Welcome back! Well it’s been quite an eventful first week of 2025 with of course the premiere of Disney Tales of Magic but also some exciting progress at Disney Adventure World, and more. Let’s take a look!
Disney Tales of Magic
Few things have generated strong opinions in the Disneyland Paris fab community like the topic of nighttime spectacular. Well aren’t we in luck because on January 10, the resort premiere a brand new show, Disney Tales of Magic!
Disney Tales of Magic takes a new storytelling angle for Paris, moving away from a linear story (Dreams) or franchise showcase (Illuminations), instead betting on a journey through all the ways to feel Magic, in a medley of classic and modern Disney stories that may better stand the test of time.
While scarce in fireworks, Disney Tales of Magic impresses with an industrial grade arsenal of immersive special effects that put Disneyland Paris back at the top spot for cutting edge Nighttime Spectaculars.
Check out the show from Central Plaza above.
But the real technical innovation here are the Main Street projections which work in sync with the main show on Sleeping Beauty Castle, which you can see in our second video above.
We also created a combination of both, allowing you to see how it all magically comes together.
Catch Disney Tales of Magic daily at Disneyland Park!
The result of the Disney Tales of Magic launch is that both the Disney Electrical Sky Parade and Disney Illuminations have now glowed away. We thank them for their service.
You’ve Got a Friend
Oh hey guys! The large statues of Woody and Jessie have arrived at the site of the new Toy Story Playland entrance.
Don’t get too excited, the project consists of a new road with the statues, lights and props, leading into the land from Adventure Way. While it will bring some much needed breathing room to this cramped and congested area, it’s not bringing us any new attraction or shop. One version of the concept art featured a new meet and greet location, but it’s unclear if that will be built now.
There is also some confusion around Jessie’s pose as it seems we did not get the statue featured on the concept art (from Disney Hollywood Studios) but rather the version from Tokyo Disney Resort’s Toy Story Hotel. When Disney writes “for illustration only” I guess they reallllyyyy mean it.
On this wider view of the project you can see how the new road will connect Adventure Way to the existing land.
Here are some more photos of the installions of both statues this week for your browsing enjoyment. Disney Adventure World including World Of Frozen officially opens in 2026 but it’s unclear if this project may open earlier.
Construction and Refurbishments
Let’s stay in the Adventure Way area: some of the lit-up arches have been installed!
Just on the other side of the walls, a new repaved section of Walt Disney Studios Park has been unveiled just outside Animation Celebration, revealing new planters and more lampposts. While none of this is revolutionary or has the benefit to clean up and harmonized this long neglected area.
Front Lot is also looking nice and clean (it got a refurbishment during the pandemic) with the removal of the Christmas decorations and the old crusty Hollywood backdrop.
Over at Disneyland Park it’s sad times all around in Frontierland with Big Thunder Mountain now closed and the walls stretching for miles. The Attraction won’t reopen until early summer as the teams struggle to fix as much as they can to keep it going at safe operating levels.
It didn’t take long for some of the animatronics to be removed for refurbishment as part of the process. Woodwork will also be getting some love.
And at Disney Village, work is moving at a decent pace around the recently closed Sports Bar, with the entire awning already sliced off.
Less for More
Periodically the food department decides to be even worse by providing less choice for more money. This week was one of those week where they decided hey it’s the new year why don’t we piss off Guests and increase our margins. Salads have increased from €7.50 to €12. Empanadas and themed desserts have disappeared from Casa De Coco. And the super popular Poffertjes have been replaced by tarts for some reason.
This and That..
The duct tape parade is back and it’s missing the entire Peter Pan unit now. Guess it got “lost in the magic”.
The “Friends Tickets” offer is back from Jan to March except during school holidays. You can see all the prices above.
And note that both Starbucks locations at Disney Hotel Cheyenne and Disney Hotel Santa Fe will close on January 17 for a refurbishment expected to last several months. The locations at Disney Village and the main train station remain open.
