Disney has announced new scenes that are coming to the Rivers of the Far West (as opposed to America; after all, this is France!) at Disneyland Paris in 2026. Here are details about these enhancements, plus other plussings coming to DLP and Disney Adventure World next year!
Of course, we’re emphasizing the Rivers of the Far West upgrades as a contrast to what’s happening at home in America, on the Rivers of America at Walt Disney World, which is now extinct. Along with Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat, the Rivers of America closed back on July 7th.
Demolition on TSI and RoA has kicked into high gear, with everything on the island now gone as of earlier this holiday season. For our ‘tribute’ to the aesthetics and artistic value of this area of the castle parks, see Why the Rivers of America is Worth Saving. The sentiment there is part of an overarching and ongoing fan debate about Walt Disney World that extends far beyond this one decision.
It is nice to see Walt Disney Imagineering and Disneyland Paris going the opposite direction in France, refreshing and revitalizing its version of the Rivers of America. That should also say everything that needs to be said about who was the driver of the decision in Florida. (Hint: It wasn’t Lightning McQueen!)
Last Sunday, we were sitting by Rackety’s Raccoon Saloon (where the official backstory is that a critter making moonshine once had a brewing accident when his still exploded causing the dam to break and flood the area…thus the name Splash Mountain) overlooking the Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes.
We spent over 90 minutes back here that early afternoon, and it was a highlight of the entire trip. (I could claim that time was all due to the Rivers of America relaxation, but not wanting to disturb nap time by crossing the parade route also played a big role.) We enjoyed it so much that we headed over to Camp Woodchuck for more of the same in the early evening.
The Rivers of America’s natural beauty along with the kinetics offered by the passing canoes, riverboat and trains made for a relaxing and decompressing experience–even amidst the 9/10 weekend crowds at Tokyo Disneyland. I’ll admit that I was seeing everything through fresh eyes and heightened senses, as this was our first experience with the Rivers of America since the same closed at Walt Disney World.
As it turns out, we hadn’t heeded the wise words of Ms. Mitchell. We truly did not know what we had got until it was gone, and they started to pave paradise to put up a parking lot. To be sure, we had always loved the many incarnations of the Rivers of America and appreciated them more than most guests; we said a long and heartbreaking goodbye at Walt Disney World.
Even so, we had previously taken for granted the Rivers of America at Tokyo Disneyland. It was nice to actively enjoy this area in Westernland for an extended amount of time, and wow, what an area it is. It also probably helped that with each passing trip, our toddler daughter becomes more engaged with the parks, and she’s a huge fan of: 1) play areas, 2) transportation; 3) water. (That last one worked to our disadvantage with the Rivers of America, as she wants #1 and #3 on that list to be combined.)
I mention this both due to recency and because we’re really looking forward to doing the same at Disneyland Paris. Thunder Mesa is right up there with Westernland as my favorite versions of Frontierland, and I’m curious to see which Rivers of America reigns supreme now that Walt Disney World is in the process of paving over its version. (Sorry Disneyland, you’re not #1 except in history and murder beavers.)
Our trip in Spring 2026 for the opening of Disney Adventure World will be the first we’ve taken to Paris since the Rivers of America closure at Walt Disney World. I’m excited to spend more time there, gaining a deeper and newfound appreciation, enjoying the new scenery, and seeing the Rivers of the Far West through fresh eyes.
Speaking of which, here are details about the enhancements to the Rivers of the Far West at Disneyland Paris…
New Magic for Rivers of the Far West in Frontierland
By the end of Summer 2026, guests will enjoy an enhanced experience at Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing, thanks to new scenes added along the route of Rivers of the Far West, and inspired by the original drawings of Imagineer and Disney Legend Marc Davis.
The new figures, including a buffalo on a prairie, and adorable racoons and a skunk on a floating log, have been specially redesigned and produced for the project by Walt Disney Imagineering Paris teams.
Guests will catch a glimpse of these new additions while enjoying a relaxing cruise aboard the iconic Molly Brown boat, which has recently been renovated from stem to stern.
It’s worth noting that this project was first teased at an anniversary event in April, at which point Disneyland Paris announced four new nature scenes.
The new announcement makes it unclear as to whether that’s been reduced to two, or if these are simply two of the four examples. The language is sufficiently open to either possibility, but it seems like they would’ve shared all 4 examples again if that were still the plan.
For those who are unfamiliar with him, Marc Davis was one of Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” the core group of animators whose styles defined early-era Disney animation. He joined the company in 1935, working on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Song of the South, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland.
He later moved to Imagineering and worked on Jungle Cruise, Enchanted Tiki Room, Carousel of Progress, “it’s a small world,” The Haunted Mansion, and Country Bear Jamboree. Davis formally retired in 1978, but continue to work on EPCOT Center and Tokyo Disneyland.
Not only is Marc Davis a Disney Legend, but he’s also on the Disney Tourist Blog Mount Rushmore of Imagineers. (Right alongside his wife, Alice, Disney’s original “designing woman.”) If you’d like to learn more about him, we would highly recommend reading Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks.
Suffice to say, it’s a huge deal for Disney diehards that more Marc Davis concepts are coming to live in the parks. Let’s hope this trend continues–and it very well could! As that book demonstrates, there is a veritable library of untapped Davis concepts for the parks.
