Discoveryland - A Jules Verne-Led Reimagining

Unofficial concept project

Land Identity & Narrative Spine

Discoveryland is unique among the Disney parks. In place of a traditional Tomorrowland, it presents a steampunk, Jules Verne-inspired vision of science and exploration - home to one of Disney’s best roller coasters, and a land with enormous untapped potential.

Designed around the writing of Jules Verne and other 19th-century science fiction authors, Discoveryland deliberately avoids presenting “the future”. This allows it to remain timeless, transporting guests to a fantastical interpretation of 19th-century France rather than a version of tomorrow that will inevitably become dated.

At its best, Discoveryland has the potential to tell a large, interconnected story - one where the attractions and the land itself are tightly woven together. To achieve this, the land needs to fully embrace the romantic, mechanical, and fantastical tone of Jules Verne’s work.

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Attraction Realignment (Cohesion First)

Orbitron and Space Mountain are, externally, themed together in a striking homage to classic science fiction. Other nearby attractions, however, speak a very different visual and narrative language.

To allow Discoveryland to function as a single, cohesive storytelling environment, attractions such as Star Tours and Buzz Lightyear should be relocated to other parks within the resort. This creates the space - both physically and thematically - for Discoveryland to fully commit to its Jules Verne-inspired identity.

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Journey to the Centre of the Earth

Journey to the Centre of the Earth is a dark ride inspired by the attraction of the same name at Tokyo DisneySea. Parc Disneyland is long overdue a brand-new dark ride, and nearly two decades after the original installation in Tokyo, there is an opportunity to revisit the concept using modern techniques and technologies.

By “plussing” an already strong attraction with contemporary effects, set design, and ride systems, this experience could become a deeply immersive journey - one that feels both modern and entirely at home within Discoveryland’s literary roots.

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Space Mountain - From the Earth to the Moon

The original version of Space Mountain in Paris, based on Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon, is widely considered one of Disney’s finest roller coasters. The idea here is simple: restore it to its former glory.

With updated projection effects, refreshed props, and the return of the iconic launch sequence - complete with moving cannon, smoke, and lighting - Space Mountain once again becomes the visual and narrative heart of Discoveryland. Restoring this timeless and much-loved theme strengthens the land as a whole while celebrating one of its greatest successes.

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Around the World in 80 Days - Balloon Flight

Around the World in 80 Days is an immersive flight experience inspired by ride systems such as Soarin’ and Flight of Passage. Guests enter a hot air balloon terminal and embark on an adventure with Phileas Fogg, culminating in a journey over 19th-century Paris.

Flying above historic rooftops, railways, and landmarks - including the Eiffel Tower under construction - the attraction celebrates French culture and heritage while delivering a calm, awe-inspiring experience for guests of all ages. As a completely new type of attraction for Disneyland Paris, it offers something both distinctive and deeply rooted in place.

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Plaza Jules Verne & Inventor’s Workshop

Plaza Jules Verne forms a new civic heart for Discoveryland. Featuring gardens, fountains, seating, and shops, the plaza also serves as the gateway to the balloon terminal for Around the World in 80 Days. Rich in detail, it is designed as a place to slow down, explore, and appreciate the land’s architecture and atmosphere.

The Inventor’s Workshop is an immersive retail experience, inviting guests into the working space of a resident inventor. Inside, intricate devices, moving models, suspended animatronic birds, and a regularly updated table of interactive inventions encourage curiosity and hands-on discovery, rewarding guests who linger and look closely.

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Autopia - Steampunk Motoring

Autopia is a classic Disney attraction beloved by guests of all ages, but its current presentation sits at odds with Discoveryland’s overall theme. This concept reimagines the ride as a steampunk motoring experience, where guests take control of early, steam-powered vehicles straight out of a classic science-fiction novel.

Brass detailing, gentle steam effects, lighting, animatronic figures, and water features transform the attraction into a natural extension of the land - preserving its familiar ride system while allowing it to contribute meaningfully to Discoveryland’s story.