It’s official: Arendelle is coming to life in France. Disney has confirmed that the long-awaited World of Frozen will open in Spring 2026 at Disneyland Paris, coinciding with the park-wide transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park into the newly named Disney Adventure World.
While Disney is only publicly committing to a “Spring 2026” opening window, reports from within the fan community—particularly from DLP Rescue Rangers on X—indicate that March 22, 2026 is the targeted debut date. Although that date has yet to be verified by Disney, it aligns with the timing of previous Spring launches at the resort.
Either way, fans won’t have to wait much longer to walk through the gates of Arendelle, a richly themed expansion that stands at the center of Disneyland Paris’s largest and most ambitious overhaul to date.
DLP Rescue Rangers (@DLPRescueRanger) shared, “🔥 The land Frozen would open at Disney Adventure World (formerly Walt Disney Studios park) on March 22, 2026!
Info from magicfocus on the Discord server Le Royaume des Passionnés”
🔥 Le land Reine des Neiges ouvrirait à Disney Adventure World (anciennement parc Walt Disney Studios) le 22 mars 2026!
Info de magicfocus sur le serveur Discord Le Royaume des Passionnés pic.twitter.com/Uzew8T7fhV
— DLP Rescue Rangers (@DLPRescueRanger) October 31, 2025
The Reinvention of Walt Disney Studios Park
If there’s one thing every Disneyland Paris fan agrees on, it’s that Walt Disney Studios Park has long been the black sheep of Disney’s global park lineup. The park opened in 2002 with minimal theming, limited attractions, and a focus on the process of movie-making rather than storytelling. Over the years, despite the addition of attractions like Crush’s Coaster and Ratatouille: The Adventure, the park still struggled to capture the immersive “magic” that defines a Disney park.
That’s about to change—permanently.
Since Disney announced a €2 billion expansion in 2018, construction crews and Imagineers have been hard at work reshaping the second gate into something entirely new. When the work is completed in 2026, more than 90% of the park’s opening-day content will have been reimagined or replaced, with the footprint nearly doubling in size. The name change to Disney Adventure World will reflect a complete shift in philosophy—from a working studio concept to a fully immersive park centered around cinematic worlds and grand adventures.
The new vision is anchored by three main zones currently under construction: Adventure Way, Adventure Bay, and World of Frozen, with a Lion King-themed land to follow later in the decade.
Inside World of Frozen
World of Frozen is easily the most anticipated piece of the expansion puzzle. The land will immerse visitors in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, complete with its signature Scandinavian-inspired architecture, a shimmering fjord, and Elsa’s Ice Palace glistening high atop the North Mountain.
The main attraction will be Frozen Ever After, a family-friendly boat ride that has proven a hit at other Disney resorts. The Paris version is expected to feature similar scenes and music but with updated effects and scenic enhancements unique to Disneyland Paris. Guests will glide through the world of Frozen as they encounter beloved characters, soaring soundtracks, and intricately detailed environments.
In addition to the headliner ride, the land will feature Arendelle Village, where visitors can explore themed shops, restaurants, and entertainment offerings. The area’s design focuses heavily on immersion, with fine architectural details and a naturalistic setting that extends seamlessly into the rest of Disney Adventure World. Early construction videos and concept art reveal a level of scenic realism that rivals some of Disney’s most acclaimed lands, such as Pandora – The World of Avatar and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The Road to 2026
World of Frozen represents the crown jewel of a project that has been unfolding for years. The park’s reimagining has already included major milestones: the transformation of Disney Hotel New York into The Art of Marvel, the reopening of the Disneyland Hotel, and the debut of Avengers Campus in 2022. Each of these projects has steadily elevated the resort’s overall quality and creative ambition, setting the stage for this next massive leap forward.
Earlier this year, the resort also unveiled World Premiere, the redesigned entry experience that replaces the old Studio 1 building. The new area captures the glamour of a Hollywood premiere night, featuring art deco architecture, palm-lined boulevards, and an ambient sky filled with stars. It sets a tone of elegance and spectacle right from the moment guests enter Disney Adventure World.
Inside World Premiere, visitors will find new dining and retail options, including the Hollywood Gardens Restaurant and Mickey’s of Hollywood Boutique, both inspired by the golden age of cinema. The reimagined entryway transitions naturally into World Premiere Plaza, a lively new hub that brings Broadway-style energy and color to the park’s central space.
The Journey Through Adventure Way
Before reaching Arendelle, guests will pass through Adventure Way, a lush promenade connecting the park’s entrance to its new immersive lands. This transitional area will feature beautifully landscaped gardens themed to Disney and Pixar classics like Tangled and Toy Story, providing a calm and scenic walkway before guests step into the full immersion of World of Frozen.
Adventure Way will also introduce the Regal View Restaurant & Lounge, a high-end dining experience offering panoramic views over the park’s new central lagoon, Adventure Bay. Guests will be able to dine while watching a brand-new nighttime spectacular that will use fountains, lighting, projection, and drone choreography to bring Disney stories to life across the water.
The show will be the park’s answer to nighttime spectacles like Harmonious and World of Color, designed to make Adventure Bay a must-see attraction in its own right.
What It Means for Disneyland Paris
The debut of World of Frozen isn’t just the opening of a new land—it’s the defining moment of Disneyland Paris’s modern era. For years, the Studios park was criticized as a half-day experience, lacking the cohesion, immersion, and wonder that Disney is known for. This transformation represents a full course correction, and the arrival of Disney Adventure World is meant to finally silence those long-standing criticisms.
Disney Imagineers in Paris have emphasized that this is more than an expansion; it’s a reinvention of the entire park experience. Once complete, Disney Adventure World will stand as a fully realized Disney park, complementing the beauty and storytelling of the original Disneyland Park next door.
World of Frozen also arrives at a time when Frozen continues to be one of Disney’s most successful and beloved franchises. The films have earned billions globally, and the franchise remains a major draw in merchandise, theater, and streaming. Bringing Arendelle to life in Paris not only strengthens the park’s appeal to families but also ensures that Disneyland Paris has a flagship attraction on par with the best Disney experiences worldwide.
Whether the actual debut falls on March 22 or later in the season, Spring 2026 will mark a defining moment for Disneyland Paris. World of Frozen will officially open alongside the grand unveiling of Disney Adventure World, ushering in a new chapter for the resort—and a long-overdue redemption for its second gate.
For fans who remember the early years of Walt Disney Studios Park, the transformation is nothing short of astonishing. The days of bare soundstages and limited attractions are giving way to lush landscapes, towering mountains, and the promise of full immersion in Disney’s most beloved worlds.
When guests finally walk into Arendelle next spring, they won’t just be stepping into a new land—they’ll be stepping into a redefined Disneyland Paris. And for a park once considered Disney’s weakest, that’s the ultimate happily ever after.
Author
