Sunday, 30th July 2006
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.
Saturday, 29th July 2006
The official website features this preview page for the attraction, which is linked to right from the homepage of the old circa-2002 Walt Disney Studios Park website. The same has been done for each European country served by the website, and these pages must surely be gaining extra attention thanks to the very prominent direct link from each official ‘Cars’ movie website (see the the official UK ‘Cars’ movie website here for an example). At the bottom of every page in the Flash websites, a large banner reads “Cars: The Ride / Disneyland Resort Paris”.
The resort’s effort and success at marketing just a simple tea cups-style ride so effectively bodes well for the other riches they have at their disposal for 2007…
Saturday, 29th July 2006
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…
Wednesday, 26th July 2006
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.
Monday, 24th July 2006
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.
Monday, 24th July 2006
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.
Monday, 24th July 2006
It appears that, despite obviously continuing her travels through time, Timekeeper’s energetic robot 9-Eye no longer travels through space. She can now be spotted in the first scene of the attraction – “Robot Attack”, next to the first robot encountered. “DLRP_Bopazot” on MiceChat forums spotted her first, and you can see a photo right here. The photo above is from the Photos Magiques Le Visionarium gallery.
Thursday, 20th July 2006
Piglet performs a brand new song by well-known resort composer Vasile Sirli, and the show is filled with new music and narration throughout.
Photos Magiques have a great gallery of photos from the show, and have just today uploaded the first full-length video, which is definitely worth a watch.
Tuesday, 18th July 2006
In addition to describing in detail a map created in 2003 by Imagineer Peter McGraph to show a direction the Studios could take (including two of Disneyland Park’s recent additions), Bell lays out his own (very possible) beliefs about the future direction of the park…
This rumoured future plan includes the following:
2008: Studio Tram Tour station move, route alteration and new sets. New central plaza on old station spot.
2008/09: Expansion of Toon Studio
2009/10: Soarin’ Over The World
2012: New boulevard leading from plaza, with signature attraction at the end.
Almost all of this expansion relies on next year – 2007 – being a huge success for the resort, and with the importance Disneyland Resort Paris is already placing on its 15th Anniversary celebrations, it seems they know this all too well. Should the year produce sufficiant attendance figures, though, Bell believes this timeline to provide an accurate view of the bright future of our Studios.
News adapted from WDS Fans. You can read the original article in full here »
Tuesday, 18th July 2006
The move was to allow the temporary fences in Animation Courtyard to be moved further into the park so that construction could fully begin on the Toon Studio attractions.
Now, after many months of confusion for first time guests, the park map has finally been updated to show the change, with the trailer filling the gap in Production Courtyard. No other alterations have been made to the map, but it seems likely, according to many sources, that the lack of information about the attractions currently under construction at the park is “set to change soon”…
You can see a large scan of the updated map at WDS Fans »