Walt Disney Studios Park is preparing for its most dramatic reinvention yet. Soon to be renamed Disney Adventure World, the Paris park has spent years trying to move past its reputation as one of Disney’s most underwhelming properties. With construction ramping up and new themed areas in development, the park is positioning itself for a second chance—and it’s bringing Pixar’s Up along for the ride.
For the first time since the film’s release in 2009, Up is being adapted into a permanent attraction. The announcement was met with excitement, but that enthusiasm quickly gave way to confusion.
Rather than a story-driven dark ride or a soaring simulator, Disney revealed that Up would be represented by a carousel-style swing ride. The news drew swift criticism from fans, who felt the concept didn’t reflect the emotional depth or visual wonder of the beloved film.
An Emotional Film, A Modest Ride
The attraction is slated to open in Adventure Way, a new area of the park designed to evoke lush gardens and Art Nouveau architecture. According to Disney, guests will “soar aboard a flying carousel inspired by the Disney Pixar film Up, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area.” Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2025.
In a statement, the company noted that the ride would “enrich the family-friendly offerings and further elevate the dynamic of this area.” However, online reaction has been mixed.
One user wrote: “Instead of having a nicely themed, turning-of-the-century style chairs ride, they had to force the ‘Up’ decoration with some cheap stickers. This decision cheapens the attraction, the land, and even the movie ‘Up’.”
Another noted, “They really don’t want to spend any money on Paris do they?”
While the attraction adds another family ride to Walt Disney Studios Park’s growing lineup, its minimalist concept has reignited ongoing concerns about Disney’s investment in its Paris properties. For years, Walt Disney Studios Park has lagged behind its counterparts in Anaheim, Tokyo, and Orlando in both size and imagination. Though recent expansions like Avengers Campus have helped shift perception, moments like this highlight just how high the bar now sits for Pixar-themed experiences.
A Larger Reimagining in the Works
Still, the Up ride is only a small part of a much larger project. Disney Adventure World will include several new lands, including a Frozen-themed area, a Lion King-inspired water ride with Audio-Animatronics, and a Tangled tea cup attraction called Raiponce Tangled Spin.
The transformation also includes the debut of the Regal View Restaurant & Lounge, a character dining venue set in a European palace, and a complete overhaul of the park’s entrance, which will become World Premiere, modeled after a golden-age Hollywood boulevard.
Plans are also in place for a large-scale nighttime lagoon show over the central Adventure Bay, expected to rival World of Color at Disney California Adventure. Altogether, the expansion is designed to recast the park as a true all-day destination—one that reflects Disney’s global ambitions and European sensibilities.
The arrival of an Up ride, even in modest form, adds a layer of visibility to a franchise that has remained mostly absent from Disney parks. But whether a swing can truly capture the emotional weight of Carl and Ellie’s story is another question entirely. For now, fans are left to wonder what might’ve been—while hoping the rest of Disney Adventure World lives up to its promise.
What part of Disney Adventure World are you most excited to see?
The new “Up” ride looks to be a major disappointment. Pity.