Archive for the ‘Walt Disney Studios’ Category
Sunday, February 24th, 2013
The constructions crews at the Walt Disney Studios Paris continue to add layer by layer to the upcoming new dark ride based on the Disney Pixar hit “Ratatouille” – and that is just based on the progress concerning the facades of the building(s).
With the current streak of sub-zero temperatures and repeated days during which the resort is covered by snow progress on the facades is limited – however, the level already constructed so far gives a good impression of the facades that will ring the new plaza in front of the attraction.
Tags: construction, Ratatouille, Walt Disney Studios Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park, WDS
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Friday, December 28th, 2012
It looks gray, cold and totally uninteresting, but once the construction is ready it will turn into something magical; The rumored “Ratatouille Kitchen Calamity!” attraction at the Walt Disney Studios in Paris.
The new ride and restaurant building is starting to show its form, even if it is only a concrete facade at the moment. The cranes have been visible for a while but now that the new walls are starting to go up, more of it becomes visible for the guests by-passing the fence next to the construction site. It looks like it wont be long before the roof will be put up and work on the inside of the building can start.
Opening of the Remy’s new “Kitchen” is expected somewhere in 2014.
Tags: attraction, Disney, Disneyland, New, Paris, Ratatouille, Remy, Restaurant, Studios, Walt
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Thursday, December 27th, 2012
Disneyland Paris is inviting all there guests to celebrate the end of the old and the beginning of the new year. To do this they have a full day of fun planned.
On the last day of the year the gates of the Disneyland park will open at 9:30AM (Updated from 10AM. Incorrect on the program) and will not close anymore for that year as the park will close the next day at 1AM. Guest can go into the new year while they celebrate inside the park. The program for the day and evening is filled with lots of cool stuff, including the extra Christmas fun.
There will be the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Mary Christmas with Belle, Jack and Sally’s Cemetry, The Jingle Bell Boys; Dreams and a lot more. However the most important celebration for the evening is beginning of the new year with the fireworks. At midnight guest will get to see one of Disney’s magical New Year Fireworks and Show. No news on what to expect for the celebration, but the “show” in the title might be an indication there might be more then just the fireworks.
The Walt Disney Studios is also open until 1AM and also has a special New Year Eve program. This includes a Video Dance Party and a Lucky Dance Party. Again, the most important celebration part of the day will include a firework display. The Studios fireworks will light up in the air on some pop re-mix Disney tunes.
To see the special New Year Program click the pictures.
Picture and program courtesy of Disney.
Tags: 2012, 2013, Celebration, Disney, Disneyland, Dreams, Eve, fireworks, New, Studios, Walt, Year, Years
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Monday, May 28th, 2012
Buzz Lightyear is all the strong willed space ranger – he won’t be distracted by the work going on to its left, instead he keeps his eyes focused straight ahead and greets the guests walking from Toon Plaza toward ToyStory Playland as if nothing would be happening.
However, guests will surely notice the changes as the Parisian street to the right of Buzz Lightyear has been closed off. Already two cranes are turning busily over the construction site behind the resort’s costuming workshop where the park’s next big addition is about to go vertical: the Ratatouille dark ride.
The actual roadway part of the Parisian street is separated by a blue construction fence from the sidewalk with the benches, detailed lighting fixtures and trees. A look over the blue gates erected as part of the construction fence shows that the cobble stone surface of the roadway has been covered with wood planks to prevent any damage from heavy equipment that might drive over it during the construction phase of the dark ride and surrounding area.
Tags: construction, Disney Pixar, Disneyland Paris, expansion, Pixar, Ratatouille, Toon Studio, Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park
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Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
With the construction crane visible from inside both parks and the Parisian street that functions as the exit / back entrance for guests into Toy Story Playland closed off with a blue wooden gate the construction of the park’s next addition has entered a serious phase. That the new attraction would be based on the Disney Pixar feature Ratatouille had been rumored since the Toy Story Playland construction phase and had been confirmed most recently repeatedly by the resort and by Brad Bird, director of the 2007 hit movie.
Now Brad Bird has taken to Twitter once again to provide his followers with an update on the progress at Disneyland Paris. His exact words: “$ limitations made theater build not viable. 3D version of RATATOUILLE done and waiting. Ride in works.”
So the dark ride (which will be the first dark ride for the Walt Disney Studios) is still “in works” – which reflects the construction that can be witnessed by guests every day inside the park and confirms that there was no change to the general idea on short notice.
However, Brad Bird confirmed also via Twitter that the Ratatouille dark ride which will open at the Walt Disney Studios was just one of two attractions that had been planned based on the hit movie for the resort. The other one was the theater (mentioned in his earlier tweet of last night) that was cancelled for financial reasons. A 3D conversion of Ratatouille apparently already has been created for this (now cancelled) theater attraction.
UPDATE: Brad Bird seems to be rather upbeat about what the Walt Disney Studios will get – the ride – as he stated via Twitter last night as well: “The ride will be cool.”
