Right on cue with Chris Evans returning as Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday, Disney is leaning back into the classic Steve Rogers version of Cap for its parks — not Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson.
At Disneyland Paris, Captain America is front and center in “Disney Cascade of Lights,” a massive new nighttime drone and water spectacular debuting March 29, 2026 at Disney Adventure World.
The choice is notable, especially following the soft reception — and box office disappointment — of Captain America: Brave New World.
Rumors further add that Steve Rogers will be returning as a lead character in Doomsday.
Captain America Takes Center Stage at Disneyland Paris
The new show takes place at Adventure Bay, built around a 3-hectare lake and a massive floating structure weighing roughly 160 tonnes. Each night, the centerpiece is assembled silently using electric boats before the show deploys:
- 379 aerial and aquatic drones
- Large-scale fountains and water curtains
- Projection mapping and pyrotechnics
- Low-flying drones designed to bring visuals closer to guests
Among the featured heroes: Captain America, Moana, Mulan, Hercules, Judy Hopps, and more, but it’s Steve Rogers’ Cap who stands out in the Avengers segment.
Disney’s Timing Isn’t Subtle
Disney’s renewed focus on Chris Evans’ Captain America lines up almost perfectly with Marvel confirming his return for Avengers: Doomsday.
Meanwhile, Anthony Mackie’s version is absent from the park showcase, reinforcing the sense that Marvel is quietly course-correcting after Brave New World failed to connect with audiences.
Mackie is also confirmed for Doomsday, so how everything plays out remains to be seen.
This isn’t the first time Disneyland Paris has favored legacy Avengers either — the park previously hosted Avengers: Power the Night, another drone-heavy show that prominently featured classic MCU icons, including Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Iron Man (Tony Stark).
A Tech-Heavy Show Built Around Emotion
Producer Ben Spalding, who helped pioneer Disneyland Paris’ drone shows, has been developing Cascade of Lights for over seven years.
New drones were created with tech partner Dronisos, including water-based drones nicknamed “ducks,” allowing light effects to reflect directly off the lake’s surface.
The story revolves around a central theme: Inspiration — treated as a character that links each hero’s journey. Music plays a major role, with an original score by Mark Hammond, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, performed by a 90-piece orchestra, and featuring an original song, “We Can Be Heroes.”
Marvel’s Direction Is Showing — Even at the Parks
Between Avengers: Doomsday bringing back Chris Evans and Disney parks highlighting Steve Rogers over Sam Wilson, the message is clear: Marvel is doubling down on what worked.
Whether intentional or not, Disneyland Paris just became another signal that classic Captain America is back.
Release Info
- Show: Disney Cascade of Lights
- Location: Disney Adventure World, Disneyland Paris
- Debut: March 29, 2026
