All You Need to Know About Disneyland Paris Upcoming Renovations

Here is some important piece of infos for those of you planning a trip next year to Disneyland Paris. DLP  released an updated schedule of upcoming refurbishments with all closure dates up to 2017. As we know the whole park is under renovation and, land by land, one attraction after another are under refurb and in some cases will have an update. Have a closer look at the picture below to make sure your favorite attraction will not be closed during your next visit.

As you can see Big Thunder mountain as well as Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing - i.e the river boats - will be closed starting this November 2015 and until ... January 2017! It looks a long time, and it is, but it's because they will do the biggest renovation in Frontierland since 24 years. Not only they will empty the lake, repaint Big Thunder and the stone arch, add in BTM the new finale with the mapping projection effect of the dynamite explosion and apparently enhanced the queue, but they will also renovate the geysers so these should finally work again during your next cruise on the Rivers of the Far-West. And the price to pay for all this is to have them closed during fifteen months.

It's a Small World is currently closed for refurb but a reopening on December 19 was announced yesterday and there should new surprises in it, others than the usual Christmas version. Main Street Station is also closed currently and will reopen in March 2016.

Peter Pan's Flight will close starting next January until July 2016 and strangely they apparently don't plan to introduce the new projection effects like they did at Disneyland, neither the new interactive queue like the one which opened at WDW. Instead this long closure will be for many technical renovations and may be a change of the track itself. Swiss Robinson Family Treehouse and Adventure Isle will also be closed from January until September 2016. And Pirates of Caribbean from January 2017 until Summer 2017. When the ride will reopen the Jack Sparrow Audio-Animatronics and other special effects should be installed.

Star Tours will closed for not only a refurb but also to install Star Tours 2 : The Adventure Continues from March 2016 until March 2017, so a whole year. And Space Mountain will go through another refurb from January 2017 until March 2017, and with a bit of luck may be this time they will install the new trains or the new harness system...

At DLP WDS the Rock'n Roller Coaster will be closed from late February until July 2016 which will make with Big Thunder Mountain two major DLP coasters closed during this period. Studio Tram Tour will also be closed from late August 2016 until April 2017 and there should be plenty of major changes on this one, including a new Star Wars scene where is currently the Dinotopia scene.

As for DLP hotels, after the long renovation of the Newport Bay it will be the turn of the Hotel Cheyenne to be renovated starting February 2016 and apparently at least until September 2017.

Yes, all this seems a lot of closures, specially considering that a lot of favorite rides are included in the list but this also happen only each 25 years and for DLP 25th anniversary you'll have a park which will look brand new - and that's a real good news!

Picture: copyright DLP Welcome, Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris Future : All About What You Can Expect ...or Not

Not a lot of big Disney news recently because Disney is now keeping all announcements for the D23 Expo happening in two weeks from now. Until that date don't expect any special news from the Mouse. Thanks God, Disney and more is here to bring you fresh and exciting news about the future and we'll have a look today at what you can expect - or not - for DLP and the WDS in a near future. As i know there are a lot of expectations from DLP fans i think it's better that you know what should really happen - and what will not - to don't put your expectations too high and will be then disappointed. That said, there are plenty of good news below which will be for sure exciting for DLP fans.

As you've read in one of my last updates translated from an ED92 report Frontierland BTM and Rivers of the Far-West will enter in renovation mode at the end of the year. A few days after ED92, and although not announced officially, we had from DLP the confirmation dates of all renovations to come, something you can read in my previous article HERE if you've missed it. But here below is the picture which was in it with all the refurb dates.

But what DLP didn't said explicitly was what changes you can expect in the upcoming renovations. For Star Tours 2 we all know they will install a similar version than Star Tours The Adventure Continues that DL and WDW guests enjoy in the parks. 

Now, according to my own personal source, and a reliable one, here is what is quite confirmed, and there are some good and less good news about the upcoming Frontierland renovations: The renovation of Big Thunder Mountain is a go and will last 13 months ( they will empty the Rivers of the Far West lake, too ) and they will install the new BTM final with the mapping projection explosion effect like at Disneyland as well as others things - like probably an interactive queue and new trains - as well as a lot of technical "invisible" works which should make the ride even more safe and with less "101" then it had until now, which will allow a faster restart of the ride when a technical problem will happen. 

The other good news is that Frontierland geysers should be back too, one way or another depending of the technical solution they will choose to create the geysers effect, meaning they eventually could use another tech than the one which was used 23 years ago. BUT, and here is the not-so-good-news, the renovation of the Mark Twain river boat is NOT yet in the plans - currently up to 2017 - and won’t be done during this big BTM refurb. But all is not lost for the future of the river boat as DLP still want to do it and in fact they want literally to rebuild the Mark Twain, so they probably don’t really care about its current self destruction state that you’ve seen on the pictures. All we have to do is to wait and hopefully if they don't change their mind it might be done for the end of the decade ( but that date is my prediction ).

If you don't remember the new BTM explosion finale here is a video showing it at Disneyland.

Now about Phantom Manor. Although ED92 is often right, apparently what they said about the new scene which would be created at the start of the ride with an Audio-Animatronic bride standing on the staircase in the loading room at the start of the ride is not in the plans and they don’t plan either to do major changes in the ride like they did for instance at WDW. The ride should stay exactly the same except that it will go through a major technical rehab. 

About Peter Pan's Flight, now, which is closing during the first six months of 2016. Almost everybody - including me - is hoping that they will enhance the ride the same way they did recently at DL Anaheim and eventually add the new queue decor with visual effects as they did at WDW but i'm sorry to say that neither one or the other will happen and the ride should remain exactly like it is right now, with no upgrade although of course a lot of refurb, or changes in the ride mechanical parts, something that will be invisible for DLP guests even if the ride should be smoother when it will reopen in 2016.

