April 12, 1992 marked the historical opening of Disneyland Paris, the kingdom of dreams and Magic that has been enchanting Guests of all ages for 30 years. Having hosted more than 375 millions visits – and having innovated and offered new experiences many times – Disneyland Paris has created unforgettable memories that live inside each of us and became Europe’s top tourist destination.
From the Agreement signed with French public authorities in 1987 to the celebration of the 30th anniversary, the resort has known several momentous occasions, including the opening of a second park, Walt Disney Studios Park in 2002, and the construction of a brand new TGV station in 1994. Let’s take a look back at some of these dates which have impacted the history of Disneyland Paris.
May it be with family, friends or loved ones, there is always something unique to experience at Disneyland Paris®. With its focus on delivering the best possible guest experience year after year, the resort is often recognized with awards and rankings in Europe and globally. Disneyland Paris continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and innovation for excellence.
The Agreement for the creation and operation of the Euro Disneyland project in France was signed on 24 March 1987, in Paris. The signing of this document by French public authorities and The Walt Disney Company laid the foundation for building a Disney resort in France. This was the birth certificate for what would become Europe’s number one tourist destination. Construction began as soon as 1988 in Marne-la-Vallée.
On April 1st 1992, the Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy RER regional train station opened. This station links the tourist destination to the rest of Île-de-France. Disneyland Paris is now accessible from Paris in just 35 minutes.
On 12 April 1992, Disneyland Paris officially opens its doors to the public. At the time, the resort included one theme park, several hotels, and an entertainment complex, Disney Village®.
Disneyland Paris opens the Indiana Jones™ and the Temple of Peril attraction, a runaway wagon that races you in and out of the dark and mysterious jungle ruins.
On 12 April 1992, Disneyland Paris officially opens its doors to the public. At the time, the resort included one theme park, several hotels, and an entertainment complex, Disney Village®.
On 26 May 1994, the Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy TGV station opened. This train station, which today welcomes 88 TGV trains by day, has become the biggest TGV hub in France, serving 54 French and international cities daily. This asset adds new ways of accessing the resort. To celebrate its opening, a huge 300 meter long paper train traveled down Main Street, U.S.A.®.
Disneyland Park has set up the first version of the Destination’s flagship attraction: Space Mountain – From the Earth to the Moon. A journey immersed in darkness that takes you from Earth to the Moon!
Disneyland Paris turns 5 with a carnival decor on the Castle, celebrating The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
Announced for the first time on 29 September 1999, Walt Disney Studios Park opened its doors to the public on 16 March 2002, the same year Disneyland® Park turned ten. In this new park, Guests are invited to discover the magic of the movies. Euro Disney is constantly investing in this park, welcoming Toon Studio, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Playland, and Ratatouille: The Adventure.
The opening of Walt Disney Studios Park in 2002 coincides with the 10th anniversary of Disneyland Park. For the occasion, “The Wonderful World of Disney Parade” welcomed a new float – a giant cake!
A revival for this attraction which unveils its brand-new space journey: Space Mountain: Mission 2.
Disneyland Paris opens the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast attraction. Blast off immediately to help Buzz defeat Zurg in this intergalactic laser-shooting gallery.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction opens at Walt Disney Studios Park on an unforgettable evening that transports guests to 1930s Hollywood, complete with luxury cars, billionaires and starlets in costume. But the experience took an even more incredible turn when they were suddenly transfigured into pale ghosts and came to pick them up for their very first visit to the attraction, which they would not soon forget…
An amendment to the Agreement of 1987 was signed on 14 September 2010 between the Euro Disney group, the French government, the Île-de-France region, the Seine-et-Marne département, and the urban planning authority of Marne-la-Vallée. This amendment was the next step in the partnership between Euro Disney and French public authorities. This amendment, which goes until 2030, provides for the continued development of the tourist destination and of Val d’Europe, as well as the development of a new tourist destination project, Villages Nature.
Coinciding with the theatrical release of Toy Story 3, Toon Studio is hosting the world’s first-ever Toy Story Playland in August. A land in which you will find yourself reduced to the size of toys to explore Andy’s garden.
Disneyland Paris celebrates its 20th anniversary with more magical festivities than ever!
On 11 December 2014, French Prime Minster Manuel Valls laid the first stone of the Villages Nature complex. This project was officially announced jointly by the Euro Disney group and Pierre & Vacances – Center Parcs on 24 November 2010. With some 259 hectares, it is one of the biggest tourist projects in Europe.
This year also saw the opening of Ratatouille: The Adventure, with a ceremony that welcomed Fleur Pellerin, Secretary of Commerce, of Tourism Promotion and of the French abroad, and Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris. A few months later, the boutique Chez Marianne (Souvenirs de Paris) opened next to the attraction.
Disneyland Paris is expanding and the Walt Disney Studios Park welcomes a brand new land : Place de Rémy including Ratatouille : The Attraction, restaurant Bistrot Chez Rémy and shop Chez Marianne (Souvenirs de Paris). A revisited Paris where you will be reduced to the size of rats to accompany Rémy in his adventures.
This year also saw the opening of Ratatouille: The Adventure, with a ceremony that welcomed Fleur Pellerin, Secretary of Commerce, of Tourism Promotion and of the French abroad, and Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris. A few months later, the boutique Chez Marianne (Souvenirs de Paris) opened next to the attraction.
In order to continue offering innovative experiences to guests, Disneyland Paris kicked off an unprecedented renovation and enhancement plan in January 2015. Guests can re-discover certain iconic attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain, “it’s a small world,” and La Cabane des Robinson.
In 2017, Disneyland Paris celebrates its 25th anniversary, and the 30 years of the signing of the 1987 Agreement. A historic moment that brings renewed ambition for Europe’s number one tourist destination!
Our visitors were able to extend the experience of Marvel films and comics during the summer of 2018 with the very first season dedicated to the Marvel universe: The Summer of Super Heroes” which took place in the Walt Disney Studios Park with encounters with many Super Heroes.
During this flagship event of 2019, the Lion King and Jungle Festival, Disneyland Paris honored the animated films The Lion King and The Jungle Book.
After long weeks of closure, Disneyland Paris reopens its doors in June 2021 and welcomes the new Cars Road Trip attraction and the new “Disney Junior Dream Factory” show. Something to make our visitors dream for this long-awaited reopening.
Disneyland Paris is celebrating its 30th anniversary! A renewal for the Destination which suggests new things to come such as the expansion of the Walt Disney Studios Park or the transformation of the Disney Village.
July 20, 2022 marks the heroic opening of Marvel Avengers Campus, a key milestone in Walt Disney Studios Park multi-year transformation plan. An epic, immersive ceremony that immersed visitors in the Avengers universe alongside their favorite Super Heroes.
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