Transformative Multi-Year Expansion Announced for WDS Paris

[denyuntilcaught]

Are they really considering Avatar 3 to have underperformed?

If so, let’s have a conversation about realistic expectations for a third film in a series.

 

[IMDREW]

Underperformance and 1.4B in the same sentence is so funny to me. Sure it didn't meet the number of the sequel to the most successful film ever made but it made a heck of a lot of money either way haha.

Exactly my point

 

[IMDREW]

Is there a parade float building built at WDS?

 

[wdrive]

Is there a parade float building built at WDS?

No. Although I don’t believe there was one either when they had the Cinema parade or Stars and Cars.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Of course they may also be re evaluating the 3rd land.

They're building Zootopia instead?

Or some new land we haven't seen before?

 

[mrflo]

If box office performance is a major criteria, Disney should definitely look at the local success in France and Germany rather than just the global trend. Even if the third movie didn't quite match the second one worldwide, all three Avatar films have been absolute juggernauts in these two markets. In Germany, Fire and Ash is already a Top 10 film of all time, and in France, it remains the #1 opening of the year with over 8 million tickets sold. It would be such a missed opportunity not to bring Pandora to Disneyland Paris, especially since those Avatar fans are potential new visitors for the park. Building it now could capitalize on that local fan base and keep the momentum high for the potential next two sequels as well.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

If box office performance is a major criteria, Disney should definitely look at the local success in France and Germany rather than just the global trend. Even if the third movie didn't quite match the second one worldwide, all three Avatar films have been absolute juggernauts in these two markets. In Germany, Fire and Ash is already a Top 10 film of all time, and in France, it remains the #1 opening of the year with over 8 million tickets sold. It would be such a missed opportunity not to bring Pandora to Disneyland Paris, especially since those Avatar fans are potential new visitors for the park. Building it now could capitalize on that local fan base and keep the momentum high for the potential next two sequels as well.

This has always been a problem with DLP, ignoring what Disney stuff is popular with French and European audiences specifically because American based management thinks their customers are the same as they are at home.

 

[denyuntilcaught]

I vouch for something original and not a clone or iteration of an existing land elsewhere. Two original lands around the lake would not only frame World of Frozen nicely, but also really give DAW a reason to exist.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

This has always been a problem with DLP, ignoring what Disney stuff is popular with French and European audiences specifically because American based management thinks their customers are the same as they are at home.

This may be taking things a little off-track, but I have been surprised how little Disneyland Paris draws on the ongoing popularity of and nostalgia surrounding the comics in Europe. You'd think something based around particularly the whole Duckburg universe would be popular, but they pretty much ignore it in favour of stuff like Cars.

 

[nickys]

This may be taking things a little off-track, but I have been surprised how little Disneyland Paris draws on the ongoing popularity of and nostalgia surrounding the comics in Europe. You'd think something based around particularly the whole Duckburg universe would be popular, but they pretty much ignore it in favour of stuff like Cars.

Pardon? Duckburg? Comics?

DLP’s marketing here in the UK is all aimed at families with pre-school or pre-teen children.

Marvel, Princesses, Mickey and particularly Minnie. The classic animated movies or of course MCU.

There just isn’t a Disney adult marketing drive. Should there be? I don’t know.

But in general, I’d say most of my friends have either never been to a Disney park, or are more “oh yeah, we went to Disneyland Paris / Orlando when the kids were younger, glad that phase passed quickly”. There just isn’t a nostalgia for Disney.

To my mind, a new land like Pandora would be trying to appeal to parents to have a reason to take the kids back.

Are things different in France, Germany, Switzerland etc? Is there a big adult Disney fan base? I don’t really see one in the UK. In my experience people plan vacations to Orlando for the variety of theme parks and the weather. Those with older kids want thrill rides and shopping.

 

[wimmekepunk]

Donald Duck Magazine which feature a lot of Duckburg has been very popular in Netherlands and Flanders these last 70 years

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Pardon? Duckburg? Comics?

DLP’s marketing here in the UK is all aimed at families with pre-school or pre-teen children.

Marvel, Princesses, Mickey and particularly Minnie. The classic animated movies or of course MCU.

There just isn’t a Disney adult marketing drive. Should there be? I don’t know.

But in general, I’d say most of my friends have either never been to a Disney park, or are more “oh yeah, we went to Disneyland Paris / Orlando when the kids were younger, glad that phase passed quickly”. There just isn’t a nostalgia for Disney.

To my mind, a new land like Pandora would be trying to appeal to parents to have a reason to take the kids back.

Are things different in France, Germany, Switzerland etc? Is there a big adult Disney fan base? I don’t really see one in the UK. In my experience people plan vacations to Orlando for the variety of theme parks and the weather. Those with older kids want thrill rides and shopping.

The comics are very big in continental Europe with kids and adults. Having lived in Germany and The Netherlands the past 12 or so years, I can attest that you see various Donald Duck titles for sale at the supermarket and pretty much wherever you see any magazines or newspapers sold. I know that in and of itself may not stand for much, but from what I have read the Donald Duck comics in particular still sell in the hundreds of thousands every month in Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, and across Scandinavia.

That's what I mean about paying attention to the European market rather than just what is happening in the US (or UK, as the case may be). I'm not saying make it the third land around the lake, just that I am surprised they haven't touched it as the comics are one of the unique quirks about Disney's popularity in Europe.

 

[mrflo]

That's what I mean about paying attention to the European market rather than just what is happening in the US (or UK, as the case may be). I'm not saying make it the third land around the lake, just that I am surprised they haven't touched it as the comics are one of the unique quirks about Disney's popularity in Europe.

Instead, we’re getting a “European garden” style expansion — which feels like a very safe interpretation of what U.S. management assumes Europeans know and expect. It’s pleasant, but not particularly creative or even exceptional.

Something along the lines of Mickey Avenue in Shanghai, blending Hollywood aesthetics with comic-inspired elements, would have been a more exciting alternative to Adventure Way. A few quirky comic-style shops and restaurants — maybe even Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway — could have added much more needed character.

Hopefully they’ll use Mickey’s 100th anniversary at the end of 2028 to lean more into Disney’s comic book world.

 

[Aramar]

In Spain I also grew up reading the comics and watching Goof Trop and Ducktales. That's why Max and Scrooge are common characters in Disneyland Paris, they are popular characters in Europe. I think they aren't so common in USA.

 

[DCBaker]

Walt Disney Imagineering has shared a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming attraction inspired by Pixar's "Up":

 

[marni1971]

Walt Disney Imagineering has shared a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming attraction inspired by Pixar's "Up":

You’d think an international multi media company would know to shoot in 16:9 and crop for the kidz.

 

[BrianLo]

Jungle book would be the other property they ignore that was untowardly popular in Germany.

As per @Animaniac93-98’s question. I dunno, I think something for DLPR could be announced at D23? This is a bit of an off cycle year after the 2024 bolus, they need a few flashy things to talk about. DLP’s current announcement cycle is pretty closed in compared to the domestic resorts. They tend to announce projects pretty close to time of project approval, not construction start.

Note, I did not exclusively say third DAW land, per se.