Here are other projects currently underway for 2026 at Disneyland Paris and the Walt Disney Studios Park (future Disney Adventure World…
New Patio at Hollywood Tower Hotel
In Walt Disney Studios Park, work is in progress at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror new covered outdoor waiting area, that will open in Spring 2026.
This themed area will enrich the story of The Hollywood Tower Hotel by representing the remnants of the Patio, which was once a relaxing courtyard with an outdoor pool–a feature greatly appreciated by the show business elite–but fell into disarray.
Every material element has been carefully selected to fit with the theme, and to echo the Pueblo Deco architecture of the premises. The props and elements of decor disseminated in the queue will give more clues about the tragic events that occurred at The Hollywood Tower Hotel, preparing guests for what’s awaiting them inside.
Next door, the new merchandise location inspired by the 1930s flower shops will open early 2026. The existing structure have been completely reworked to create a boutique harmoniously blending into World Premiere Plaza and its Art Deco-inspired theatre district area.
It will offer an authentic atmosphere thanks to an array of props scattered around the boutique, including flower bouquets, pictures celebrating its historical milestones, and even a fridge similar to those used by Californian florists at the time.
Extensive Renovation of Ratatouille Ride
The major refurbishment of Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy is underway, with Imagineers and Disneyland Paris teams already working on the project.
On the menu for this renovation is a generous serving of technical upgrades and scenic enhancements, all carefully crafted to offer guests an even more immersive experience into the world of Ratatouille. The queue will be enhanced with a new scene depicting a Parisian artist’s studio teeming with details and accessories such as canvases on the walls, paint splatters, and a fruit basket that may well whet the appetite of all the adorable rats in the neighbourhood.
Inside the attraction, new props, enhanced projections, and larger-than-life props and set pieces will add extra flavour to key scenes, and enhance guests’ perception of being shrunk to the size of Remy and his friends.
Annette’s Diner Retro Reimagining
Annette’s Diner in the Disney Village will temporarily close January 5, 2026 for a major refurbishment lasting several months. The renovation will focus on enlarging the kitchens and completely refurbishing the dining room, including floors and furniture, while preserving its charm and the retro atmosphere that has been so popular since 1992.
Some iconic features will be completely reimagined, such as the bar, whose layout and aesthetic will be redesigned to pay tribute to the distinctive chrome look of classic diners. The booths will also sport a new design inspired by 1950s car seats, in colours typical of the era such as pink, blue and vanilla yellow.
When it reopens, Annette’s Diner — with a slightly increased seating capacity — will continue to bring the golden age of Rock ’n’ Roll and the 1950s back to life, much to the delight of its guests.
Disney Village Transformation Continues
The transformation of Disney Village continues with several new experiences set to debut in the coming months and years. The Sports Bar & Lounge recently reopened as a vibrant sports hub featuring a redesigned terrace, immersive décor, and a refreshed menu.
Pelé Soccer, the brand’s first European store, offering exclusive soccer merchandise will soon open and early 2026 will bring the largest McDonald’s in France, designed with fun nods to Disneyland Paris.
Construction is also underway for Casa Giulia, a two-story Italian restaurant set to open by the end of 2026. The reimagining of the Disney Store into Disney Wonders carries on, with a modern retail space immersing visitors in beloved Disney stories.
These updates, along with ongoing enhancements to façades, landscaping and signage, are an attempt to drag Disney Village out of the 1990s.
Sequoia Lodge Overhaul Starts Soon
Starting January 2026, major refurbishment work will be carried out to enhance and elevate the experience offered at Disney Sequoia Lodge, while preserving its wooden décor along with its authentic and warm atmosphere.
The design will pay homage to the beauty of nature to the next level while taking inspiration from the forests following the tradition started by Walt Disney and his team of animators. Every space, from the rooms to the lobby, as well as the shopping and dining locations, will be reinvented as an ode to wildlife, offering the perfect environment to unwind and let one’s mind wander.
This transformation will also be marked by the hotel’s theming of landscape and forest animals: the nods to the classic Disney Animation film Bambi that can be currently found in rooms will evolve towards a broader theme that will celebrate many of Disney characters from classic and recent movies from the forest.
These animals will be subtly incorporated into the different experiences offered at the hotel in a thoughtfully creative approach. Respect for nature and sustainability will also be reflected in the construction materials, which have been carefully selected to minimize the environmental impact of the Disney Sequoia Lodge refurbishment work.
As a reminder, Disney Sequoia Lodge will remain open during the refurbishment work, which will start in 2026 and will be carried out in phases. We are hoping to stay here in 2026 and have a review of the new rooms. At minimum, we’ll have a report on the construction. Stay tuned!
For the basics of planning a visit to Disneyland Paris, check out our Disneyland Paris Trip Planning Guide. Find the best place to stay in Disneyland Paris Hotel Reviews. Check out 101 Disneyland Paris Tips for some (101, to be exact) of our best random tips for doing DLP like a pro. See Disney Park Tickets Tips & Tricks for ways to save on tickets. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. Finally, for advice beyond Disney, check out our Ultimate Travel Guide to Paris, France.
Your Thoughts
What do you think of the new scenes coming to the Rivers of America at DLP? Do you view these as good additions? Are you excited for any of the other 2026 Disneyland Paris additions? Excited to visit the reimagined Disney Adventure World? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