For Pirates of Caribbean a good news which may also be a bad one depending of your point of view of the question: yes, the ride will close the first six months of 2017 and Captain Jack Sparrow Audio-Animatronics will be installed in the ride as well probably as the others effects existing in the U.S updated versions. Now, some of you will be happy about that and others will find it sacrilege, thinking that the DLP POTC version was one of the last "genuine" POTC ride and that it won't be the case anymore. I let you judge if it's a good idea or not. It'll probably be a good one commercially speaking because the Jack Sparrow character is so popular but if you ask me, personally i would have prefer an updated version of what is already existing with eventually new effects but i'm not a big fan of these Jack Sparrow AAs as i think it's two different stories which knock together. 

There is also another reason why they finally add the Jack Sparrow AAs in DLP POTC. As you may have heard Johnny Depp was recently filming a new POTC movie in Australia. Titled "Pirates of Caribbean : Dead Men Tell no Tales" it tells the story of Captain Jack Sparrow in search for the Trident of Poseidon and the movie will be released in ...2017 just at the same time that POTC refurb will end and reopen with the Jack Sparrow AAs. What a coincidence! In Disney language it's called "synergy" and remember this word as if you want to know how they think at the WDC and how the company do to be so wealthy, it's all about synergy. Believe me, synergy is probably the most important word in Disney's strategy. 

There are many others areas of the park currently in renovation, starting by It's a Small World which closed its doors last month and you can follow all of them in pictures on the ED92 Facebook page HERE or soon on the D&M Facebook page HERE.

Let's move now to the DLP Walt Disney Studios as there is some good news about them. These news are coming from ED92 but i've been told that ED92 is right on these ones, even if nothing has been announced officially. The text below is an adapted translation of ED92's post and the french version is HERE.

In the plans for DLP WDS for 2017 - 2018 new scenes in the Tram Tour - the Tram Tour station will be moved, too, adding room for Toy Story Mania! By the way you'll note on the picture above that DLP has indeed planned something for the Tram Tour with works starting around June 2016.

About the new scenes, and knowing that the project is in very good progress and although ED92 do not have all the details on each scene yet, they can reveal what will happen to already existing scenes:

- Dinotopia scene : The decor will be transformed and will pay tribute to adventures of a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away ... Yes, say farewell to Dinotopia and welcome to Lucasfilm as DLP Imagineers will propose a scene in the heart of Star Wars! Just to play, ED92 think that Naboo might fit well with the stone facades of the existing decor although requiring additions to make it a full experience. Personally i hope they will rebuild everything and won't be cheap on this one.

- The Catastrophe Canyon is currently the central highlight of the Tram Tour. But what to do with a Canyon in a Rockies decor? Luckily, the studios already offer the solution, and yes, the Pixar Cars would be entitled to their own stage. 

If i understand well what ED92 is saying it should mean that Cars characters will be placed in Catastrophe Canyon, instead of the ones currently in place. They can do this quite easily i agree and it might introduce  a fun element in a show which, although always spectacular, needs desperately a "soul".

- The last change should happen in the Reign of Fire scene. No surprise here, as you'll understand easily why it will be replaced by a Marvel scene with the decor being  reviewed ( no more London, probably ) and revised to accommodate not anymore invisible dragons, but the famous Avengers Super-Heroes! It makes sense, after all the Reign of Fire decor is the one of a damaged city, the kind of set that we've seen either in Avengers 1 or 2 so by changing the London elements and replacing them by New York ones or so they can create an Avengers scene easily. What we still don't know is what kind of special effects they will use and, here too, lets hope they will have a comfortable budget for this scene and won't be cheap.

As i told you things won't stop there as the Tram Tour Station will be removed and  Toy Story Mania is added to the list of attractions expected for WDS for 2018.

Here is a picture ( click to enlarge ) showing too the future new route of the Tram Tour and Toy Story Mania, thanks to the indications from ED92.

And the Star Wars Land or the WDS Backlot placemaking with an Avengers land, you ask? Well, they're still in the plans of course but according to what i've been told no dates have been approved yet which doesn't mean they won't be built but that it's not in the plans for a near future. With the addition of Star Tours 2 at DLP and the Star Wars and Avengers scenes in the WDS Tram Tour the risk is that DLP and WDC execs might think that it should be fine for a few years to keep everybody waiting. However, if as everyone is expecting the Star Wars lands for Dl and DHS are announced at D23 Expo in two weeks, look closely to their opening dates. It probably will be between 2017 and 2019 and from these dates you'll know that a Star Wars land at DLP will NOT open until after these opening dates. Why? Because as usual it's all about money and for now the WDC has to pay for Shanghaî Disneyland  ( 2016 ), then Avatar Land ( 2017 ) and then the Star Wars lands which probably will cost half billion dollars each. And once all these will be built and paid then they might have some money to add a Star Wars land in Paris, but certainly not before.

O-Kay, that should do it for today and in the meantime don't forget the special offer on the Disneyland Paris book as i do a "special special offer" to celebrate the 5000 Likes of the D&M Facebook page! Until August 5 on each order of my Disneyland Paris book the shipping will be FREE which means that you will save an additional 15 euros on what was already the best offer ever! 

Which means that not only you can order a book copy in its english or french edition at 60€ - with free shipping worldwide - and still have a signed copy for the same price, 60€ instead of 90€ which was the regular price for a signed copy. The copy will be signed by me at your name or another name of your choice if you wish to offer the book to anyone you love. You can order the book easily by sending me an email at: neverlandeditions@gmail.com

More about the book here: http://neverlandeditions.blogspot.fr/

As the Euro is literally crashing since months it also mean that the book is now at its best price ever for our American friends as 60€ currently equals $68 only! It really is the best time ever to order the book as you save money thanks to the special offer AND you save money too thanks to the Euro / $US change rate!

To order your copy with this special offer just send me an email at: neverlandeditions@gmail.com and specify if you want an english or french edition, and the name to whom you wish i dedicate the book.

Paypal, bank transfer or credit card payment are accepted. Do NOT use the Paypal button on this site or on the book website as they are not coded for this limited time special offer. If you want to pay with Paypal just send directly the 60 euros to:
neverlandeditions@gmail.com
 
Don't miss this special offer valid only until August 5, and a GREAT surprise gift also comes in addition for all buyers!

You can also watch below a video showing the whole book!





