashion designer Stella McCartney and asked her to create her first pantsuit to be worn at Disneyland Paris.
“I am delighted to be working with the one, the only, the iconic Minnie Mouse,” says McCartney. “I have designed a custom outfit for her in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris. Minnie has always had a special place in my heart. We share the same values. What I love about Minnie is the fact that she embodies happiness, self-expression, authenticity, and that she inspires people of all ages around the world. Plus, she has such great style!”
McCartney continues, “I wanted Minnie to wear her very first pantsuit at Disneyland Paris, so I have designed one of my iconic costumes—a blue tuxedo—using responsibly sourced fabrics. This new take on her signature polka dots makes Minnie Mouse a symbol of progress for a new generation. She will wear it in honor of Women’s History Month in March 2022. I can’t wait for you to see this new look at Walt Disney Studios Park!”
As part of a global collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, McCartney will also market a unique Minnie Mouse T-shirt as part of the International Women’s Rights Day. It will be exclusively available online and in Stella stores on March 8, 2022. Then, in Spring 2022, Stella McCartney will also launch a limited-edition product line inspired by Fantasia.
Avengers Campus Opening Scheduled for Summer 2022
Calling all heroes! Get ready for an epic new land opening at Disneyland Paris. As a new recruit, you’ll team up with the Avengers and take on the mightiest Marvel missions. As previously announced, the 30th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris will mark the highly anticipated opening of Avengers Campus, an integral part of the transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park. Starting in Summer 2022, Super Heroes from the Marvel universe will gather there, inviting guests to embark on a brand-new journey consisting of heroic adventures and missions, extending the immersive experience in the Marvel universe, which started with the opening of Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel in 2021.
