Not few people expected the Val d’Europe shopping center and outlet to become an economic disaster when it was first opened in 1998.
And in the beginning it looked as if they were right since the whole place seemed to be deserted most of the time – especially if one kept its huge size in mind. The shops were empty most of the time and one asked how they could make any profit since the few visitors seemed only to tour the very well designed center instead of buying any goods – and someone carrying a shopping bag was a rare sighting. (more…)
Archive for October, 2009
A place for great design
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009High Tech spreads out from the Orient
Monday, October 12th, 2009
As reported recently Dyson Airblades – said to be more effective and less energy consuming than usual air dryers – have been installed in the restrooms at the Adventureland Bazaar.
Now it looks like the persons in charge where satisfied with the tests of the Airblades and decided to use them in more of the parks toilets.
(more…)
An elephant’s new clothes
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Even an elephant needs some new clothes (or kind of) from time to time – as just proofed at the Rainforest Café at Disney Village.
The elephant that welcomes the guests to explore the deeper jungles of the Villages popular restaurant is used as the reception desk of the Rainforest Café where people are asked for their party size, seats are assigned and reservations are made.
A paintwork recently completed now makes the first impression of the restaurant even more inviting – an the new clothes seem to have given the elephant an even more happy and proud smile.
Deetailor’s Mission 09|19: Geppetto’s Roofing Shingles
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
See all of Deetailor’s missions: Click here.
Drafted? … Canned!
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Most of the long-time Disneyland Paris Fans surely still remember that there was a time – after the initial opening of the resort – when no alcohol at all was sold throughout the Magic Kingdom.
A fact that even more increased the feeling of many french people – believing their home country to be the worlds leading nation concerning wine culture – that the resort, then called Euro Disney, would be a kind of cultural disaster – or even a cultural Chernobyl, a phrase used by French Press then – for France.
For the French, and many other visitors as well, it was part of the enjoyment of a nice lunch or diner to have an accompanying glass of wine or beer.
So the resorts management soon changed this strict no-alcohol policy and a beer could be bought together with any meal throughout the park and the table-service restaurants got a decent wine list.
Everybody looking for a freshly drafted beer could get one if he just bought a small sandwich or anything else to eat.
(more…)
Starbucks Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
The Starbucks Coffee Company is a certified LEED store and they are showing their commitment with a permanent sign on their facade. The sign reads; “This store is registered with the goal to be LEED certified”. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The sign is also translated to French.
LEED follows the Green Building Rating System that has been developed by the U.S. Green Building Council or the USGBC since 1998. They stand for high standards related to healthier work and living environments to improve the employees comfort. To get certified you need to follow a long list with implementation for improving things like water and air quality, reducing waste, usage of materials and resources, benefiting the owners, the employees and the society as well. For more on LEED and the points system they use to certify, you can visit the U.S. Green Building Council website.
Will NEX Survive?
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
The NEX arcade at Disney Village has reopened but did so with less games. On the lower level you have the regular arcade video games, on the upper level you will find snooker and billiard. Also on the same level you’ll find the bowling games. These are smaller bowling tracks not suitable for official sport competitions. The “new” NEX arcade has no themeing, no decorations, has no restaurant or bar and feels dull and cold. This arcade doesn’t fit in with the Disney concept,… not a happy place.
The opening hours are only set to October and one could wonder if this is only temporary. Will NEX survive this time or will the arcade close again very soon?
G-Force vs. UP in the Shops
Monday, October 5th, 2009
Merchandise for the movie “G-Force” is found in numerous shops all around Disneyland Paris, in particular the Disney Store in the Disney Village, the Disney Hollywood Store and Studio 1 in Walt Disney Studios and Emporium in the Disneyland Park but also in other shops; in fact there is more G-Force merchandise than merchandise for UP. Plus the G-Force merchandise is placed more prominently then the new UP movie is.
Could it be that the cuddly factor makes the big difference here?
G-Force is a Jerry Bruckheimer produced Disney feature starring computer animated guinea pigs saving the world (the first movie for Bruckheimer starring computer animated characters in the lead parts).
G-Force has also an exclusive for Disneyland Paris. The “I was born ready” T-shirt can only be bought at the Paris resort. Next to the T-Shirt there are the action figure toys for the boys and the more cuddly plush for the little once and the girls.
With UP getting rave reviews more collectibles might find its way into the shops, but even if the characters are likable it will not be easy to beat the possibilities G-Force has in merchandise and its bigger market appeal. However, even with their nice display and choice, G-Force might not be able to brake the Cars merchandise success. Cars premiered in 2006 and merchandise of this Disney/Pixar feature is still going very strong at all Disney shops around the globe.
Pins Going to the Back
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
At the Hollywood Pictures Shop in the Disney Village pins used to have a very nice corner just for themselfs. They where displayed on a nice sized wall at the left hand entrance of the shop. Character pins, attraction pins, hotel pins and many other themed pins. There was also a selection of lanyards and bags to choose from.
At the side of the wall was a little table where pin traders could show of their collection and start trading for pins still missing from that collection. Unfortunately the pin trading corner slowly but surly got deserted over time as most pin traders would meet inside the park and trading at the Hollywood Pictures store got absolute.
The pins are now pushed further back inside the shop where they are displayed on a smaller rack. Bags and lanyards are still on display too but the choice of pins did shrink. The limited pins are on display inside a small plastic cube. The display is a nice feature and looks very nice and inviting to guest.
However, the move to a smaller section inside the store might be an indication that the popularity of the pins are not as big as it used to be.
