Disney has introduced new scenes which can be coming to the Rivers of the Far West (versus America; in spite of everything, that is France!) at Disneyland Paris in 2026. Listed here are particulars about these enhancements, plus different plussings coming to DLP and Disney Journey World subsequent 12 months!
After all, we’re emphasizing the Rivers of the Far West upgrades as a distinction to what’s occurring at house in America, on the Rivers of America at Walt Disney World, which is now extinct. Together with Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Sq. Riverboat, the Rivers of America closed again on July seventh.
Demolition on TSI and RoA has kicked into excessive gear, with every little thing on the island now gone as of earlier this vacation season. For our ‘tribute’ to the aesthetics and inventive worth of this space of the citadel parks, see Why the Rivers of America is Value Saving. The sentiment there’s a part of an overarching and ongoing fan debate about Walt Disney World that extends far past this one resolution.
It’s good to see Walt Disney Imagineering and Disneyland Paris going the wrong way in France, refreshing and revitalizing its model of the Rivers of America. That ought to additionally say every little thing that must be mentioned about who was the motive force of the choice in Florida. (Trace: It wasn’t Lightning McQueen!)
Final Sunday, we have been sitting by Rackety’s Raccoon Saloon (the place the official backstory is {that a} critter making moonshine as soon as had a brewing accident when his nonetheless exploded inflicting the dam to interrupt and flood the realm…thus the title Splash Mountain) overlooking the Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes.
We spent over 90 minutes again right here that early afternoon, and it was a spotlight of your entire journey. (I might declare that point was all because of the Rivers of America rest, however not desirous to disturb nap time by crossing the parade route additionally performed an enormous function.) We loved it a lot that we headed over to Camp Woodchuck for extra of the identical within the early night.
The Rivers of America’s pure magnificence together with the kinetics supplied by the passing canoes, riverboat and trains made for a calming and decompressing expertise–even amidst the 9/10 weekend crowds at Tokyo Disneyland. I’ll admit that I used to be seeing every little thing via contemporary eyes and heightened senses, as this was our first expertise with the Rivers of America for the reason that identical closed at Walt Disney World.
Because it seems, we hadn’t heeded the smart phrases of Ms. Mitchell. We actually did not know what we had obtained till it was gone, and so they began to pave paradise to place up a car parking zone. To make certain, we had at all times cherished the numerous incarnations of the Rivers of America and appreciated them greater than most company; we mentioned an extended and heartbreaking goodbye at Walt Disney World.
Even so, we had beforehand taken without any consideration the Rivers of America at Tokyo Disneyland. It was good to actively get pleasure from this space in Westernland for an prolonged period of time, and wow, what an space it’s. It additionally in all probability helped that with every passing journey, our toddler daughter turns into extra engaged with the parks, and he or she’s an enormous fan of: 1) play areas, 2) transportation; 3) water. (That final one labored to our drawback with the Rivers of America, as she needs #1 and #3 on that listing to be mixed.)
I point out this each on account of recency and since we’re actually trying ahead to doing the identical at Disneyland Paris. Thunder Mesa is true up there with Westernland as my favourite variations of Frontierland, and I’m curious to see which Rivers of America reigns supreme now that Walt Disney World is within the means of paving over its model. (Sorry Disneyland, you’re not #1 besides in historical past and homicide beavers.)
Our journey in Spring 2026 for the opening of Disney Journey World would be the first we’ve taken to Paris for the reason that Rivers of America closure at Walt Disney World. I’m excited to spend extra time there, gaining a deeper and newfound appreciation, having fun with the brand new surroundings, and seeing the Rivers of the Far West via contemporary eyes.
Talking of which, listed here are particulars concerning the enhancements to the Rivers of the Far West at Disneyland Paris…
New Magic for Rivers of the Far West in Frontierland
By the top of Summer time 2026, company will get pleasure from an enhanced expertise at Thunder Mesa Riverboat Touchdown, because of new scenes added alongside the route of Rivers of the Far West, and impressed by the unique drawings of Imagineer and Disney Legend Marc Davis.
The brand new figures, together with a buffalo on a prairie, and lovely racoons and a skunk on a floating log, have been specifically redesigned and produced for the undertaking by Walt Disney Imagineering Paris groups.
Visitors will catch a glimpse of those new additions whereas having fun with a calming cruise aboard the long-lasting Molly Brown boat, which has lately been renovated from stem to stern.
It’s price noting that this undertaking was first teased at an anniversary occasion in April, at which level Disneyland Paris introduced 4 new nature scenes.
The brand new announcement makes it unclear as as to whether that’s been decreased to 2, or if these are merely two of the 4 examples. The language is sufficiently open to both risk, nevertheless it looks like they might’ve shared all 4 examples once more if that have been nonetheless the plan.
For many who are unfamiliar with him, Marc Davis was one in every of Disney’s “9 Outdated Males,” the core group of animators whose kinds outlined early-era Disney animation. He joined the corporate in 1935, engaged on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Tune of the South, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland.
He later moved to Imagineering and labored on Jungle Cruise, Enchanted Tiki Room, Carousel of Progress, “it’s a small world,” The Haunted Mansion, and Nation Bear Jamboree. Davis formally retired in 1978, however proceed to work on EPCOT Heart and Tokyo Disneyland.
Not solely is Marc Davis a Disney Legend, however he’s additionally on the Disney Vacationer Weblog Mount Rushmore of Imagineers. (Proper alongside his spouse, Alice, Disney’s unique “designing lady.”) For those who’d prefer to be taught extra about him, we’d extremely advocate studying Marc Davis in His Personal Phrases: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks.
Suffice to say, it’s an enormous deal for Disney diehards that extra Marc Davis ideas are coming to reside within the parks. Let’s hope this pattern continues–and it very effectively might! As that e book demonstrates, there’s a veritable library of untapped Davis ideas for the parks.
