Breaking News! Tokyo Disney Resort Announces DisneySea Expansion Plan Including a New Themed Hotel, a Frozen Land, a Tangled Land and a Peter Pan Land, with an Opening in 2022!

Absolute "Breaking News" today as Tokyo Disney Resort just announced Tokyo DisneySea expansion plan which will include a new themed Hotel, a Frozen land, a Tangled land and a ...Peter Pan land with an opening scheduled in 2022! This looks extremely exciting and the budget is 250 billion Yen ( $2.27 billion / €1.9 billion ) which is huge for three medium size lands and a hotel. TDS guests will access TDS new themed port through a pathway between Arabian Coast and Lost River Delta, though guests of the new hotel will probably be able to have a direct access to the new lands.

Here is the full TDR Press Release with details on the attractions and artworks!

Agreement Reached on Plan for Largest Ever Tokyo DisneySea Expansion Project, Opening in 2022, The Walt Disney Company Licenses Extended

URAYASU, CHIBA—Oriental Land Co., Ltd. announced that an agreement has been reached with The Walt Disney Company on plans for developing a new themed port at Tokyo DisneySea, which will also include a new Disney hotel. With this agreement and upon the completion of the Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland expansions, the licenses for the Disney theme parks and other key licenses between The Walt Disney Company and Oriental Land, which currently run until 2046, will be extended to 2076.

The expansion at Tokyo DisneySea will create an eighth themed port that is inspired by a magical spring leading to a world of Disney fantasy. The themed port will be comprised of three distinct areas recreating the worlds of the Disney films Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan, as well as a deluxe hotel with a one-of-a-kind luxury wing that will be the most luxurious accommodations ever at Tokyo Disney Resort. Also, four new attractions will be developed just for this expansion. Operations are projected to begin in fiscal year 2022. Oriental Land will invest about 250 billion yen in this project, the largest additional investment to date for existing facilities.

D&M Note: You'll note on the map above that the TDS available land located on the left of Lost River Delta and behind port Discovery will remain untouched, meaning that TDR will still have the room to build a new land there in the future if they want. 

Together with the large-scale enhancement of Tokyo Disneyland, scheduled to start operations in 2020, this new project marks a major step in the evolution of Tokyo Disney Resort into a one-of-a-kind themed resort where Guests will enjoy even more magical experiences.

In the 35 years since the Grand Opening of Tokyo Disneyland, Japan has undergone rapid growth and Oriental Land has consistently offered new experiences that can be shared by Guests of all ages that they can only have at Tokyo Disney Resort.

Tokyo DisneySea Large-Scale Expansion Project

1. Overview of “Tokyo DisneySea Large-Scale Expansion Project”
a. Site to be developed: the Guest parking area adjacent to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, which will be relocated so that the Tokyo DisneySea property can expand into that space
b. Number of facilities: four attractions, three food facilities, one shop, one hotel
c. Development area: about 140,000 m2 (about 100,000 m2 for the theme park and hotel)
d. Completion of project: in fiscal year 2022 (tentative)
e. Investment amount: about 250 billion yen (tentative)

2. Overview of new themed port

Themed to magical springs that lead to a world of Disney fantasy, the new port will consist of three areas inspired by Disney films that are beloved by Guests of all ages—Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan. By entering the new themed port and exploring its numerous springs, Guests will discover Anna and Elsa’s kingdom of Arendelle; the forest and tower where Rapunzel lives; and Never Land and—the home of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys. Guests will be able to experience these wonderful, fantastical worlds as no one has before.
The four attractions and the Disney hotel have been newly developed expressly for this project. This new themed port is certain to enhance the appeal of Tokyo DisneySea, the only Disney Park themed to the myths and legends of the sea.

Notes:
- The new themed port will be connected to other areas of the Park through a pathway between Arabian Coast and Lost River Delta.
- The image above represents the current concept and is subject to change.

