2006

Beginning in just a few weeks, the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment will be the longest in the attraction’s history, running from 21st August to 13th October. Two other icons of Frontierland are also set to get their share of paint and polish – first up, the “unsinkable” Molly Brown, who suffered major smoke damage in 2005 after the main engine overheated, will finally be given a full refurbishment over the Winter. Beginning 4th October, she will return to service in late April 2007. As she does, the Mark Twain will return to the dock for another two month refurbishment.

Every single major attraction in Disneyland Park is scheduled in for at least a two week refurbishment, with the programme so expansive that even La Tanière du Dragon and Liberty Arcade are due for 2 and 3 week refurbishments respectively. Over at Walt Disney Studios Park, the 5-year-old attractions will also finally be getting a greater share of care. CinéMagique and Animagique will both have 1-week closures, whilst Studio Tram Tour will be given an mysteriously epic 3-week closure in November this year. The most interesting addition to the calendar, however, is surely Flying Carpets Over Agrabah. Closed from 5th to 23rd March 2007, it seems almost certain this will be to allow major work on the attraction to further integrate it into the new Toon Studio area, which is due to be completed June 2007.

You can see all the scheduled closures listed by month here.

The biggest change in this second little book is ironically an increase in its size, since the seperate “Price Guide” that was included with the first 2006 version has now been merged back into the main brochure, keeping the non-glossy paper style but now featuring a whole two-page spread for every single Disney Hotel’s pricing structure. To compensate for this, the brochure’s spine has been bound using glue rather than staples for the first time. A trivial thing to note, perhaps, but the rectangular spine works well to make the brochure more alike the “little book” the designers envisaged.

Seasonal events are once again pushed aside in this new brochure, with the calendar only referencing “Summer”, “Halloween” and “Christmas” seasons rather than individual shows and parades. With no Magic Unlimited, Kids Carnival or Easter next year, the calendar has instead been filled with many more of the resort’s successful “free days and nights” and “kids free” special offers for these months.

A selection of pages from the new brochure.

It should also be noted that this brochure does not include the promotional Holiday Planning DVD which was previously included with the Spring/Summer 2006 brochure. You can order the new brochure for yourself right now at the official website, disneylandparis.com.

Placed right in front of the Discoveryland Dedication, this new bronze and silver refreshments location is yet to open but already features very distinct Coca-Cola branding. The words “Cool Station” appear on the roof, along with an antenna featuring three discs.

Despite the rather imposing design of the kiosk, it appears to meld well enough into the Discoveryland landscape. The big question, however, will obviously be whether this questionable newcomer can match the unflinching chic of Adventureland’s original “Cool Post”.

Take a look for yourself – there are many more photos available over at Photos Magiques.

It is expected that the transformation will include sandy-coloured paving throughout the area, the repainting (to blue/purple) of several buildings, new gardens and trees and, of course, the long-rumoured addition of Wendy, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell circling the Sorcerer’s Hat. The date for the changeover of names from Animation Courtyard to Toon Studio is not yet known, however current schedules suggest the work will be complete by the time the busy Christmas Season kicks in in late December this year.

News from WDS Fans.

The general concensus is now that the small building will be used as a food retail location. Specifically, reports suggest it will be a snack stand sponsored by Minute Maid simply selling popcorn and other snacks, to replace a temporary popcorn stand elsewhere in Fantasyland.

It seems far more magical than the usual popcorn carts, at least…

Whilst the inclusion of Easter in this 3rd Quarter (in 2005 it was in 2nd Quarter) could provide the main reason for this, you cannot argue with the confirmation from Euro Disney SCA that total revenues are up 4% (a very impressive amount considering the huge financial figures involved) so far this year compared to the prior year period.

With the opening of Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast on 8th April 2006, plus new marketing initiatives such as the “Believe In Your Dreams” campaign, the discounted “Francilien” ticket and the radical new “Little Book of Big Dreams” brochure, it appears the resort has finally taken the first positive step towards recovery. With three new attractions and a new parade all coming in the next 18 months as part of the resort’s biggest marketing push ever, the 15th Anniversary, will the financial status continue to (albeit slowly) improve?

Karl Holz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Euro Disney S.A.S., said:
‘I am pleased with year-to-date revenues and especially with third quarter’s, as well as with the success of the opening of Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, the first step of our multi-year investment program. These results reflect the Group’s strategy of increasing growth through innovative marketing and sales efforts as well as a multi-year investment program. This performance is encouraging as we enter into the important summer months.’

You can see the revenues announcement in full here.

Located to the left of the Sir Mickey’s boutique (with its giant beanstalk), this new maisonnette already looks distinctly whimsical with a heavily pitched roof and design similar to the temporary buildings used for the Belle’s Christmas Village market. The exact use of the building is still unknown, but current likely guesses from the members on Disney Central Plaza forum are ranging from a new food sales point or extra space for Sir Mickey’s to a new character location (similar to the new Monsters, Inc. location at Walt Disney Studios Park).

A location themed to Disney’s 1991 feature Beauty & the Beast could be likely, since Fantasyland does not feature a year-round presence of this popular film. At the time of the park’s opening, a lavish Beauty & the Beast animatronic show was planned for the area just behind this new photo location, but due to the resort’s financial problems it was quickly scrapped.

You can add your own guess in English at Photos Magiques forum, or follow the discussion in French and see the source of the photo above at Disney Central Plaza forum. If you’re not sure of the location of this new building, check the map on our Fantasyland page – it’s just to the right of boutique “E”, Sir Mickey’s.

The front (show scene / boiler room section) of the Tower has risen further and is now nearing its peak, whilst more details and basic themeing touches can be seen all over. The protruding concrete columns on the back of the tower give extra relief and style, along with the first windows which have now been fitted. The front of the Tower already gives a strong Hollywod feel, with the bare concrete shells of the smaller buildings already featuring many basic art deco touches in their design.

Photo above available with more at DLP.info.