Disneyland Paris has announced exciting innovations for 2026. Starting February 7, a revamped show in the Dream Factory will put Minnie and her friends at center stage. At the same time, projects such as the unveiling of Disney Cascade of Lights and an original soundtrack for Adventure Way in Disney Adventure World are underway to enhance the guest experience. These developments blend magic, technology, and emotion for visitors of all ages.
The Dream Factory Relaunches with Minnie's Vision
After six magical seasons and a brief pause, the Dream Factory reopens on February 7, 2026. Director Susan Plyer developed the concept in 2024 to spotlight Minnie and her Disney friends. “I wanted to give the show a fresh twist, so I suggested that Minnie and her friends take over running the Dream Factory,” she explains. “Our Disney characters are the true heart of Disney—who better to nurture our dreams?”Minnie assumes leadership of the factory, where she guides her colleagues, including the comedic duo Chip and Dale. Donald handles technical details with precision, while Daisy brings energy and enthusiasm to challenges, motivating her coworkers—a true dream team.
This new version retains the central dream machine that transforms dreams into magic but delivers a more contemporary story that resonates with guests. “We've kept the idea of this wonderful machine that turns our dreams into magic and deliver a more modern story that feels even closer to our guests,” Susan explains. “In this adventure, problems are solved as a team! Achieving dreams is always a challenge, and success comes only through mutual support. That's what this show is about.” The production underscores the message that successes arise through collective help, with mutual support paving the way to realizing dreams.
Immersive Elements for Greater Audience Connection
The show centers on powerful songs that propel the plot and allow characters to share emotions with the audience. Susan Plyer scoured the Disney Channel music archives, adapting iconic melodies to fit each scene and supplementing them with an original composition. This enables visitors to sing along to familiar Disney tunes in fresh versions.To make the action more tangible, Plyer collaborated with lighting designer Adrien Mourey to highlight the front of the stage, where much audience interaction will occur. “My goal is for visitors to feel even more involved in the show,” she says. “Including the stage and balcony, we now have three levels—three places from which to tell our story—with the front stage area as a privileged space for exchange.” The script was co-written with Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal, author of the original show, who added nuances to foster the closeness Plyer envisioned. “His approach fits perfectly with this new vision,” she says. “Being familiar with every detail of the first version, he was able to incorporate a wealth of subtle nuances to create the intimacy I wanted.”
The factory's appearance has been redesigned. As audiences arrive, they immerse themselves in a brand-new lighting atmosphere and discover a set adapted by scenic designer Tiphaine Bonin, brimming with playful references to Minnie. Costumes for the Disney characters were designed and produced at Disneyland Paris. Special effects are equally spectacular, featuring favorites like dream bubbles and brand-new surprises.
A Talented Ensemble Prepares
Alongside Donald, Daisy, Chip, and Dale, a full dream team populates the stage—figures who keep the factory running. These exceptional performers are not just singers but also actors and dancers, embodying the “triple threat” quality of musical theater artists trained in all three disciplines. Susan Plyer, well-versed in the musical world, aimed to infuse the show with this energy. “I know this world well, and that's exactly the energy I wanted to bring to our show,” she says. “After all, we're in World Premiere Plaza!”To assemble this team, over 800 applicants participated in casting sessions, from newcomers to show veterans, all determined to continue this adventure on artistic and personal levels. Initial selections focused on solo singing, followed by dance and then harmony vocals. Improvisation was central to the process, both individually and in groups. In the end, 14 performers were selected for the cast. They are currently rehearsing intensively to prepare for the new season's launch. “These rehearsals are very intensive because all three of my teams—the vocal coach, acting coach, and dance captains—are present simultaneously to ensure every discipline reaches its highest level,” Plyer says. “That's why we had to hire only the very best!”
The cast also includes performers signing in French Sign Language (LSF). This season, they go beyond mere narration and are fully integrated into the production. As in previous years, this “multilingual” version will be available on weekends, holidays, and during school vacations.
Susan Plyer concludes: Everyday routines too often push our dreams aside, but dreaming is possible at any age and in any situation—whether it's as simple as taking time for yourself or something magical, like staging a show at Disneyland Paris. “We too often forget our dreams and let daily life push our aspirations to the background,” she adds. “But one can dream at any age and in any situation. It can be something as simple as taking time for oneself or something magical... like putting on a show at Disneyland Paris! I really wanted this new story to inspire everyone. Because dreams know no bounds.”