3. Overview of the three areas

1 - Area themed to the Disney film Frozen:

This area is set in Arendelle after the events in the film when Queen Elsa has embraced her magical power to control snow and ice. She has since opened the castle gates so that Guests can freely visit the Kingdom. Located here will be a heartwarming attraction that tells the story of Elsa and her beloved sister, Anna. Guests will board boats and experience the sisters’ heartfelt journey while enjoying iconic songs from the film and encountering surprising thrills. Also located in this area will be a restaurant set inside Arendelle Castle at the foot of beautiful, snow-capped mountains.

2 - Area themed to the Disney film Tangled:

Guests visiting this area will discover Rapunzel’s tower rising above in a charming forest. The area will include an attraction that follows Rapunzel to the lantern festival and a restaurant inspired by the hideout of the humorous band of thugs who appeared in the film. In the attraction, Guests will board gondolas for a romantic boat tour of Rapunzel’s “best day ever” as she journeys with Flynn to the lantern festival. Countless flickering lanterns illuminate the attraction’s climactic scene while Rapunzel and Flynn sing an iconic song from the film, building to an unforgettable finale.

3 - Area themed to the Disney film Peter Pan:

Home to two attractions and a restaurant, the Never Land area will feature landmarks that make that fantastical world so memorable, including verdant mountains, Captain Hook’s pirate ship and Skull Rock. One attraction will fly Guests over the jungles of Never Land into a battle with Captain Hook and his crew of pirates. Guests will join Peter Pan in an adventure to rescue Wendy’s younger brother, John, who has been kidnapped by Captain Hook and his pirates. Guests board boats and follow the Lost Boys down a river. When Tinker Bell sprinkles the boats with pixie dust, Guests find themselves flying through Never Land on an unprecedented adventure that features iconic music and dynamic 3D imagery of the characters from the film.

A second attraction immerses Guests in the oversized world of Pixie Hollow where Tinker Bell and her fairy friends live and work. The restaurant is inspired by the Lost Boys and their hideout, affording lovely views of Never Land that Guests can enjoy while they dine.

4 - Overview of the Disney hotel:

Themed to Disney fantasy, the new Disney hotel will be located inside the Park. The hotel will rise above and around the magical springs that serve as the core of the new themed port’s story. Park-facing rooms will provide beautiful views of the port’s majestic landscape, affording Guests a magical experience that can only be had at this hotel. The Disney hotel will offer 475 deluxe-type and luxury-type guest rooms, with the latter providing the finest accommodations in Tokyo Disney Resort. A merchandise shop that helps share the story of the magical springs will be found on the hotel’s first floor, facing the Park.

5 - Facility Details:
(As of the date of this release. Details subject to change.)
Area themed to Frozen:
One attraction One restaurant
Area themed to Tangled:
One attraction One restaurant
Area themed to Peter Pan:
Two attractions One restaurant
Merchandise facility
One shop
Disney hotel:
Guest Rooms: 475
Facilities: Two restaurants
One lobby lounge One parking area Other facilities
Note: This information is subject to change.

Pictures: copyright Disney - Oriental Land Co

Official: New "Oaken" Coaster Added to HKDL Frozen Land, Opening in 2021!

Well, finally, it seems that the new HKDL Frozen land rendering which was leaked some weeks ago was the right one, meaning that a coaster like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has been added to the Frozen land, with the train now designed like a train sleds - see picture below - and, as written in the new official description below, guests "will enjoy an exciting family thrill ride that traverses the natural landscape, built by Wandering Oaken for this special occasion". At WDW the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train enter the Dwarfs mine and, here, for this newly themed Frozen version a closer look at the rendering seems to indicate that the train is also coming out of a cave - with snow on the top -  but whatever will be seen inside it remain to be known.



“In this time of happily-ever-after, peace and prosperity have returned to the kingdom of Arendelle. Queen Elsa has now embraced her magical ice powers, and she and Princess Anna have created a Summer Snow Day for the merriment of the kingdom. Guests are invited to take part in this joyous occasion and celebrate the day that Anna saved Elsa with an act of true love. Guests can join a musical journey to Elsa’s Ice Palace and also venture across the bridge to explore the neighboring forest. They will enjoy an exciting family thrill ride that traverses the natural landscape, built by Wandering Oaken for this special occasion. Whatever discoveries and experiences guests enjoy, they will find that Arendelle offers countless opportunities for surprise and delight during this kingdom-wide celebration.”

