When Walt Disney Studios Park opened in March 2002, many guests felt that it was hardly a real theme park. It was very small, had only a few attractions, and from the center of the park you could almost see everything just by turning your head. Even though the park was tiny, it was still divided into four themed areas: Animation Courtyard, Production Courtyard, Backlot, and Frontlot.
A Park With Very Few Attractions
Most experiences in 2002 were shows or walk-through experiences. Mechanical rides were rare.
- Frontlot had no attractions at all—only shops and one restaurant.
- Animation Courtyard had just one ride, Flying Carpets Over Agrabah, plus two shows (Animagique and The Art of Disney Animation) and a small shop. Guests could also meet Mickey and Minnie in special Studios outfits near a themed trailer.
- Production Courtyard featured the show Cinemagique, a visit to the Disney Television Studios with real Disney Channel recording studios, and the Studio Tram Tour.
- Backlot looked grey and industrial. It included three restaurants—Rendez-Vous des Stars, Backlot Express, and Café des Cascadeurs—together with the attractions Armageddon: Special Effects, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, and the big stunt show Moteurs…ACTION! Stunt Spectacular.
Most guests only needed a few hours to see everything. The park did not succeed in adding a full extra day to a Disneyland Paris visit, which had been one of its main goals. Because of this weak start, Disney decided to completely rethink and rebuild the park.
Years of Investment and Expansion
Over the following years, every available budget was used to improve Walt Disney Studios Park. Many new attractions were added, but the park still felt small, and some rides had lower capacity because they were simple flat rides. Still, little by little, the park grew.
New Areas and Transformations
- Toon Studio (formerly Animation Courtyard)
Added attractions like Crush’s Coaster and Cars Race Rally.- Animagique Theater received a new show, Mickey and the Magician.
- The Art of Disney Animation became Animation Celebration, inspired by Frozen.
- Toy Story Playland and the Ratatouille area expanded the park’s size and added popular attractions like Ratatouille: The Adventure.
Changes in Production Courtyard
- The biggest addition was The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, along with a small Hollywood Boulevard.
- Cinemagique was removed and the theater was rebuilt for live shows, including Marvel: Super Heroes United and today’s Together: A Pixar Musical Adventure.
- The former Disney Channel building changed repeatedly:
- Stitch Live!
- Disney Junior Live on Stage
- Disney Junior Dream Factory
- A new version of Dream Factory is now in development.
- The Studio Tram Tour stayed mostly the same but became shorter each year as expansions grew, until it was removed entirely for the park’s major transformation.
The Big Change in Backlot
Backlot received the largest transformation of all. The entire land was replaced by Avengers Campus.
- Armageddon: Special Effects was demolished and replaced by Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure.
- Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster was transformed into Avengers Assemble: Flight Force.
Original Attractions (2002)
- Flying Carpets Over Agrabah
- Animagique
- The Art of Disney Animation
- Cinemagique
- Studio Tram Tour
- Armageddon: Special Effects
- Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster
- Moteurs…ACTION Stunt Spectacular
- Disney Television Studios
Added Attractions After Opening
- Crush’s Coaster
- Cars Race Rally
- Ratatouille: The Adventure
- Toy Story Playland rides (RC Racer, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, Slinky Dog Zig Zag Spin)
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Stitch Live!
- Avengers Campus (Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure, Avengers Assemble: Flight Force)
- Mickey and the Magician
- Together: A Pixar Musical Adventure
- Cars Road Trip
- Studio D
A New Chapter: Disney Adventure World
And now, we reach an important moment in the history of Disneyland Paris. The problematic Walt Disney Studios Park is almost gone, and a new project is preparing to take its place: Disney Adventure World.
This new park will include major attractions inspired by Frozen, Rapunzel, and soon UP, as well as new shows and restaurants. Construction has also started on a brand-new land inspired by The Lion King.
The new version of the second park at Disneyland Paris will officially begin on March 29, 2026.
The transformation is finally reaching its full potential—more than 90% of the original park has been replaced or rebuilt over many years, creating a completely new experience for guests from around the world.