Pictures: copyright Disney, D&M

Disney and more Final Article : All About Disneyland Paris Future !

That's it, friends, this is the last post of Disney and more, although there will be one more tomorrow to answer to some questions that i'm sure you'd like to ask me. But even if Disney and more stops the future is still ahead and today we're going to talk about Disneyland Paris future! And this very last article is also illustrated by great pictures from Maureen and Max Fan who have been precious contributors to Disney and more with great pictorial updates, so i'm very happy to have them here for this final article as i can't thanks them enough for their precious help among the years.

So, thanks to the good guys of ED92 and their reliable sources you'll learn all about Disneyland Paris secret projects for the years to come and we'll start by the complete list of major refurbs or upgrades coming between now and 2017, before giving you more details on the most important of them. Not included in the list below are the projects for Phantom Manor, previously unveiled in the article HERE and details about the Jedi Training Academy in Videopolis that you can read HERE. Don't miss too the previous "All about DLP future" update posted last October HERE. You can also have a read of the exclusive report on Disneyland Paris Shareholders meeting with DLP CEO Tom Wolber and DLP CFO Mark Stead where they talk a bit about DLP Future HERE.

- Casey Junior and le Pays des Contes de Fées : All January 2015,

- Space Mountain and the Nautilus : from mid-January 2015 till the end of July 2015,

- Dumbo : from mid-February 2015 till mid-April 2015,

- Phantom Manor : most of March 2015,

- Carrousel de Lancelot : from mid-April 2015 till the end of July 2015,

- Reopening of Chaparral Stage with a new Frozen show: end of May 2015,

- Reopening of Vidéopolis with the Jedi Training Academy : mid-July 2015,

- It's a Small World : from the end of July 2015 till mid-December 2015,

- La Cabane des Robinson and Adventure Isle : from late August 2015 till mid-April 2016,

- Disneyland Railroad : from late August 2015 till end of February 2016, but Main Street Station will remain closed until the end of August 2016,

- Big Thunder Mountain : from Novembre 2015 till mid-December 2016, but beware as a change in the dates could happen,

- Molly Brown and Mark Twain : from Novembre 2015 till the end of Avril 2016, a change in the dates is possible too,

- Captain EO : from mid-December 2015 till end of February 2016,

- Peter Pan : from January 2016 till the end of May 2016,

- Star Tours : from mid-March 2016 till mid-March 2017,

- Space Mountain ( Phase 2 ) : from January 2017 till end of February 2017,

- Pirates of Caribbean :  from January 2017 till end of June 2017.

Please note that all above dates can eventually be changed by DLP. And now, let's go for more details, starting with Space Mountain which closed last Sunday for a six months refurbishment. Here is what ED92 has to say about it and what you can expect and you can read it in french HERE.

- "Space Mountain" as it will be its official name without "Mission 2" will reopen July 11, 2015 at the latest. This is the currently set dead-line - and by the way, on July 19 we can say bye-bye to It's a Small World which will close the next day for its refurb.

- The ride show or the trains will not be changed, but all projection systems will be replaced by new and better quality projectors ( DLP has bought a large package of them for different projects) and, as announced during yesterday's annual stockholders meeting, there should be new special effects.

- Space Mountain dome will be fully cleaned outside and its colors slightly modified for more flashy colors, like the castle, which went from pale pink to pink candy in 2012 ( Ndr: let's hope not too flashy... )

- The Canon will be rebuilt to finally work at 100%: door system, inclination of the sun, recoil system, smoke effects.

- The catapult sequence should be reviewed and will resume to its original format in two times.

- The queues will be fully reviewed to finally solve the many problems: too limited room inside the dome causing a large unprotected queue, the fast-pass entrance currently in the way of the future Star Wars Land will be changed to be located through the ride main entrance, and they probably will add a single rider line. It should be noted that in addition to all this the mezzanine should, after the works, be finally reopen again and that a cooling system should be added to the queue inside the dome.

- Also,the ride exit could be reviewed to direct the guests to the center of Discoveryland and not to the back of the land as it is right now.

- All the Space Mountain area should regain its original background music ( with among others The Rocketeer soundtrack )

- The interior of the dome should be fully cleaned and dusted.

- All computer systems of the attraction will be changed and upgraded: control computers, sensors, etc...

And it should stop there for this big rehab. The change of trains, the redesign of the ride show, for a ride story-line which will take guests back to the Moon but using the effects set up with Mission 2 will be done during another 6 months rehab currently planned for the first half of 2018. D&M Note: from my own sources, chances that they will put back the original "Voyage to the Moon" sets inside the dome are low. As ED92 says it above an below they'll probably put back the original score but still will use the projections effects with a Voyage to the Moon theme.

As for the original music back in the ride it's not yet firmly decided, but looking good so this could be done on this one or the other rehabs, if at all. "Time will tell" as they say.

Regarding Les Mystères du Nautilus, the Space Mountain works will require the closure of the road leading from Autopia to the Pizza Planet restaurant to serve as storage area. So, the emergency exits of the building which actually houses the Nautilus attraction could not be used, causing a ban to welcome guests inside the Nautilus. This is why Les Mystères du Nautilus will be closed too during the same period.

However, DLP should take the opportunity to fully clean and refurbish the many sets and effects of the Nautilus and to re-set the original show in Nemo's Grand Salon with the attack of the giant squid. A return that will greatly please the many friends of Captain Nemo!

There is more about DLP Discoveryland as the news was confirmed to ED92 by insiders source: Star Tours will close at the end of the 2015 Christmas season, so in January 2016. Logically, to support the release of Star Wars Episode 7 all versions of Star Tours 3D in all parks should welcome new "destinations" and characters of the new trilogy. We can therefore expect to have directly at Disneyland Paris this "2.5" version when the attraction will reopen.

Otherwise, but to be taken with a pinch of salt, the project is supposed to have a total budget around 150 million Euros. Which seems a lot indeed, specially considering that Tokyo Disneyland spent "only" 50 million euros for his Star Tours 2 upgrade. So, if this €150M amount for DLP is right it's a surprise as it is more or less a budget equivalent to what they've spent for the Ratatouille ride.