There is more differences with the first rendering released last November and among them we can note that the fountain - bottom of the rendering below - is now being a "frozen" one - frozen by Elsa, for sure. Also added, a new mountain peak - the one that you can see below on the left to Elsa Ice Castle - though it'll be interesting to see if this one will be really built or is there just for the artwork.


Another change that i didn't noticed, so thanks to This is Mr B for this, is the change to the buildings in the front row near Arendelle lake - see pictures below, the new design is on the left, the old one on the right. It will help to don't have them hiding the houses on the row behind and to give more depth with a better tri-dimensional perspective.





You may also remember that, when HKDL did the expansion announcement another attraction with sleighs - artwork below - titled the "Oaken Magic Sleigh" ride was include in the Frozen land. No need to say that this one which apparently would have used the same technique than the Luigi's Rollicking Roadster ride at DCA Cars Land is probably cancelled.


HKDL Frozen land will open in 2021, a few years before another Frozen land open at Disneyland Paris Walt Disney Studios. Will the WDS Frozen land have the same "Oaken sleds" coaster? Mmmh... could be, not sure at 100% for now, though.

More HKDL News will come soon, so stay tuned on D&M!

Pictures: copyright Disney

Breaking: Sleighs Coaster Added to Hong Kong Disneyland Frozen Land - Now Edited with Latest Infos!

A new rendering has been released for Hong Kong Disneyland Frozen land, and it shows a major new addition that was not there on the first rendering, the one below...

And here is the new rendering, the new "sleighs" coaster is on the right.

A closer look at it reveal that it looks a lot like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, except that the coaster train has a design with sleighs instead than mine vehicles. But the exit from a cave and even the turn down hill look the same, meaning they might use the SDMT blueprint with a Frozen theme, and we don't know yet if there will be a scene with Audio-Animatronics inside the cave, or even if there will be a cave.

But you may remember that another attraction also with sleighs was announced for HKDL Frozen land - rendering below - which apparently would use the same technology than Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters at DCA Cars Land. This other one would be an indoor attraction, and all the question is: does this newly added sleighs coaster will replace the other sleighs attraction? And by the way, as a similar Frozen land is also coming to DLP Walt Disney Studios, will this sleighs coater be added too for the WDS Frozen land, or not?

Important Editing: After a double check, i have more infos about this sleighs coaster: First, and it's good to know, this rendering showing a sleighs coater is real, not a fake. BUT several different renderings were done, showing different options, with or without them, and this "new" rendering may be not that new and the sleighs coaster may or may not be included finally in the Frozen land, depending of the final choice, which itself will probably depend of the budget available. It doesn't mean that this sleighs coaster won't be done, whether at HKDL or eventually at DLP WDS Frozen land ( although the rendering shows clearly the HKDL version of the Frozen land ), it just means that there is no way to confirm it at 100% right now.

New Editing 5/6: According to Hong Kong Main Street Gazette, the completion of Hong Kong Disneyland's castle transformation has been pushed back from 2019 to 2020 and completion of the Frozen themed land has been pushed back from 2020 to 2021. Talking about Frozen land, the more i think about the new rendering we saw yesterday with the sleighs coaster, the more i think it was one of the different versions that were envisioned with the officially announced one being the final choice. Which would mean may be no sleighs coaster for HKDL Frozen land. We'll see what happen but so far, wrong or right, i don't feel it.

Pictures: copyright Disney

MAJOR BREAKING NEWS : Disneyland Paris Announces Development Plan of New Lands and Rides For TWO BILLION EUROS ! Star Wars Land, Marvel Land AND Frozen Land Coming to Walt Disney Studios!!!

Today IS the BIG day that all Disneyland Paris fans were awaiting for since years and years as Bob Iger and Disneyland Paris officially announced that Disney will invest TWO BILLION EUROS - 2.5 Billion Dollars! -  in new attractions and lands at Disneyland Paris Resort in the coming years.