Listed here are different tasks at present underway for 2026 at Disneyland Paris and the Walt Disney Studios Park (future Disney Journey World…
New Patio at Hollywood Tower Lodge
In Walt Disney Studios Park, work is in progress at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror new lined out of doors ready space, that may open in Spring 2026.
This themed space will enrich the story of The Hollywood Tower Lodge by representing the remnants of the Patio, which was as soon as a calming courtyard with an outside pool–a characteristic tremendously appreciated by the present enterprise elite–however fell into disarray.
Each materials factor has been rigorously chosen to suit with the theme, and to echo the Pueblo Deco structure of the premises. The props and parts of decor disseminated within the queue will give extra clues concerning the tragic occasions that occurred at The Hollywood Tower Lodge, making ready company for what’s awaiting them inside.
Subsequent door, the brand new merchandise location impressed by the Nineteen Thirties flower retailers will open early 2026. The current construction have been utterly reworked to create a boutique harmoniously mixing into World Premiere Plaza and its Artwork Deco-inspired theatre district space.
It is going to provide an genuine environment because of an array of props scattered across the boutique, together with flower bouquets, footage celebrating its historic milestones, and even a fridge just like these utilized by Californian florists on the time.
Intensive Renovation of Ratatouille Trip
The most important refurbishment of Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy is underway, with Imagineers and Disneyland Paris groups already engaged on the undertaking.
On the menu for this renovation is a beneficiant serving of technical upgrades and scenic enhancements, all rigorously crafted to supply company an much more immersive expertise into the world of Ratatouille. The queue will likely be enhanced with a brand new scene depicting a Parisian artist’s studio teeming with particulars and equipment equivalent to canvases on the partitions, paint splatters, and a fruit basket that will effectively whet the urge for food of all of the lovely rats within the neighbourhood.
Contained in the attraction, new props, enhanced projections, and larger-than-life props and set items will add additional flavour to key scenes, and improve company’ notion of being shrunk to the dimensions of Remy and his mates.
Annette’s Diner Retro Reimagining
Annette’s Diner within the Disney Village will briefly shut January 5, 2026 for a significant refurbishment lasting a number of months. The renovation will deal with enlarging the kitchens and utterly refurbishing the eating room, together with flooring and furnishings, whereas preserving its allure and the retro environment that has been so widespread since 1992.
Some iconic options will likely be utterly reimagined, such because the bar, whose structure and aesthetic will likely be redesigned to pay tribute to the distinctive chrome look of traditional diners. The cubicles will even sport a brand new design impressed by Fifties automobile seats, in colors typical of the period equivalent to pink, blue and vanilla yellow.
When it reopens, Annette’s Diner — with a barely elevated seating capability — will proceed to deliver the golden age of Rock ’n’ Roll and the Fifties again to life, a lot to the delight of its company.
Disney Village Transformation Continues
The transformation of Disney Village continues with a number of new experiences set to debut within the coming months and years. The Sports activities Bar & Lounge lately reopened as a vibrant sports activities hub that includes a redesigned terrace, immersive décor, and a refreshed menu.
Pelé Soccer, the model’s first European retailer, providing unique soccer merchandise will quickly open and early 2026 will deliver the most important McDonald’s in France, designed with enjoyable nods to Disneyland Paris.
Development can be underway for Casa Giulia, a two-story Italian restaurant set to open by the top of 2026. The reimagining of the Disney Retailer into Disney Wonders carries on, with a contemporary retail house immersing guests in beloved Disney tales.
These updates, together with ongoing enhancements to façades, landscaping and signage, are an try to tug Disney Village out of the Nineties.
Sequoia Lodge Overhaul Begins Quickly
Beginning January 2026, main refurbishment work will likely be carried out to boost and elevate the expertise supplied at Disney Sequoia Lodge, whereas preserving its picket décor alongside with its genuine and heat environment.
The design pays homage to the great thing about nature to the subsequent stage whereas taking inspiration from the forests following the custom began by Walt Disney and his crew of animators. Each house, from the rooms to the foyer, in addition to the buying and eating places, will likely be reinvented as an ode to wildlife, providing the proper surroundings to unwind and let one’s thoughts wander.
This transformation will even be marked by the resort’s theming of panorama and forest animals: the nods to the traditional Disney Animation movie Bambi that may be at present present in rooms will evolve in the direction of a broader theme that may have a good time lots of Disney characters from traditional and up to date films from the forest.
These animals will likely be subtly integrated into the completely different experiences supplied on the resort in a thoughtfully inventive strategy. Respect for nature and sustainability will even be mirrored within the building supplies, which have been rigorously chosen to attenuate the environmental impression of the Disney Sequoia Lodge refurbishment work.
As a reminder, Disney Sequoia Lodge will stay open through the refurbishment work, which is able to begin in 2026 and will likely be carried out in phases. We’re hoping to remain right here in 2026 and have a overview of the brand new rooms. At minimal, we’ll have a report on the development. Keep tuned!
For the fundamentals of planning a go to to Disneyland Paris, take a look at our Disneyland Paris Journey Planning Information. Discover the perfect place to remain in Disneyland Paris Lodge Opinions. Try 101 Disneyland Paris Suggestions for some (101, to be actual) of our greatest random suggestions for doing DLP like a professional. See Disney Park Tickets Suggestions & Tips for methods to save lots of on tickets. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Opinions. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. Lastly, for recommendation past Disney, take a look at our Final Journey Information to Paris, France.
Your Ideas
What do you consider the brand new scenes coming to the Rivers of America at DLP? Do you view these pretty much as good additions? Are you excited for any of the opposite 2026 Disneyland Paris additions? Excited to go to the reimagined Disney Journey World? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even if you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
