Disneyland Paris 2010 Season : a sneak peek at the New Generation Festival

Disneyland Paris press office released yesterday the program of the 2010 Season called "New Generation" and we're going to have a look at it in details. But first, i want to let you know that it is currently snowing in Paris and, for those of you planning to come to the park this week-end, that more snow is expected on Saturday. It's damn' cold in Paris right now and the very stong north wind announced by the weather report should make the temperatures inside the parks reaaally cold all along the week-end.

However, the park in a wintry blanket of snow and ice is also beautiful and magical and if you want to see how it looks like you can see pictures in the previous article i did last year HERE

Let's come back to the 2010 season now. Here is DLP official press release. I let you read it first and then i will give you more details about all this.

A sneak peek at the Disney New Generation Festival
Starting 2nd April 2010

Joining Mickey Mouse and his best pals, the newest Disney Characters fill every corner of Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park with live entertainment as part of the yearlong “Disney new generation festival” that launches 2nd April 2010 at Disneyland Paris.

Inspired by centuries of festivals in Europe, fans of all ages will be treated to shows with the newest stars from Walt Disney Pictures’ animated films, including The Princess and the Frog (in theaters beginning 2010), Lilo & Stitch and Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story, Ratatouille and Monsters, Inc..

The highlight of each day in Disneyland Park is a grand welcome to Princess Tiana, the newest star to join the Disney Princess family from Walt Disney Pictures’ latest animated movie, The Princess and the Frog. Each day, Princess Tiana and her Prince Naveen will meet ‘n’ greet guests and pose for photographs at Town Square Gazebo, with lively music by the Dixieland Band inspired by the music from the film.

The enchanting couple also can be seen in the Disneyland Park daily afternoon “Disney’s Once Upon a Dream Parade” on the “Dreams of Romance” finale float that features all the princesses and princes. The interactive procession is a spectacular mix of storybook floats with more Disney Characters than ever before, lively performances by jugglers and acrobats. And each float has its own special effects: a scent that extends the story, from burning embers for the villains to tropical fruits for The Lion King, and a soundtrack to match the films featured, recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London.

The dreamy finale float features all the princesses and princes in a magical garden, and now Princess Tiana and her Prince Naveen join Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Jasmine and Belle with their princes as they exit the float for a dance and to greet guests along the parade route. The float also includes a new romance medley from The Princess and the Frog.

At day’s end in Disneyland Park, look for a grand moment where Mickey and his best friends give a tribute to their famous new friends in the “Disney showtime spectacular” on the 360-degree Central Plaza Stage, in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The splashy, 15-minute show is the first that features all the new generation characters together along with longtime favorite Disney Characters, led by maestro Mickey. The super tribute to the stars brings guests into the new world of friendship.
Several times daily in Disneyland Park, the Disney new generation stars hops aboard the “Disney all stars express” train on Main Street, U.S.A., with longtime favorites such as Minnie Mouse, stopping at several locations nears Sleeping Beauty Castle to meet and greet guests.

More Live Shows at Walt Disney Studios Park

Ratatouille Characters Remy and Emile are featured in an all-new roadster in the daily “Disney’s Stars ‘n’ Cars” at Walt Disney Studios Park, designed as a comical tribute to Remy’s love of cooking. They join “director” Mickey and other favorite characters in this elaborate party on wheels down Place des Stars that takes guests through the stories of the movies and great Hollywood adventures with cars themed to the personalities of each character. The Ratatouille car makes a big statement with oversized cooking utensils, pots, pans, Champagne bottle, smoke and other special effects. As the cavalcade ends for a meet-and-greet experience with guests, guests start hearing pops and whistles from Remy’s roadster with an impromptu French can-can celebration of the newest stars to join the line-up.

Everyone get permission to be as loud as they want, and screams of delight are filling the air several times daily at “Monsters Inc. Scream Academy” at Walt Disney Studios Park. “Top scarer” Sulley from Monsters, Inc. looks for new recruits with his friend named Patty. Guests of all ages get in the action as they test the monster boogie, monster roar and monster scare – with as many laughs as screams. All are invited to participate in this family-friendly, high energy character interaction. Try your hand at being a Monster!




