After being cancelled in 2020 due to the health crisis and the closure of the destination, Disneyland Paris’ Enchanted Christmas is back this year from 13 November to 9 January 2022 inclusive. You were able to follow this highly anticipated launch on all our social networks. In addition, we were invited to the press event of the most magical season of the year on 20 and 21 November. A look back at the press event for Enchanted Christmas 2021 at Disneyland Paris.
Meeting with Emmanuel Lenormand
On the occasion of this press weekend we had the opportunity to talk to Emmanuel Lenormand, show director at Disneyland Paris. He talks about the conception of the great novelty Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade. In Disney parks around the world, night parades have always been a classic show. Between 1992 and 2003, visitors to Disneyland Paris could marvel at the Main Street Electrical Parade and then Disney’s Fantillusion Parade from 2003 to 2012. Since then, Disneyland Park has been without one of its most beautiful jewels.
Nearly 10 years later, Emmanuel Lenormand’s initial idea was to create a parade that could march by day as well as by night. As for the origin of the story to be told, they wanted to start with the story of Christmas trees, true emblems of Christmas throughout the world. This is why each of the five floats offers a variation of its Christmas tree through the eyes of Mickey, Minnie, Donald… In addition to these classic Disney characters, there are also the princesses. Another must-see is Father Christmas, whose tree is directly inspired by the one in the middle of Town Square.
© Disneyland Paris © Disneyland Paris
The first brainstorming sessions took place in 2018. From the blank page, to the first official launch, via the design of the floats in 3D, the creation of models of the floats, the making of the costumes and the rehearsals, a huge amount of creative and artistic work has been undertaken. Unlike previous night parades, this one magically lets the light appear. Technological progress has made it possible to completely hide the bulbs that were once visible. The show thus operates night and day.
© Disneyland Paris © Disneyland Paris
“Creativity never stops”.
Emmanuel Lenormand and his teams are already working on future developments for the parade. If all goes well, a new surprise will await visitors from mid-December onwards during the Central Plaza show-stop. In the longer term, they have also drawn up a list of improvements to make the show even more glittering. What if the princesses’ tiaras glowed in the dark?
You can watch the entire round table in our video below. We would like to thank Emmanuel Lenormand for taking part in the Q&A with other InsidEars colleagues.
Disney characters in party clothes
Now accustomed to leading the new Christmas parade from the top of his locomotive, Mickey came to meet us in the costume he marches in every day.
As for Daisy and Donald, our two favourite ducks couldn’t resist the idea of playing in the snowy coat of Main Street USA during an unprecedented photo opportunity.
Festive tables
The end of year festivities also mean setting the table… and seasonal cocktails!
Disneyland Paris is offering festive meals. For dinner on the 24th, brunch on the 25th, dinner on the 31st and brunch on the 1st of January. More information here.
Shine a light!
Have a great holiday season!