Original concept

The Festival Disney logo

Disney specified that the primary focus of the new facility should be entertainment. It was envisioned as an attraction inside of the Euro Disney Resort, as well as a free transitional space for visitors of the Euro Disneyland theme park and train passengers from the TGV/RER station traveling to the resort hotels. The space would include numerous shops, bars, concerts, shows, and nightclubs.

The original concept was a large, open space full of life and music. It would be lit from all sides around a central avenue and include a starry sky as its crowning feature. The columns that would support this sky would be the remnants of an old power station, which had been left standing after the site had been converted.

Gehry noted:

The idea of a station in the U.S. made me think of power stations which are often found this close to a railway line. Festival Disney is a bright place full of life. The power stations are illuminated at night, hence my idea of a network of 3,600 low-intensity bulbs that cover all of the structures. Naturally, the lights will be suspended between towers and, as a measure of the design process, I blew and embellished the towers that I wanted to sparkle without merely being decorative. Once the sky and towers were imagined, I disposed of buildings and other parts of a normal avenue^[2]

Changes and alterations

Although the starry sky was generally well-received, the same could not be said for many other aspects of Festival Disney. From the beginning, guests and cast members alike criticized the project, perceiving it as having a cold, industrial, and soulless atmosphere. As a result, many changes were made to Gehry's original concept. Metal frames that had been placed on many of the pylons were removed and replaced with statues and food counters.

In 1996, just four years after opening, Festival Disney was renamed Disney Village. Popular restaurant chain Planet Hollywood opened in front of the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show building, and the following year an eight-screen Gaumont multiplex cinema complex opened next door to Planet Hollywood, blocking the Wild West Show's original entrance.

Many changes and adjustments took place in existing buildings over the next 10 years, such as the opening of Café Mickey in 2002 (replacing the Los Angeles Bar & Grill), the opening of King Ludwig's Castle in 2003 (replacing Rock 'n' Roll America), and the opening of the Rainforest Café in 1999 (replacing Key West). On January 25, 1999, a large McDonald's fast food restaurant opened with a theme based on Italy's Commedia dell'arte. Later in 2004, a 570-seat IMAX cinema opened as part of the Gaumont multiplex. Finally, on December 3, 2004, an Art Deco themed multi-story parking structure called VINCI Park (now Indigo) opened.

In 2004, the resort management team began renovations that would take several years to complete. The neon lights, oversized signs, and central stage were all removed from the main area. Colorfully lit balloons were added to the remaining columns for nighttime lighting. PanoraMagique, one of the largest captive balloons in the world, opened in April 2005. It carries up to 30 passengers 100 metres (330 ft) into the sky. In 2008, resort management added large planters that contained trees, hedges, and flowers to the main thoroughfare. Terraces were added to restaurants and cafés, and the facades of buildings were updated. In the same year, a new beverage stand/snack bar was added near the entrance to Disney Village, and the tourist kiosk nearby was rebuilt in more of a neo-industrial Parisian style. In 2009, the Buffalo Trading Company closed and the premises are now occupied by a Starbucks coffee house.^[2]

As part of a €2 billion expansion of the Disneyland Resort, it has been confirmed that Disney Village will receive an overhaul and potential expansion. Further details have not yet been confirmed.^[3]

Attractions and entertainment

• Disney Stadium Arcade Games
• Disney Village Marina
• Disney Village Stage
• Dôme Disney Village : Conference center for professional event and evenings. It sometimes hosts public events like the 2005 production of Grease, concerts or sports competitions.
• Gaumont Disney Village : Cinema with IMAX, 4DX and D-Box Technologies
• PanoraMagique : Aerophile Observational Balloon

Restaurants and bars

• Annette's Diner (table service restaurant)
• Ben & Jerry's Kiosque De Glaces (ice cream kiosk)
• Billy Bob's Country Western Saloon (bar)
• Coca-Cola Cool Stop (refreshment kiosk)
• Earl of Sandwich (counter service restaurant)
• Five Guys (counter service restaurant)
• La Grange (buffet)
• McDonald's (counter service restaurant)
• New York Style Sandwiches (counter service restaurant)
• Rainforest Cafe (table service restaurant)
• Rosalie (table service restaurant) - replaced Café Mickey
• Sports Bar (bar with table service)
• Starbucks (coffee house)
• The Steakhouse (table service restaurant)
• Vapiano (counter service restaurant)
• The Royal Pub (table service restaurant) - replaced King Ludwig's Castle

Shopping

• World of Disney
• Disney Store
• Disney Fashion
• The Disney Gallery
• World of Toys
• Lego Store
• Rainforest Cafe Retail Village
• Bureau de change