Tags: construction, Disney, Disneyland Paris, expansion, Pixar, Ratatouille, Walt Disney Studios
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Thursday, April 12th, 2012
Happy Birthday Disneyland Paris – 20 years of magic and wonder … certainly today’s anniversary saw many unique celebrations at Disneyland Paris which regular guests enjoyed just as much as the thousands of fans that had made sure to be at “their park” for the anniversary day. However, for many the greatest birthday surprise was a sight that could be seen from nearly all across the Walt Disney Studios (and unfortunately even from inside Disneyland’s Frontierland): a construction crane!
After the area had been cleared and leveled during the past weeks now a construction crane has been set up next to the resort’s costuming building at the site of the next big expansion of the Walt Disney Studios Park – the long rumored Ratatouille dark ride that will expand the Toon Studio section of the park next to the Toy Story Playland. While the construction had been confirmed by construction notices at the back of the park the crane is a visible confirmation for fans that finally the Studios will receive their first true dark ride.
Tags: construction, Disney Pixar, expansion, Pixar, Ratatouille, Remy, Toon Studio, Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park
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Friday, March 30th, 2012
Following up on our three earlier posts covering the strike action in front of the RER/TGV station, which later moved on to Main Street before reaching Fantasyland and Discoveryland before culminating in the cancellation of the final ever performance of the “Once Upon a Dream Parade” our team member wraps up day one of the two day strike and its impact on the parks.
After 100 to 200 CMs had noisely marched down the Main Street. through the castle, into Fantasyland only to turn around at the carousel and then head into Discoveryland (where they prompted a temporary closure of Space Mountain: Mission 2) about 50 of them placed themselves at the top of the Main Street at Central Plaza right in the middle of the parade route – as can be seen above.
It should be noted that only a small group of cast members joint into the latter part of the action – despite the strikers (without success) earlier during their march through the park trying to convince cast members working on-stage to join their action. While the small group of 50 celebrated the cancellation of the final ever parade in the face of the disappointed guests the cancellation was not so much due to the group sitting on the parade route (as far as must be assumed) but due to the involvement of cast members in the strike which are needed to operate the parade. For the same reason earlier in the day the strike already had resulted in the cancellation of the Stars’n'Cars parade in the Walt Disney Studios Park. Update: as Vicki has informed us through her comment below, the striking cast members sitting down on the parade route were the actual reason for the cancellation. The whole parade was lined up backstage and ready to perform (and apparently would have even featured extra performers for the unique opportunity).
However, just as they had done during the last strike on December 23rd 2009 the characters that would have been featured in the “Once Upon a Dream Parade” walked into the park about 50 minutes after the cancellation of the parade. The dedicated cast members of the entertainment department – which have not joined the strike – did their best to add some magic to the visit of the guests and compensate for the cancellation of the parade.
In addition guest “Vikki” reports in a comment to our strike coverage that various attractions saw temporary closures for “technical issues” throughout the day – which could be related to the strike action as well. Luckily the cancellation of the parade was the final major impact of the strike felt by guests in the parks on Friday. However, day two is coming up on Saturday. When our team-member on-site asked one of the cast members whether he had any information what the unions plan for Saturday he was told that this information has not yet been provided. Apparently the strike leaders wanted to assess the impact of their actions on Friday first. As for today the leading union of the strike, CFDT, has called its members to meet at 7:00 am at the RER station to start the work action. However, it should be considered that on Saturday international press and VIPs will be out in the parks as part of the 20th Anniversary kick-off event. Therefore, it must be feared that the unions will try hard to be visible inside the park to show their “muscle” and get more widespread coverage of their actions.
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Tags: cfdt, CFTC, Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Park, Entertainment, Fo, Once Upon A Dream Parade, Stars'n'Cars, strike, union, UNSA, Walt Disney Studios
Posted in Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort Paris, Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios | 3 Comments »
Friday, March 30th, 2012
Just in time for the big press and VIP this weekend at Disneyland Paris the four unions CFDT EuroDisney, Fo, UNSA, and CFTC have called for a 48 hour strike of cast members today and tomorrow in a current dispute concerning the pay of cast members. CFDT is representing the largest amount of cast members among the unions. However, it should be noted that the two other unions representing cast members, CGC and CGT (the latter being the second largest union at the resort), are not involved and have not asked their members to join the work action.
According to Les Echos the management offered a pay increase of 1.5% for 2012 (plus an increase of the reimbursement of teh Orange Card for public transportation from 75% to 80% resp. an increase by 20% in the value of the gas coupons for cast members not able to use the public transportation). The unions apparently had demanded a 5% (CFDT) resp. a 4% increase (CFTC, FO & UNSA) of the wages.
A first warning that it might call for a strike on March 31st had been issued by CFDT in a press release already on March 21st and on March 23rd CFDT escalated the matter by threatening a strike lasting for two days (March 30th and 31st). Then on March 26th CFDT actually put the call out to its members to go on strike for both days.
This long advance warning should have allowed the resort’s management to preprare accordingly to execute the event in style with very limited impact anyway. So far our team member on-site hasn’t noticed any impact of the strike at all. However, about 50 union members had positioned themeselves in front of the RER / TGV train station demonstrating.