We can therefore, logically, expect that at least Star Traders and Captain EO will close for others additional transformations. In this case, the project would not only include Star Tours 3D, but rather the first phase of a Star Wars Land and DLP would be the first Disney theme park to open one - even if it'll be a small one in this first phase - and that would be more than enough to revive interest of European guests for Disneyland Paris.

I remind you that in one of their previous updates ED92 had talked about a Star Wars characters Meet & Greet to be installed inside Star Traders as well as the creation of a new huge Star Wars store instead of Captain EO. But again, the €150M  budget seems a bit high for these 3 projects only... Is The Pizza Planet living its last hours to be replaced by a new Star Wars culinary experience? We'll see...

With the arrival this summer 2015 in Vidéopolis of an improved version of the "Jedi Academy" - all details HERE - to provide to DLP guests their "dose" of Star Wars during Star Tours closure, it becomes increasingly likely that the Force will be at the heart of Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary...

Let's move now to Frontierland with news about the upcoming rehab of Big Thunder Mountain and i suggest that we start by the dates and the length of the rehab. French version HERE.

Originally scheduled to begin in November 2015 and for a period of 13 months, with the first six months with the lake of Rivers of the Far-West drained, it seems that recent technical setbacks have led to a radical change in the schedule, a real last minute decision that was taken recently. This is why Big Thunder Mountain might close - but not totally sure yet - at the end of January 2015, or February at the latest. If not, then it'll be November 2015.

But the work would be spread in 2 stages, as a break would be scheduled to run BTM again during the very busy Halloween and Christmas seasons. So, the ride would be back just in time to celebrate Summer 2016, although for that you'll need to accept to have the park two main coasters closed during the first half of the year.

Now, about content much has been said, many rumors ... Well, let's say that almost all of them were probably true! Thus, the boarding room platforms should be lengthened to accommodate an extra wagon for each train. The entire track will be reviewed and corrected to allow trains to finally travel empty, thus simplifying the procedures in case of breakdown and it'll help to shorten the time when they have to restart the ride.

But that's not all, as the 180° turn just before the "LiftC" ( when we're going up and see a TNT explosion and landslides ) would be lengthened by going further over the water. Reducing the risk of having two trains in the same area and therefore a breakdown, but also to allow guests to be in perfect straight line before starting the last rise and to have a better enjoyment of the show.

Moreover, it is this extension that would have weighed in favor of draining the lake, which should allow, too, to finally renovate the Geysers, as well as the bottom and the banks of the Rivers of the Far-West. The two steam boats may not be restored before 2016, but the Mark Twain should come back, finally.

Incidentally, this draining would allow the early works of renovation on the mountain itself, as well as the areas on the river banks. But we'll have to wait for the second part of this huge renovation to see scaffoldings on Big Thunder Mountain, and the return of its beautiful original orange color.

You thought Disneyland Paris would stop there? Nay! As this second rehab will also be the opportunity to update the entire show! The program includes a new queue with interactive elements ( a Single rider file is being thought to be added, but is so far not approved yet ), the arrival of Big Thunder Mining Co boss portrait - Mr Henry Ravenswood - and especially new show elements in the ride itself like what WDI already did in California. In two words we can expect the lava wells during the first Lift to be brighter than ever, a striking TNT explosion with a mapping effect in the last Lift, and a cloud of bats particularly lively in the great final descent!

All-right, let's move to Adventureland for fresh news about what will happen there. French version HERE.

Starting from August 31, 2015, the Cabane des Robinsons should no longer be accessible to Disneyland Paris guests. The attraction should make its return on April 23, 2016. However, the question remains whether Adventure Isle will be closed too and, if yes, which elements will be added. It seems almost sure that the Galion will have a little refurbishment along the way.

Of course, we instantly think about the rumors of an interactive game such as Treasures of the 7 Seas at the Magic Kingdom, and part of Adventure Isle will be more than perfect for such an adventure in the world of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Talking about Jack Sparrow, on January 9, 2017, Pirates of the Caribbean should close its doors for a long renovation as the attraction shouldn't reopen before July 1, 2017, so just in time for the release in theaters of the fifth installment of our favorite pirates adventures. There is no doubt that Jack Sparrow will make several appearances in the Attraction ( three ) with several effects already in place in the U.S versions. We're thinking in particular to the mermaids effect around our boat or to the projection on a mist wall of one of Jack Sparrow enemies - Davy Jones or Blackbeard.

But our eyes should look in direction of Shanghaî as some elements of SDL Pirates of the Caribbean new version might be introduced too! And what about elements referring directly to the future "Dead Men tell no Tales" movie? Bob Iger has recently explained that he wanted that attractions reflect the movies that guests have watched.

Let's move to Fantasyland to learn what DLP has in the plans for Peter Pan's Flight! French version HERE.

Currently scheduled to close January 4, 2016, Peter Pan's Flight is expected to undergo a true reconstruction and upgrade! According to ED92 informations, the entire track system of the ride should be changed to bring back its original fluidity to the ride, which will be very welcome indeed.

But of course this is not the only change planned for this beloved attraction as Peter Pan's Flight should get "the best of both worlds". The ride show itself should have a complete update, similar to the one coming for Disneyland 60th Anniversary in California: Mapping projections effects will be added on some of the ride show elements as well as new Audio-Animatronics with the rear projection face effect like the ones introduced in Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster at WDW Magic Kingdom.

As for the queue, great changes should happen as well, since the queue will be completely redesigned and covered! Real progress for this ride which often exceeds a 60 minutes wait. While ED92 is not entirely sure yet it is highly likely that, along with Big Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan's Flight will feature an interactive queue similar to the one introduced at WDW Magic Kingdom. With a bit of luck, we should be able to visit soon in details the home of the Darling family...

But when Peter Pan's Flight will reopen, you ask? Well, be aware that the exact date is not yet precisely decided, but so far it seems to be scheduled for a date between June 1 and July 4, 2016. Chances are that it'll be a reopening in two phases starting with the ride and its new show, then some weeks later the new covered waiting queue - which could mean a period with a somewhat chaotic queue in front of the ride entrance with ropes. Of course, it's a safe bet that if they introduce the  interactive queue these effects might be turned on only at the launch of DLP 25th Anniversary celebrations.

