Disneyland Paris from the sky: Expansion (2004-2014)

2004-2005

After more than ten years of existence, Disneyland Paris continues it expansion to offer new experiences of all kinds to its visitors. Disney Village is then the target of some evolutions. Just next to the roundabout, a building was built and welcomed the “Nex Disney Village Arcade”, inaugurated in October 2005. Inside, there was a 1200 m² play area on two floors dedicated to entertainment with video games, simulators, billiards, mini-bowling, air hockey… It is finally here that the Vapiano and Five Guys restaurants will set up shop after several years of vacancy of the space. The former in 2016 and the latter in 2017.

In December 2004, Vinci Disney Village car park (which has since become Indigo) was created. With it, the parks’ esplanade was completely redesigned. The compass rose with the plates of the other Disney parks in the world was added.

2007

Walt Disney Studios Park is expanding and welcoming several new features that are transforming the park. At Toon Studios, Crush’s Coaster and Cars Quatres Roues Rallye have been installed between Flying Carpets Over Agrabah and Disney Art of Animation. In the centre of the park, at Production Courtyard, the construction of the emblematic attraction The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is nearing completion, while the opening will take place in December of the same year. The development of “The Terrace” Perrier and Hollywood Boulevard accompany this major development.

At Disney Village, PanoraMagique Balloon joined the lake in 2005. The first available aerial images show it only two years later.

2009

The expansion of the Walt Disney Studios Park continues. The next expansion is the arrival of Toy Story Playland, for which the final right-of-way is being dug. Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic circuit winds around this future mini-land dedicated to toys. The latter officially opens on Tuesday 17 August 2010 during the year of the New Generation.

On the parks’ esplanade, the construction of the World of Disney boutique is not yet a reality. It will be located on the triangular plot near the Gaumont Disney Village cinema.

In the middle of Central Plaza, the huge stage and its four small antennas covered with Mickey’s heads are particularly visible from the sky.

2012

Disneyland Paris is celebrating 20 years of magic with, among other things, Disney Dreams show projected onto Sleeping Beauty Castle every evening at the close of Disneyland Park.

In parallel to this anniversary, Walt Disney Studios Park continues its slow expansion with the launch of the construction of the family attraction “Ratatouille : L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy”, its restaurant “Bistrot Chez Rémy” and its shop “Chez Marianne – Souvenirs de Paris”. Two cranes have been installed on the site of this future reconstructed Parisian district and preparatory work has begun. Just next door, Toy Story Playland opened in the summer of 2010. It includes three new attractions: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, RC Racer and Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin.

The “World of Disney” shopping temple appears on aerial images following its opening on 12 July 2012. Ideally located at the exit of the two parks, it becomes a must-see at the end of the day. Its emblematic half globe stands out particularly when seen from above.

2014

July 10, 2014 marked the official opening of “Ratatouille : L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy”. Bog Iger, then Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, was notably present for the occasion. This French exclusive then opened at Epcot Walt Disney World. It is one of the new features at the launch of the 50th anniversary of the destination on October 1, 2021.

In Bailly-Romainvilliers, south of the A4 motorway, the landscape is beginning to change. The installation of the new Villages Nature Paris tourist complex, complementary to Disneyland Paris, is being prepared. Earthworks are underway and the paths are taking shape. The construction of the buildings has not yet begun.

Read more about this journey through time soon and find the previous article from 1998 to 2002 here.

Guillaume