Disney Adventure World and World of Frozen Open a New Chapter for Disneyland Paris in 2026

Disneyland Paris is preparing for one of the biggest moments in its history.

On March 29 2026, Walt Disney Studios Park will be reborn as Disney Adventure World, a fully reimagined second gate where nearly every corner has been redesigned, rebuilt or refreshed. At the heart of this transformation sits World of Frozen, a deeply themed land inviting guests to step straight into the Kingdom of Arendelle, surrounded by music, mountains, and storytelling rooted in the hit Frozen films.

This is not a simple name change or a light update. Disney Adventure World represents a sweeping evolution of a park that first opened in 2002 and has often been considered the more reserved sibling to Disneyland Park next door. By the time the new name debuts, more than ninety percent of the park’s offerings will have changed compared to its early years, turning it into a destination built around cinematic adventures, immersive lands and emotional stories rather than a loose collection of studio backdrops.

A New Era for Walt Disney Studios Park

The decision to turn Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World is a clear statement about where the resort is heading. Instead of focusing on film sets and behind the scenes gags, the park is being reshaped into a place where guests are plunged directly into their favourite Disney and Pixar stories. Existing areas like Worlds of Pixar, Marvel Avengers Campus and World Premiere Plaza will all be part of this new identity, while major additions such as World of Frozen, a future Lion King themed zone and a grand lakeside hub will completely change how visitors move through and experience the park.

The upcoming Lion King area, for example, is set to feature a major attraction that combines water based thrills with next generation Audio Animatronics figures. Together with Marvel combat missions, Pixar dark rides and the new Frozen land, Disney Adventure World is being built as a park where every zone feels like a complete universe, with its own architecture, music, storytelling beats, dining and live entertainment.

World of Frozen: Stepping Into Arendelle

World of Frozen, which made its debut at Hong Kong Disneyland, will be one of the signature reasons fans book a trip to Disneyland Paris in 2026. Here, guests are invited to visit Arendelle at a joyful moment in its history, during the Sunflower Festival, when the kingdom celebrates summer, friendship and the bond between its royal sisters. The land is being designed to feel like a real Nordic inspired village brought to life from the films rather than a simple backdrop for a ride queue.

The skyline of the area is dominated by North Mountain, a towering 118 foot peak crowned by Elsa’s Ice Palace. The icy structure glows over the land like a beacon, instantly recognisable from the movies yet reinterpreted with physical rockwork, shimmering details and carefully directed lighting. Below, the village of Arendelle stretches along the water, complete with Arendelle Bay, the Fountain of Friendship and stately Arendelle Castle, giving visitors plenty of corners to explore, photograph and simply soak in.

Frozen Ever After and New Immersive Technology

Beneath the village Clock Tower, guests will find Frozen Ever After, a boat ride that many Disney fans know from EPCOT, now being reimagined for a European audience. Imagineers are updating the attraction with state of the art Audio Animatronics figures and new immersive projection technologies, designed to bring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the rest of the cast to life with even more expressiveness and detail. The ride takes guests on a water based journey through familiar story moments, combining emotional storytelling with gentle thrills in a way that fits multi generational families.

The focus on new technology is important. Disney Adventure World is being positioned as a showcase for the latest in character animation, lighting, sound and projection. Frozen Ever After in Arendelle is not just a copy and paste of an existing ride, but a refreshed version that aims to feel richer, crisper and more immersive, aligning with the overall push to make the park feel modern and world class.

Royal Encounters and A Celebration in Arendelle

Of course, a visit to Arendelle would not feel complete without meeting its queens. Inside Arendelle Castle, guests will be invited to experience a Royal Encounter with Anna and Elsa. This meet and greet is being described as a highly personal moment, designed to give families time for real interaction, conversation and photo opportunities that turn into treasured memories rather than rushed snapshots.

Out on Arendelle Bay, the energy of the land shifts from intimate to spectacular with A Celebration in Arendelle, a 15 minute show presented aboard three impressive Viking longships. Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and villagers appear to celebrate the kingdom through music and movement, with the iconic songs fans expect, including Let It Go and Show Yourself. Songwriting duo Kristen Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez have also composed new music specifically for this show, promising fresh emotional beats that expand the Frozen musical universe instead of simply replaying familiar tracks.

Next Generation Olaf and Living Characters

One of the most intriguing elements of Disney Adventure World is the introduction of a next generation Olaf figure developed by Walt Disney Imagineering. This robotic version of the beloved snowman is designed to walk, gesture and speak in the park, creating the illusion that Olaf has truly stepped out of the films and into the real world. It is an impressive piece of character technology and a hint of how Disney plans to use advanced robotics to blur the lines between costumes, puppetry and animatronics in outdoor spaces.

This Olaf will appear at both Disney Adventure World and Hong Kong Disneyland, reinforcing the idea that the Frozen franchise is becoming a global anchor for Disney parks. Guests exploring Arendelle might encounter him during shows, interactive moments or casual appearances, adding spontaneity and delight as families discover him around the land.

