Archive for the ‘Hotels’ Category

New Year’s Eve Celebration

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

Ready to celebrate the arrival at 2012? Anywhere close to Disneyland Paris? Then … why not drop by? Both parks feature extended entertainment programs included with admission (even the popular Lucky Dance Party will be back at the Walt Disney Studios) capped by midnight fireworks!

Don’t want to go the parks? There is an alternative as well: the Disney Hotels (in addition to the New Year’s Eve dining options) have scheduled live entertainment in their bars, the Disney Village has entertainment as well … and then there is even a full scale fireworks extravaganza (without need for any ticket!) on Lake Disney complete with light show and projections on the Panoramagique balloon – Disney’s New Year choreographed to pop hits transforming the area around the lake into a giant open air disco. There have even been bars set up in front of each hotel. Just note that the event the lake is scheduled to start at 11:30 pm according to the official flyers.

Duffy Arrived!

Friday, November 11th, 2011

He has landed in Paris, Duffy the Bear. Duffy is traveling the world and has made his way into the Disneyland Paris parks shops. Disney is targeting young children, with this new “Disney” bear, making it hard to resist for parents to open their wallets or purses. He is a real sweet and ready to be taken home for cuddles and love. But you can’t just get the bear alone! He will need some things to wear.

The bear has several different outfits he can wear. All these outfits can be bought separately in the shop. There are already a nice assortment of different clothing assemblies to choose from, but guest can expect this range to grow over time. The range of clothing has several Disney related movie theme’s like Buzz and Cars, but also Pirates among others. There are also special sets that can be picket up. For example, during Christmas season the bear can be bought in a Christmas outfit.

The bear is getting a lot of attention in Disneyland Paris. He is represented all over the resort. You can find him in most stores in both parks, the Disney Village and the hotels. There seems to be one shop that has some extra love for the bear and it looks like it that this shop will be the central Duffy place. The small, but wonderful, Storybook Store at Main Street U.S.A is the place to be for new Duffy fans. You’ll see some extra decoration dedicated to the bear. It already starts outside the shop where guest can see a collection of big suitcases with stickers showing of all the places he has visited before he came to Paris.

To make sure visitor will follow the bears footprints, or should we say paw prints, stickers of his paws have been placed on the floor in front of the shop. Once guest have entered the shop they are greeted by an over sized Duffy. He is sitting behind the post office desk inside the shop. This desk used to be Tigger’s place, but it seems that Tigger is now (unfortunately) gone for good to make place for the new bear.

The bear comes with a nice back story to give it a reason of existence in the Disney world. With Mickey Mouse traveling around the world so much (he needs to be at many places to make many children happy), Minnie made him a special bear to take along. Minnie made the bear when Mickey set out sail on a long sea voyage. She made the bear so Mickey would never be lonely. Mickey loved the bear and named it Duffy. Once back home Mickey and Duffy shared their magical memories with Minnie.

If children want to know about these memories they can buy a Duffy book. The book will tell you about Duffy’s adventures. An ideal addition for Duffy fans to read before it’s “night, night” time.

Duffy was originally created and sold at the Once Upon a Toy Story at Walt Disney World but it was in Tokyo where he became popular. The bear started of as “the Disney Bear” but was named Duffy once he reached DisneySea Tokyo where he was promoted to such an extend that everybody had to had one in Tokyo. Duffy was re-introduced at Epcot at Walt Disney World in October 2010. Then he went to Hong Kong Disneyland, Popped up at Disney’s California Adventure and was finally introduced at Disneyland Paris in November 2011.

To make sure guest will get to know the new Disney character he will get greet and meet area’s and might be integrated in parades and special festivities like Christmas.

Fun on the ice skating rink

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

In time for the winter season the giant Zorb balls have left the Rockefeller Plaza at Disney’s Hotel New York and in their place the ice skating rink has returned. During the Halloween weekend already guests of all ages took turns on the rink during daytime as well as night time hours, when the rink is illumuniated.

During nighttime a new lighting feature of the fountain between the ice skating rink and the hotel entrance further adds to the atmosphere. The lights ”under” the individual fountains in the long rectangular bassin at the top of the rink used to illuminate the fountains constantly. Now these lights regularly turn on and off individually under the different fountains further livening up the scene.

However, as of later today guests on the rink will also be able to enjoy a more festive holiday atmosphere. Just as this post is published the hotel’s christmas tree is set up at the top of the ice skating rink above the water bassin (which had to be drained temporarily to allow for the installation of the platform for the tree in the bassin).

Gingerbread House Tradition Coming to DLP

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

Every christmas season a giant gingerbread house adornes the lobby of the Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World. For the Christmas Season 2011 this holiday tradition of WDW for the first time ever comes to the flagship hotel of Disneyland Paris as well.

Today at 4 pm the resort’s first giant holiday gingerbread house will be presented to the public in the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris where it will remain as a photo opportunity throughout the season.


Differing from the gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian the structure at the Disneyland Hotel seems a bit smaller (the one at WDW is actually life-sized and it’s inside can be visited by guests). Also construction in Paris occured behind a “construction fence” while in Grand Floridian guests are invited to watch the artists creating the seasonal highlight.