Toy Story Playland – Opening Summer 2010

At the new Toy Story Playland at Walt Disney Studios Park, Buzz Lightyear invites guests into Andy’s “back yard” to be shrunk to the scale of toys on an enormous playground, with plenty of interactive fun and photo opportunities.

Toy Story Playland includes three all-new attractions:
Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, simulating a dive from the sky with Andy’s Green Army Men;
the family-friendly Slinky Dog Zig Zag Spin, a whimsical coaster attraction;
RC Racer, featuring an exhilarating 25-meter half pipe on a U-shaped race circuit.
(end of the press release)




As you may have already guess the real - and only - new attraction this year is in fact Toy Story Playland opening late June or July. I was wondering what was this “Monsters Inc. Scream Academy”...a new show? a new attraction? Well, no, it will be simply a "happening" with Monsters Inc characters located at the Monsters Inc photo location decor near Animagique at the WDS. And if you wonder which characters are considered to be part of the "new generation" just have a look at the top picture where they're all here - except Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.

The “Disney all stars express” will be the same little train we saw last year and the for the 15th Anniversary and Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen will appear in the day Parade but - and that's the bad news - don't expect a Tiana's Showboat Jubilee on one of DLP's riverboats like the one at Disneyland or at the Magic Kingdom. Considering that DLP have not one but TWO riverboats - the Mark Twain and the Molly Brown - it's not the riverboats that were missing... but to be perfectly honest, i can agree that DL and MK have a much bigger viewing area for their riverboat show than in Paris. And of course, as usual, there was the question of the budget for the show...

However, with the three new little attractions and the theming of Toy Story Playland 2010 will not be a year without new attraction which at least is a good news for all DLP fans! Next week i will have an update about DLP's future where we will have a look at what should come in the parks in the future years. Don't miss it!


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Pictures: copyright Disney

Editor's Note: Disney and more is now back to its original design with, as usual, new articles every day! Also, all my thanks to each of you to have been so faithful during the D&M Christmas break as December was the best D&M month ever with 116511 visits! Which, considering that i was on vacation since December 9th and mainly reposted previous articles is not very moral, i admit! Anyway, again, many thanks to all of you for your support, and all my best wishes for this new year!

Disney Store on line art collectible reveals key scene from TRON Legacy !

Some of you often asked me where i find all the great artworks you can see on Disney and more, and sometime it's pure luck. This Tron Legacy artwork is a good example: yesterday i went to the Disney Store on line web site, just to have a look at the new items, and, in the "collectibles section" listing, i saw a small image entitled "D23 Exclusive Limited-Edition "Attack on the MCP" TRON".

I thought it was some art collectible from the first TRON movie but a surprise awaits me at the item page where the full description says: "Travel to the heart of the game grid with our "Attack on the MCP" TRON Giclée. Here two relentless digital warriors confront the corrupt Master Control Program in electrifying pre-production art from the forthcoming sequel, TRON Legacy". I thought: no kidding, this is a TRON Legacy production art ? And obviously showing a key scene from this highly awaited movie? Incredible. Have a look at the full image below.



Interesting scene, isn't it?

So, that's how it goes sometime, i'm surfing on internet, not specially searching for artwork but it's the artwork which finds me!

And for those of you interested by this 13" H x 19" L collectible Tron Legacy Giclée here is the direct link to the Disney Store page where it's available for $94.95.


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Artwork: copyright Disney

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland second trailer

While Disney and more was in Christmas break a new Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland trailer was released. If you've not seen it yet, there is plenty of new shots of the movie in it, and here it is below.

The Disneyland Paris Frontierland Stunt Show that never was

Recently , i found on the excellent Mark Taft Insights and Sounds web site this rendering below. It's labelled "EDL - for Euro Disneyland which means that this concept-art was done in the early 90's when the park was still called by this name. And it shows the facade of a stunt show arena envisioned for DLP's Frontierland - a "western" stunt show, of course.



