Disneyland Paris stands on the cusp of its most ambitious transformation in history. After months of anticipation, construction updates, and carefully orchestrated teasers, the resort has officially confirmed exclusive preview dates for Annual Passholders to experience World of Frozen and the newly renamed Disney Adventure World before the general public. These special access days represent more than just early entry privileges. They mark the final countdown to March 29, 2026, when Walt Disney Studios Park will close forever and reopen as Disney Adventure World, nearly doubling in size with additions that promise to redefine what European guests expect from a Disney theme park experience. The announcement of preview dates on March 15, 18, 23, 24, and 25 gives the resort’s most dedicated fans the first opportunity to step into Arendelle, experience revolutionary new entertainment technology, and witness firsthand how Disneyland Paris is positioning itself for the next era of immersive storytelling.
The timing of this announcement carries particular weight for Passholders who have watched construction progress over the past several years. When Disneyland Paris first revealed plans for World of Frozen in November 2024, the promise of preview days was made immediately. However, specific dates remained unconfirmed until now, leaving Annual Pass members wondering exactly when they would get their first look at the 118-foot North Mountain, the majestic Arendelle Castle, and the Frozen Ever After attraction that sits at the heart of this massive expansion.
DLP Report (@DLPReport) shared, “
Breaking: Disneyland Pass previews have been officially announced for the opening of Disney Adventure World:
– March 15: Disneyland Pass Gold Only
– March 18, 23, 24 and 25: All Passes”
– March 15: Disneyland Pass Gold Only
– March 18, 23, 24 and 25: All Passes pic.twitter.com/0rPvuvCY4x— DLP Report (@DLPReport) January 16, 2026
Understanding the Preview Schedule
The five preview dates are strategically distributed across two weeks in mid-March, with March 15 reserved exclusively for Disneyland Pass Gold members. This highest tier of Annual Pass receives first access, followed by preview opportunities for all Passholder levels on March 18, 23, 24, and 25. The structure mirrors preview strategies Disney has employed at other international resorts, rewarding premium pass holders with exclusive first access while ensuring all Annual Pass members receive opportunities to experience the expansion before opening day.
Cast Members will experience Disney Adventure World even earlier through Test & Learn sessions running from February 28 through March 12, 2026. These preview periods serve dual purposes: allowing Cast Members to familiarize themselves with new attractions, dining locations, and guest services while also providing operational teams with crucial real-world testing under controlled capacity conditions. By the time Passholders arrive for their previews, Cast Members will have had nearly three weeks of hands-on experience with the new areas.
The official public opening follows on March 29, 2026, a date that represents both an ending and a beginning. Walt Disney Studios Park, which opened in 2002, will officially cease to exist under that name. In its place, Disney Adventure World will welcome guests to an almost entirely transformed park featuring three major immersive lands: World of Frozen, Worlds of Pixar, and Marvel Avengers Campus, with a fourth Lion King-themed area already under construction for future opening.
What Passholders Will Experience
World of Frozen stands as the centerpiece of the expansion, bringing the Kingdom of Arendelle to life on an unprecedented scale for a Disney park. The land recreates iconic locations from the films with meticulous attention to architectural detail, from the colorful Nordic-inspired village buildings adorned with traditional rosemaling decorative art to the towering Ice Palace crowning North Mountain. Guests will discover Arendelle during the Snowflower Festival, a unique celebration created specifically for Disneyland Paris that provides narrative context for the land’s attractions and entertainment offerings.
The Frozen Ever After attraction anchors the experience, taking guests on a boat journey through scenes featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven, and Kristoff. The ride incorporates state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics technology alongside immersive projection systems currently being programmed by Walt Disney Imagineering. The journey travels from snowy forests through the Valley of the Trolls, culminating inside Elsa’s Ice Palace before a spectacular finale at Arendelle Bay with snowflake-shaped fireworks displays.