And what about the news for the Walt Disney Studios, you ask? Well ED92 not too long ago described what the future is made of for DLP second gate but they have a bit more to share. French version HERE.

First, in July 2016 spotlights will turn in direction to the Walt Disney Studios with something new that can be described as very cool though still mysterious. Yes, on July 4, 2016 the Walt Disney Studios should host a new show in the Studio 3!

You've probably already understood that on February 1, 2016 we will say goodbye to the Animagique show, which is played since WDS opening day. It will take not less than 6 months to develop a new show for this beautiful stage. But what will it be? Lot of rumors and among them:
- A clone of Disneyland "Mickey and the Magical Map" show, based on a stage in the shape of a giant screen,
- An adaptation of the "Golden Mickeys" show, the theme would stick perfectly with the concept of film Studios and the show is highly popular at Hong Kong Disneyland and on the Disney cruise Line.
- A Pixar show, "Finding Nemo - The Musical" comes immediately in mind in view of its huge success at Animal Kingdom, or "Toy Story - The Musical" from the Disney Cruise Line.

However the last news goes in a different direction, as the show might even keep his original title "Animagique." Thus, we could suppose that it is decided to do a big update of the show while keeping what makes its success: the presence of the Fab5 ( Mickey & Donald in this case ), a medley from successful films and a show using Black Light.

But with a totally Disney movies medley show envisioned for Vidéopolis in 2017, it'll be difficult to invite Elsa, Rapunzel or Tiana also at the WDS. The show also needs to be adapted to its location surrounded by Pixar rides! That's why the show could take a new turn while keeping the bases which made its success and see his main character live a fast-paced adventure in the heart of various Pixar universe.

We are certainly looking to learn more about this new show, and ED92 will keep you informed as soon as they'll learn more. But you'll need probably to be patient, as DLP Entertainment projects always change a lot and nothing is engraved in marble before the curtain rise.

But there is more for the Walt Disney Studios as another major anniversary will take place in 2017 : the 15th anniversary of the Walt Disney Studios Park! One would think that the arrival of a new show in the Studio 3 in 2016 and Toy Story Mania at the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018 would have been enough to celebrate WDS 15th Ann, but no as another surprise is quietly but slowly making its way. A surprise that will arrive just in time for the launch of the celebrations in April 2017. A surprise which would be ready to be officially unveiled soon? Yes, as from August 29, 2016, we will say goodbye to the Studio Tram Tour! Well, not really goodbye, but "see you soon", as the Studio Tram Tour will undergo an update which will be unexpected! French version HERE.

Let's start with the main course: the Tram Tour station will FINALLY be moved, back almost one hundred meters! Freeing space for a true and beautiful Hollywood Boulevard, and the first real hub of the park will finally see the light of day by joining Backlot and Toy Story Playland. Who says relocation of the Tram Tour station says a new route, right? And, yes, the itinerary will once again be deflected and it won't be a surprise for anyone as the upcoming Toy Story Mania will need some space, and seeing the Ratatouille backstage is not what is the more aesthetic. This time the tram road will go much deeper inside the forest, only to be surrounded by trees until the Tram arrives at Dinotopia before turning left to Catastrophe Canyon.

But still, why saying it'll be such an event? Nothing to rave about, specially for an Attraction considered as soporific from the second visit. Well, here is why: after the closure of the Tram Tour at WDW DHS in Orlando Disneyland Paris will recover many decor elements which will be displayed along the route of WDS Tram Tour. But it's still not what interests us the most because all these new decor elements would not be that exciting without new scenes... And, yes, three new scenes will be added to the Tram Tour! That's much better, isn't it?

What will be these new scenes? Where will they be located? Which films will they pay tribute to? Will Dinotopia and Reign of Fire - which will remain - be updated with another theme? So many questions and so few answers... but a little fairy told me that we should not have to wait too long to have more details!

And as a picture worth a thousand words, ED92 did the picture below to explain what you might expect in 2017 with a North block finally completed while some room will be kept to eventually some day extend the adventure beyond the gates located next to the Chez Rémy Bistrot...

Last but not least, ED92 has one more news for us - french version HERE -  and it starts by an anecdote when in June 2014, Bob Iger went to Disneyland Paris for a short stay for the grand opening of the Ratatouille ride. It has been told that Iger thought that the Check-In waiting was incredibly long, that he and Tom Staggs and Meg Crofton ended up with no less than 48 different tickets / coupons between the Suites key, Parks entrance, VIP FastPass and other options, and that he was literally shocked by such a large amount of paperwork to manage.

It's from this small story - supposed to be true - that it was decided to introduce a variation of the NextGen project at Disneyland Paris as soon as possible, and at the expenses of the WDC. A little gift from the mother company.

For those not familiar with the NextGen project, it is based on the latest technologies of recognition and communication. Just like a social network system, called MyDisneyExperience, Walt Disney World guests can manage their entire stay: book FastPass and Restaurants in advance, organize their visit, know the Waiting Times, etc. But it is the now famous MagicBand which is its most emblematic element. This simple wristband, equipped with an RFID chip, can be linked to your MyDisneyExperience account and serve you as means of payment, Pass for access to the parks, key for your Hotel Room or PhotoPass card.

Many things handy indeed but the project will not stop there! Still being installed in Florida, the last phase will see the advent of the Magic + system. Thanks to MagicBand recognition capabilities, different places and attractions will adapt to you just like by magic. For example, one can imagine seeing an Audio-Animatronic calling you by your first name or a Welcome message displayed in a setting in your own language, or even you could appear in the picture close to your table during your dinner. The possibilities are endless and the future Star Wars Land and Avatar Land should widely make use of these little technological wonders for an extreme personalization of the guest stay.

Obviously, not everything will be adapted as such to Disneyland Paris, but according to the last news in 2016 Disneyland Anaheim Resort will get an adapted version of the NextGen program with the main functions available, but adapted to the Disneyland Resort's guests. Then, each year, another resort should get NextGen with Disneyland Paris in 2017 and Tokyo Disney Resort in 2018.

