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Looking down into the Discovery Arcade in Disneyland Paris

Discovery Arcade

Eureka! Journey back to the golden age of inventions, because this arcade is much more than just a covered walkway.

The Discovery Arcade, conveniently located to the right of Main Street, offers a unique way to explore the park. With access to all the shops through their rear entrances, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along Main Street, even on rainy days, without getting wet.
And on cold days, the numerous seating areas in the arcade offer an excellent opportunity to warm up. That's one side of the arcade. But if you open your eyes and don't just head for your distant destination, you'll see a lot here!

The beautifully designed arcade, with its atmospheric ambiance, is a tribute to the inventions of the late 19th century. It vividly illustrates the visions people had about the development of their cities. More importantly, it serves as a seamless thematic transition to the design of Discoveryland, despite this area gradually moving further away from its original concept.

When visiting Disneyland, a stroll through the arcades on either side of Main Street is a must, even in good weather. Many visitors to the park overlook the numerous exhibits in the arcade, only to be pleasantly surprised on a later visit at how much they have missed. Take a moment to explore, and you'll be amazed at what's here to see! The picture galleries on this page offer you a sneak peek.

Discovery Arcade – a unique masterpiece
The Discovery Arcade is a unique masterpiece, exclusive to Disneyland Paris. It was designed solely for this theme park and has not been replicated in any other Disney park. This exclusivity makes it a must-see for Disney fans worldwide, as it offers something truly special that cannot be experienced elsewhere.

Discovery Arcade – in a nutshell: A fascinating journey into the history of great inventive genius Characteristics

Waiting timeAverage waiting time 0/5
Scary factor for kidsScary factor for kids 0/5
ThrillThrill 0/5
Motion sickness riskMotion sickness risk 0/5

Rating for...

ToddlerToddler 2/5 Stars
School childrenSchool children 3/5 Stars
TeenagerTeenager 2/5 Stars
Young adultsYoung adults 3/5 Stars
adultsadults 5/5 Stars
Senior citizensSenior citizens 5/5 Stars
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Images from the Discovery Arcade

Cityscapes in the Discovery Arcade

Large posters hang at regular intervals on the walls of the arcade. These posters depict cities as people in the 19th century imagined they would look today. Some of these visions seem to have become reality, while others appear to be a glimpse into a distant utopia.
These posters were a collaborative effort, designed by a diverse team including Jim Michaelson, Maureen Johnston and R. Ziscis, who were inspired by the French artist Albert Robida and the magazine 'Popular Mechanix'.

 

Patent models of inventions

In addition to these posters, there are also miniatures of important inventions in the Discovery Arcade. You can admire these in the various display cases.
These models, rare and precious, are all originals that were submitted to the American Patent Office between 1790 and 1880.
In 1907, due to the increasing number of new models and limited space, the authority decided, in consultation with Congress, to clear out the storage room. This led to the dispersal of the models, with some being sold, given away, or even discarded.
Cliff Peterson, a passionate and dedicated collector, became interested in these models and began his arduous journey of collecting and purchasing them throughout the United States. Fifty-two models from his impressive collection, which comprises around 40,000 items, are now on display at Disneyland Paris.

 

Tips for Discovery Arcade

  • During the parades, you can walk through the arcades if you want to avoid the crowds on Main Street.
  • Don't miss Liberty Arcade, directly opposite! Here you'll find one of the hidden secrets of Disneyland Paris: the Statue of Liberty tableau – an estimated 90% of guests have never seen it!
  • Use it as a covered shortcut to Discoveryland.
  • In bad weather, you can enjoy your snacks from the Cable Car Bake Shop or the Market House Deli here – there is plenty of seating available.
More for explorers
  • Adventure Isle
    Adventure Isle An island in the middle of the jungle. Suspension bridges, waterfalls, a labyrinth in the caves and many other adventurous things are waiting for you on the Adventure Isle.
  • Les Mystères du Nautilus
    Les Mystères du Nautilus Go and explore the Nautilus. The submarine Nautilus is located deep below the lagoon. Get on board and be prepared for some surprises!
The Discovery Arcade, as it could have been

Given the creativity that characterises Disney Imagineers, it is not surprising that numerous ideas and plans for Discovery Arcade were never implemented for a variety of reasons.

  • There were considerations to set up an area in Discovery Arcade where visitors could play with antique mechanical toys.
  • One plan envisaged an Elevated Electric Railway running through the arcade. This transport system was to have an entry and exit point in the area where the Main Street Transportation building and the Plaza Gardens Restaurant are located today. However, these plans were rejected, mainly due to budgetary reasons.
  • At one point, consideration was given to giving Main Street a different theme, setting it in the 1920s and capturing the mood that prevailed at that time. The elevated electric railway would have been a perfect fit for this. However, all these plans were abandoned, mainly because the Disney Company did not like the gangster element, which would have been an essential part of the 1920s design.
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