For Adventure Way, the charming promenade at Disney Adventure World, Walt Disney Imagineering has created much more than a simple expansion. Inspired by the grand European gardens of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this area embraces an Art Nouveau aesthetic—romantic, elegant, and deeply connected to nature.
“Returning to the inspiration behind these early twentieth-century parks is, in a way, returning to the very essence of what makes a Disney park,” explains Bowie Faas, Principal Creative Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris. While Walt Disney Studios Park embraced an urban and contemporary identity, Adventure Way favors a timeless, elegant, and nostalgic atmosphere designed to inspire an immediate sense of familiarity and wonder in guests.
The legacy of historic European gardens
Among Adventure Way’s most significant inspirations is Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, which opened in 1843. Its founder, Georg Carstensen, envisioned a destination that blended art, culture, and nature—an ideal that strongly resonates with the vision behind Disney Adventure World today.
The influence of the Danish park can be seen most notably in the treatment of light. Throughout Adventure Way, trees and buildings are adorned with nearly 10,000 lamps, affectionately nicknamed “popcorn lights” by the Imagineers. This abundance of twinkling lights recalls the sparkling facades, illuminated arches, and hanging garlands that characterized Europe’s historic pleasure gardens.
It is no coincidence that Tivoli Gardens holds such a special place in Disney history. Walt Disney himself was captivated by the park during a trip to Europe in 1951. That visit would directly influence the creation of Disneyland and, later, Disney parks around the world, including Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris.
Architecture inspired by Art Nouveau
From the moment guests enter Adventure Way, the tone is set. Two elegant gazebos frame the main promenade, immediately immersing visitors in a Belle Époque atmosphere.
“They invite guests to discover a space filled with refinement and wonder,” explains Andy Martin, Creative Lead. “Every detail—from the varied ornamental features and handcrafted stained-glass windows that decorate the facades to the harmonious blend of colors and materials—has been carefully considered. Together, they create a place that is both welcoming and vibrant, encouraging exploration and adventure.”
The choice of Art Nouveau goes beyond aesthetics alone. Represented by figures such as Alfons Mucha in the graphic arts and Jules Lavirotte in architecture, the movement above all celebrates nature through organic lines, stylized botanical motifs, and a constant pursuit of harmony between people and their environment.
At Adventure Way, this philosophy is naturally reflected in the abundant landscaping that accompanies guests throughout the promenade. References to Art Nouveau can be found in numerous architectural and decorative details.
A shared style for Disney and Pixar worlds
More than simply serving as a visual backdrop, Art Nouveau acts as a unifying thread that brings together different worlds within a cohesive whole. From Peter Pan to Mary Poppins, from Rapunzel to Up, every story finds its place along this poetic promenade.
“Adventure Way does not tell a single story,” notes Bowie Faas. “It is a cohesive architectural composition—a kind of canvas that allows multiple Disney and Pixar stories to coexist naturally. Through the Art Nouveau style, we have connected these stories within a poetic setting.”
The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge: a showcase of the Belle Époque
One of the most spectacular examples of this Art Nouveau influence can be found inside The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge. Its design immediately evokes some of Paris’s most iconic Belle Époque establishments, such as Le Train Bleu at Gare de Lyon and La Fermette Marbeuf.
At the heart of the restaurant, an impressive mural created by Imagineer Alfred Lee in collaboration with Disney and Pixar artists features Disney Princesses—from Snow White to Raya—as well as Merida, all portrayed in original costumes and poses created specifically for the artwork. The piece recalls the enchanting visual style of the 2007 film Enchanted, which was itself heavily inspired by Art Nouveau.
A new identity for Disney Adventure World
Through Adventure Way, Disney Adventure World embraces a radically new identity, moving away from the purely cinematic aesthetic of the former Walt Disney Studios Park. The use of Art Nouveau not only roots the park in a rich European heritage, but also creates a warm and romantic environment.
Did you enjoy discovering Disney Adventure World through the lens of art? Find out more in the book Adventure Has a New Name: The Making of Disney Adventure World.