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guided tour at Disney-MGM Studios Europe
Welcome
to a Disney Theme Park that never made it off the drawing
board - Disney-MGM Studios Europe, the proposed second theme
park of Euro Disney Resort. This park is as legendary to
European Disney fans as the fabled Westcot project is for
American fans. Prepare to step through the gates of a Hollywood
that never was...
Disney-MGM
Studios Europe was supposed to be about twice as large as
the current Walt Disney Studios Park, and would have included
actual Studio production facilities. The number of attractions
it was supposed to open with is not known for sure, however
a
leaked plan shows approximately 7 to 10 attractions
(it was never revealed whether the Special Effects and Videocomplex
stages were supposed to house attractions, or just part
of the real production facilities).
At least seven themed restaurants are mentioned on the
original plan.
We
start our tour at the main gates of the park where a large
Disney-MGM Studios sign marks the start of our Hollywood
adventure. As we go through the main gates, we enter a Front
Lot style square with buildings in Pueblo Deco style on
each side, lots of palm trees and a high towering Earful
Tower. Passing over the square we approach a huge soundstage
based on the original Hyperion Studio (the first studio
Walt Disney owned). Inside the soundstage we discover Hollywood
Boulevard, a large indoor set resembling Hollywood at night.
While walking towards the exit of Hollywood Boulevard it
becomes clear how huge this building actually is: the actual
soundstage consists out of 3 connected smaller buildings.
Disney-MGM Studios Europe gates
As
we exit the Hollywood Boulevard we enter a huge plaza with
a beautiful recreation of Grauman's Chinese Theatre at the
end. It houses the Grand Movie Palace attraction,
a European version of the Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM
Studios (Orlando). A specially designed tram guides us through
various famous movie scenes from European and American movies,
each with its own Audio-Animatronic actors.
Grand Movie Palace
A whole area dedicated to Route 66 is located to the right
of the Grand Movie Palace, with the Route 66 Roadside
Diner as its centerpiece.
Route 66 themed area
Route 66 themed area
We continue our journey and pass over the plaza to the left
of the Grand Movie Palace where we can get a ride on Gangster
Shoutout, an attraction, based on the Touchstone
production Dick Tracy, combining the technology of The Indiana
Jones Adventure at California and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast.
The show building and facade has been themed as a huge factory
complete with chimney's and bridges.
Gangster Shootout façade
Gangster Shootout
While walking to Animation Courtyard, we pass by the Backlot
Express restaurant, located in the same building
as Gangster Shoutout. The industrial look and feel of the
Gangster Shootout façade carries on here as well.
Backlot Express restaurant
Two buildings are located on each side of Animation Courtyard.
On the right we see the Animation Commissary restaurant
and on the left The Magic of Disney Animation exhibit, showcasing
Disney's proud tradition of handdrawn animation. A look
inside the real Parisian animation studios is included in
our tour.
The Magic of Disney Animation
Leaving Animation Courtyard we pass along another restaurant:
the Brown Derby restaurant, an exact copy
of the Disney-MGM Studios (Orlando) version.
The Brown Derby
We’ve reached a crossroad now: to the left we can
go to the “Attraction Studios”.
Almost nothing is known about this area. The plan mentions
lots of real studio buildings, including special effects
stages, but it’s not sure whether these were actually
being used to house attractions.
The
only attraction clearly mentioned is the Backlot
Tram Tour. As we board our tram, we go on a tour
through the real Studio lot on property and end our tour
with a visit to Catastrophe Canyon, located right behind
the loading station.
Catastrophe Canyon
As we go back to the crossroad and go to the right, we first
pass by the New York and waterfront backlot:
a recreation of New York city and its waterfront, complete
with ship. A sign informs us that a new attraction is on
its way: the Honey I shrunk the kids play area: a larger
than life playground for the little ones.
New York Back lot
Waterfront lot, complete with ship
We pass by the waterfront to reach the Indiana Jones
themed area. The Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
takes us on an adventure with the most memorable stunts
from the original movies. An Indiana Jones themed
restaurant and the Indy Adventure Merchandise
are located here as well at the far end of the park.
Indiana
Jones stunt double
Indiana
Jones Adventure Outpost boutique
And so, a day of backstage movie magic comes to a close
in the Hollywood that truly never was...
Hollywood as it never was
Do
you think this park lives up to the hype? Share your thoughts
on the magicforum.
© WDS Fans. Do not reproduce without
prior permission.
Concept art copyright Disney.
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