Archive for the ‘Walt Disney Studios’ Category

Remy is Getting Ready to Cook

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)

Money for Ratatouille?

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.”

Rex says…

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

…HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Last year we brought you holiday and New Year greetings from the giant Buzz Lightyear located at the entrance to the ToyStory Playland. Certainly he is greeting guests this year as well with his special message. But today we bring you the New Year’s greeting from REX the fearsome dinosaur found in the back of the area. He has been outfitted with several seasonal greetings in English and French by the original voice cast as well…

 

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.

12 years old child after visit in Disneyland maybe paraplegic

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

At the 23th november 2011 visited the 12 years old Bautista Riera, an Argentinian boy, Disneyland Paris. After riding 3 attractions, amongst others also the Tower of Terror, he felt bad and went to the first aid of the park. The cast members called the emergency service and they brought him directly to a hospital in Paris.

After the X-ray, the first prognosis was a contusion of the spinal cord which led to a paraplegic. About the current state of health exists no information because of the attending doctor refers to the confidentiality. So it’s unknown whether it is a temporary paralysis where the irritated nerves calm down in the spinal canal and go back to normal function or if the damages are permanent.

It is otherwise known, that the boy was athletic and tough. He played rugby, basketball and trained also – according to the news media – martial arts. The determination of the exact circumstances and the consequences is now up to the prosecutor.

All of us here at DLP.info wish Bautista a full and speedy recovery.

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.

Halloween at Disneyland Paris, a photo memory

Sunday, November 6th, 2011

Last week Disney’s Halloween Party and the Terrorific Night took over Disneyland Paris for several nights of ghostly fun. If you have missed out the fun – after all the partys were sold out – or just want to relieve the fun we have just added a photo show featuring 122 unique impressions.

Beside the street atmosphere of the Halloween Party and the Terrorific Night, take a look at the unique atmosphere and entertainment in particular the sound & light show “Mickey and his Magic Halloween Night” on Central Plaza.

This midnight extra vaganza on Central Plaza combined a) a stage show with a large cast of dancers and numerous Disney characters (including Mickey, the Disney Villains, Merlin and many more) with b) low level fireworks on both sides of the castle as well as in front of it and c) still pictures as well as video projections on the castle.
The DLP.info Photoshow also includes some shots of Disney’s Maleficous Halloween Party.

 

       

P.S.: for high resolution versions of the photos just click on the photo in the show – additonal controls will show up when you move your mouse over the photos.

Christmas in the Walt Disney Studios

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

Since the Walt Disney Studios celebrated their first Christmas Season in 2002 the park’s Christmas Tree found its place on Production Courtyard – where it at times felt either rather lonely on the wide open space or rather tugged away in a corner of the wide open space. This might have also had to do with the fact that compared to the size of the courtyard the tree wasn’t very high – by far not as high as its brother on Town Square in the Disneyland Park.

By the middle of this week the Christmas Tree of the Walt Disney Studios was erected once again – but to the very surprise of fans not on the Production Courtyard! Instead the Christmas Tree found a new home on the Frontlot. It has been placed right in front of the large gates leading into Studio 1.

Also a close look reveals that the tree has been re-decorated no longer featuring any film rolls as decoration (unless those would be added later on). Still, its decorations feel rather subdued compared to the warm red tones of the tree in the Disneyland Park. However, the new location of the tree is a huge improvement and further enhances the christmas atmosphere on the Frontlot. The decorations around the light posts here have been installed once again as well.

Interesting side note: by Thursday evening there was no sign of any decorations or the christmas market huts from the past years on the Production Courtyard…

Zombies Invading the Studios

Friday, July 8th, 2011

Zombies are hot at the moment! So what better combo could their be then Disney and zombies? What? Might you think, but just have a look at the first poster of the next Terrorific Night event in the Walt Disney Studios. This will be the third time horror will find a place in the Disneyland Resort. Judging the amazing looking poster Disney fans who like a little horror will be in for a treat. Halloween will be just a little more scarier at Disneyland as it usually is. While the neighboring Disneyland Park has it’s own Halloween event, the Studios will turn up the fear notch a little more. Don’t expect a full horror event, but it will be intense and not a place for younger children. In the past events scare actors have been creating a little extra atmosFEAR and it’s to be expected Terrorific Night 3 will become their playland again. Let’s hope the zombies really run loose in the park, because if they do it will be a lot of fun.

This event will be a hard ticket event. Tickets will be on sale soon. Discount for Annual passport holders will be available. The event will take place on two nights in October 2011, that’s one night more then the previous year. The first night will be October 29 and if the zombies need more food they’ll find it on the second night, October 30. Enjoy your Halloween at the Walt Disney Studios, and remember, it’s just make believe… aaaarrrggghhhh……

Picture curtsy of Disneyland Paris

2010 Visitors Report from TEA

Friday, June 17th, 2011

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and economics at AEGON have released their annual report on major theme park attendance. The reports shows how many visitors have been to the parks, the change in numbers of visitors and it does this on a worldwide basis. This reports therefore includes both the Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studios park in Marne-la-Valle.

It looks like bad news for the Paris parks but when looking at the report itself the numbers are not correct.

For the numbers themselves; Disneyland park had 10.5 Million visitors in 2010. That’s a loss of 2,6% in comparison with the previous year according to the report. However when we look at the report of 2009 the changes are no way near the 2,6 % but are down a whooping 17,6%. While this isn’t the best of news for Disneyland Paris, the park is still a top holiday destination and can proudly say that they are in the top 10 of world wide parks visitors total. Disneyland Park can be found in 6th place, behind 5 other Disney destinations.

According to the report The Walt Disney Studios is also down from the previous year. With 4.5 million visitors it also lost 2,6% and can be found on the 19th place on this world rank list.

However this is a another mistake on the report as the previous year the Walt Disney Studios wasn’t in the top 25 and had a lot less visitors as in 2010. In 2009 the park had 2.65 million visitors. Looking at the numbers today that is not a loss of 2,6% but an increase of 69,5%

One need to understand how ticketing counting works at Disneyland Paris. When a guest visits the park he is counted at the gate he enters first. So if you visit Disneyland Park, your ticket will be counted their, once you hop over to the Studios you are no longer a new visitor and the will not be added to the total count. While Disneyland Paris lost 17,6%, and this might look bad, the fact is that more people start their day at the Studios since all the new and cool attractions that have been added their.

It is strange that a company that keeps themselves busy with counting and looking at these numbers can make such a mistake in their report. If they would had looked at the 2009 numbers a little better they would have noticed that the Walt Disney Studios is the biggest increase result of 2010. On the other hand, with the 17,6% the Disneyland Park would be the biggest loss on the report.

Overal, putting the numbers together,  the 2.6% loss is therefore correct, but all other parks are calculated as stand alone parks giving an incorrect view of the report for the Paris parks.

Visit our Mousekingdom blog for more on the report, including some amazing numbers for US and Asian Parks

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