And not only this phenomenal amount was announced - $2.5 Billion is probably more or less what DLP entire first park had cost 25 years ago - but also was revealed the name of the coming lands and attractions and a Marvel land, a Star Wars land, AND a Frozen land are coming at DLP Walt Disney Studios, with lands opening in phases, starting 2021!

Here is the official press releases in English, and in French after it with the above concept-art animated:

Disney Announces Transformative Multi-Year Expansion for Disneyland Paris Walt Disney Studios Park to get new areas based on Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars

PARIS, February 27, 2018 – Today, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert A. Iger announced plans for a 2 billion euro, multi-year expansion for Disneyland Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais de l’Elysée in Paris. The new development will include a transformation of the Walt Disney Studios Park, adding three new areas that are based on Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars, along with multiple new attractions and live entertainment experiences.

The expansion plan is one of the most ambitious development projects at Disneyland Paris since its opening in 1992 and underscores the Company’s commitment to the long-term success of the resort as Disney’s brand beacon in Europe.



“We’re very excited about the future of Disneyland Paris and continue to invest in its long-term success,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company. “The resort is already the leading tourist destination in Europe, and the transformative expansion we announced today will add even more of our beloved characters and unparalleled storytelling to create new lands, attractions and entertainment that further elevate the guest experience and drive new opportunities for tourism in this dynamic region.”

The new areas will infuse some of Disney’s most popular stories and characters into this unique destination, building upon the success of the resort’s 25th Anniversary celebration and continuing to enhance the guest experience for millions of Europeans.

With over 320 million visits since 1992 and representing 6.2 percent of France’s tourism income, Disneyland Paris has played a key leadership role in tourism for the region. The resort continues to be a powerful driver of economic and social development with over 16,000 employees representing 100 nationalities. This investment will help make the region even more dynamic and appealing and open up more opportunities for French and European citizens in the tourism industry.

The multi-year development will roll out in phases beginning in 2021, significantly expanding the Walt Disney Studios Park. In addition to the three new areas, the creative vision includes a new lake, which will be the focal point for entertainment experiences and will also connect each of the new park areas.



In the spring of 2017, Disneyland Paris kicked off its 25th Anniversary celebration including new entertainment and experiences for guests. The resort also completed a two-year refurbishment program, updating and renovating many of the classic attractions in the parks, as well as opening multiple new entertainment shows such as Mickey and the Magician, which won a 2017 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions theme park industry award for “Best Theatrical Production.” Additionally, several major renovations took place at the resort’s hotels including Disney’s Newport Bay Club, which is now a four-star hotel.

Just this month, Disneyland Paris announced plans for a new Marvel-themed attraction that will be coming to the Walt Disney Studios, part of the new Marvel area development. In 2020, the resort will open Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, a reimagining of Disney’s Hotel New York that will showcase the inspiring worlds of Iron Man, The Avengers, and Spider-Man, among others. And this summer, the Marvel Summer of Super Heroes seasonal event will take place at Disneyland Paris, where guests can meet their favourite heroes and experience new live entertainment.

Below, a zoom in the new concept-art on the Marvel land for the WDS.



Note the Avengers plane at the entrance of the stunt show which will soon become a Marvel stunt show.



We all knew already about the Marvel Land coming where WDS Backlot land currently is and a first Marvel attraction was even announced at D23 Japan this month with an Iron Man ride instead of the Rock and Roller Coaster. And a Star Wars land is not really a surprise too as it was long rumored and the Star Wars license is so popular in Europe since nearly 40 years. Chances are that the rides will be similar to the ones that will open at DL and WDW Disney's Hollywood Studios Star Wars lands next year.

Below, a zoom in the new concept-art on the Star Wars land for the WDS. On the artwork - which is in fact not one artwork but a mix of several so not necessarily the final one - it seems that the Star Wars land might be smaller than the ones in the U.S, and no Millenium Falcon can be seen on it but just a X-Wing fighter. Again, don't take it as the final real thing. Also interesting the path on the right of SWL which seems to go behind it ...to another future land?




