We’re back with a double edition for the last two weeks, during which we welcomed back Big Thunder Mountain, some updates to Virtual Queues, news about Space Mountain, and more. Let’s take a look!
Welcome back, Big Thunder Mountain
Splashdown! Big Thunder Mountain is finally back, after a 6 month refurbishment which was totally not excited but much needed. With this (and many other) attractions getting older, heavy maintenance is becoming critical, and in Big Thunder Mountain’s case, the wonderful “island” setup we love is actually a huge issue for refurbishments.
Disney shared some photos of the animatronics refurbishment, cleaning and overall renovations which focused a lot on woodwork which, as we know, doesn’t love the winter Marne-La-Vallée weather.
Indeed lots of wooden pieces were rebuilt entirely, the most striking being the “Premier Access Bridge” and around the main lift hill.
Sections of the rails were also replaced, but is it just a bandaid for what will one day inevitably be a full retrack?
Overall the attraction looks great and it’s of course crucial to have it back for summer. With only two main Attractions, Frontierland feels really dead without Big Thunder Mountain.
It’s not the end of the story however, the attraction should go under for another long refurbishment in the future – still unclear when as other attractions like Indiana Jones are also feeling the their age.
Talking about age.. the Mark Twain is “hidden” along the shores, being dismantled.
With Big Thunder Mountain back open, Boot Hill also has reopened – with a few updates.
Some of the jokes have been reworked or added, mainly to remove references to the owner of the house banging the housekeeper.
Virtual Insanity
Heavy hitter Princess Pavilion, and Meet Olaf are the final two meet and greet attractions to join the virtual queue system, joining longstanding Hero Training Center and previously added earlier this year Stitch, Starport and Meet Mickey.
While this takes care of the hours of uncomfortable waiting in the horrible Princess Pavilion building (and that’s a BIG WIN), it creates a new headache: be in park and online at 9:45am or 2pm to get a ticket. The system routinely completely melts down at those times and while it’s possible to get a ticket, Guests have 1) to know about the system (not everyone has researched) and 2) be ready and have a bit of luck. Surely everyone will get used to this but it has created some frustrations and complaints.
The other downside is that realistically each guest can only get 2 tickets a day. So if you were looking to queue for 4 of these meets before (albeit spending hours queuing), you can no longer do that as by the time you’re called in, all other meets for that half day will be full.
Space Mountain
With 30 years of service, Space Mountain is also getting refurbished. Most of the work has focused on the dome and light show so far but feat not, the rails are also getting old and will need some heavy work, one day.
In the meantime Disney has revealed this concept and backstage photo of the installation of various modifications to the top structure that will enhance the light show (including a different show at each launch and the return of the big beam) but also provide new safety access corridors on top of the mountain.
Some of the worm has started in modifying this spire, with the new structure being brought in soon.
Disney has also unveiled a series of new merchandise for the original Space Mountain theme which isn’t returning so while this is super cool and much appreciated, is it not time to just turn the page on all this? Enough about Jules Verne (which we loved of course!), what are we doing next, and can it PLEASE NOT BE STAR WARS.
Starlight Night
More details has been revealed about the next Disneyland Pass event on September 12 at Walt Disney Studios Park, “Disney Starlight Night”. While they don’t seem to want to own it, it’s gonna be a “goodbye Walt Disney Studios Park” night with a focus on Hollywood, celebrities and everything that makes the original theme of the park, from Cinemagique to Stars and Cars.
To all those who think there’s gonna be some Disney Adventure World reveal: no.
- €59, holder +2 guests
- 9p – 2a
- Early entry 6:30p
- On sale July 2
Construction and Refurbishments
At World Of Frozen we welcome the magical Friendship Fountain!
And across Disney Adventure World everything is ticking along nicely, with more equipment for the night show – which I’m sure you will have seen has started more rounds of testing.
Closer to the front the domed gazebos are taking shape and should be pretty nice!
Good news, Searchlight Refreshments has finally opened in World Premiere.
Bad news while the donuts they serve are cute, our team really didn’t love the taste – chalky and dry. It’s hard to f*k up simple donuts but leave it to the Disneyland Paris food dept to rise to the challenge! Makes you wonder if the decision makers ever taste what they’re putting in the parks. Anyway.
Over at Disneyland Park, Castle Stage is getting down to the finer details.
It looks great – look at this nice copper roof. It’s still unclear when and what show will be first to grace the remodeled venue.
On Main Street, the smoking coffee cup sign was changed to reflect Disneyland Paris partner Lavazza. Sponsorship really working overtime lately.
Some super fast progress again for McDonald’s Disney Village.
Meanwhile slower progress continues on the new security gates, the Italian restaurant and the sports bar.
We’re also looking forward to the new Disney Hotels security checkpoint this fall.
At Disney Hotel Santa Fe, the Starbucks location has reopened with a brand new fantastic colorful design. Well done! The Disney Hotel Cheyenne location will reopen “soon” with a new upgraded design as well.
This and That..
Disneyland Paris Cast Members will celebrate Pride on June 29, 2025 with a pre-parade at 11am.
The Walt Disney Imagineering team poured water from the other Frozen-themed Attractions, and Norway, in the Disney Adventure World Frozen Ever After flume. The Disney Adventure World expansion, including World Of Frozen opens in 2026.
Disney has shared a new look and floor plan for the new Disney Davy Crockett Ranch cabins. 100 units went on sale June 12, for bookings starting September 1.
