Ahead of the upcoming Disney Magical Moments Festival the festival elements are being revealed one by one already in the parks. One of the supposed to be “highlights” of the year-long celebration is a new photo location in Adventureland between the Bazar and the restaurant Hakuna Matata. On the lower of the two (rarely used) outdoor seating levels of the restaurants along the small waterway two new roof structures have been erected… (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Disneyland Park’
Magical Moments appearing
Sunday, March 27th, 2011Welcome back Molly Brown
Friday, March 25th, 2011
After a year-long refurbishment the Molly Brown (named for the famous survivor of the Titanic who was also known as the “unsinkable Molly Brown”) has returned to the Rivers of the Far West at Disneyland Paris today. The elegant steamboat had been taken out of service last year to undergo a complete rehab – which was the second major rehab for the Molly Brown. The first major rehab was actually conducted from September 2005 till April 2007 (this first rehab included a partial reconstruction after the ship’s engine had overheated on May 16, 2005, caused some fire damage and forced an evacuation of the guests on board). However, during the current rehab the ship was nearly completely rebuilt from its shell. (more…)
Winter time on Central Plaza
Friday, March 18th, 2011
Over the years the originally only temporary stage on Central Plaza has become more and more elaborate. It has grown in size and in regard to the various special effects and technical features built in – such as lighting recessed into the stage floor, two stage elevators, firework preparations, housing for projectors of the castle projection system, smoke machines, … However, over the years one problem remained: the built up of ice over-night during the winter season. (more…)
Work in plain sight
Thursday, March 17th, 2011
The rock work fountains on both sides of the main entrance to Discoveryland require frequent rehabs as the past years have shown – even after the equipment for the small scale fire effects of the early years have been removed and only light and water jet effects remained. The current “off-season” is the perfect time to spruce up this and other areas of the resort. However, it came as a surprise when the work crew was spotted yesterday, Wednesday March 16, in plain sight in the drained fountains between the entrance to Discoveryland and the Annual Passport Office. No sight protection had been errected. Despite the work clearly stretching over several days as indicated by the rather makeshift cover that was laid out after the work had finished for the day – “professionally” secured against being blown off by wind bursts … with several stones strategically placed on it. (more…)
Smart Dining Offer
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
Even during the slower weeks of the year – as currently – the peak demand in the restaurants of both theme parks can result in comparable long lines at the fast food locations and full occupancy in the buffet restaurants. To counter this effect the resort has tested a special incentive at selected counter service (aka fast food) locations in both of its theme parks as well as in one buffet location in each theme park: a 20% discount on all meals and drinks (excluding alcoholic beverages) if guests dine prior to noon or between 2:30 pm and 6: 00 pm.
While the discount is available to all guests advance presentation of the discount flyer is required at the restaurant. However, the flyers can be found in each and every free entertainment program available at the entrances to both parks, at guest relations, Studio Services, City Hall and from various information points and cast members in the parks. As the program has been running for a bit already chances are good it will be available for a bit longer – so don’t forget to pick up your free entertainment program when entering the parks! (more…)
May the Ohana be with you…
Monday, February 28th, 2011
As many star Wars fans have bemoaned the new “Star Tours” attraction has not (yet) been announced for Disneyland Paris and will premiere exclusively at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort Anaheim only this spring. Instead, for the time being the original Star Tours will continue to take guest in Discoveryland on what is supposed to be a space trip to Endor – as the attraction has dutefuly since the park opened its doors in 1992. However, Star Wars fans nevertheless have a reason to delight. Not only have Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers as well as Chewbacca returned since last year to the parks (posing for photos and autographs regularly in Discoveryland in the proximity of the Star Tours space port). In addition more and more new Star wars related merchandise is arriving the parks as well (more…)
Rehabing an Adventure
Monday, February 28th, 2011
With the first months of the year being one of the rare slower times for the resort construction crews are out all of the resort. Their latest destination: Adventureland!
A new construction fence has sprung up between the Restaurant Hakuna Matata and the shop Giraffe Courieuse (opposite of the Adventureland Bazar). The whole are between the shop and the restaurant has been closed of with construction fence. Normally the now closed off area offers additional out-door seating for the restaurant as well as one of the area’s most lovely photo spots: a little water fall tumbling into a small waterway around which small paths sneak. However, as of last week Friday no work was going on behind the fences – yet.
Sleeping Beauty Castle: Rehab Status
Sunday, February 27th, 2011
As reported the long awaited major rehab of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at the heart of Disneyland Paris has finally begun. While guests can still walk up the large stone bridge leading into the castle as well as through the castle (where both shops continue to be open for business) the main facade facing toward the Main Street, U.S.A. is already hidden behind scaffolding and white tarps up to half of the castle’s height.
Currently scaffolding is going up along the right side of the castle as well (i.e. behind the Castle Stage). Also the walkways leading around the castle on this side and to the wishing well have been closed off. This – in connection with the on-going re-paving of the parade route in Fantasyland – has turned the Castle Stage area into a dead end for guests that can only be accessed from Central Plaza. (more…)
Castle Stage Construction
Sunday, February 27th, 2011
The removal of the benches in the open air auditorium of the Castle Stage (as reported last week) continued during this week. As can be seen in the photo below the jump taken on Friday, February 25, 2011, all benches in the middle sections of the auditorium have been removed. Currently one the last rows in the far out sections to the left and right remain in place.
One could wonder why the area is accessible to guests at all at this time, since the re-paving project of the parade route (that has now reached Fantasyland) and the major rehab of the Sleeping Beauty Castle have closed all walkways leading from the Castle Stage area except the one to the Central Plaza with the effect that the auditorium currently is a dead-end. (more…)
Alternate Parade Route
Sunday, February 27th, 2011
As reported earlier the ongoing re-paving of the parade route in Fantasyland still forces the parade to operate in a unique, limited mode as introduced earlier this year in January when the re-paving project started next to Central Plaza. The parade enters the park on Town Square, moves up the Main Street, circles around Central Plaza and then heads back the Main Street to exit once again on Town Square.
This requires the Once Upon a Dream parade to be short enough to allow the final parade float and dancers to enter Central Plaza before the first float / dancer has circled Central Plaza and heads back onto the Main Street. This required some shortening – in particular the massive float of the Princesses for the final “Dream of Romance” act of the parade had to be cut. Only the smaller princess float of Jasmine and Aladdin remained in the parade, while the other princesses and their princes have to walk along. (more…)
