Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris

It wasn’t called Tomorrowland, it was named Discoveryland. This Paris version of Disneyland pays an homage to Jules Verne.

If you’re wondering Tomorrowland in California got its look from for the redo in the late 90s, look here at Paris Disneyland. Finally, the Imagineers got the message in California and got rid of this look, but it lives on in Paris. It has not really stood the test of time as much as the park’s designers thought it would. Part of the problem is that it is too open. Secondly, there is no real reason to carry the look throughout the area.

This is the Paris Disneyland version of Space Mountain. It’s a very ornate look. The problem? The ride is actually (at least at this time which was February 2020) Hyperspace Mountain. It was meant to be an ode to the time of Jules Verne and the old silent 1902 movie “A Trip to the Moon.” So the exterior decor does not set up the actual “space journey” at all.

Inside the queue line above the load area of Space Mountain, the theming matches the premise of being from the time of Jules Verne and the 1902 movie. It is very ornate. But, at least during this visit, the ride itself does not match up at all.

The intricacy and ornate “Jules Verne” inspired look continues throughout, nice consistency. But no fit at all with Star Wars, which is what the ride had been converted into.

One of the original attractions in the area was a walk-through attraction whereby guests walk down inside the Nautilus based on the Walt Disney film, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” To be honest, this is about the only thing, other than a fast-food dining facility, that fits the Jules Verne design theme in Discoveryland.

The look for this fast food facility was taken, almost directly, from the Walt Disney Productions film, “Island at the Top of the World.” Interesting look. The film was a big flop. So, lots of money spent on a look and where it’s located doesn’t really work to draw people out to it at all. Someone was determined to finally put this into a Disney park and did. Oddly enough, there was a model/design done to put this into Disneyland way back in the 70s. But fortunately, management back then knew better.

The Disneyland version of this attraction is essentially the same as this one in Disneyland Paris. It is surrounded by the “french fry” rocks like Disneyland’s was. But it doesn’t work as well as it makes it hard for guests to take pictures of their family on the attraction. In my book, this is a failure of basic Disney design and the original designers should have known better.

They have an Autopia at Disneyland Paris. My question is why? Other than people like to ride the gas-powered cars. But this was an opportunity lost. If they wanted it to fit in with the theming, perhaps more thought should have been put into what they attraction was to be, and come up with a unique look for the cars. Why didn’t they? Cost. Sad.

At least for Star Tours the designers did not try to give it the Jules Verne look for the attraction building or the interior queue space. It’s the same as all the others, though it is in French. Yes, that’s me with the attraction hostess at the entrance. Of course, not sure how Star Tours fits in with a Jules Verne themed land.

This photo op of the characters from the Disney/Pixar movie “WALL-E.” They were obviously planted along one of the giant walkways to give guests a chance to be photographed with, but somehow doesn’t totally fit in the Jules Verne style theming of Discoveryland.

This building was originally the home for “Le Visionarium,” a Circlevision-360 style attraction. I spent three and a half months mostly inside that building overseeing the installation, programming and more as the Show Producer. I was not the original Show Producer on the project, but in August of the year before the park opened, I was given that job by Mickey Steinberg and Marty Sklar. At that time the attraction was not going to open with the park, even though it was mandated by contract with the French government. In fact, the schedule at the time said it would open four months late.

My mandate from Marty and Mickey was to do what needed to be done to try and get it done on time for the park’s opening day. I did a lot of persuading, cajoling, darned near got into a couple of fist fights and more. But when all was said and done, I delivered the project to operations a week before opening.

Yes, some people were mad at me, but I was in an untenable position. I was fully supported by Marty and Mickey to get it done – though other execs at WDI were not, but left me alone. At least for a few years after it was done.

My take on the film/attraction was that (frankly) it was not as good as it should have been. I fault the show’s writers and the production of the film. It was too contrived but that’s what they wanted – I guess. By the time I came on board it was too far along to really exert any influence on the direction of the script and the film’s production efforts; so didn’t try.

Yes, I rode Space Mountain and here’s a photo of the ride photo to prove it. I’m the one in the front right at the bottom. It is a fun ride and an interesting, if tight, ride layout.

That’s it for this part of my visit to Paris Disneyland in February 2020.

There are some who will disagree with me on my opinions of this land. Others might agree. Feel free to write to me via email to: markaeades@aol.com.

Want to read about Main Street at Paris Disneyland, this is the link.

Take a tour of Frontierland at this link.