So, what can we expect from the Paris version of the NextGen system? The main functions will be obviously included, but you can expect something more in terms of potential adaptations ( such as number of pre-bookable Fast Pass, the date from which you can book them, etc... ). But it's another feature which seems to particularly interest WDI: historically, Disneyland Paris is the most polyglot of all Disney Resorts, having to deal with 6 different languages every day. So far French and English coexisted with more or less success. But imagine that tomorrow each menu or each attraction can adapt to your language in a natural and automatic recognition related to your MagicBand?

You want more? It is highly likely that in 2017, Mickey can finally welcome Disneyland Paris guests by speaking to them not only in French or English, but in your own language!

Would not it be magical?


Original Text: copyright ED92 - English Translation: copyright Disney and more 

Pictures: copyright Hello Disneyland, DLP Welcome, Disney

Disneyland Paris Update - Part One : "What's New, What's Next" , a Meeting with Joe Schott about DLP Future

Lots of news about Disneyland Paris future today, and all of them are good news! Thanks to Mouetto from the Disney Central Plaza forum we have a full report on the meeting with Joe Schott, "DLP Directeur General Adjoint", and here is a translation of his full article, and please join me to thanks him a lot!


Disneyland Paris: What's New, What's Next by Mouetto, Disney Central Plaza Forum

Last Thursday i had the luck - along with others webmasters of Disney fans sites to meet Joe Schott, DLP Operations Directeur Général Adjoint, during a lunch organized for the "What's New, What's Next" event. 

Joe Schott works since 32 years for the WDC. He started his career as a Jungle Cruise attraction operator animator and then became WDW Operations Director. He was then Vice President General Director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan before coming to DLP as Operations Directeur Général Adjoint in December 2009. He also was there during the construction of Euro Disney as he participated to the durability tests for the Disneyland Paris Railroad. 

During this two hours lunch everyone was able to talk with Joe Schott who took the time to let us know about future refurbishment projects as well as the good or bad decisions which were previously taken for the Resort. 

For instance he explained that the works to make DLP Disneyland Park brand new again will go on and that major refurbishments will start again right after the end of DLP 20th Anniversary celebration:  

- Lot of Town Square facades as well as Main Street Station will soon be covered with canvas to rebuild them with stronger materials. It won't be only quickly repaint. Town Square Photography will have a brand new theming and the products will have a better display, like they have in DLP World of Disney Store. 

- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril ( NDR: see D&M previous article HERE ) will close starting next January for a full rebuilding of the temple, all in stone ( like the castle bridge ) with also a complete change of the looping track, all this to make sure that the ride will last forever instead to be a temporary ride as it was supposed to be when it opened. 

- Pirates of Caribbean is a more complex attraction as it includes 72 Audio-Animatronics A100. No other attraction includes so many sophisticated AAs. They've started to replace them with the Pirate Auctioneer and the Captain of the Inferno and there should be four more in the coming year. 

- It's a Small World "relamping" is ongoing. 

- Like Dumbo and the Orbitron, Les Tapis Volants - Flying Carpets over Agrabah - will be totally dismantled, refurbished and rebuilt. 

- The Mark Twain will not be destroyed. It's one of the icon of Disneyland Paris Frontierland and he will be entirely renovated some day but it's not in the priorities list. As well as the geysers which will not be operational anyway all year long. But these ( the geysers ) could be replaced by something unique. 

- Attractions capacity will also be reviewed. Also, Crush's Coaster single rider line will be installed permanently. They envision to install one more new waiting line each year. Next year, with the upcoming Ratatouille ride there will be two new single rider lines. 

- Two new trams will soon be added at WDS Studio Tram Tour. 

- They are always in tests to improve Space Mountain: Mission 2 guests comfort, in particular with the new harness but the process will take some time, due to the investment. 

- Although DLP attractions availability is quite good in regards to the number of operational opening hours ( rate of availability is 96% when attractions had 22% more time / 230 more operational hours since 2008 ). DLP is aware that any problem happening on some rides for security reasons and leading to evacuate the guests leads to a great loss of time to start the ride again. For instance one hour is needed to start Big Thunder Mountain. That's the reason why they're reviewing the rides control systems. Pirates of Caribbean has been already updated and Big Thunder will be done in 2015. Joe Schott also talked about doing the same on Crush's Coaster but didn't mentioned a date. 

- Joe Schott brought to DLP a system already existing in others Disney Parks - but not yet at DLP - which allows to graduate the emergency of a refurbishment with a rating from A to D. He aims to have a A or B rating in the next five years. To achieve this, days of refurbishment passed from 300 days in 2008 to 600 days in 2012. Also, refurbishment budgets are now three times more important than they were in 2008. 

- WDS Stunt Show has indeed no more stunt jumps temporarily. They will come back soon, as soon as the question of comfort and security for the stunt men will be resolved. But Joe told us that he really care that a show stay as good from its premiere till the very last day. That is the case for Disney Dreams! which can be play with the same quality each evening, including in winter ( except of course when there is a technical problem ). 

- Just like us, Joe Schott awaits the Ratatouille ride and even revealed an insider info as he confirmed that guests will be able to see the - real - restaurant ( located next to the show building ) from the unload room of the ride!

- I asked him what has been one of his first decisions when he arrived at DLP. It was the redo of the Halloween season to make it more "Disney". He acknowledged his mistake to have changed a bit suddenly the 2011 season. On the other hand he is the one who decided to cancel the WDS Terrorific Nights who were not enough "Disney" 
( NDR: it's a pity, i liked the show of Charly Vegas! ) and don't regret his decision. The new Halloween version will continue to get better all along the years and a big effort has been done this year on cakes and pastries with a Halloween theme. 

- I also asked him about the decision to have changed the hotels swimming pools hours in May 2009. He instantly acknowledged that it was a bad choice. He thought that guests will go in the parks during swimming pools closing hours and will enjoy the pools in the afternoon. But in fact guests were planning their stay with these new swimming pool hours and were not going in the parks! 

