Disneyland Paris has debuted a temporary experience to celebrate this week’s reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral.
The show, titled ‘Disney ❤ Notre-Dame de Paris’, is described as “a heartfelt tribute to an enduring symbol of French resilience and beauty” by Natacha Rafalski, présidente of Disneyland Paris, in a blog post.
Running until 14 December, the pre-show takes place on the theme park‘s Sleeping Beauty Castle before the ‘Disney Illuminations’ production.
Of course, the experience is inspired by 1996 Walt Disney Animation Studios film The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Guests are guided by Clopin, the film’s mischievous narrator, as they discover a series of scenes featuring characters such as Quasimodo and Esmeralda.
Iconic songs from the original film have been reimagined for the show. Highlights also include state-of-the-art projections and visual effects like drones operated by Disneyland Paris’ official technology provider, Dronisos, a leading drone light show specialist. Nearly 500 perfectly synchronised drones rise into the sky as Dronisos’ advanced technology, combined with the artistic expertise of Disneyland Paris, transforms the night sky into a dynamic stage.
“Notre-Dame cathedral has always held a special place in my heart. Its towering spires, its centuries-old history, and the values it represents have made it a source of inspiration for countless people, myself included,” Rafalski said.
“To celebrate its highly anticipated reopening this weekend after such a monumental restoration is a moment of joy, and it’s one we wanted to honor in a way only Disney can – with storytelling, creativity, and reverence.”
Notre-Dame cathedral reopens this weekend
The new attraction, she said, reflects Disneyland Paris’ “ability to blend the magic of Disney with the rich cultural tapestry of France”.
As for the cathedral itself, Notre-Dame is set to reopen this weekend more than five years after the devastating fire of 2019.
Ahead of the public reopening, France’s president Emmanuel Macron took a televised tour of the renovated and refurbished landmark.
On entering the building, he said it was now “repaired, reinvented and rebuilt” (via the BBC). “It is sublime,” he added.
Images courtesy of Disney
