The Disneyland Paris version of “it’s a small world” has closed for what is expected to be a year-long refurbishment.
As laid out by OutsidEars, many areas of the attraction will be updated. Much of the ride will be repainted, including the façade, which was last repainted five years ago. Some wooden elements will be replaced with composite materials. The queue will be redesigned.
Ride control systems are also expected to be replaced and the control tower used by Cast Members will be enlarged. Other backstage areas will receive flooring and electricity updates.
As for the ride scenes, lighting and hydraulic systems will be updated. Approximately half of the dolls are to be replaced.
The heating and air conditioning systems will be renovated and some elements will be replaced with energy-efficient materials.
Disney is also taking this opportunity to remove asbestos that was used in the construction of the a/c system and framework of the building. Asbestos was not banned in France until 1997, five years after the opening of Disneyland Paris. The amount of asbestos in the building is not higher than the legally admissible level — so it has not been a significant danger to guests and Cast Members — but it needs to be removed for the modern updates regardless.
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Why are they replacing some of the dolls?