A Whole New World: Bazaar Junior Journeys To Disney’s New Kingdom Of Arandelle
From Arendelle’s icy enchantment to candle-lit princess suppers, Disney Adventure World sprinkles yet more fairy dust on Disneyland Paris’ magic
There are icons who are so famous, they have achieved first-name immortality. Madonna. Marilyn. Mickey. And since 2013, Anna and Elsa. Which is why the opening of Disney Adventure World – which opened this March after a €2billion cash injection transformed the previous Walt Disney Studios – has the picturesque Kingdom of Arendelle, the fictional home of the beloved sisters from Frozen, as arguably its biggest draw.
Perched on the far side of a mirror-perfect bay, World of Frozen brings fairytale magic to life quite literally. Think quaint shops – buy Runa the baby troll as soon as you arrive so you can make the most of his cute interactive moments as you roam – Elsa’s Ice Palace, a 118-foot North Mountain, plus a village populated with characters. There is even a Nordic Crowns Tavern serving up Scandi-inspired plates like meatballs, grilled salmon and not-so-traditional Olaf soft swirl ice-creams plus snowflake cakes.
Highlights of this new land include close encounters of the royal kind – enter Arendelle Castle for a meet-and-greet with Elsa and Anna – as well as the Frozen Ever After attraction that takes guests on a boating adventure, and a regular 15-minute Snowflower Festival musical celebration centred on Viking Longships on the ‘fjord’.
Given that the new park has nearly doubled the size of the previous one, there are other draws too. Adventure Bay and Adventure Way provide Disney enthusiasts another central lake and promenade to saunter around. En route is the Tangled-inspired ride, Raiponce Tangled Spin. Think teacups, with whirling gondolas, frescoes and floating lanterns.
Superior sustenance is found at Regal View Restaurant; Disney Princesses (Merida, Mulan, Jasmine and Aurora were spotted during a recent visit) come to every table while diners feast on a refined three course menu featuring everything from tuna tataki to roast guinea fowl and slow-cooked beef. The lavish setting is fit for royalty; think wooden carvings, painted murals and intricate tapestries.
Nightly Disney Cascade of Lights shows – complete with 380 drones, water features, pyrotechnics and projections choreographed to a score paying homage to the studio’s hits like Mulan and Moana – ensure you won’t want to head home early, though your exit is somewhat softened thanks to the grand new avenue flanked by trees festooned in fairy lights.
This serious glow-up of Disneyland Paris’ second park saw names like Raya Abirached, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, Christian Louboutin, Isabelle Huppert and Léa Seydoux turn up (Mickey Mouse ears at the ready) for the grand unveiling. Given the scale, spectacle and sheer cinematic immersion on offer – plus further plans to bring The Lion King and Up into the fold with additional enhancements – it’s clear this isn’t just an expansion, but a first look at where Disney plans to take its magic next.
For more information, visit disneylandparis.com
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