Character interactions receive equal attention throughout World of Frozen. The Royal Encounter experience allows guests to meet Anna and Elsa inside Arendelle Castle, passing through the famous Portrait Gallery for personal interactions and photo opportunities. Outside on Arendelle Bay, the 15-minute “A Celebration in Arendelle” show features the sisters alongside Olaf, Kristoff, and villagers performing aboard three Viking longships. The show incorporates new music composed exclusively for Disneyland Paris by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the Oscar-winning duo behind “Let It Go” and other Frozen franchise songs.
Perhaps most remarkably, the land features next-generation robotic characters, including a true-to-size Olaf capable of interacting with guests and other characters with unprecedented believability. This technological advancement, developed by Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development in collaboration with Disney Live Entertainment and Walt Disney Animation Studios, represents a significant leap forward in character animation outside traditional Audio-Animatronics applications.
Beyond Frozen: Adventure Way and Adventure Bay
Disney Adventure World extends well beyond World of Frozen. Adventure Way, the park’s new main avenue, connects World Premiere Plaza to the various themed lands while introducing its own attractions and dining experiences. The Raiponce Tangled Spin attraction brings the Lantern Festival from Tangled to life as guests whirl in gondolas beneath illuminated lanterns, accompanied by “I See the Light” and other beloved songs from the film. Mandy Moore, Rapunzel’s original voice actress, recorded special audio announcements for the attraction.
Fourteen food and beverage locations line Adventure Way, including The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge, a table-service venue where guests can dine alongside Disney Princesses in an elegant setting featuring hand-crafted Royal Delft porcelain and views overlooking Adventure Bay. The Regal View Lounge marks another milestone as the first bar located inside either Disneyland Paris park, offering signature cocktails inspired by Disney Princesses with live piano accompaniment.
Adventure Bay itself serves as the expansion’s geographic and emotional centerpiece. The 7.5-acre lake provides stunning vistas during the day and transforms each evening into the stage for “Disney Cascade of Lights,” an entirely new nighttime spectacular. This production pushes technological boundaries with the world’s first integration of aquatic drone systems alongside 379 aerial drones, creating choreographies that unfold simultaneously across sky and water. The show combines water screens, choreographed fountains, projections, lighting, special effects, and pyrotechnics with a powerful 90-piece orchestral soundtrack featuring new arrangements of Disney music and an original anthem titled “We Can Be Heroes.”
The Bigger Transformation Story
The March 29 opening date represents far more than adding new attractions. President Natacha Rafalski characterized it as “a historic milestone” that continues the most ambitious transformation in the resort’s history. The changes affect more than 90 percent of what was Walt Disney Studios Park, fundamentally reimagining how the second park positions itself within the European tourism landscape.
This transformation reflects Disneyland Paris’s €2 billion investment plan aimed at deepening storytelling, strengthening emotional connections, and creating unforgettable moments. The expansion establishes Disney Adventure World as a destination focused specifically on bringing Disney Animation, Pixar, and Marvel stories to life through immersive lands and cutting-edge attractions. This clear thematic identity contrasts with the original Walt Disney Studios Park concept, which focused on behind-the-scenes filmmaking processes that never fully resonated with European audiences.
Looking forward, Disney Adventure World’s story continues beyond the March opening. An Up-inspired flying carousel attraction will join Adventure Way in the future, while construction has already begun on the first themed area dedicated to The Lion King. This fourth major land will feature a water-based attraction with next-generation Audio-Animatronics bringing Simba’s journey to life with the film’s iconic 1994 soundtrack.
If you’re an Annual Passholder and you’ve been waiting for concrete information about when you can finally walk through Arendelle or watch drones dance over Adventure Bay, mark your calendar now. Gold Pass holders, March 15 is your day. Everyone else, you’ve got four more chances between March 18 and 25. Make your reservations early because these preview days are going to fill up fast, and honestly, after all the construction walls and teaser images, finally experiencing this expansion in person is going to be worth every bit of the wait. See you in Arendelle.
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