Some new (and familiar!) faces have arrived in Adventureland at Disneyland Paris, statues with characters from the beloved Disney animated film Vaiana (also known as Moana in the U.S.) have recently been installed.
In total, there are three statues:
- Pua
- Heihei
- Maui’s fishhook
If these look familiar, that’s because they’ve been used before as a backdrop for a limited-time Vaiana meet & greet held in the former Annual Pass office, which Disney occasionally transforms into a character location.
Now, the statues have found a more permanent home in Adventureland, right near the spot where Baloo from The Jungle Book often meets guests. They’ve replaced previous statues of Zazu (The Lion King) and Kaa (The Jungle Book).
More Vaiana in the Disney Parks (Thanks to Disney+?)
Vaiana’s popularity has been growing, especially in the U.S., where the film continues to be one of the most streamed movies on Disney+. Interestingly, Disney has mentioned that streaming trends can sometimes influence what we see in the parks. That could explain why Vaiana has been more visible in Disneyland Paris and other Disney Parks over the past few years.
This year alone, she had her own show in Adventureland during the Disney Music Festival, and she’s been meeting guests more frequently at the Princess Pavilion in Fantasyland. The addition of Pua, Heihei, and Maui’s fishhook could be part of a larger strategy to bring even more of her world into the parks.
Looking ahead, Vaiana is also expected to return in the show “A Million Splashes of Colour“ in February 2026.
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