Disney theme park to be renamed in 2026 — and with it, redefine its purpose
Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris will officially be renamed to Disney Adventure World effective March 29, 2026, with the expansion of multiple new lands and bold plans for the future.
The new monicker ushers in a slate of new attractions (see details and imagery below), including World of Frozen.
The name change from Walt Disney Studios Park to Disney Adventure World
The name change is the most radical of any in Disney’s history. Several parks have been renamed over the years, mostly for legal reasons (such as Disney-MGM Studios becoming Disney’s Hollywood Studios) or the result of minor language tweaks (such as Disney’s California Adventure becoming Disney California Adventure).
Never before has a gated Disney theme park changed its title the way Walt Disney Studios Park will do when it transforms into Disney Adventure World in 2026.
Walt Disney Studios Park opened in 2002. In becoming Disney Adventure World, it shifts away from embodying a pseudo Hollywood facility but still aims to distinguish itself from Disneyland Park next door. Together, Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World (along with the Disney Village shopping & dining district and accompanying hotels) make up the collective whole of Disneyland Paris.
In a press release, Disney described the difference between Disneyland Paris’ two theme parks: “While Disneyland Park continues to evolve by bringing the magic of timeless stories and enchanted tales to life, the destination’s second park — now reimagined — will transport guests into the worlds inspired by Disney Animation, Pixar Animation Studios, and Marvel Studios films they love where they can experience unforgettable adventures.”
“With this step, we’re pursuing the most ambitious transformation in our resort’s history,” said Natacha Rafalski, president of Disneyland Paris, “pushing the boundaries of storytelling and inviting guests to live their own adventures in the extraordinary worlds of Disney Animation, Pixar, and Marvel. This marks a new era for Europe’s number one tourist destination, filled with deeper storytelling, stronger emotions, and unforgettable moments.”
Disney Adventure World park map
Guests enter Disney Adventure World through the indoor World Premiere Plaza, which reopened earlier this year after an extensive refurbishment.
Toward the front of the park, familiar attractions and lands branch off, such as Tower of Terror and Marvel Avengers Campus (which opened in 2022). A collection of nearby mini-lands was recently annexed together into a larger land now named Worlds of Pixar.
A new promenade called Adventure Way will connect the primary existing portions of Disney Adventure World to a new lagoon area, around which new and future lands will reside. These include World of Frozen and an under-construction area based on “The Lion King.”
Opening March 29, 2026: World of Frozen, ‘Tangled’ ride, Adventure Way promenade, lagoon
Several new attractions will open on March 29, 2026, the day Walt Disney Studios Park officially becomes Disney Adventure World.
The headliner is World of Frozen, an immersive land themed to the 2013 film “Frozen” and bringing to life the kingdom of Arendelle, complete with the royal castle and Elsa’s ice palace. World of Frozen will open with Frozen Ever After (a boat ride that first debuted at Epcot in Florida in 2016), a meet & greet with Anna and Elsa inside the castle, dining locations, shops, and a lagoon show featuring a free-roaming Olaf animatronic.
(This is the second World of Frozen area to open in a Disney theme park, following the Hong Kong Disneyland version in 2023.)
Also opening March 29 at Disney Adventure World is Adventure Way, the new promenade connecting the existing spaces of the park to its expanded lagoon layout. Within Adventure Way will be 14 dining locations, gardens inspired by Disney stories, live music, character greetings, and Raiponce Tangled Spin, a teacups-style ride.
“Disney Cascade of Lights” will debut on March 29 as Disney Adventure World’s nighttime spectacular. Performed on and above the Adventure Bay lagoon, the show involves drones, fountains, and pyrotechnics and features characters from Disney Animation, Pixar, and Marvel stories.
The future: ‘Up,’ ‘Lion King’
Disney Adventure World will continue to introduce new attractions in the future, starting with a swings ride themed to “Up.”
A log flume inspired by “The Lion King” is also under construction, set to be the signature attraction of a new land along the lagoon shore.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
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