Reduced Ride Access at Disney Begins as Cost-Cutting Measures Take Effect Through 2025

Later Opening Times for Select Attractions

Starting on November 16, 2024, Disneyland Paris will open some of its attractions later in the morning as a way to conserve energy and allocate resources more efficiently. The following popular attractions will adopt delayed openings, which are set to remain in effect until January 5, 2025:

• Autopia: Opens at 11:00 a.m.
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Opens at 12:00 p.m.
• Cars ROAD TRIP: Opens at 11:00 a.m.
• Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque: Opens at 11:00 a.m.
• Le Pays des Contes de Fées: Opens at 11:00 a.m.

Disneyland Paris is no stranger to adjusting hours during the winter, a traditionally slower season when cold temperatures and limited daylight often mean fewer visitors and shorter park stays. These staggered openings allow Disneyland Paris to focus operational efforts where they’re most impactful, ensuring guests continue to experience the magic without unnecessary cost.

Winter Maintenance Brings Temporary Closures

Credit: Disneyland Paris

In addition to delayed openings, several attractions will close temporarily for routine maintenance, a standard practice that keeps rides safe and in optimal condition, especially ahead of the peak summer season. Notable attractions like Phantom Manor and Big Thunder Mountain are scheduled for maintenance, making way for a refreshed experience in the spring.

Here’s a closer look at the maintenance schedule:

• Snow White (Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains®): Closed November 4–November 16, 2024
• Phantom Manor: Closed November 18–November 30, 2024
• Princess Pavilion: Closed November 18–November 23, 2024
• Flying Carpets Over Agrabah: Closed until November 9, 2024
• Pinocchio’s Voyages: Closed December 2–December 14, 2024
• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain: Closed December 2–December 9, 2024
• Big Thunder Mountain: Closed starting January 6, 2025, with a reopening date yet to be announced
• Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing: Closed starting January 6, 2025, with no specified reopening date
• Le Passage Enchanté d’Aladdin: Closed January 6–January 18, 2025
• Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque and The Land of Fairy Tales: Closed January 6–January 11, 2025
• It’s A Small World: Scheduled to close January 20, 2025, with an unspecified reopening date

These maintenance periods, scheduled during Disneyland Paris’s quietest months, are vital for upholding the quality and safety standards the park is known for. Although temporary, these closures allow Disney’s technical teams to inspect, repair, and refurbish attractions without impacting guests during busier times.

New Park Hours Beginning in 2025

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris / Credit: Disney

As Disneyland Paris enters the new year, park hours will be adjusted to reflect typical winter attendance trends. Beginning in January 2025, Disneyland Park will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, with extended hours until 9:00 p.m. on weekends. Over at Walt Disney Studios Park, hours will run from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 p.m. on weekends.

On a few select days, the parks will close even earlier to accommodate private events or reduced winter demand. For example, on January 14, Disneyland Park will close at 7:00 p.m., and on January 17, both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park will close early, at 7:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively.

Disneyland Paris’s decision to adjust hours during the winter aligns with its strategy to optimize resources and match the lower visitor demand that comes after the busy holiday season. By tailoring hours, the resort manages operational costs while still offering a full day’s worth of entertainment and attractions.

A Changing Visitor Landscape

Credit: Disneyland Paris

Several factors contribute to Disneyland Paris’s seasonal changes.

Following the 2024 Summer Olympics, attendance patterns at Disneyland Paris saw shifts, possibly due to changing travel habits and regional tourism trends. The winter months generally attract a more local audience rather than international tourists, who typically visit in the warmer months. Adjusting hours and delaying ride openings help Disneyland Paris adapt to these patterns without compromising the quality and enjoyment that guests expect.

Looking Ahead: Major Expansions Coming to Disneyland Paris

Despite the seasonal adjustments, Disneyland Paris is on the verge of a major transformation, thanks to a €2 billion investment set to bring new attractions, immersive lands, and world-class entertainment experiences over the next few years.

Kicking off the excitement, a brand-new nighttime spectacular will debut on January 10, 2025. This highly anticipated show will light up Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street, U.S.A., blending fireworks, projection mapping, and drones to create a dazzling evening performance that captures the magic of Disney in a whole new way.

In 2026, Walt Disney Studios Park will undergo a major rebranding, becoming “Disney Adventure World.” As part of this change, guests will experience the enchanting World of Frozen, a fully immersive land where they can walk through the kingdom of Arendelle, meet Anna and Elsa, and enjoy attractions and experiences inspired by the beloved film. The expansion will introduce new realms of Disney magic for families and fans alike.

Additionally, Disneyland Paris will soon unveil a world-first Lion King water attraction, set to take visitors on a journey across the African savanna with themes, music, and characters from the celebrated Disney classic. This new ride will add a unique adventure element to Disney Adventure World, blending storytelling and exploration.

Adding to the park’s lineup of entertainment, Disney Adventure World will also feature a Central Lake nighttime spectacular. This ambitious show will use water screens, fountains, drones, and advanced lighting effects to deliver a stunning visual display, marking a new level of immersive nighttime entertainment for Disneyland Paris.

Marvel fans will have something extra to look forward to this winter, as Doctor Strange: Mystery of the Mystics makes its debut on November 23, 2024, at Avengers Campus. This all-new experience will feature Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch battling supernatural threats, adding another exciting chapter to the Marvel attractions at Disneyland Paris.

The Future of Disneyland Paris: Expanding the Magic

These expansions signal a bright future for Disneyland Paris, which is set to become an even more dynamic and immersive destination for Disney fans around the world. From Frozen and Lion King experiences to groundbreaking nighttime shows and Marvel adventures, Disneyland Paris is evolving into a must-visit attraction with new and innovative experiences that capture the spirit of Disney storytelling.

By managing winter operations efficiently and investing in new attractions, Disneyland Paris is enhancing its guest experience while adapting to seasonal demand. As Disneyland Paris continues to grow and transform, guests can look forward to years of enchantment, adventure, and unforgettable memories.