The real surprise is the Frozen land which was not expected, at least in the Walt Disney Studios. The fact that Marvel and Star Wars universe are mostly "boys" universe ( even if a lot of girls are Star Wars fans ) may be the reason why a Frozen land has been chosen as DLP needed to have at the WDS a land for young girls, and obviously a Frozen land will do it. It don't look to be a land similar to the one they will build soon at Hong Kong Disneyland or to the Frozen land announced previously and designed for Tokyo DisneySea, but taking elements from each. Anyway there won't be probably any costs for "research and development" as they will have been paid by the others parks and that may have had an influence too in the decision to build a Frozen land at the WDS. Or may be it is the recent snowy weather and "frozen" temperatures - along with the stunning pictures of the parks covered by snow - which helped to finally made the final choice for the Frozen land. Just imagine this big mountain covered by real snow!

Below, a zoom in the new concept-art on the Frozen land for the WDS. I bet that the show building for the attraction - because of course there will be one - will be inside the mountain. Note also on the full artwork at the top that the land on the right of Frozen land and over Toy Story Playland is quite empty, leaving room eventually for a future land there, too.



As you can see on the concept-art at the top, the good news is that the Tower of Terror is safe - no transformation in a Guardians of Galaxy with the terrible facade. Also, a huge lake will be created at the center behind and i think we can safely bet on a fountain evening show. But a closer look to Toy Story Playland seems to also reveal something looking like a green alien attraction being added to WDS TSL - if it's the case, will it be the same than the one coming to TSL at Disney's Hollywood Studios? It looks like...

That said, 2 Billion Euros is a huge amount and if we add the cost of these three lands - Marvel, Star Wars and Frozen - it will probably be around one or 1.2 billion euros, meaning that the question now is: what are they going to do at DLP with the other one billion?

Voici le press release en français:

Disney annonce un plan de développement pluriannuel d’envergure pour Disneyland Paris. 
Le Parc Walt Disney Studios accueillera bientôt de nouvelles zones thématiques dédiées à Marvel, La Reine des Neiges et Star Wars.

PARIS, 27 février 2018 – Aujourd’hui, lors d’une rencontre avec le Président de la République Emmanuel Macron au Palais de l’Elysée, Robert A. Iger, Président Directeur Général de The Walt Disney Company, a annoncé un plan de développement sur plusieurs années de 2 milliards d’euros pour Disneyland Paris. Ce nouveau plan d’expansion comprend une transformation du Parc Walt Disney Studios, incluant trois nouvelles zones thématiques dédiées à Marvel, La Reine des Neiges et Star Wars, ainsi que plusieurs nouvelles attractions et spectacles.

Ce plan d’expansion représente l’un des développements les plus ambitieux de toute l’histoire de Disneyland Paris depuis son ouverture en 1992. Il traduit l'engagement sur le long terme de The Walt Disney Company à faire de la destination la vitrine de la marque Disney en Europe.

« Nous sommes très enthousiastes quant à l'avenir de Disneyland Paris et continuons à investir dans sa réussite à long terme », a expliqué Robert A. Iger, PDG de The Walt Disney Company. « Disneyland Paris est déjà la première destination touristique en Europe. Avec ce nouveau plan de développement et de transformation, nous continuerons de mettre en avant notre savoir-faire unique du storytelling et nos personnages iconiques dans la création de nouvelles zones thématiques, attractions et spectacles, venant ainsi renforcer la qualité d’expérience de nos visiteurs et créer de nouvelles opportunités dans cette région dynamique. »

Les nouvelles zones thématiques intégreront les histoires et les personnages les plus populaires de Disney dans cette destination unique, poursuivant la dynamique générée par le succès du 25e Anniversaire pour continuer d’améliorer l’expérience de millions de visiteurs européens.



Avec plus de 320 millions de visites depuis 1992 et représentant 6.2% des recettes touristiques en France, Disneyland Paris est un moteur du tourisme pour la région. La destination continue d’être une véritable locomotive économique et sociale pour le territoire avec plus de 16 000 employés et plus de 100 nationalités représentées. Cet investissement renforcera le dynamisme de la région et son attrait, offrant encore plus d’opportunités pour l’industrie du tourisme en France et en Europe.