In Paris “Construction” started early this week and progressed at a fast pace as can be seen in our “in-progress” shot taken on Thursday afternoon. However, those interested in the details of the creation of the gingerbread house should be able to find a more detailed and complete “making of”-photo-series / video soon as well from the official sources of the resort. At least, this seems safe to assume since three cameras were placed overhead of the area in the lobby and documented its creation constantly.

The photos also show that in the night from Wednesday to Thursday the traditional christmas tree of the Disneyland Hotel was installed as well – right next to the gingerbread house. In line with the introduction of Duffy, the Disney Bear to guests of the resort this holiday season the tree received a new decoration – incorporating countless Duffy bears.

Another Strike … at the Vienna International Magic Circus Hotel

Friday, November 4th, 2011

From Saturday, October 29, until Wednesday, November 2, the strike of various unions among the cabin crew of Air France got the attention of the international press and quite a few Disney fans trying to travel to Disneyland Paris for the Halloween festivities. Those not staying at one of the 7 Disney Hotels but the Vienna International Magic Circus Hotel at Val de France (the former Holiday Inn) got the special experience of being treated to yet another strike once they arrived at their hotel.

At least on Sunday and Monday striking employees supported by their union cgt positioned themselves in front of the hotel. While the impact on service was minimal or non-existent for guests, those with rooms facing toward the front of the hotel couldn’t miss the strike. The employees made their presence recognized with drums, horns and other noisemakers. However, the strike apparently ended by Tuesday.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling…

Friday, August 5th, 2011

It wasn’t long ago that the “ice rink” at the back entrance of the New York hotel was in fact an… ice rink. But there have been some changes at the ice ring.

Since the 1st of July (yes, we are a little late with the news) Disney has started with a new attraction where guests can step into a rolling “bulles” and run around the ring. They advertise it with “Come and try new sensations on Rockefeller Plaza’s Rink”.

Guest will have 10 minutes the time to enjoy the run inside the big blow up ball for 10 Euro.

This attraction is open for guests as from 3 years old. The attraction is open from 6pm to 11:30pm and will run until September 30. Disney did put a warning on the poster that the attraction may be suspended without prior notice, notably in case of inclement weather conditions.

 

Flashy Life Belts

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

It’s probably not the best idea to go swimming at Lake Disney. First of all it wouldn’t be that save and it “might be” frowned upon if you would decide to take a plunge. However, in case somebody would fall into the water, by accident or not, it’s a good idea to have some safety equipment in place.

Disney has added new Life belts all around the lake. The belts are added in easy to access spaces with an approximately 50 meters of distance between each other. When somebody would fall into the water and help is needed bystanders will be able to quickly get one of the belts and trow them towards the person in need until they either make it out of the water themselves or until help arrives.

One must admit that they are no eye candy. The bright colors are a little of an eyesore and don’t fit the theme of the Lake Disney area, but safety comes first. Let’s hope they’ll never have to be used and nobody falls into the cold water, but it’s still good to know that safety measures are in places in case of a mishap.

 

From the Earl to the Cowboys

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

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In the Disney Village the construction for the first Earl of Sandwich restaurant in continental Europe continues to race toward the scheduled opening on June 1st. In the meantime another light-up signage has been added on the facade facing toward the main street of the Disney Village. Also further decorative elements have been added to the facade, even so it is not yet complete. Also the final railing has replaced the tempo rare construction railing on the roof. In front of the facade facing toward the main body of Lake Disney the steel structure for the outdoor staircase leading up the the restaurant’s terrace was added and the actual steps are now put in. While not visible in the photo it can be expected that the workers inside are just as busy…

20110521-172513.jpgAcross the Lake Disney up the river a new refurbishment project has begun in the area of e Disney Hotels. The larger pedestrian bridge connecting Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne and Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe has disappeared behind scaffolding.

Photos by InsideDLParis

Painting in The National Parks

Monday, May 9th, 2011

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In the wake of the interior rehabs at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge (so far mostly in the lodges out in the wide gardens behind the main building) a rehab of the main building’s facade facing toward Lake Disney started in late April (as reported). Work is progressing now as can be seen in this photo taken on May 8, 2011, by InsideDLParis.

Interestingly so far the pain crews seem to use two different colors, a darker one closer to the ground a lighter one further up (the very light third “color” seen in some parts of the facade on this photo should not be any chosen color but just the look of the wooden facade after preparation and prior to applying the new paints.

Photo by InsideDLParis

Candy Station at Cheyenne (corrected)

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

The Candy stations have been popping up in various shops in both theme parks as well as in the shops of the Disney Village over the last years. At these guests can fill their choices of various candy powder types (mixing as they wish) into provided clear plastic tubes. Late last year the candy stations continued their roll-out further into the resort aiming at the Disney Hotels. Recently one of these candy station with wild west decorations popped up in the shop of Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne.

Correction:
Seen in the photo here is a candy powder station with a similar wild west design that was set up late last year(?) in the Thunder Mesa Mercantile building.

No word yet, whether the shops in the other Disney Hotels will set up candy stations as well. But: let us know if you spot on!

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