There’s a lot to be excited about with the Disney parks this year, whether that’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge or Minnie & Mickey’s Runaway Railway. But these are all in the American parks – so, what’s happening for Disneyland Paris in 2019? And what about in the years to come?!
Well, quite a bit, as it goes.
I can’t wait to visit Disneyland Paris this year to see what it has in store – and what it’s planning for the future, too!
Lion King & Jungle Festival
From 30th June to 22nd September 2019, Disneyland will be celebrate two of my favourite ever Disney movies – The Lion King and The Jungle Book – with this seasonal event.
We can look forward to two new stage shows, ‘The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands‘ and ‘The Jungle Book Jive‘. If The Lion King show is anything like the West End production, we are in for a TREAT. I’ve seen it twice and it’s honestly breathtaking, so seeing it brought to life in the Disneyland park could be truly magical.
They’ve also got character meet and greets which, as we all know, I’m not the biggest fan of, but I might make an exception for these two films! You can also catch street music from Djembe Joy Village and dance along with Timon and Pumbaa at the ‘MataDance‘.
I’ve been waiting for them to bring more attractions from The Lion King to Disneyland Paris; I’ve never understood why one of Disney’s most popular films is so hugely overlooked! I can’t wait to check this out.
Marvel Land
I can’t even explain how buzzing I am for this!
The work is already underway, with Hotel New York currently closed for a comic book makeover. The resort is expected to reopen in 2020 as the Art of Marvel hotel and will be “an homage to Marvel Super Heroes in the style of a New York art gallery”.
We’re also going to see more changes this year as we say a fond farewell to one of the most iconic – if a little outdated – rides in Walt Disney Studios Park. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith is a great dark coaster with an awesome soundtrack (imho) but, frankly, it doesn’t really meet the high standards we expect from Disney attractions. The queue theme is decent but not really relevant anymore for younger audiences, and the ride experience could definitely be improved.
Although I’m sad to say goodbye, I can’t wait to see its transformation into an Iron Man-themed coaster. We’re led to believe that much of the track will stay the same, but everything else about the ride will see a complete Marvel overhaul.
We’re also expecting the Armageddon ride to go (about time!) and become a Spider-Man experience ride – perhaps something similar to The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride in Islands of Adventure?! I first went to Disneyland Paris in 2004 and, when we revisited in 2017, the Armageddon ride hadn’t changed whatsoever and was hideously outdated, so any revamp will be an improvement!
Marvel Land probably won’t be in full swing for a couple of years but the changes are happening right now.
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge
It’s been confirmed that the highly-anticipated, mega-immersive, incredibly-themed Star Wars land, Galaxy’s Edge, will be coming to Disneyland Paris.
THANK GOD!
I’ve seen the buzz around the land opening this year in the Florida and California parks and, not gonna lie, I’ve been feeling rather jealous. While I don’t think we’ll be seeing any major Galaxy’s Edge developments happening this year in Paris, they have announced that it will definitely be opening in Walt Disney Studios Park in the near future.
I’m not even a big Star Wars fan, but I absolutely love the current Star Wars rides in Disneyland Paris’ Magic Kingdom – Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours – and I’ve been keeping a very close eye on the stateside Galaxy’s Edge updates.
The land is set to be a fully immersive experience like no other and, although the idea of “audience participation” freaks me out a little, I’m hyped to see the Star Wars land take conceptual to a whole new level and breathe fresh life into the parks.
I think Disneyland Paris is in desperate need of a facelift, something huge and game-changing – and you don’t get much bigger than a whole galaxy!
New Disney Village
We don’t know when this will happen. We don’t even really know what will happen. All we do know is that Disneyland Paris has confirmed that the next step after renovating the park will be to reinvent Disney Village.
This update can’t come soon enough!
When I first went to Disneyland as a child, we arrived really late at night and all the parks were shut but we were so excited to be there that we headed straight out anyway, suitcases in tow, and went to Disney Village. I remember it being so bright, vibrant and lively. When I went back – 13 years later – I was waiting for that same feeling to come rushing back and it just.. never happened.
It was disappointing. Disney Village felt a little worn and dull – and really, really small! – especially compared to the videos of Florida’s Disney Springs. Sure, the IMAX, Lego Store, World of Disney shop and Rainforest Cafe are cool, but this could be a serious shopping haven and, in my eyes, it’s a space that isn’t being utilised.
Also, the lack of dining options and general quality of food at Disneyland Paris is quite poor, so hopefully a brand new Disney Village fills this void, because good food is something I’m desperately crying out for every time I visit!
#ThisGirlEats 