Disneyland Paris touts spectacular nighttime show using Paris Games laser technology

CHESSY, France (AP) — A cutting-edge nighttime show at Disneyland Paris featuring lasers used at the Paris Games is heralding a bold new chapter for Europe’s most-visited theme park, as a raft of ambitious developments comes to fruition under a 2 billion euro ($2.05 billion) expansion plan.

The overhaul includes the completed revamp of the luxury Disneyland Hotel, the upcoming renaming and doubling in size of Walt Disney Studios Park, and the much-anticipated arrival of The World of Frozen and a first-of-its-kind The Lion King land — cementing the resort’s gains after the wilderness years for theme parks during the pandemic.

Disney Tales of Magic, an immersive 20-minute spectacle blending mind-boggling drones, synchronized fountains, high-definition projections and ultra-bright lasers, was unveiled this month, wowing crowds.

The show’s standout feature — ultra-bright lasers — has been used only once before, at the Paris 2024 Olympics at the Eiffel Tower during the iconic opening ceremony featuring a performance by Celine Dion. The lasers, which travel 23 miles (37 kilometers), deliver extraordinary power while remaining safe near crowds.

“The Paris Olympics used it first. But we saw it first,” said Dana Harrel, executive entertainment director at Disneyland Paris.

Featuring Disney and Pixar tales brought to life amid drone-made 3D figures dazzling the night sky, synchronized fountains and a 100-piece orchestra, the show is elevated further by the original anthem “Live in Magic.”

Audiences of any age have been awestruck. “It’s marvelous. We’ve never seen such a beautiful light show,” said Sacha Tellier, a 33-year-old mother visiting with her family. “It gave me goosebumps,” added Nathan Ruiz, a graphic designer from Madrid. “The combination of music, lights, and the drones felt like pure magic. I’ve been to Disney before, but this show is on another level.”

“For the very first time, not only will we be projecting onto Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, but also Main Street USA,” said Tim Lutkin, artistic director of the production, referring to the park’s main commercial artery lined with boutiques and merchandise.

The spectacle also reflects Disney’s storytelling evolution. Lutkin noted the shift from classic ballgown tales to modern narratives like “Encanto” and “Inside Out 2,” which delve into deeper themes such as anxiety and depression. The level of the latter’s box office success, Lutkin said, “was a big surprise for everybody."

It was "an indicator the world and its relationship with Disney are ready to embrace more complex stories.”

This shift is mirrored in the show’s selection of movies, spanning Disney’s timeless classics and emotionally resonant modern hits.

At the heart of Disneyland Paris’ expansion is the transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park, doubling in size and reimagined as Disney Adventure World. Opening in spring 2025, a new park entrance, World Premiere, will greet visitors with the glamour of a Hollywood film premiere, leading them into immersive themed areas.

“These projects reflect our commitment to innovation and storytelling,” said Natacha Rafalski, head of Disneyland Paris, adding that they will further strengthen it as Europe’s top tourist destination.

Already Europe’s most-visited theme park and France’s top tourist attraction outdrawing the Louvre, Disneyland Paris welcomed over 10 million visitors in 2023.

The expansion includes two eagerly awaited themed lands. The World of Frozen, debuting in 2026, will transport guests to Arendelle with a central lake hosting water performances and the Frozen Ever After boat ride, alongside themed dining, shopping, and accommodations. Meanwhile, The Lion King land will bring the Pride Lands to life with a log flume cascading from Pride Rock and encounters with beloved characters like Simba and Timon.

The COVID-19 pandemic delivered one the toughest challenges to Disneyland Paris, as with all resort parks around the world, forcing an eight-month closure in 2020 and another in 2021.

But Disney doubled down.

The ongoing €2 billion expansion is part of a $60 billion global investment announced in September 2023, aiming to redefine Disney parks, cruises and attractions over the next decade.

A centerpiece of the Paris overhaul is the revamped Disneyland Hotel, with suites themed around classic Disney royalty.

Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 under its original name, Euro Disney Resort. Situated just outside Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, it marked Disney’s first foray into Europe. However, the park’s early years were fraught with challenges, including cultural missteps, financial struggles and lower-than-expected visitor numbers. Critics in France derided it as an American cultural invasion, dubbing it a “cultural Chernobyl.”

To reverse its fortunes, the park underwent significant rebranding, changing its name to Disneyland Paris in 1994 to emphasize its French location and connection to the capital. Over time, strategic changes, including the addition of new attractions and a shift in marketing, helped the resort recover. It is now a cornerstone of Disney’s global operations.

A light show is projected on the castle of Sleeping Beauty as fireworks explode in Disneyland, in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Friday Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A light show is projected on the castle of Sleeping Beauty as fireworks explode in Disneyland, in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Friday Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A light show is projected on the castle of Sleeping Beauty as fireworks explode in Disneyland, in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Friday Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A light show is projected on the castle of Sleeping Beauty as fireworks explode in Disneyland, in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Friday Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A light show is projected on the castle of Sleeping Beauty as fireworks explode in Disneyland, in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Friday Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A light show is projected on the castle of Sleeping Beauty as fireworks explode in Disneyland, in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Friday Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

A firework display lights up the castle of Sleeping Beauty in Disneyland, in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Friday Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

LEIPZIG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Antech™, a global veterinary diagnostics company, today announced that Antech Academy, one of the largest and longest running continuous veterinary education platforms in Europe, proudly marks its 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of unwavering commitment to supporting veterinary professionals in continuously improving their clinical expertise through high-quality, relevant education.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260115872999/en/

For over 20 years, Antech Academy has been dedicated to empowering a growing community of over 25,000 veterinarians with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve accurate diagnoses and deliver the best possible treatments to their patients.

Key topics

The Antech Academy curriculum covers key disciplines encountered in daily practice, including internal medicine, clinical pathology/medical biology, oncology, dermatology, anesthesia, neurology, surgery, emergency & critical care, reproduction, infectious diseases, cardiology, genetics, exotic pets, ophthalmology, bacteriology, and more.

Innovative training formats across Europe

To meet veterinary practitioners’ evolving needs, Antech Academy blends theoretical learning with hands-on practice:

Courses are led by highly qualified veterinary specialists who are passionate about sharing their expertise with exceptional pedagogical quality.

20 years of impact in Germany, France and Belgium

Since its inception in Germany, Antech Academy has forged strong partnerships with over 100 veterinary practitioners and specialists nationwide.

Over the past two decades, its training programs have become a benchmark for excellence, with over 8000 veterinarians benefiting from scientific sessions, hands-on workshops, and advanced courses. These initiatives have strengthened expertise, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, and improved patient care throughout the country.

In 2025, over 1,600 veterinary professionals in Germany attended Antech Academy courses, all of which are ATF-certified.

Over 13,000 French-speaking veterinarians attended Antech Academy live webinars in 2025, with more than 35,000 total connections throughout the year – all led by over 50 expert veterinary trainers.

Antech has also partnered with leading veterinary institutions such as L'École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA) and ULB HeLSci to develop and deliver the continuous education offering.

Sign up with Antech Academy during Leipzig Veterinary Congress

Veterinary professionals signing up for Antech Academy webinars or courses during Leipzig Veterinary Congress (15-17 January) will receive a special 25% discount.

About Antech

Antech is a global veterinary diagnostics company driven by its passion for innovation that helps veterinarians deliver better animal health outcomes. Antech products and services span a wide network of reference laboratories across the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services. For more information, please visit antechdiagnostics.com.

Antech Academy: 20 years of advancing continuous veterinary education in Europe

Antech Academy: 20 years of advancing continuous veterinary education in Europe