- I asked him when he envision the comeback of a big "live" show in the park - like the Tarzan show. He said that he love the Tarzan show and will be happy to have it back. It's a show that can be watched by only 6% of guests per day  and for now they concentrate on the Disney Dreams! show who can be watched by 30% of the guests. But it is clear for him that live entertainment is part of Disney Parks and he'd like to have them back as soon as possible. However he considers that Discoveryland's Videopolis stage is not adapted for this kind of show because of the Hyperion Cafe nearby. 

- About catering, more than eleven kitchen have been refurbished in less than two years. So, meals and burgers are now served hotter than before. Joe also talked about products improvements with introduction of Angus meat. The Angus burger was elected the best burger of all Parks and Resorts division. As soon as he arrived  he also asked the chicken nuggets to be changed as he didn't liked them at all.  

- The WDS Blockbuster Cafe is currently being rethemed and Joe told us sincerely that he's not a big fan of High School Musical. Without having any info about it i ask him if they will  do an Iron Man theming, and he answered yes in an american way " Oh Yeah! ". We didn't knew really if he was joking or not but we had the confirmation next morning when we saw the posters! 

- I asked him if the refunding of DLP debt last year deblocked some projects, like the Hep Cat Drinks and Snacks. In fact, the Hep Cat Drinks and Snacks has been financed by Coca Cola but everything around the En Coulisse snack and restaurant was done thanks to the debt refunding as DLP don't need anymore to present each new investment project to the banks to have their agreement. Joe reminded us that because of this the Ratatouille ride was previously turned down three times by the banks. Lot of investments are also done backstage to enhance cast members comfort.

- To conclude, Joe ask us to be patient, that upcoming projects will bring back DLP Disneyland park just as new, that in 3 or 5 years from now our vision of the park will change totally, and that he's extremely attached to the Disney quality experience.

As for me, it was the first time i had a meeting with Joe Schott and i really appreciated this other kind of communication, all along a lunch with the person ruling Disneyland Paris Operations Dept. He answered frankly to all our questions, including an honest acknowledgement of his mistakes, and also reassured us by saying that he is as much as we can be attached to the quality experience for the guests.

2014 will be a year rich in renovations and innovations with the opening of Ratatouille as grand finale! 

Pictures: copyright Mouetto - DCP Forum , Disney



Don't own yet the great Disneyland Paris book? Click on the picture below to learn more about it and how to order your copy at the best price ever!

NEW! : You can now pay for the book directly with your credit card through Paypal EVEN if you don't have a Paypal account! All you need to do is to send me an email with your order ( at: neverlandeditions@gmail.com ) and i will ask Paypal to send you a payment request. You will receive an email from Paypal and by clicking on the link you'll be able to pay with your credit card on the Paypal website with no need to open a Paypal account if you don't have one! 

A Look at Disneyland Paris Future - Part Two

It didn't took long to have reactions to my yesterday's article - and not only from DLP fans - and thanks to new insider infos, i think i find out what is the truth behind all this. The good news is that the situation is probably not as worse as you might think. The bad news is that i've been confirmed again that the plan and the dates are true. But the big difference is in the reasons why. Let me tell you more and if you've not read the part one you must read it first HERE for a better understanding.

The dates indicated in this ten years plan - and i'm talking here essentially about the dates related to DLP future attractions - are in fact the dates at which DLP can expect to build these Star Wars and Marvel lands IF Disneyland Paris has to do self financing without the help of the WDC. In two words, it doesn't mean that the WDC has decided to don't give any more money to DLP for future attractions until 2022, it means that for NOW the WDC can't say when they will be able to do it in the future.

My guess is that what happened some months ago when Disney gave this 1.3 billion euros to DLP is probably something like this: "Listen, we give you 1.3B€ to resolve your debt problem for once and for all as well as 200M€ to build the Ratatouille ride but you need to know that we're going to have huge investments both for Shanghaî Disneyland and at our Disney Parks in the U.S which have priority and for which we still need the approval from the banks and the board. So, from now you will have to self finance the future attractions because we can't tell when we will be able to give you money again for future rides".  I wouldn't be surprised if the conversation has been more or less close to this.

What is sure is that Disney Parks in the U.S - as explained yesterday - needs to have the approval from the banks and stockholders for the needed budgets to build the new lands that they need to build at DL and WDW. What is also sure, when you need to ask more billions of dollars to someone, is that you're trying to reduce the "bill". In others terms, right after they gave 1.5B€ to DLP it is hard for Disney Parks to say to the stockholders "hey, we need to give one more billion to the park in Paris and we need too four more billions for SDL and our parks in the U.S".  And that's probably why the dates on this ten years plan are dates chosen in the option of a self financing by DLP. In other words, and from what i've been told, it is for DLP the "pessimistic option", the option if the WDC don't change its mind and give no more money to DLP in the next ten years.

The good news is that i've also been told that DLP is working on a much more ambitious plan and that it's almost sure that the park will not stay without any new rides until 2022, specially considering what my insider source can hear here and there, and even if no final decision has been taken yet for new rides after Ratatouille. If you ask me what i think, i think that we won't have to wait until 2022 to have new rides at DLP. May be we'll have to wait until the 25th Ann in 2017 or the year after but from what i feel there should be something new in the next 3-4 years after Ratatouille. So, no need to hold anymore your breath until next decade, you can start to breathe again!

Picture: copyright Max Fan

Disneyland Paris Update

"Disneyland Paris and Lucasfilm have already worked together on attractions involving Captain EO, Star Tours and Indiana Jones. These are countless opportunities for both teams to work together in the future and we hope that this will continue. It is actually something that we are looking into, but there is nothing concrete right now."  With these sibylline words Philippe Gas during a round table meeting with DLP stockholders last week, probably involuntarily, has transformed what was until now the "Star Wars Land rumor" in a true project for Disneyland Paris. So, it's now official, DLP Imagineering is indeed working on a Star Wars Land for the back of Discoveryland and from what i've been told DLPI even envision two phases, and the phase 1 as i told you in a previous article some months ago will see the update to Star Tours 2, a Jedi Academy inside what is now Captain EO theater, a Starcade, and the arrival of the Cantina bar/restaurant, probably located where is now the Pizza Planet restaurant behind Space Mountain. I think they will probably keep the big space available on the left of Star Tours, between Star Tours and It's a Small World where is currently the VIP Tent used during DLP special events for the Phase Two of the project, but that's just my thoughts.



