Lost WDS 2002 projects

From sketch to reality
When in the late '90's, Euro Disney SCA management finally managed to assemble enough budget to build its second gate, Imagineers were asked to come up with a replacement for the once scheduled Disney-MGM Studios Europe. The old plans went back to the “blue sky” closet, never to see the daylight again. Instead of following the “Hollywood that never was” storyline, the story changed to "an actual working studio". Gone were the stylish buildings like the Chinese Theatre, the Route 66 Roadside Diner and the New York Streetsets. Instead, an industrial look was brought in, not only to give it a touch of the “new millennium style” but also to bring down the costs. After al, this was and still is a financially struggling resort.

Only 2 attractions were saved from the original planned MGM park. The Studio Tram Tour and the Art of Disney Animation found their way to Paris, in a different package that is. Most of the other attractions were brand new and exclusive for the park.

Attractions on opening day:
» Animagique
» Armageddon, les effets speciaux
» Art of Disney Animation
» Cinémagique
» Disney Channel Television Tour (without the Cyberspace post show)
» Flying Carpets over Agrabah
» Moteurs... Action! Stunt Show Spectacular
» Rock 'n' Roller Coaster avec Aerosmith
» Studio Tram Tour – Behind the magic


"Holes"
As visitors could notice during the first operating years, it seemed that the park had “holes”. Large areas between buildings without any landscaping, only a few wooden panels separating backstage from on-stage. These holes were intended to house projects that were planned to be added the following years. But they didn't.

We're going to try and list all of these lost and forgotten projects that the current Walt Disney Studios Park never saw.

Studio Tram Tour sets
[Confirmed] On a concept storyboard for the Studio Tram Tour distributed to the press prior to park opening were several movie sets shown in the Walt Disney Studios Park forest. One of them featured a medieval castle and another was a recreation of a George of the Jungle set.

Two lost Studio Tram Tour sets.

Gangs of New York sets
[Rumoured] A rumour recently hit the internet that instead of the Reign of Fire set in Studio Tram Tour, a whole area dedicated to the early New York, as seen in Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York, would have been build. However according to the rumour, when Michael Eisner visited the actual filmset at the Cinecittà studios in Rome, he decided that the movie would be too violent to be featured at a Disney park and cancelled the project. No concept art or any evidence about the project's existence could be found.

Gangs of New York set at the Cinecittà Studios in Rome

Sound Studio
[Confirmed] The semi-circular building would have been build between the Television Tour building and Cinémagique. It would have housed the actual dubbing offices for Disney movies and an attraction involving sounds, most likely similar to the Drew Carey attraction at Disney-MGM Studios Orlando. The building can be spotted on several concept arts and a building permit was given by the Marne la Vallée region to start construction, which never happened. Soarin' is now scheduled to be build on the former Sound Studio location.

Many references to the Sound Studio building on concept arts and models.

Animation Restaurant
[Confirmed by Imagineer]. One of the ideas for the Animation Courtyard area was it's own restaurant. The location would have been the grass field between the back of Art of Disney Animation and the Studio Tram Tour route. Although the description is very vague, it's likely that this was supposed to be a Parisian version of the famous Animator's Palette restaurant on board of the Disney Cruiseline.

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast and Goofy's Barnstormer
[Confirmed by Imagineer] Although Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast found its way to the old Circlevision theatre at Discoveryland, an idea was toyed around to place it right next to the Art of Disney Animation, together with... Goofy's Barnstormer from Toon Town Fair at Walt Disney World...

Mermaid Lagoon
[Confirmed by Imagineer] Another idea for a more children-aimed attraction at Animation Courtyard was the addition of Mermaid Lagoon, also build at Tokyo Disney Sea. A recreation of King Triton's Castle would have let guests to three underwater-inspired attractions (Flounder's Flying Fish Coaster, The Whirlpool, Jumpin' Jellyfish), a meet 'n' greet area and an indoor play area. The theatre show, also found at Toky Disney Sea would be added later as part of the future expansion.

Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo Disney Sea with it's impressive façade and kiddie-rides.

Festival of the Lion King
[Rumoured] A rumour is circling the internet for years about a Walt Disney Studios expansion map, displayed at the Disney University on the Hotel Cheyenne property. According to the rumour, a large circular building was placed on what's now the Tower of Terror location and would have housed the Festival of the Lion King show from Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom.

Sunset Boulevard & Tower of Terror
[Rumoured] On that very same rumoured expansion map, Sunset Boulevard from Disney-MGM Studios was shown leading up to the DCA version of Tower of Terror, complete with gardens. Again, no evidence ever made it outside the Disneyland Resort Paris berms.

The magic of photo-editing software.

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Concept art copyright Disney.