Ce développement pluriannuel sera déployé par phases à partir de 2021 et agrandira significativement le Parc Walt Disney Studios. La vision créative du projet comprend un nouveau lac qui sera le théâtre de nouveaux spectacles et reliera les trois nouvelles zones thématiques du Parc.

Au printemps 2017, Disneyland Paris a lancé les célébrations de son 25e Anniversaire, avec de nouveaux spectacles et expériences inédites pour ses visiteurs. La destination vient également d’achever un programme de rénovation étalé sur deux ans, permettant ainsi la ré-imagination et la modernisation d’attractions phares des Parcs. Ce fut également l’occasion de lancer de nouveaux spectacles, comme Mickey et le Magicien, qui a reçu en 2017 le prix de la « Meilleure Production Théâtrale » de l’Association Internationale des Parcs de loisirs et des Attractions. De plus, la zone hôtelière de la destination a également été rénovée à l’image du Disney’s Newport Bay Club qui a reçu sa quatrième étoile à l’issue de ce projet.

Ce mois-ci, Disneyland Paris a dévoilé sa future attraction sur le thème de Marvel, qui fera partie de la nouvelle zone Marvel du Parc Walt Disney Studios. En 2020, le Disney’s Hotel New York deviendra le Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, après une ré-imagination qui plongera ses visiteurs dans les univers palpitants d’Iron Man, des Avengers ou encore de Spider-Man. Et dès cet été, les visiteurs de Disneyland Paris pourront déjà rencontrer leurs Super Héros favoris et découvrir de nouveaux spectacles immersifs durant la saison L’été des Super Héros Marvel.

Pictures: copyright Disney

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council Approves Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion Funding for $1.4 Billion!

Great news to start the day as Hong Kong’s Legislative Council approved the  funding for $1.4 Billion of Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion!

From Variety: "Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has approved the government plans to co-finance the $1.4 billion (HK$10.9 billion) expansion of the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park.

The expansion plan was proposed in November last year, but came under increasing fire from lawmakers who challenged it in finance committee and other council sessions. After months of procedural delays, LegCo today approved it by 30 votes to 24.

Lawmakers became hostile to the spending plans due to a combination of the park’s losses last year and publicity about Walt Disney’s continuing to receive management fees despite the facility’s poor performance.

In March, Disney offered to equally split the cost of the expansion, despite being the minority owner. It also offered to waive variable management fees for two financial years. In return, the government’s ownership stake will fall from 53% to 52%, while Disney’s will increase from 47% to 48%.

“We have gone through a lot of analysis. We have also pushed very hard in the negotiation. We believe that this package is really the best package that we can achieve,” said Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Gregory So.

“Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s multi-year expansion that will leverage some of the most popular stories of the Disney brand including Marvel and ‘Frozen’,” said Samuel Lau, executive VP and managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort."

Basically, it means that everything on the rendering below, including the new castle, will be build between 2018 and 2023. The new HKDL castle will "open" in 2019 ( picture on top ).


But before, in 2018 HKDL guests will be able to enjoy a new Marvel attraction at Tomorrowland in the building where is now the Buzz Lightyear ride - which will become an "extinct" attraction. The ride will apparently use the same Omnimover vehicle and guests will meet different Marvel super heroes, including Ant-Man...




 Also opening in 2018, Adventureland show place with a Moana show.



 In 2019 it will be the  inauguration of the new castle, as i've said, and in 2020 a big "Frozen" themed land will open in the back of Fantasyland!





Last but not least, in 2023 a major Marvel "Avengers" E-Ticket attraction will open in Tomorrowland, build where is currently the track of Utopia, which is now closed.



This is great news for Disney Parks fans, may be a bit less for Hong Kong taxpayers as more than 50% of this $1.4 Billion expansion will be financed by Hong Kong government - so with the money of Hong Kong tax payers - but we'll see what the future will tell!

Pictures: copyright Disney