World of Frozen, a fully immersive area inspired by the hit animated franchise, debuted on Sunday, March 29, as the centerpiece of a €2 billion ($2.18 billion) transformation plan at Disneyland Paris.
This transformation includes the renaming of one of the two theme parks at Disneyland Paris from Walt Disney Studios Park to Disney Adventure World. The grand opening attracted celebrities like Penélope Cruz, Naomi Campbell, and Teyana Taylor.
Naomi Campbell attends the inauguration of Disney Adventure World and World Of Frozen at Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
This marks the largest expansion in the 34-year history of Disneyland Paris and is part of a larger $60 billion global development initiative across Disney’s parks, resorts, and cruise lines.
It also signifies the first major international appearance for Josh D’Amaro, who became Disney’s CEO on March 18 — just 11 days before the French gates officially opened — after nearly 30 years with the company’s theme parks division.
The parks and experiences sector accounted for approximately 57% of the company’s $17.5 billion in segment operating income last year, a key factor in D’Amaro’s rise to the CEO position.
An Associated Press journalist accompanied D’Amaro on the “Frozen” ride Saturday evening.
The boat splashed through water, eliciting delighted cheers from children and laughter from the new chief executive as they glided past a singing Elsa in the dark. Some riders disembarked laughing, slightly damp.
“The Walt Disney Company was founded on one man’s dream, and for over a century we’ve shared that dream with the world,” D’Amaro remarked to the inauguration audience.
“Storytelling is at the core of everything we do, whether it’s on-screen, on-stage, in our theme parks, on our cruise ships, or even at home.”
He described the opening as “a transformational moment” and acknowledged the creative team behind the land, including “Frozen” writer-director Jennifer Lee, who are currently developing “Frozen 3.”
On Friday, D’Amaro stood alongside Emmanuel Macron at the resort.
The French president highlighted the park’s role as a national economic asset, branding Disneyland Paris “the leading tourist destination in Europe” and referring to it as “a genuine ecosystem of success.”
Chairman of Disney Parks Josh D’Amaro, left, French president Emmanuel Macron, center, and President of Disneyland Paris, Natacha Rafalski, visit Disneyland Paris ahead of the inauguration of the new World of Frozen, in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, pool)
Macron announced that the latest expansion would generate 1,000 new direct jobs.
“Since the beginning, there has been €13 billion invested in this area,” Macron stated.
Disneyland Paris reports that the resort now employs over 20,000 individuals, supports 70,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and has welcomed more than 445 million visitors since its inception in 1992 — contributing to 6.1% of France’s national tourism revenue.
Macron’s attendance highlighted a remarkable turnaround.
When the park debuted as Euro Disney in 1992, French intellectuals dismissed it as a “cultural Chernobyl.” Now, a French president stood before cameras, praising it as a driver of national success.
It’s no coincidence that “Frozen” and “Tangled” — the cornerstone tales of Disney’s new offerings at its only European resort — both have roots in European folklore.
“Frozen” loosely adapts “The Snow Queen,” while the new Tangled family ride is inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s Rapunzel.
“Frozen, of course, has its origins in European storytelling,” remarked Michel den Dulk of Walt Disney Imagineering.
“It’s very loosely derived from Hans Christian Andersen. So establishing a charming northern European village in Disneyland Paris, where fans can meet their favorite Frozen characters, makes perfect sense.”
The area replicates Arendelle around a lagoon, featuring timber buildings clad in soft Scandinavian pastels and facades embellished with rosemaling, a traditional Norwegian decorative art.
At its heart is Frozen Ever After, a boat ride showcasing cutting-edge animatronics and immersive projection effects.
Guests can engage with Anna and Elsa inside Arendelle Castle, converse with a responsive baby troll named Mossy, and witness a lagoon celebration known as the Snow Flower Festival — complete with an original song.
A next-generation robotic Olaf wanders the area.
In addition to World of Frozen, the revamped park introduces a sprawling new lake called Adventure Bay, a Tangled family ride, 15 new dining venues — including the upscale Regal View Restaurant — and a nighttime spectacle named Disney Cascade of Lights featuring over 380 drones.
A new Lion King area, currently under construction, will follow.
More than 90% of the second park’s attractions will have been reimagined since its 2002 opening, and Disney claims that the space will roughly double once the full transformation is achieved.
Although Disney’s streaming services have transitioned from significant losses to profitability, the parks remain the most reliable source of earnings for the company — and D’Amaro is the one who led them.
“We are committed to dreaming bigger and bringing stories to life in innovative new ways,” D’Amaro addressed the audience.
Fireworks illuminated Arendelle Village.
The ice palace on the mountain glowed blue.
And 34 years after Euro Disney became a target of jokes, a brand-new kingdom was inaugurated in the fields east of Paris — for the first time in forever.
