Behind the Scenes: The Garden Team of Disneyland Paris

The garden team of Disneyland Paris works every night in complete secrecy — so that at the first light of morning, guests discover a fairytale park without a single trace of the hands that created it. Curious what that looks like from the inside? Let us show you.

A day in the life of the garden team

The gardeners of Disneyland Paris typically begin their day in the early hours of the morning. Between 5:00 and 9:00, they tend to the plants across the park’s different lands — from the lush exotic greenery of Adventureland to the rugged, arid landscapes of Frontierland. The team then moves on to the hotel areas, maintaining the outdoor spaces of hotels such as Disney Hotel Santa Fe and Disney Hotel Cheyenne until around 13:00.

Their daily work includes pruning topiaries (shrubs and trees carefully shaped into decorative forms), trimming hedges, mowing lawns, and caring for rhododendrons and tropical plants.

Midnight in the park

It is 22:00 when the team gathers for a very special night shift. Tonight, something significant is on the agenda: a complete replanting of the flowerbeds on Central Plaza, the central space in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. This operation takes place several times a year, depending on the season and park schedule.

The evening begins with a traditional briefing. Team leaders discuss all tasks that must be completed before dawn and share their knowledge freely — more experienced members passing on their expertise to newer colleagues. After the briefing, the team shares a meal, prepares the equipment, and divides up the work.

A team of many different stories

The team brings together a wonderful mix of backgrounds. Matthieu has four years of experience and knows every aspect of the role inside out. Quentin started as an intern and is now a permanent member of the team. Doriane chose the gardens of Disneyland Paris as the setting for a career change, while Baptiste and Fanny are completing a BTS in Landscape Architecture through a work-placement programme. Despite their different paths, a strong team spirit unites them — knowledge flows freely between seasoned professionals and students alike.

Tractors on Main Street, U.S.A.

Midnight. Disneyland Park is completely deserted. The garden team gets the green light. Tractors, lorries and trailers make their way down Main Street, U.S.A. towards Sleeping Beauty Castle. Floodlights are set up; leaf blowers, rakes and rotavators are unloaded. It is a truly remarkable sight — a world that guests never get to see.

The garden team does not work alone. The maintenance and housekeeping teams are also hard at work: a full night crew preparing the park for the new day ahead.

From French soil to the park

The flowers, prepared in advance by the Floral Design team, arrive in precisely the quantities needed. Almost 90% of suppliers are French — only flower bulbs come from a supplier in the Netherlands. Matthieu, Quentin, Fanny and Baptiste begin by removing the existing plants, which are then composted or turned into wood chippings. They then prepare the soil with a rotavator, ready for the new planting.

Working together to create the magic

Although the design is determined by the Floral Design team — always in line with the guidelines of Walt Disney Imagineering Paris — the gardeners do have a say. If a particular plant species is not well suited to the soil or sunlight conditions of a given bed, a conversation takes place and the design is adjusted where possible. That collaboration extends beyond their own department too: in the middle of the night, the irrigation team steps in to inspect a sprinkler system, working hand in hand with the gardeners.

A park ready for the new day

By 07:00, dawn is breaking. Central Plaza has a beautiful, fresh new look. But the work is not quite finished: the team tidies everything away meticulously, leaving no trace of the night’s operation. When the park opens, the thousands of flowers appear as if by magic — which is exactly as it should be at Disneyland Paris.

Sustainability: smarter watering

The garden team is also working towards a greener future. Thanks to an innovative sensor system, plants are only watered when they genuinely need it. The irrigation system is also connected to the wastewater treatment facility, which supplies recycled water. Careful consideration is given to choosing plant species that require less water and are better suited to a changing climate.

What does this mean for your visit to Disneyland Paris?

• The beautiful gardens and flowerbeds you admire during the day are tended and renewed each night by a dedicated, passionate team
• Almost 90% of the plants and flowers are sourced from French suppliers
• The park is actively committed to sustainable watering practices and the composting of plant waste
• Every detail follows the guidelines of Walt Disney Imagineering Paris — from design through to execution

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