On March 29, Disneyland Paris inaugurates Disney Adventure World, its second completely reimagined park. Behind the magic, several French companies played a key role. From shipbuilding in Bordeaux to artistic wrought ironwork in Alsace, and drone robotics in Bordeaux, here is a portrait of French expertise at the service of Europe’s top tourist destination.
The park, the Walt Disney Studios, has completed its transformation and officially becomes Disney Adventure World on March 29. The key elements of this transformation include a 3-hectare lake called Adventure Bay, a new main street, a new Rapunzel-inspired attraction, the World of Frozen with its castle, and a spectacular nighttime show involving drones, flames, and fountains. According to Disneyland Paris, nearly 400 European artisans and partners contributed to this transformation. Among them, these four French companies embarked with their teams, techniques, and expertise on this adventure.
Context: Disneyland Paris is undergoing a major transformation to become Disney Adventure World, with various French companies contributing to the reimagined park.
Fact Check: The article discusses the collaboration of several French companies in the transformation of Disneyland Paris into Disney Adventure World.
Couach Construction Navale: Ships of Imagination
Established over 120 years ago on the Bassin d’Arcachon, Couach Construction Navale is a significant player in French shipbuilding. For Disney Adventure World, the shipyard designed and manufactured the floating bases of the three boats for the nighttime show “Celebration of Arendelle,” which navigate the Adventure Bay lake. This project, the first collaboration with Disneyland Paris, involved around sixty employees (out of a total of 250 artisans). Naval architecture, calculations, design, production – all expertise is integrated in-house. This approach provides true agility by minimizing interfaces and transition times between phases, allowing for quick adjustments when optimizations are needed, explains Yann Huort, Head of Business Development Europe.
The developed ships were particularly complex, encompassing electric propulsion, high-precision positioning systems, specialized equipment for special effects, and strict monitoring of mass throughout development. This project accelerated innovation, as Couach was able to reuse and adapt systems originally developed for its naval drone. This experience contributed to improvements and acquiring new skills directly transferable to future developments.
Context: Couach Construction Navale collaborated with Disneyland Paris to create the floating bases for the nighttime show at Disney Adventure World.
Fact Check: Couach Construction Navale played a crucial role in designing and fabricating the floating bases for the boats at Disney Adventure World.
Schaffner: Forging in the Service of Fantasy
For seven generations, the Schaffner workshops have shaped metal in the tradition of Alsatian wrought ironwork. Founded in the early 19th century, this Strasbourg family business was responsible for the monumental canopy overlooking the entrance of the Regal View Restaurant & Lounge, a restaurant in Adventure Way overlooking the lake. The technical study for this project was challenging due to the lack of comparable references, as explained by Vincent Schaffner, the CEO. The fabrication then required hundreds of hours of work involving highly skilled workers, blending traditional wrought iron craftsmanship with innovative techniques like laser welding. Working with stainless steel in the realm of wrought ironwork further heightened the execution requirements.
Beyond the technical challenge, the human aspect stands out for the director. Working on such a unique project in a demanding environment was a stimulating experience. Being able to contribute to such a strong human adventure as that led by Disneyland Paris was greatly appreciated.
Context: Schaffner contributed to designing and crafting the monumental canopy at Disney Adventure World’s Regal View Restaurant & Lounge.
Fact Check: Schaffner, a Strasbourg family business, was responsible for creating the monumental canopy at Disneyland Paris.
Dronisos: Magic from Above
As an official technological partner of Disneyland Paris since 2022, Dronisos, the Bordeaux-based startup, is behind the drone performance that is a highlight of the Disney Cascade of Lights nighttime show. For this new show, the company developed two exclusive innovations: new generation aerial drones and aquatic drones called “ducks.” Over 350 devices fly simultaneously in the sky and on the lake. This achievement resulted from five years of work involving all company departments: robotics engineers, legal experts for flight authorizations, artistic and operational teams.
The real challenge lies in synchronization: orchestrating flying drones, floating drones, pyrotechnics, and fountains in a precisely coordinated dance to the millisecond and centimeter. This project allowed for the exploration of new materials, pushing the boundaries of usual craftsmanship, improving precision, and attention to detail.
Context: Dronisos, a Bordeaux-based startup, is the official technological partner behind the drone performance at Disney Adventure World.
Fact Check: Dronisos developed innovative drones for Disneyland Paris, enhancing the nighttime show experience with aerial and aquatic drones.
Prelud: Handcrafted Decor
The magic of a Disney park largely depends on the realism of the decor, where every visible detail must resonate with the film’s imagery. Prelud, located near Dijon and a long-standing partner of Disneyland Paris since 1985, was tasked with decorating the exterior of Kristoff’s boat, a key character from Frozen. The challenge was to faithfully recreate the visual universe while integrating the constraints of a live aquatic show. Over six months, sculptors, painters, and carpenters worked together, from receiving the floating base delivered by Couach to launching the boat, to dress the hull with entirely handcrafted decorations to capture the film’s spirit.
This kind of project requires anticipation – visual research, material choices, technical feasibility – along with constant attention to technical constraints and deadlines. Besides the operational aspect, the director views the project as an accelerator of skills, exploring new materials, pushing the limits of usual craftsmanship, and enhancing precision and attention to detail.
Context: Prelud collaborated with Disneyland Paris to create handcrafted decorations for Kristoff’s boat at Disney Adventure World.
Fact Check: Prelud, a long-standing partner of Disneyland Paris, worked on creating handcrafted decorations for Kristoff’s boat at Disney Adventure World.
