5 theme park additions to surprise you this year

An immersive show, a human and environmental epic and a true-to-life attraction… this year France’s theme parks are doubling their efforts to impress visitors. Time to fasten your seatbelt, hold on to your neighbour and take off for some crazy adventures!

A roaring summer at Disneyland Paris

The world-famous amusement park in Marne-la-Vallée near Paris is summoning the animals of the jungle and the savannah for a roaring summer. From 30 June to 22 September 2019, the Lion King and Jungle Festival takes over the park, featuring characters from two of Disney’s flagship films. A new musical show dedicated to the Lion King will be presented, while performances of the ‘Rhythm of the Jungle’ will take place in the four corners of the park. Disneyland Paris is also putting on a series of musical and sports events such as Disney Loves Jazz, the Electroland festival and the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend.
Disneyland Paris (External link)

Head in the stars but feet on the ground at Futuroscope

Thomas Pesquet’s adventure in space, the fascinating saga of the Solar Impulse and the tribulations of ‘flying’ trimaran L’Hydroptère: there are so many journeys to relive at this award-winning park near Poitiers, which also tackles environmental issues such as renewable energy. In April the park unveils ‘Futuropolis’, a redesigned version of its imaginary city, a friendly and ecological world dedicated to children. Among the 2019 novelties is the ‘Aqualympic Stadium’ and its floating trampolines, allowing visitors to walk on water.
Futuroscope (External link)

It’s raining menhirs at Parc Astérix

Fans of René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo’s comic books know it: the menhir throw is one of Obelix’s favourite sports, to the horror of the Roman centurions who patrol the village of irreducible Gauls! To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Parc Astérix has been inspired by this practice with ‘Attention Menhir!’, a 4D animated film screened in a new 300-seat theatre, Idéfix Studios. Visitors will also be able to meet new characters in the park: Numérobis, Cleopatra’s architect, the Vikings and the Greeks.
Parc Astérix (External link)

Clovis, ruler of Puy du Fou

The latest show at the Vendée park sees Clovis, king of the Franks, fulfil an extraordinary destiny. We follow the adventures of the young king on the battlefield but also his spiritual journey, closely linked to his victories, which leads him to his conversion to Catholicism. With the help of water effects and ultra-realistic decorations, scents and sounds, the 20-minute show is a real immersion in the heart of the Frankish kingdom.
Puy du Fou (External link)

Travel by drone to Vulcania

In ‘Volcano Drones’, the new amusement park show at the heart of the Chaîne des Puys in Auvergne, visitors embark on an expedition with vulcanologists Caldera and Magmatus. Head for the Piton de la Fournaise on Reunion Island, where drones have a few surprises in store as scientists’ technological assistants. It’s always an adventure, but this time into space with the projection of documentary “Through the eyes of Thomas Pesquet” on a giant 400-square-metre screen.
Vulcania (External link)