Once Upon Magic · Disneyland Paris · Frontierland
Rivers of the Far West:
new scenes in 2026
Disneyland Paris is preparing a subtle but exciting evolution for Frontierland. By the end of summer 2026, the Rivers of the Far West route is set to feature new scenes inspired by original drawings from Disney Imagineer and Legend Marc Davis.
What is confirmed
Enriching the scenery in the Disney spirit
The project does not turn Rivers of the Far West into a new attraction; it enriches the existing visual narrative with new scenes designed to blend naturally into the Thunder Mesa landscape.
Disneyland Paris has announced that these additions will be placed along the Rivers of the Far West route at Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing. Their inspiration comes from original drawings by Marc Davis, a major figure in the history of Walt Disney Imagineering and an artist associated with several iconic Disney attractions.
Official schedule: Disneyland Paris indicates an arrival by the end of summer 2026. To date, no more precise inauguration date has been communicated in the official sources consulted.
New scenes
Bison, raccoons, and a skunk
A prairie scene will highlight bison, reinforcing the great outdoors atmosphere of Frontierland.
New, more mischievous animals will be among the details to spot as you navigate the river.
A skunk is set to appear with the raccoons on a floating log.
The new figures were specially redesigned and manufactured for this project by the teams at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris.
Imagineering legacy
Why the reference to Marc Davis matters
A historical visual vocabulary
Disney is not presenting these animals as mere decorative elements: the scenes draw from original drawings by Marc Davis, giving the project a direct link to the creative legacy of Disney attractions.
A creation adapted for Paris
The teams at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris redesigned and produced the new figures to integrate them into the unique story and landscape of Frontierland.
Aboard the Molly Brown
The best vantage point to discover them
The Molly Brown, the iconic boat at Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing, has itself undergone a major renovation. Disney highlights it as an ideal vantage point to observe these new details during the cruise around Big Thunder Mountain.
Rivers of the Far West is an integral part of the mise-en-scène of Frontierland: the river visually connects Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor, and Thunder Mesa. Adding small animal scenes therefore helps to flesh out the environment without breaking its contemplative rhythm.
What remains to be confirmed
No exact date yet
Launch date
Disneyland Paris is only communicating an arrival by the end of summer 2026. A precise day has not yet been officially announced.
Total number of new figures
The examples of the bison, raccoons, and the skunk are confirmed, but Disney has not provided an exhaustive count of all planned figures or scenes.
Potential impact on operations
The official sources consulted do not detail any specific closure related to the installation of these scenes. It is best to check the daily schedule before visiting.
Precise locations
The project is announced along the Rivers of the Far West, but not all exact points where the scenes will be visible have been detailed yet.
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Explore more of Disneyland Paris
To place this evolution of Frontierland within the history and transformations of the destination, check out our Once Upon Magic guides.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Rivers of the Far West
When are the new Rivers of the Far West scenes arriving?
Disneyland Paris has announced their arrival by the end of summer 2026, without giving a specific date yet.
Where will they be installed?
They will be added along the Rivers of the Far West route, near Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing in Frontierland.
Which animals are announced?
Disney has confirmed bison in a prairie, as well as raccoons and a skunk on a floating log.
What is the link to Marc Davis?
The new scenes are inspired by original drawings by Marc Davis, a Disney Imagineer and Legend.
Who is manufacturing the new figures?
The figures were specially redesigned and produced for this project by Walt Disney Imagineering Paris.
Can we see them from the Molly Brown?
Yes. Disney cites the recently renovated Molly Brown as an ideal vantage point to discover the additions along the river.
Frontierland continues enriching its story
This project reminds us that the most interesting evolutions of a park are not always the most spectacular: a few well-integrated scenes can reinforce the entire atmosphere of a land.
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