However, even if the management is able to limit the impact of the strike on the event the fact that the strike (in however limited form) does take place is already impacting press coverage. The French daily Les Echos published a first article last evening which was then reported about internationally today by Bloomberg. Also our team member on-site spotted a tv crew filming the demonstrating cast members in front of the train station.
Tags: cfdt, CFTC, Disneyland Paris, event, Fo, press event, strike, union, UNSA, VIP, worke action
Posted in Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort Paris, Walt Disney Studios | 10 Comments »
Monday, January 16th, 2012
Ratatouille at the Walt Disney Studios in Disneyland Paris is a fact. Disney has not announced the attractions yet but the news is out their because of a visible building permit that has been put in place last week on Euro Disney property. This permit has to be up, according French law, before building starts. So Disney can’t hide it anymore, even if they didn’t put any press release out yet, but with the permit up and building to start, expect something official soon. (Picture via: Disney Central Plaza). This news doesn’t come as a surprise, especially after the news of the new loan Euro Disney S.C.A. got secured to build the attraction.
So far we can expect a trackless vehicle system where vehicle will move almost freely inside the attraction. This technology is already used in Tokyo Disneyland’s Pooh’s Honey Hunt, so it’s no secret to Disney on how to use this technology in the best possible way. Other superb park rides already using a similar system can be found in the fantastic Spider-Man attraction in Island of Adventures (Orlando). The possibilities of this system are endless and one can only imagine what the Imagineers will come up with for Ratatouille’s attraction in the Walt Disney Studios.
So far we’ve seen some amazing early artwork for the outside of the attraction building and the area around it. We will be in a mini Paris (just outside Paris) to enjoy the cooking arts of the rat Remy. While there is not much known from what is going to happen behind the facade, one can expect to see a lot of scenes from the movie. Especially scenes in and around the kitchen might become a big part of the Dark Ride experience. Together with 3D projections, including a big rumoured dome projection will make this the ride to look out for.
The permit also gives some extra information. The building permit is for a building of 17.8 meters high. This could mean that there will be either big sets or even movement on several levels. The new area that is being prepared for building will be 5719 square meters big. One more important note on the permit; it’s not accessible for the general public, but we hope to get some pictures from the works once the start. From behind the fence of course, away from the building site, until we can enter it and enjoy this new exclusive Disneyland Paris attraction. (We encourage everybody to take pictures of the works, but do not break any rules and only take pictures from a locations that is freely accessible by the public)
Tags: attraction, Dark Ride, Disney, Disneyland, DLP, Paris, Ratatouille, Remy, Ride, Studios, Walt
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Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Euro Disney S.C.A. has announced in an official press release and in a letter to their shareholders that it has obtained an additional credit that they can use to further expand Disneyland Paris. The new money could be used to build the rumoured Ratatouille attraction in the Walt Disney Studios. While nothing is set in stone and nothing has been confirmed by Disney as of yet, this seems the most likely road they will follow. The credit comes from the Walt Disney Company, something that was expected after lending from banks became more and more a difficulty, even if you carry the Disney brand name. Without new investments a company cannot grow. This counts for Euro Disney and their parks in France as well. New, incredible, attractions are needed to have guests return to the resort and to make money and profits so a company can evolve.
Plans for the Ratatouille dark ride attraction have leaked a quite a while ago and had fans of Disneyland Paris on the edge of their seats ever since. Together with a nice new area and a restaurant with the same theme, this new ride would give the Studios even more Disney style, something that was missing during it opening according to many Disney fans. The new attraction would be placed next to the new Toy Story Playland where some early preparations for the rumoured attraction where already set in place, including the pathway with the Remy decorated benches and the covered Gusteau head on the archway.
A full Press release can be seen below.
Euro Disney S.C.A. (the “Company”), parent company of Euro Disney Associés S.C.A., operator of Disneyland® Paris (together the “Group”), announces that, on January 6, 2012, it has obtained an additional standby revolving credit facility (the “Additional Facility”) of € 150 million from The Walt Disney Company. This Additional Facility expires on September 30, 2018 and was advanced in connection with the approval from its lenders to increase the Group’s investments by up to € 250 million. These investments correspond to the annual recurring investment budget for fiscal year 2012 and a multi-year expansion of the Walt Disney Studios® Park, which includes a new attraction. The Additional Facility is separate from the € 100 million existing standby revolving credit facility (the “Existing Facility”), which expires on September 30, 2014 and is still undrawn. The other terms and conditions of the Additional Facility are substantially the same as the Existing Facility.
Although no assurances can be given, the Group believes it has sufficient funds to finance these and other necessary investments and repay its borrowings consistent with the scheduled maturities, based on its existing cash position, liquidity from the Existing Facility and the benefit of certain conditional deferrals permitted under the Group’s existing debt agreements.”
Tags: attraction, Company, Dark, Disney, Disneyland, DLP, Euro, Paris, Ratatouille, Remy, Ride, Story, Studios, Toy, Walt
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