The kingdom of Arendelle, from the Disney film The Snow Queen, now has a permanent address east of Paris, with its lagoon, wooden Nordic village and robotic snowman that talks to children.
Walt Disney Studios Park officially became Disney Adventure World on Sunday with the opening of "World of Frozen", the flagship attraction in a €2 billion expansion project that is transforming Europe's most visited theme park.
This enchanted world at Disneyland Paris promises Frozen Ever After and encounters with Anna and Elsa. The park is offering to take visitors on a "fascinating musical cruise" through the heart of The Snow Queen adventure.
"Get ready to sing along with Elsa, Anna and their friends as you sail from The North Mountain to Elsa's Ice Palace on a thrilling family adventure," states the dedicated website.
This major renovation adds a vast central lake, a 'Rapunzel' attraction, 15 new restaurants and a spectacular night-time show using what Disney claims to be the world's first system of aquatic and aerial drones.
More than 90% of the second park will have been redesigned since it opened in 2002.
It's no coincidence that "The Snow Queen" and "Rapunzel" are the flagship attractions at Europe's only Disney complex.
Both films have their roots in European folklore: "The Snow Queen" is loosely based on the fairytale "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen, and "Rapunzel" on the fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. Disney is building on this heritage.
"The Snow Queen is deeply rooted in European oral tradition," explains Michel den Dulk, Vice President and Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering. "So it was only natural to incorporate a charming little wooden village from Northern Europe into Disneyland Paris."
The park opened in 1992 under the name Euro Disney, to much criticism. Some French intellectuals at the time described it as a "cultural Chernobyl".
Today, Disney has announced that the complex has welcomed 445 million visitors and generated 70,000 jobs.
The Paris investment is part of an approximately €58 billion global expansion plan for Disney Parks and Experiences, which generated 57% of the segment's operating income in fiscal 2025.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the resort "Europe's top tourist destination" during his visit to the park on Friday and said the expansion would create 1,000 direct jobs.
Disney profits boosted by theme parks
Last Monday, the Walt Disney Company published its quarterly results, showing strong growth in its streaming services and record revenues from its theme parks. However, the company warned of a possible slowdown in the United States.
Net profit was €2.15 billion, down 6% year-on-year, according to a statement. The Experiences division, which includes Disney's parks and resorts, posted record quarterly sales of €8.69 billion.
The US parks, including Disney World, reported 8% growth in operating income for the three months to 31 December, with attendance up 1% and spending per visitor up 4%.
