At a glance
This is a covered gallery that runs along the park’s main avenue. Unlike traditional rides, it’s a sheltered walkthrough under an iron and glass structure. The setting draws on the Paris arcades and the world’s fairs, showcasing inventions that made history or were dreamed up at the time.
Along the walls, display cases show models and patents for real or imagined inventions. You’ll spot scale models of steam engines, airships and old mechanical devices. The soundtrack is calm and draws you into a vision of the future as people imagined it over a hundred years ago.
It’s an ideal walk to reach the castle away from the crowds or bad weather. Discovery Arcade is a peaceful alternative to the noisier attractions, and lets you take in carefully crafted architectural details, such as the period posters and the glowing globes that decorate the walkway.
Main Street’s secret shortcut. A covered gallery running along Main Street with displays of nineteenth-century inventions and period posters. Very handy when it rains or the main street is crowded, and often overlooked by visitors in a hurry.
History
Opened on 12 April 1992 along with the park, Discovery Arcade is one of the two covered galleries that run along Main Street U.S.A. These arcades are only found at Disneyland Paris: designed to shelter visitors from bad weather, they don’t exist in any other Disney park.
Technical data
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Walk-through
- Opening date 12 April 1992
- Average duration 5-15 min depending on how much you explore
Theme & story
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait none
- Minimum height None (open to all)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access fully accessible
- Pregnant visitors suitable
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
No Single Rider here. To save time, count on Premier Access or park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
Not open during Extra Magic Time: it opens at the same time as the park.
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- Fully sheltered from the rain and wind
- Lets you avoid the crowds on the main street during parades
- An arcade you won’t find in any other Disney park
Weak points
- No big thrills or action
- Can get very crowded during a sudden downpour
My verdict
Discovery Arcade is one of the two covered galleries that run along Main Street. They’re only found at Disneyland Paris and were designed to shelter visitors from the Paris weather. It displays models, imaginary patents and nineteenth-century inventions, with a setting inspired by the Paris arcades. Free access, no queue.
It’s one of my personal favourite hidden spots, because it’s also a brilliant shortcut to avoid the crowds on the main street. My real insider tip: use the arcades above all during the parade or just after the night-time show, and you’ll avoid the packed crush. A little anecdote for fans: Discovery Arcade gets its name from the fact that it links the park entrance to Discoveryland. And the best detail of all is the Vitruvian Man shown on every arch of the gallery.
Julie’s tip
Map & getting there
Discovery Arcade is in the Main Street U.S.A. land of Disneyland Park, to the right of the entrance.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long queues for the most popular rides?
To avoid long queues at Disneyland Paris, I combine several tactics. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille and Spider-Man, as long as you’re happy not to ride with your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that gives you priority access to the headline rides. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and it’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without queuing. Finally, heading to the most popular rides during a parade or a big show empties the queues considerably.
02 Are the queue times shown in the park reliable?
Yes, the queue times shown in the app or on the screens around the park are generally reliable. They’re often the same as, or slightly longer than, the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be closed for refurbishment during my trip?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website, several weeks in advance. Because the parks are open all year round, the maintenance teams sometimes work on days when the parks are open, which leads to temporary closures. My advice: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before booking, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young children?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can frighten young children even without a height restriction. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling scenes. La Tanière du Dragon, under Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, plays on a ghostly atmosphere and is really intense for toddlers. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful moments and darker scenes. I’d suggest watching how your child reacts before you get on.
05 How far in advance does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of ride closures around 2 to 3 months in advance. For major rides, the park tells visitors about planned construction work at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, as dates can change. That way you avoid the nasty surprise of finding out on the day that your favourite ride is being refurbished.
