As guests leave the Disney Parks and the lights on your favorite attractions begin to dim, a different kind of magic awakens at Disneyland Paris. Tonight, we take you behind the scenes for a nocturnal project with the Horticulture team. These dedicated Cast Members, with their expertise, teamwork, and passion, shape the enchanting landscapes that will amaze visitors at dawn. It’s truly incredible to see the transformation they achieve under the cover of darkness.
Usually, these Cast Members follow a meticulous schedule. From 5 AM to 9 AM, they work within the lands, then from 9 AM to 1 PM, they move on to hotel maintenance. Their tasks range from pruning topiaries and hedges to mowing lawns and caring for rhododendrons or tropical plants. It’s a constant effort to keep everything picture-perfect.
Some Cast Members meticulously tend to Adventureland’s exotic vegetation and Frontierland’s arid landscape, before moving to the outdoor areas of Disney Hotel Santa Fe and Disney Hotel Cheyenne. Others focus on Fantasyland’s vibrant flora, then head to the maritime setting of Disney Newport Bay Club. Each area demands unique care and attention to detail.
It’s 10 PM. For many, the day ends, but for some Horticulture Cast Members, it’s just beginning. Tonight, a special project awaits them: rotating the flowerbeds in Central Plaza, the iconic area right in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. This large-scale operation happens several times a year, adjusting with seasons and events, and always requires a significant team effort. It’s a huge undertaking to keep the park looking fresh.
The night kicks off with the traditional briefing. Team leaders outline all the tasks needed before sunrise, offering advice and technical support. Knowledge transfer is key here; experienced Cast Members share insights with newer recruits about the specifics of the upcoming project. It’s a fantastic way to ensure everyone is on the same page and learning from each other.
Once missions are distributed, everyone studies the landscape composition models planned for the night. This is also the time to refuel with a meal and prepare all the necessary equipment. Getting everything ready is crucial for a smooth operation.
The team’s strength comes from its diverse backgrounds. You’ll meet Matthieu, a permanent employee for four years, who knows the job inside out. Then there’s Quentin, a former apprentice who secured a permanent contract less than a year ago. New recruits also join their ranks: Doriane chose Disneyland Paris’s green spaces for a career change, while Baptiste and Fanny are here for their Landscape Architecture BTS (a vocational diploma). This blend of experience ensures constant knowledge sharing and mutual learning between seasoned experts and apprentices. It’s a vibrant, supportive environment.
Midnight. Disneyland Park is now completely empty of guests. The Horticulture team gets the green light to roll in.
Tractors, trucks, and trailers drive up Main Street, U.S.A., right to the foot of Sleeping Beauty Castle. They unload equipment in a perfectly choreographed ballet: floodlights to cut through the darkness, blowers, rakes, and tillers. These Cast Members aren’t alone; the Maintenance and Cleanliness teams also work tirelessly in a bustling night-time hive. It’s a truly impressive sight of synchronized work.
The Floristry team prepares the flowers beforehand, delivered in the perfect quantity, ready to be planted. It’s worth noting that nearly 90% of their suppliers are French, a strong commitment to supporting the local economy and ensuring fresh plants.
Work begins for Matthieu, Quentin, Fanny, and Baptiste. Before planting new flowers, they remove the old ones, whose green waste gets recycled into compost or ramial chipped wood. Tonight, they focus on rotating the flowers in an area called “the three drops,” a set of three flowerbeds surrounding the information screens at the top of Main Street, U.S.A. The team then prepares the soil, turning it over with a tiller. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it!
While the Floristry team designs the overall layout, the gardeners always have input. If a flower variety doesn’t suit a specific bed’s topography or sun exposure, they discuss it. If possible, the Floristry team adjusts the design based on the gardeners’ advice, all while respecting Walt Disney Imagineering Paris’s guidelines. It’s a collective strength, built on everyone’s experience. This collaborative spirit is what makes the magic truly bloom.
This collaborative spirit extends beyond their own department. In the middle of the night, if a question arises about an automatic watering system, the Irrigation team responds immediately. They check the installations and run tests hand-in-hand with the gardeners. It’s a testament to how all these teams work together seamlessly.
7 AM, dawn breaks. The planting is complete, and Central Plaza now boasts its vibrant new colors, ready to welcome summer. But the mission isn’t over. The team meticulously cleans the area, erasing all traces of their work. The goal? For guests to arrive at opening and feel like these thousands of flowers simply appeared by magic.
Proud of their accomplishment, the Cast Members hand over to their daytime colleagues. Another magical transformation complete!
Speaking of the flowers, it’s impressive to know that almost 90% of the plants come from French production, and all of their plant suppliers are French! While some plants are grown directly by these suppliers, others are purchased and resold, mainly for varieties nearly impossible to produce in France, like Dipladenia or certain Mediterranean plants. Only flower bulbs come from a Dutch supplier. This local sourcing ensures freshness and supports the regional economy.
The Horticulture teams also practice smart irrigation. An innovative probe system ensures plants receive exactly the water they need, preventing excessive consumption. Even better, the watering system connects to the wastewater treatment plant, feeding it recycled water. The teams constantly look for improvements, like selecting plants that need less water and are more resilient to climate change. It’s a fantastic commitment to sustainability.