Disney Cascade of Lights: The New Nighttime Spectacle
In Adventure Bay, teams are rehearsing for Disney Cascade of Lights, the destination's second nighttime show, debuting March 29, 2026, in Disney Adventure World. As darkness falls over Adventure Bay, the construction workers who were on the Disney Adventure World site hours earlier have cleared out. Around the lake, a wave of activity breaks the silence as creators and technicians work diligently. They are rehearsing the placement of an impressive 160-ton structure, positioned in the middle of the lake every evening starting March 29. It houses key show equipment—fountains, lights, projectors, and pyrotechnics—and consists of a 14-square-meter central platform connected to four barges that extend outward in a nearly circular form matching the lake's contours. Maneuvered via silent electric propulsion boats, it even passes under the iconic swing bridge of World of Frozen. The barge operators have received specialized training for maximum precision. Once moored and connected, 379 aerial and aquatic drones—specially developed for the show—complete the setup before rehearsals begin.Producer Ben Spalding has dreamed of this show for over seven years. Back then, he worked on Disneyland Paris's first drone shows as part of the resort's 30th anniversary celebrations: Disney D-Light, followed the next year by "Avengers: Power the Night." In both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, the focus was bringing stories to life in the sky—up to a height of 120 meters. Soon, he was thinking about the next experiment, where drones would fly lower and closer to the audience. The project at Adventure Bay Lake provided the perfect setting. In close collaboration with Dronisos, Disneyland Paris's high-tech partner from the start, new drones were developed: aerial models more resistant to wind and rain, as well as water drones affectionately called “ducks.” The lake acts as a mirror, multiplying lights from drones, fountains, projectors, and pyrotechnics up to 120 meters. “The water acts like a mirror that multiplies all our light sources,” Spalding explains. “Our water drones illuminate the lake's surface, combined with low-angle lighting around the lake's edges. Added to that are the fountains, each with their own light sources, and the various pyrotechnic effects. It's a spectacular cascade of lights!” All elements merge into an extraordinary water-and-light spectacle, calibrated to the millimeter so each component fits perfectly without interfering with the others. Everything was pre-simulated in 3D for precise choreography. “The secret is teamwork,” Spalding says. “The entire show was pre-simulated in 3D. As part of this program, we used a detailed park model from which each team member—responsible for drones, pyrotechnics, lighting, and more—developed their own plan. This allowed us to visualize, plan, and choreograph everything in advance so it syncs perfectly live.” Twenty-four technicians will be on site each evening to ensure smooth operation—more than double the number for previous shows like Disney Dreams or Disney Illumination.
The story revolves around Inspiration as the guiding figure, connecting Disney heroes like Mulan, Moana, Hercules, Judy from "Zootopia," the Avengers, and Carl Fredricksen—driven by honor, family, courage, and duty. Like the shadow of Peter Pan in Disney Dreams, Inspiration has become a standalone character and the show's guiding light. She also serves as the link between the audience and the story's figures. Each character was carefully selected: Mulan's commitment is driven by honor and family, just as Moana's is by the ocean that inspires her adventures for her community's benefit. It's the courage of the heart that makes Hercules a true hero, just as Judy's sense of duty drives her to overcome prejudices and join the Zootopia police. Every Avenger followed their own inspiration and path before becoming a hero, just as Carl Fredricksen did in his unique way, motivated by a promise to a loved one. Director Susan Plyer sees them as sources of everyday emotions. “The focus on emotion and storytelling was a key priority,” producer Ben Spalding recalls. “We wanted a concept that resonates with all European audiences, and that's how we arrived at the idea of inspiration.” “Each of them embodies an emotion that can connect with every guest,” Plyer adds. “They are an endless source of inspiration in our lives, whether it's helping others, supporting family, or finding the courage to face daily challenges.” The visual representations were meticulously designed, with colors and details calibrated for projection onto the water surface. The music serves as both the emotional driver and the metronome that holds all elements in perfect harmony. Composed by Mark Hammond ("Lost in the Magic") and produced by Jonathan Barr, the score was recorded in London's legendary Abbey Road Studios by a 90-piece orchestra and is accompanied by an original song, “We Can Be Heroes,” that captures the show's spirit.
A 360-degree approach ensures the best possible experience from every seat around the 3-hectare lake—a major challenge given its size. Not only was the central structure's design crucial, but so was the placement of over 240 floodlights and light points directed at the lake, along with the sound system throughout Adventure Bay. This approach also considers the environmental impact. From the fully electric power supply for the boats, which reduces the CO2 footprint, to the lake's filtration system using various fish species, and residue-free materials in fireworks and pyrotechnics—every aspect was meticulously planned. The result: The show leaves a minimal ecological footprint but a maximal emotional one, gifting audiences unforgettable memories shaped by the flood of emotions each creator brings from the initial idea to the final technical detail.