Dining, Shopping and Baby Trolls in Arendelle

World of Frozen is not just about rides and shows. The land is being built as a place where guests can linger over food, browse themed merchandise and discover playful interactive elements. Nordic Crowns Tavern, a quick service restaurant inspired by Nordic design and flavours, will give visitors the chance to recharge with hearty dishes in a setting that feels like a cozy, wood lined tavern in the kingdom. Details in the decor, from textiles to lighting, are expected to reinforce Arendelle’s blend of royal elegance and rustic charm.

Shopping fans will gravitate toward Arendelle Boutique, which will stock exclusive Frozen merchandise that cannot be found elsewhere at the resort. Even more unique is Fjord View Shop, where guests can adopt a baby troll named Rúna. These interactive figures react to touch, blink, communicate with other trolls and respond to specific locations around Arendelle. It is a clever way to extend the story beyond the films, turning a piece of merchandise into a companion that encourages repeat exploration of the land.

Beyond Arendelle: Pixar and Marvel Adventures

Once guests have sung their hearts out in Arendelle, they will be able to continue their journey into other corners of Disney Adventure World. Worlds of Pixar gathers together attractions inspired by beloved Pixar stories, including Crush’s Coaster, RC Racer and Ratatouille L’Aventure Totalement Toquee de Remy. The latter is paired with Bistrot Chez Remy, a restaurant that shrinks diners down to the size of a rat through oversized props and forced perspective, delivering one of the most immersive dining experiences in the resort.

Marvel Avengers Campus offers a different tone entirely, filled with high energy missions and heroic encounters. Attractions such as Spider Man WEB Adventure and Avengers Assemble Flight Force invite guests to team up with Marvel heroes on interactive, action packed experiences. Live action stunt shows and roaming characters help the campus feel like a functioning Marvel universe outpost, while dining locations like Pym Kitchen and Stark Factory weave playful lab theming into their menus and interiors.

Adventure Bay and Disney Cascade of Lights

At the physical and emotional heart of Disney Adventure World will be Adventure Bay, a new 7.5 acre lake that acts as both a scenic gathering place by day and a grand stage by night. Its signature nighttime spectacular, Disney Cascade of Lights, is described as an emotional journey and an invitation for every guest to believe in their own strength, embrace wonder and feel the power of storytelling in a way that only Disney aims to deliver.

The show is designed to be viewed from all around the bay, ensuring that guests spread across the shoreline still feel part of the moment. It will feature the world’s first integration of an aquatic drone system working in tandem with next generation aerial drones, creating layered images and patterns in water and sky. Scenes and musical moments from Mulan, Hercules, Moana, Zootopia, Up, the Marvel universe and other stories will unfold across fountains, lights, projections and drones, tying the park’s diverse lands together in one shared finale.

Adventure Way, Tangled Magic and the First Bar at Disneyland Paris

Connected directly to Adventure Bay is Adventure Way, a new avenue that links World Premiere Plaza to the various lands of Disney Adventure World. Far from being a simple pathway, this promenade is being filled with attractions, character encounters, dining and green spaces that encourage guests to slow down between headline rides. One of its highlights will be Raiponce Tangled Spin, a family friendly ride themed to the Lantern Festival from Tangled.

On this attraction, guests board gondolas and whirl through a space decorated with glowing lanterns and frescoes depicting Rapunzel’s adventures. The combination of movement, warm golden light and stirring music is designed to recreate the emotional punch of the movie’s famous lantern scene. Mandy Moore, who voiced Rapunzel in the film, has even recorded new audio announcements for the attraction, adding an extra layer of authenticity for fans who know her voice by heart.

Adventure Way will also feature around fourteen culinary experiences, character interactions and lush landscaping that offer quieter moments away from the busier hubs. A standout location will be the Disney Princess themed Regal View Restaurant and Lounge, an elegant venue where guests can dine while meeting princesses from across Disney animation. The adjoining Regal View Lounge has an additional claim to fame: it will be the first bar ever located at Disneyland Paris, a notable milestone for the resort’s food and beverage evolution.

Looking Ahead: An Up Inspired Flying Carousel and a New Identity

The transformation of the park will not stop on opening day. A new attraction inspired by Up is set to join Adventure Way in the future, described as a flying carousel that will bring motion and energy to the promenade. The image of floating through the air in vehicles inspired by Carl and Russell’s adventure naturally fits into the lakeside setting of Adventure Bay and reinforces the park’s overall focus on uplifting, story driven experiences.

When Disney Adventure World officially opens with World of Frozen on March 29 2026, Disneyland Paris will gain far more than a new name on the map. The resort will have a second gate that stands confidently beside its iconic castle park, offering guests a day filled with varied adventures that stretch from Arendelle’s icy magic to Marvel heroics, Pixar charm, fairy tale festivals and cutting edge nighttime spectacles. For longtime fans who remember Walt Disney Studios Park’s early days, the change will feel almost like visiting a completely new park built on familiar ground. For newcomers, Disney Adventure World is being shaped to feel like a modern benchmark in how Disney blends technology, storytelling and themed design into one seamless vacation experience.