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As the winter season approaches, Disneyland Paris is implementing a series of adjustments to its operating schedule, including later opening hours for certain attractions and temporary closures for maintenance. These changes, effective from November 16, 2024, to January 5, 2025, are part of an effort to manage operational costs during the quieter months while still providing a high-quality experience for guests. With shorter days, cooler weather, and lighter crowds, the park is optimizing its hours to align with seasonal trends and guest patterns.
Credit: Disneyland Paris
Later Opening Hours for Select Attractions
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Starting November 16, Disneyland Paris will open several attractions later in the day, likely to reduce energy and staffing expenses without significantly impacting the guest experience. The attractions with delayed openings include:
- Autopia: Open from 11:00 a.m.
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Open from 12:00 p.m.
- Cars ROAD TRIP: Open from 11:00 a.m.
- Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque: Open from 11:00 a.m.
- Le Pays des Contes de Fées: Open from 11:00 a.m.
These new hours will remain in effect until the end of the Christmas season, with a few exceptions for special private events scheduled in December. On December 12, 17, and 19, the park will close earlier to accommodate these events, which may mean limited access for regular guests on those days.
Seasonal Maintenance and Attraction Closures
Credit: Disneyland Paris
In addition to staggered opening hours, Disneyland Paris is conducting routine maintenance on various attractions, leading to temporary closures. This maintenance ensures that each attraction operates safely and smoothly, especially ahead of the busier spring and summer seasons. Some fan-favorite rides, including Phantom Manor and Big Thunder Mountain, will close for short periods:
- Snow White (Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains®): Closed from November 4 to November 16
- Phantom Manor: Closed from November 18 to November 30
- Princess Pavilion: Closed from November 18 to November 23
- Flying Carpets Over Agrabah: Closed until November 9
- Pinocchio’s Voyages: Closed from December 2 to December 14
- Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain: Closed from December 2 to December 9
- Big Thunder Mountain: Closed starting January 6, 2025, with no set reopening date
- Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing: Closed from January 6, 2025, onward
- Le Passage Enchanté d’Aladdin: Closed from January 6 to January 18, 2025
- Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque and The Land of Fairy Tales: Closed from January 6 to January 11, 2025
- It’s A Small World: Scheduled to close on January 20, 2025, with no confirmed reopening date
While these closures may affect some guests’ experiences, they are essential for maintaining the park’s high standards. Winter is typically less busy, making it an ideal time for Disneyland Paris to conduct maintenance with minimal impact on guest attendance.
Revised Park Hours Beginning in 2025
Starting in January 2025, Disneyland Paris will implement a revised schedule across both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland Park will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, extending to 9:00 p.m. on weekends. Walt Disney Studios Park will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and until 9:00 p.m. on weekends. These adjustments are a departure from the current extended hours and are designed to align with the reduced foot traffic typically seen during the winter months.
On specific dates in January, further adjustments will apply, such as on January 14 when Disneyland Park will close at 7:00 p.m. and on January 17 when both parks will close even earlier: Disneyland Park at 7:00 p.m. and Walt Disney Studios Park at 6:30 p.m. These changes reflect Disneyland Paris’s ongoing efforts to balance costs with the seasonally lighter crowds that winter often brings.
The Broader Impact of Cost-Saving Measures
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With Disneyland Paris adjusting both park hours and attraction schedules, guests may notice a slightly different experience compared to busier seasons. These operational shifts help manage expenses like staffing and energy consumption, which are traditionally higher in the busier summer months. By strategically reducing hours and aligning park operations with seasonal attendance patterns, Disneyland Paris ensures that resources are focused where they have the most impact, maintaining quality without compromising guest satisfaction.
Since the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Disneyland Paris has seen shifts in visitor trends, which may also be influencing these recent cost-saving measures. Although winter typically draws fewer guests, some speculate that the park is working to adapt to changing attendance patterns in a way that best supports both guests and operations.
What’s New on the Horizon for Disneyland Paris
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Though winter brings shortened hours and temporary closures, Disneyland Paris has a slate of exciting new attractions and experiences in the pipeline. A major investment in expansion and innovation promises to bring a wave of fresh magic to the resort over the next few years.
Starting on January 10, 2025, Disneyland Paris will debut an all-new nighttime spectacular that aims to captivate visitors with a combination of fireworks, projections, and drone displays. This highly anticipated show will illuminate Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street, U.S.A., creating an enchanting atmosphere that highlights Disney’s signature blend of storytelling and technology.
In 2026, Walt Disney Studios Park will undergo a transformative rebranding, becoming “Disney Adventure World.” This transformation will coincide with the opening of the eagerly awaited World of Frozen, an immersive land where guests can explore Arendelle, meet Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, and experience the charm of Frozen’s world firsthand.
Disneyland Paris is also working on a groundbreaking water attraction inspired by The Lion King, which will take guests through the savannas of Africa, incorporating characters, music, and scenery from the beloved film. This world-first attraction promises to bring a thrilling new adventure to the Disney Adventure World lineup.
Meanwhile, a new Central Lake nighttime show will debut in Disney Adventure World, featuring water screens, fountains, and state-of-the-art special effects to deliver an unforgettable visual experience. Additionally, a Tangled-themed attraction inspired by the iconic lantern scene will offer guests the chance to immerse themselves in Rapunzel’s story, adding even more charm to Disneyland Paris’s offerings.
Marvel fans can also anticipate the arrival of “Doctor Strange: Mystery of the Mystics” in Avengers Campus, launching on November 23, 2024. This experience will feature Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch in an epic nighttime battle against supernatural forces, bringing another layer of excitement to the Marvel-themed area.
Looking Forward: Disneyland Paris’s Expansive Vision for the Future
The upcoming developments mark a significant chapter in Disneyland Paris’s evolution, blending new attractions, innovative technologies, and beloved Disney stories. From Frozen and Lion King-themed worlds to Marvel’s mystical adventures, Disneyland Paris is setting itself up as a premier destination for Disney fans worldwide.
These expansions highlight Disneyland Paris’s commitment to growth and guest experience, ensuring that the park remains a top-tier choice for family entertainment and magical getaways. With so much in the pipeline, Disneyland Paris is well-positioned to deliver unforgettable experiences, enchanting new worlds, and pioneering shows that will captivate Disney fans and first-time visitors alike.
What do you think of these new operational changes?
