Armageddon – Les Effets Speciaux


Armageddon – Les Effets Speciaux was an attraction located in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. The attraction opened on March 16, 2002 with the park. It was based on the 1998 Touchstone film Armageddon, which was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Michael Bay. The principle was to demonstrate set effects, as in the film, within a full room using special effects.
The ride closed on April 1, 2019, and the showbuilding will later be demolished for the Avengers Campus expansion to the 'Walt Disney Studios Park', as announced by Bob Iger in February 2018.

Preshow

The public entered studio 7-A or studio 7-B, where a Cast Member explained the part they are about to play in the shooting. After a pre-show presentation, which included a short history of special effects and a speech from Michael Clarke Duncan, guests learned they will enter the recreation of the modified Mir from the film. Two main characters will join them: the central computer of the Station and Colonel Andropov. The films and spiel of both studios were identical, although they have different art work on display.

The main show

Guests then proceeded onto the set of the Station's main deck. As the show started with the director's call of "Action", several scenes ensued. Windows opening either on Space or on Earth let guests witness the arrival of a meteorite rain. As it hit the station, several dysfunctions occurred, including lights flickering, gas bursting into the cabin, the ceiling threatening to collapse and incandescent rocks crossing the room. At one point, the build-up of pressure in the pipes caused a part of the wall to be pulled out, letting air escape until a tight door closed. Finally, as guests could see the main meteor arriving on them, a powerful explosion occurs and lights go out. A voice calling "Cut!" closes the show.
The whole attraction lasted about 22 minutes with a capacity of about 170 people.