Original Soundtrack for Adventure Way
Starting March 29, 2026, Adventure Way in Disney Adventure World will feature a 40-minute original soundtrack by Philippe Rombi, recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra. On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the French composer surprised Disneyland Paris fans during an event at the heart of the resort by personally unveiling the new musical theme he composed for Adventure Way, the lush promenade that will connect the immersive worlds of Disney Adventure World starting in spring 2026. Together with Michel den Dulk, Portfolio Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, he discussed the inspiration behind the suite's composition.The score—the first original for a Disneyland Paris area since 1992—draws on motifs of adventure and wonder. While music for worlds like World of Frozen naturally builds on the animated films, a unique space like Adventure Way required an original score—the first since the 1992 Discoveryland soundtrack. To meet this challenge, the Imagineers chose Rombi, a composer renowned in French cinema and nominated four times for the César, including for the film "Joyeux Noël," whose soundtrack was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. He recorded the music for Adventure Way under the same conditions in summer 2025 with 84 musicians from the orchestra. It was a return to his roots for the composer, who worked as a pianist at the Disneyland Hotel in 1992 when Disneyland Paris opened. Building on creative discussions, concept reviews, and a site visit to Disney Adventure World, Rombi developed two main motifs inspired by notions of adventure, travel, wonder, and distant horizons. From these, he composed a magnificent suite of nearly 40 minutes that plays throughout Adventure Way, including its various thematic gardens. For these gardens, he added subtle nods to Disney themes—Peter Pan and "101 Dalmatians" for the Gazebo Garden, and "Tangled" for its own garden. A special piano version is also heard in The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge. The result is a perfect fusion of Rombi's artistic identity and Disney's musical universe. “The decision to create original music for an entire area of a Disney park is extremely rare, and it's even rarer to entrust this task to a French composer,” Rombi explained. “It's a true recognition of my work and a great honor. I've always composed from the heart, driven by my passion. That my music moved the Imagineers so much that they entrusted me with this enormous responsibility means a great deal to me.”
Enhancements in Frontierland and at the Tower of Terror
While construction continues at Walt Disney Studios Park—soon to be Disney Adventure World—additional projects are in preparation to elevate the experience. By late summer 2026, Rivers of the Far West in Frontierland will feature an enhanced experience at Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing with new scenes inspired by Imagineer and Disney legend Marc Davis's original drawings. The new figures, including a bison on the prairie as well as cute raccoons and a skunk on a floating log, were specifically redesigned and produced for the project by the teams at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris. Guests will catch a glimpse of these additions while enjoying a relaxing boat ride on the iconic Molly Brown vessel, recently renovated from bow to stern.At the Hollywood Tower Hotel, work is underway on "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror," where a new covered outdoor queue area is being created, set to open in spring 2026. This thematic area will enrich the Hollywood Tower Hotel's story by depicting the remnants of the patio, once a relaxed courtyard with an outdoor pool prized by show business elite but long forgotten. Every material was carefully selected to fit the theme and reflect the building's Pueblo Deco architecture. Props and decorative elements in the queue provide further clues to the tragic events at the Hollywood Tower Hotel—and prepare guests for what awaits inside. Nearby, a new 1930s-inspired flower shop merchandise location opens in early 2026. The existing structure has been completely reworked to create a boutique seamlessly integrated into World Premiere Plaza and its Art Deco-inspired theater district. It will offer an authentic atmosphere thanks to a variety of props in the boutique, including flower arrangements, images celebrating historical milestones, and even a refrigerator resembling those of California florists from that era.
Renovations at Ratatouille and Annette’s Diner
The major renovation of "Ratatouille: The Adventure Continues," which began in October 2025, is progressing for Imagineers and Disneyland Paris teams. On the menu for this overhaul are technical upgrades and scenic improvements, all designed to deliver an even more immersive experience into the world of the Pixar animated film "Ratatouille" for guests. The queue will gain a new scene depicting a Parisian artist's studio brimming with details and accessories, like canvases on the walls, paint splatters, and a fruit basket that could whet the appetite of all the cute rats in the neighborhood. Inside the attraction, new props, enhanced projections, and life-size set pieces—currently in production—will add extra flavor to key scenes and heighten guests' sense of being shrunk to the size of Remy and his friends.In Disney Village, Annette’s Diner closes temporarily on January 5, 2026, for a major renovation lasting several months. The work focuses on expanding the kitchen and completely renewing the dining room, including floors and furniture, while preserving the charm and retro atmosphere that has been so popular since 1992. Some iconic elements will be fully reinterpreted, like the bar, whose layout and aesthetics will be redesigned to pay tribute to the characteristic chrome look of classic diners. The booths will also receive a new design inspired by 1950s car bench seats, in typical colors of the era like pink, blue, and vanilla yellow. Upon reopening, Annette’s Diner—with slightly increased seating capacity—will continue to bring the golden age of rock 'n' roll and the 1950s to life, to the great delight of its guests.
Disney's Hotel Sequoia Lodge Gets Nature-Inspired Refresh
Starting in January 2026, extensive renovation work will be carried out in phases at Disney's Hotel Sequoia Lodge to improve and elevate the experience while preserving the wooden furnishings and authentic, warm atmosphere. The design will raise the tribute to nature's beauty to inspiring new heights, drawing from the forests and following the tradition established by Walt Disney and his team of animators. Every space, from the rooms to the lobby as well as the shopping and dining areas, will be reinvented as an ode to the wilderness, providing the perfect setting to relax and let the mind wander. As a reminder: The hotel remains open during the renovation work, which will be phased.These various projects offer just a taste of the many upcoming works across the entire destination, and many more initiatives are under consideration to surprise guests on their next visit to Disneyland Paris. More information to follow!