However, you'll note that Philippe Gas, during this event didn't mentioned a date but it doesn't mean that this Star Wars Land won't happen. For many reasons i still place my bets on this project, first because they know they can't stay with the original version of Star Tours forever, two, because they don't know what to do with the Captain EO theater, and three, because the Star Wars episode 7 is announced for 2015, not to mention the spin-off movies also announced by Bob Iger last week, based on Star Wars characters. There is no one good reason that DLP won't built this Star Wars land except of course the money reason but don't worry, they will find the money. 

And if you want to know why, here is why and it's pretty simple: as you know the WDC announced last september that they will do a loan of 1.3 billion to Disneyland Paris to help DLP refinance its debt. In two words, now instead to owe this huge amount of money to the banks DLP owes it to the WDC. Also, the WDC acquired recently LucasFilm for 4 billion dollars. And you don't need to be a genius to understand that Bob Iger surely wants to have a return both on the LucasFilm investment and get back the money of the loan that the WDC did to DLP. And guess what? the both are linked. Iger surely wants some Star Wars lands in Disney theme parks and DLP precisely need one to boost the park attendance to be able to give back the money that they owe to the WDC. Eventually, if DLP results are not good enough to finance Star Wars land the WDC probably will need to "give" them the money to do it but as i've said, don't worry, they'll find it.



Now, what else did Philippe Gas talked about during this stockholder event. In the "attraction section" he revealed that Walt Disney Studios next ride - after Ratatouille - won't be a Pixar ride. It's an interesting news as last year Gas mentioned that another ride based on Toy Story characters was envisioned for the WDS. Everybody understood that he was probably talking about Toy Story Mania, so we know now that TSM will not be the next WDS ride, although it might come later. Talking about Ratatouille Philippe Gas also said that the ride will be exceptional with big capacity per hour and that a shop will also be built - in addition to the restaurant - next to the ride. He also added that the ride should make the guests hungry, and it's probably  in relation with the fact that a big part of the ride is supposed to happen inside Gusteau's kitchen.

What else for the Walt Disney Studios? Oh, something big, but this one was not mentioned by Philippe Gas so we still have to consider it as a rumor: apparently DLPI have the project to transform WDS Backlot in a Marvel land. Considering that this part of the park is probably the one which needs the most a big placemaking i think you can also put your bets on this Marvel Land project. Which by the way is not called like this inside DLP but under the ( code? ) name of "Marvel Experiences". What kind of "experiences", you ask? I'm sorry to say that i have no more infos on this one, except that there is a rumor that Spiderman might be part of it, but no info if Spidey will come as a ride or anything else ( but of course it won't be the IOA ride which is Universal property ). Anyway, i have some thought about these Marvel Experiences but what is coming next is pure personal prospective. 

My feeling is that, partly for money reasons, they might do a mix of new rides with a re-theming of existing rides. For instance, if this Marvel Land is built i think that the Armaggedon attraction is probably doomed and would be replaced by a new ride - why not the Avengers ride on which WDI Imagineers are supposed to be working on for Disneyland's Tomorrowland - if it's not moved to an Anaheim third gate? As for the Rock and Roller Coaster they could also remove it and put a brand new ride but i wouldn't be surprised if instead DLP Imagineers would imagine a brand new theming, with a new storyline, etc...and keep the coaster. No need to say that the former Backlot Express restaurant in front of it would get a Marvel theming, too. For the Lights, Motors, Action stunt show it's different. This one is a real big one, taking a lot of space and although they could create a totally different story and change the Meditterranean facades of the decor for new ones inspired by the Marvel universe, i'm not 100% sure they will choose to do it. Considering the huge space, they could be tempted to use it for something new but the cost might be also too high and may be they will simply re-theme the show and create new stunts which probably will cost less. Again, these are just my thoughts, i'm probably wrong and i don't doubt that DLP Imagineers have totally different plans - and better ones - for these "Marvel Experiences". But as long as these won't be Marvel photo locations only, i'll be okay with them.

Philippe Gas also announced others interesting things and about the Disney Village area he apparently said that the World of Disney store was just the first step of what will be a big placemaking of the Disney Village which will continue to change and expand. The Villages Nature project is another big one that DLP is doing with real estate co Pierre et Vacances as well as water parks co Center Parks. I will come back later this week on this one with a big update and you'll be surprised to see how big the project is for DLP even if it won't be a theme park. 

DLP also envision to bring the controversial Magic+ Magic Band at DLP and also to extend the Christmas season as they realized that the russian Christmas is happening later in January - yes, more and more Russians are traveling to France and go to DLP! 
Finally, Philippe Gas said that the re-financing of the company ( thanks to the WDC, see above ) is a big opportunity for DLP and we certainly do agree with him, don't we?

O-Kay, that's all for today , see you soon with a big update about the Villages Nature project and in the meantime those of you who are interested by the great Disneyland Paris From Sketch to Reality book might have a look at the presentation article on the book web site HERE. And you can order it with $45 / 35€ special discount by using the Paypal button below!

Important Note: We're running low of the ENGLISH collector's edition copies of the book and we know that soon the english collector's edition will be sold out. If you don't own the book yet and wish to order a copy please do it as soon as possible!

Order your copy of the acclaimed Disneyland Paris, From Sketch to Reality book while there is still copies available! You'll find all infos to order an ENGLISH edition HERE and for the FRENCH edition it's HERE. Watch below the video showing the whole book!

Choose quantity and enjoy additional discount!

One Disneyland Paris Collector Copy ( Including Shipping ) €100.00 EUR Two Disneyland Paris Collector Copies ( Including Shipping ) €185.00 EUR Three Disneyland Paris Collector Copies ( Including Shipping ) €270.00 EUR

Pictures: copyright Disney or Disney and more