Which factors play a role in the production of Disneyland Paris stage shows?

We here at WhatsOnStage are always striving to inform you, our committed readers, as much as humanly possibly about what’s going on behind-the-scenes of the West End and theatres across the nation.

However, there are many other stages outside the traditional sector, where creative teams and performers are working equally hard and arguably don’t receive the same share of the spotlight. Whether it’s on cruise ships or within theme parks, stage shows are running not once, not twice, but several times a day… and sometimes in multiple languages.

On a recent trip to Disneyland Paris, my colleague Tanyel Gumushan and I took in some of the current offerings at the resort – from Together: A Pixar Musical Adventure to Frozen: A Musical Invitation – and we were keen to learn more about the process, so we reached out to executive entertainment director, Dana Iris Harrel, who previously worked on the Broadway production of Xanadu, to find out more about what exactly goes into stage production at a place like the Disneyland resort.

In terms of the current stage shows at Disneyland Paris, how long were they each in development? And how many shows are currently in development for the future?

Every show at Disneyland Paris is the result of anything between six months and years of collaboration between creative teams, composers, choreographers, set and costume designers and, of course, our performers. On average, an indoor stage show can take anywhere from six months to three years to develop from the first concept to opening night, depending on the complexity of the production. For example, Together: A Pixar Musical Adventure is the result of one of the fastest production processes I’ve ever experienced – a super-fast six months of intensive collaboration, but The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands was developed over two years. While we can’t reveal specifics about upcoming projects just yet, we are constantly working on new ideas to ensure our guests can look forward to original, magical, high-quality entertainment experiences in the future.

Can you describe the factors that have an impact on the decision-making process of which stage shows to produce?

Our north star is always the guest experience. We ask ourselves which stories will resonate most with audiences, which characters do families want to see on stage, and how can we deliver a uniquely Disney experience that they cannot find anywhere else? We also look at the theatrical potential of a story; does it lend itself to music, choreography, and live performance? Will it resonate with audiences? Will we be able to deliver a moment of emotional connection for our guests and their families? For instance, Mickey and the Magician brings together several iconic Disney characters in a way that celebrates stage magic, while Frozen: A Musical Invitation uses live performance to let guests step directly into Arendelle. The “Disney difference” is that blend of world-class artistry, unforgettable music, and the emotional connection to beloved Disney stories.

How do you cater stage shows to international theme park visitors, as opposed to West End or Broadway audiences?

Our audiences at Disneyland Paris are incredibly diverse both in age and background – we welcome guests from across Europe and the world. That means our productions must be universally understood, regardless of language or cultural background. We achieve this by relying on vibrant visuals, music that transcends language, and choreography that communicates emotion without words. When we do use language, we try and use a mix of English and French. We do all this while maintaining a high theatrical standard that makes the shows appealing to theatre fans, Disney fans, and everyone in between. Although our shows are 30 minutes or less, we create West End and Broadway-style quality and ensure the storytelling is accessible and emotionally impactful for all.

For aspiring performers, in what ways might these stage shows be considered valuable work experience and what do you specifically look for in auditionees?

Performing at Disneyland Paris is an incredible opportunity for performers – it allows them to work in productions that are technically advanced and emotionally rewarding. We employ professional artists from around the globe, so performers are working with the best in the world. At Disneyland Paris, we look for performers with strong technical skills, but also with energy, stage presence, and the ability to connect with audiences of all ages and cultures. Many performers tell us it’s a career highlight to be part of productions that bring joy to thousands of people every day, and it gives them invaluable experience in consistency, professionalism, and international collaboration. Our performers create magic for guests. There is nothing else like it.