Posts Tagged ‘Disneyland’

Test a Disney Dream

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Disneyland has started testing the new “Disney Dreams” Show, the show especially created for the 20th anniversary of Disneyland Paris, inside the park. The test includes the show, that will be projected on the castle, and the new music. It’s not know if all show elements are already included in this first test phase, but one can expect if not all elements are there yet more and more to be added until the full show can take place.

Those test are taking place during afterhours with no general public in the park, but if you are staying at the Disneyland hotel the coming months you might see a little more of the magic before the premiere.

Especially those staying at the Castle Club level will be able to see a little early “Disney Dreams” magic. The show itself will be part of the new Disneyland Paris programme that will officially start as from April 1st. The night time show “Disney Dreams” will be filled with Disney characters that are being projected on the castle. But that’s only the beginning of what looks like an amazing display of Disney magic. There will be tons of other projections on the castle and on water screens in front of it. There will be water fountains and fire, an amazing new music score and a collection of other surprises.

Disney is starting to share some official information about the show via a new video they posted on the web. Here you’ll see the Imagineers, including Steven Davison (creator of Disneyland’s World of Color in Anaheim), whom worked on the show talking about what to expect. The video already shows some of the projections, including a scene with Peter Pan (what is rumoured to be the opening scene), pyrotechnics, fire effects, water fountains and even a short Mickey Mouse teaser. A very nice preview for those fans that can’t wait.

Also in the video is some information about the new “Disney Magic on Parade!” Disneyland Resort will get. The new floats include a Castle float, horse carriages with princesses and a fantastic looking final float celebrating the 20 years of Disney magic in Paris. There are also some pictures included in the video with the Disney characters and their new costumes they will wear during the festivities. They are very colourful and look like fun, especially Goofy’s green outfit can’t be missed.

Only a couple of months left before we can enjoy this amazing looking show for Disneyland Paris 20th anniversary celebration. Not to be missed! 

Picture capture from Disney Dreams; Copyrights Disney

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.”

Captain Hook’s Galley – Progress of the Construction Work

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Some time ago we have reported about different renovation works in Adventureland, including Captain Hook’s Galley.  At Christmas it was again possible to see changes at the Galley.

As can be seen on the photo, the scaffoldings are dismantled at the ship’s masts and the interchanging between the masts is also already available.

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.

Disney Wants to Know…

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

…about you fans and therefore added an online Disneyland Paris survey to hear from you. The will ask all sort of questions, some of them that fans will be eager to talk about. They’ll ask about the merchandise they sell and what you think about it. How you feel about special events and they even ask you what you would like Disney to add for there big fan community or what would bring you back to the park even sooner as you originally planned (I picked new attraction on that, it worked every time so far). This is a great chance to tell them how you feel about Disneyland Resort Paris and your love for the mouse. Be critical! They ask you to be, but remember that this is a survey to bring us fans even closer to the mouse so do keep it nice and clean. Disney wants to listen to you, the fans, and they are proofing this with this fun and informative survey.

The survey will be online and active as from 24th November to 12th December. However it looks like they started a little early as the link already works. The survey is open to everybody as from the age of 16 and is heavily targeted to “real” Disney fans. Yes they want to hear from you Disney fanatics. Have a good read while you go through the survey as you might find some hints of things to come. If they survey is a success we might even see more interaction with fans and might see some special fan events coming our way.

You will also be able to answer one very important question! What Disney fan sites do you visit. We are right there among a fast collection of Disney dedicated fans with their site. So we would not only like you to take the Disneyland Paris Survey but we would be honored if you tick our box as sites you visit. Thank you! And now, enjoy the Disneyland Paris survey. (in English or French)

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.

Big Thunder Mountain – another update

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

As covered in the past weeks Big Thunder Mountain was closed from late afternoon on October 27 till midday October 31 (when it re-opened after Disneyland Park received all required approvals and permissions to do so from the authorities) after one car derailed on what is assumed to have been the ride’s second lifthill. Now the french website Midi Libre has published the first photo taken on-site of the derailed car.

When the attraction reopened on October 31st capacity was significantly reduced with only three trains operating. However, one of the three trains runing was a train retrofitted earlier this year with enhancements to the lap-bar system in all carriages. As can be seen in the photos on board of this train all lap-bars feature a vertical bar going down from the actual lap-bar in the middle of it. Also a forward extension of the seating has been installed featuring a ”hump” right under the position in which the new vertical element of the lap bar comes down. This two element-system adds a separation between the two guests in each row, prevents sliding on the seats and makes it more difficult especially for smaller guests / children to wriggle out of the lap bar system – thus increasing further guests safety. A predecessor of this new system had been tested in selected carriages at the end of at least one train in the past year already.

The new system should have no impact on the ride’s capacity as on October 31st repeatedly parents with one young / small child were seated in one row nevertheless with the kid being placed with one leg to each side of the “hump” thus in an especially safe position.

Victoria’s New Menu

Monday, November 7th, 2011

Victoria’s Home – Style Restaurant is a (by many guests) overlooked alternative to grab a small snack or sit down for a full lunch / dinner. Sure, seating is limited indoors and outdoors but it features a unique atmosphere. Its three rooms offer a unique private feeling while the outdoor seating in the gardens between Gibson’s Girls and Central Plaza on bright sunny days allow guests to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Main Street, U.S.A. with their food (and maybe even catch a glimpse of any show taking place on Central Plaza). Also their is a limited amount of additonal covered seating available in the Discovery Arcade.

Its location off to the side between Gibson’s Girls and the Plaza Gardens Restaurant is maybe one of the contributing reasons for the restaurant often being overlooked. While the drinks and bakery items on the menu are a staple in the meantime, the warm lunch / dinner options have seen numerous menu changes over the years in an attempt to make it more interesting to guests. Most lately the restaurant was offering pizzas – which are also available in various other locations throughout the Disneyland Park … time for another menu change!

The latest menu now offers “bruschetta” / toast in three different variations all coming with a side salad. With this latest menu Victoria’s sets itself further apart from other restaurants adding a new flavor to the restaurant offerings of the Disneyland Park.

The Dragon’s Regimen

Monday, November 7th, 2011

As widely reported the Sleeping Beauty Castle at the heart of the Disneyland Park has returned from its extensive rehab earlier this year more beautiful than in a long time. However, there us still one area that is off-limit for guests currently where a rehab is still on-going: the dungeon / caves under the castle.

All three entrances are closed off – the gates in front of the bridge leading to the front entrance are closed, a special construction wall blocks the rear entrance and the gates in front of the stairway leading from Merlin’s shop down into the cave are also closed.

However, with a bit of luck guests may be able to catch a glimpse of the ongoing work from inside Merlin’s shop despite a black tarp which is supposed to prevent guests from seeing behind the magic (see photo above)…

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