August 17th, 2010 by Dirk
…the day Toy Story Playland officially opens! Posters advertising the grand opening have been popping up all over Paris and the surrounding area since last week, in particular at the bus stops. Interestingly the marketing department of the resort decided to show the Sleeping Beauty Castle as prominent feature in the backdrop behind the new rides of the Toy Story Playland. 
It needs to be awaited whether this was a clever move or not – afterall a potential guests might get the wrong impression, that Toy Story Playland is part of the Disneyland Parc and not of the Walt Disney Studios.
But back to the opening. Today the blue construction fence closing off the new area will have disappeared and with it the posters telling guests that only inveted guests can visit Toy Story Playland. As of today every guests in the Walt Disney Studios will get shrunken to the size of Andy’s toys – if he wants. But what to do if you can’t be at the Walt Disney Studios for the opening today and can’t wait to get shrunk? …[more] »
August 16th, 2010 by Stefan Tiesing
One of the biggest surprises that came with the Toy Story Playland was the Parisian Street located right next to it, functioning as a side entrance to the new area of the Walt Disney Studios. Why it was the maybe biggest surprise? Not just because of its existence (that wasn’t mentioned in advance) but because of Gusteau looking down on the guests from high atop the archway over the entrance leading from the lower end of the street into Toy Story Playland.
As covered in detail this detail could be seen as a hint toward the next big attraction that might come to the Studios … a Ratatouille dark ride that has been widely rumored already (for details check out our detailed photo coverage of the Parisian Street). However, when the Annual Passport previews of the Toy Story Playland began last Saturday Gusteau was … gone! …[more] »
August 16th, 2010 by Andy de Maertelaere
Dapper Dan is on holiday, as a matter of fact the shop has been closed since August 2nd and will remain closed up to August 23rd. After that guest can go back to get a relaxing shave in a wonderful setting in the Mainstreet area of the Disneyland Park.
This little gem is often overlooked by the many fast guests running to their first or next attraction. This little location however is an attraction on itself. Indulge in some wonderful pampering by visiting this great little place for a relaxing half hour of pampering. Oh, yes my fellow male Disney fans, this kind of pampering is also something for us. Once August 24th is upon us, make sure to make reservations as Dapper Dan’s can get busy and fully booked!
August 16th, 2010 by Andy de Maertelaere
Looking for a business solution for your next event? Disney can provide you the right room and space in a magical location. The business centers in Disney’s Hotel New York and Disney’s Newport Bay Club are very popular locations but sometimes aren’t big enough, fully booked or not fitting for the event. Therefor Disney has some other offers at its hands at well – including amongst others the Disney Events Arena located on the former Disney Village parking lot between the Disney Village and Disney’s Newport Bay Club. As reported earlier when the tent was reconstructed after a full cleaning earlier this year it spotted a new logo.
In the meantime an inverse version of the logo (white print on black background instead of blue print on white background) has been placed on a poster that was instellaed on the construction fence next to the tent at the end of the Earl of Sandwich construction site. The poster carries the title “Business Solutions” and shows the website link for more information on the events department. …[more] »
August 15th, 2010 by Andy de Maertelaere
The new Earl of Sandwich at the Disney Village in Disneyland Paris is ready for the next stage. Hidden behind the fence part of the water feature has been sealed of and new ground has filled the hole. The base for the new building next to the Rainforest Cafe is now ready for the next phase. Guests going to the parks or Village can only take the path next to Mickey’s Cafe, leading right into the village. 
The bridge that got you behind the Rainforest Cafe and towards the Magic M (Better known as McDonald’s) remains completely closed for everybody. Still a long way to go before the official opening in 2011. …[more] »
August 14th, 2010 by Stefan Tiesing
See all of Deetailor’s missions: Click here.
August 10th, 2010 by Dirk
Sorry … that should have read: Summer Break at Manhattan’s. As in the past years the up-scale Italian restaurant Manhattan’s at Disney’s Hotel New York is closed during the summer months. So guests stating at the resort’s second highest rank hotel are left with only the Parkside Diner as dining option – a buffet location. However, Manhattan’s is used at leas as breakfast location.
The reason for the apparently already usual summer closure of Manhattan’s is not officially known. Bug there has been speculation that it is considered (price wise) more of a business restaurant and therefore it’s opening status may be connected to the booking situation at the hotel’s conference center – which is usually rather slow during the summer school breaks across Europe.
However, there is also some good news: posters in the hotels elevators announce the re-opening of Manhattan’s as full service Italian restaurant for August 31st.
August 9th, 2010 by Dirk
With the installation of the artifical (=”synthetic”) ice rink on the Rockefeller Plaza in front of Disney’s Hotel New York last winter (check out our report from last October for details) everything had been set up the first time ever for a year round operation of the “Rockefeller Rink”. Gone are the noisy go-carts respectively the fun-bikes that had taken over the area in the past years. Certainly the ice rink is the aesthetically (as well as regarding the noise if compared to the go-carts) much better option (even so the wide open water surface with the detailed map of Manhattan underneath it that originally took the place of the ice rink in 1992 is still missed by long-time fans).
The only problem: with the synthetic ice rink not offering any cooling effect to those skating (since it is assembled out of special “plastic” elements) the numbers of skaters has been rather small during the hot weeks of summer. To help cool the guests down while skating (and give them more of a traditional ice skating experience) the resort has installed a large fan above the rink at the edge of the fountain that sits elevated between the rink and the central lobby building. Said fan is not only creating a pleasant draft of air but also sprays a water mist off and gives guests the impression of a cooling effect (similar misting fans are used e.g. in queue lines many parks in Florida).
August 9th, 2010 by Dirk
Following his first four videos (check them out in our earlier post) YouTube user Crumser has uploaded two more videos which he filmed Friday evening at nightfall inside Toy Story Playland. Crumser was able to be in the all new area of the Walt Disney Studios for an exclusive after-hour soft opening / preview of the Toy Story Playland apparently conducted for Imagineers, their families and friends. During this event the guests in attendance where not only able to check out the themeing and light design but also the three attractions. But now on to the two new videos … …[more] »
August 8th, 2010 by Dirk
As already reported cast members were allowed to test the rides of Toy Story Playland Friday evening. Now the first videos have surfaced showing all three attractions, the Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, the Slinky Dog ZigZag Spin as well as the RC Racer in action. In addition the videos showcase some of the themeing in the area, including a REX the dinosaur and even capture some of his audio / lines. Thanks to the fact that the preview was conducted in the evening hours the videos also give an impression of the lighting design of the land as well, such as the oversized christmas lights strang along the walkways or the blue lights of the Barrel of Monkey.
Check out four videos by YouTube user Crumser after the break: …[more] »
…the day Toy Story Playland officially opens! Posters advertising the grand opening have been popping up all over Paris and the surrounding area since last week, in particular at the bus stops. Interestingly the marketing department of the resort decided to show the Sleeping Beauty Castle as prominent feature in the backdrop behind the new rides of the Toy Story Playland. 
It needs to be awaited whether this was a clever move or not – afterall a potential guests might get the wrong impression, that Toy Story Playland is part of the Disneyland Parc and not of the Walt Disney Studios.
