It's the Grand Finale of the 30th Anniversary celebrations at Disneyland Paris during 2023, and thanks to our friends at AttractionTickets.com we went to experience it for the first time.
The festivities include eye-catching decorations, daytime entertainment, nighttime spectaculars, the return of an iconic attraction, and special culinary and shopping offerings across the resort.
Until September 30th 2023, guests can continue to enjoy the Grand Finale of the 30th Anniversary at Disneyland Paris.
Disneyland Paris has received quite a makeover in preparation for its 30th Anniversary, which started in 2022, with the main Disneyland Park in particular looking the best it has in a very long time.
Across the park, there have been refurbishments and renovations aplenty, with everything from scenery and planting to rides and attractions, given a healthy dose of TLC. There are still some areas in need of attention, but overall the park is now much brighter and more colourful.
Fantasyland was looking especially radiant, with classic attractions like Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad Hatter's Tea Cups and Alice's Curious Labyrinth back to their brilliant best.
After a 12 month renovation, Sleeping Beauty Castle is more beautiful than ever, with the monument restored to its former glory. Although it had already undergone several smaller refurbishments over the past three decades, this is the first major refurbishment since the opening of the park in 1992.
With huge blockbuster attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Hyperspace Mountain and Phantom Manor, many of which are superior versions of their counterparts in the US, Disneyland Park is understandably the most-visited theme park in Europe.
Over in the Walt Disney Studios Park, the recent addition of Avengers Campus has completely transformed the experience of visiting the park.
Attractions such as Avengers Assemble: Flight Force and Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure are only the beginning, as the area has so much more to entertain guests. Marvel's iconic super heroes make unexpected appearances throughout the day, so keep an eye out for Spider-Man on the rooftops of the W.E.B. Workshop, then see Black Widow and Black Panther team up for an epic battle.
Other notable highlights of the park include the outstanding dark ride Ratatouille: The Adventure, exciting Crush's Coaster and thrilling drop ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. A visit to Cars-tastrophe Canyon on Cars: Road Trip is another fun experience, along with the rides in Toy Story Playland.
Not to be missed, Mickey and the Magician is a spellbinding musical show with high production values and is thoroughly entertaining.
Dream... and Shine Brighter!
A joyful daytime show specially created for the 30th Anniversary. Watch as a flurry of festive fun transforms Central Plaza into a colourful extravaganza. Get your dancing shoes ready for the brand new, toe-tapping song, Un Monde Qui S'Illumine, which we can't get out of our heads! And make sure you wave to all the Disney characters happily making their way to the celebration in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. From Mickey, Minnie and their friends all dressed in shiny 30th Anniversary costumes, to familiar faces from iconic Disney movies – there are so many to see!
Although the presentation is somewhat basic compared to Disney Stars on Parade, the latter continues to run every day in addition to the new daytime show.
Disney D-Light
The award-winning Disney D-Light nighttime show is a prelude to Disney Dreams! and it has unveiled some impressive new drone choreography for the 30th Anniversary Grand Finale.
We loved watching the fleet of 200 drones light up the sky behind Sleeping Beauty Castle, forming the Mickey-shaped 30th Anniversary logo and other patterns. As it's the first nighttime drone show in a Disney theme park anywhere in the world, it's a highlight of the celebrations.
The updated 30th Anniversary Grand Finale show is on every night until September 30th 2023, weather permitting.
Disney Dreams!
The popular Disney Dreams! nighttime show has made its long-awaited comeback! Created back in 2012 and acclaimed by Disneyland Paris guests during five years, the show has returned as part of the 30th Anniversary Grand Finale. Combining a wide variety of special effects (video projections, lasers, fountains, pyrotechnics), the show brings to life each evening some iconic Disney stories on Sleeping Beauty Castle from Beauty and the Beast to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Lion King, Tangled, Ratatouille and many more!
This 2023 edition is even more spectacular, in particular thanks to innovative LED-based technology installed on Sleeping Beauty Castle’s turrets, which come alive to the rhythm of the show, in addition to recent technical upgrades, improving the overall visual impact of the show.
The return of "it's a small world"
The “happiest cruise that ever sailed” has also made its big comeback, accompanied by its incredibly catchy musical anthem. A celebration of the diverse world we live in, the attraction has been a favourite of guests for more than thirty years. Special care has been taken to preserve its magic and ensure that it shines as bright today as it did on day one.
Following an extended 18-month closure, the entire attraction has been refurbished inside and outside. In total, more than 300 dolls have been refreshed, not to mention all the animal figurines, the animated accessories, and more than a hundred toys. Lighting within the attraction has also been modernised and, on the outside, the charming façade has received a fresh coat of paint.
Gardens of Wonder
Wander through these enchanting displays specially created for the 30th Anniversary, and you’ll see 30 unique sculptures of Disney characters bringing a world of magic to life like never before! And make sure you pop by during the day and at night, because these are two very different experiences.
Enjoy tasty anniversary treats
At many of the restaurants and cafes in Disneyland Park, special 30th Anniversary menu items are available for this limited time celebration.
Our favourite by far, was the 30th Anniversary Celebration Cake, served under a glass cloche on a special plate at Walt's. It's an immaculately presented entremet with layers of white chocolate and strawberry mousse on almond shortbread, enrobed in white chocolate and topped with sugar stars, a fresh raspberry, an edible flower and a 30th Anniversary medallion. Really something special.
Our entire meal at Walt's (€75 per person for 3-courses, including a glass of wine with each) was a highlight of our visit. We think it's ideal for couples and offers something very different to the other restaurants in the parks.
Take the magic home with you
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary Grand Finale, an extended range of exclusive merchandise is available inside in the parks and at the World of Disney store in Disney Village.
The one item that we just couldn't resist was The Art of Disneyland Paris (€50), a special limited edition 200-page book with more than 300 photos and illustrations giving a very detailed insight into the creation and development of Disneyland Paris.
Don't delay, book today!
If you've not visited Disneyland Paris recently, the 30th Anniversary Grand Finale is without question the time to do so! We had a fantastic two-day visit courtesy of AttractionTickets.com and would recommend them for hassle-free 'scan at the gate' tickets.
