A 25th is a Silver Anniversary so it only makes sense it’s entitled ‘It’s Time to Sparkle’ because everything will be shiny and new, again.
Disneyland Paris will celebrate its 25th Anniversary starting from 26th March 2017. Which is a little ahead of the actual 25th Birthday of the park, but the earlier they can kick things off – the better it is for summer bookings. The last weekend of a month is usually the busiest, this will be no different.
There are a good number of attractions that will come back online for the 25th, and during it, like a refurbed Big Thunder Mountain that will add little sparkles of magic (yeah, intended) to the already existent rides making them new again for a generation who have already visited. There is a reason both mountains are in the above picture – they’re both being updated.
Beginning March 26th 2017, Guests at Disneyland Park will experience Star Tours: The Adventures Continue*. The new attraction will take Guests on an all-new, action-packed intergalactic voyage, all in 3D… Epic. Based on the Star Wars™ films, Star Tours will take Guests to multiple Star Wars destinations where they will interact with characters from throughout the Saga.
You may not have noticed, but Star Wars is kind of a big deal. With the 25th comes the much desired upgrade of the Star Tours ride, where it becomes 3D, enhances movement, and experiences new scenes. It’ll be the latest version and will leap the rest of the world initially. Paris isn’t taking second fiddle.
Guests will also be able to join the Rebel Alliance by becoming the drivers of Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain (Disneyland Park). The Force will be strong with this attraction, which hurtles through the Star Wars galaxy, following the twists and turns of TIE fighters and an intimidating Star Destroyer.
Out with the old steamy punky feel that was lost on so many wayward travellers. It’s time to ramp it up a gear and take on Hyperspace, with a familiar cast.
I’m at this point fairly certain we may see the old Pizza Planet changed, even into a Star Wars coffee shop, it’s a gift of a location, and will now be in the busiest section of the park. Make no mistake, these attractions will be big and will feature fairly significant queues! You’ll note from the pic, that isn’t the old ride train.
Also arriving in spectacular style in 2017, Disneyland Park’s new Parade Disney Stars on Parade, where favourite Disney Stars, together with stunning new floats, create magic and happiness for all. – Or as it will be known, the parade with the Dragon 😉 it really is something.
Guests will also be able to discover a new show Mickey presents “Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris” at Disneyland Park where Mickey Mouse will start the celebration by assembling as many of his famous Friends as possible for a huge anniversary party. This festive show will take place daily for all guests to enjoy. In addition, fans of the Disney Princesses will be able to witness some of their most beloved Princesses as they host their own sparkling show The Starlit Princess Waltz at Royal Castle Stage. – It’ll be really good to see the Royal Stage in use, I suspect Mrs Powell had a hand in this, no-one else seemed to like using it.
Finally, as night falls, there will be another spectacular new event: Disney Illuminations. This new show, with dazzling lights, projections and breath-taking special effects, will be conducted by Mickey Mouse onto Sleeping Beauty Castle (Disneyland Park). It will transport Guests to a location where the stories of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Frozen and the motion pictures of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean will come to life before guest’s astonished eyes.
It’ll be a 360 show, using some neat tricks now that they fully understand the Dreams tech. I reckon the fire effects are gone, or moved, the poor castle doesn’t like getting singed every night. Think about it:
Fantasyland – Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars – Discoveryland, Adventureland – Pirates of the Caribbean, Frozen – Frozen Ranch Land (up the back), Little Mermaid – Lakes under the castle and finally the master magician and Main Street USA conductor – Mickey Mouse.
The 25th is packing a punch of energy and fighting to show its top dog. I still suspect the little train will make an appearance too, possibly in the studios 😉