In his article Mark was wondering "How seriously was a stunt show for Frontierland considered?" and hoped that i may have the answer as i am the one who wrote the book about the park.

Unfortunately, i just discovered Mark's March 2008 article yesterday (!) and i am a little bit late for the answer! However, i asked Jeff Burke who was Frontierland's show-producer if he ever heard about this project. And here is his answer:

"I don't recognize this specific illustration, but there were discussions, after the Park had opened in 1992, to build a stunt show arena where the Chapparal Stage now stands. The discussions of Frontierland's own stunt showplace ended when operations said it would be too much of a repetition of the "Buffalo Bill Wild West Show" in Downtown Disney."

Another former imagineer friend sent to me these additionnal infos: "There were a number of discussions concerning a live western show in Frontierland, including a small rodeo which was not done due to the strict animal protection laws in France. This is why the animals in the original petting zoo were moved behind a fence after opening so that the guests could only pet an animal when it approached the guest on its own.

As to the stunt show, this was developed under the Entertainment department on their own rather than Imagineering which was probably why it was not well known. An outside consultant was brought in and I seem to remember a model might also have been done. It was essentially a comic gun fight with exploding buildings and such but, as Jeff said, it was cancelled because of the clash with the Buffalo Bill show.

After that, the Chaparral stage came into existence to house any number of live entertainment shows."

So, there we have the answer about this mysterious rendering. The park DID envisioned a stunt show in Frontierland, but they finally cancelled it because of the Disney Village dinner show - translate: if we have a stunt show in Frontierland, people won't come - and pay - for the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.

Although i must admit there is a kind of logic in their decision, i think it's a pity that a "western" stunt show don't exist in Frontierland instead of the Chapparal Stage. A western stunt show is a classic in theme parks - think about the Universal's Wild Wild West stunt show - and it would have give more life in the back of Frontierland...

And you, what do you think about this Frontierland stunt show that never was?

Artwork: copyright Disney

Many thanks to Mark Taft for this interesting rendering. I strongly suggest you to have a look on Mark's site Insights and Sounds, it's always interesting with rare pictures or renderings and Mark is posting new articles almost every day!

Editor's Note: It's all about Disneyland today. And for very good news about Disneyland's future attractions, don't miss Al Lutz new update on Mice Age!

Disneyland's New Orleans Square Original Artwork

The artwork topic of this week is a special Disneyland's New Orleans Square artwork. The renderings below were done by great WDI artists such as Sam Mc Kim, Herb Ryman or Dorothea Redmond. As usual don't forget to click on each image to enjoy them in big size!

This first painting above - by Herb Ryman - was the first detailed visualization of New Orleans Square. The masts of sailing ships, seen over the rooftops are not at Disneyland, but add an authentic touch to the painting. Many of Ryman's renderings for New Orleans Square are peopled with the sister of charity, who were a common sight in 19th century New Orleans.

The next one, also from Herb Ryman, depicts an early concept for the Royal Courtyard, located adjacent to the One-of-a-kind shop. Stairs from this courtyard lead to a suite planned for the Disney family, which became the Disney Gallery before it was transformed in the Disneyland Dream Suite.



This next rendering show the french quarter of New Orleans Square.



This painting below show the "Cristal d'Orleans" shop. Its elegance recalls the film "Gone with the wind". Interior designer Dorothea Redmond who did this painting worked on the 1939 classic.



This next painting, also by Dorothea Redmond, show the Walt Disney Suite project. Imagineers took part of their inspiration from this artwork when they've designed the Disneyland Dream Suite last year.



This last and famous painting from Sam Mc Kim was a design for an eerie "Haunted Mansion" and was based on an actual antebellum home. Walt Disney who didn't want anything so run-down looking in Disneyland remarked "We'll take care of the outside, let the ghosts take care of the inside.




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All Artwork: copyright Disney Enterprises Inc.