Nescafé snack stand coming soon
Posted by raptor1982 on Thursday, March 27 2008

A mysterious construction started last week near Rendez-Vous des Stars which has now been revealed by La Roquine at Disney Central Plaza as a permanent snack stand sponsored by Nestlé.

There's no information however when the stand will open and what it will look like.

More construction photos at Photos Magiques.

2,5 Million visitors for WDS in 2007
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, March 17 2008

T.E.A., a professional theme park related magazine, has published the annual figures for global theme parks.

Walt Disney Studios Park pulled in 2.5 million (10th place Europe), putting it one place up the European leaderboard and ahead of UK rival Alton Towers for the first time.

But Studios fans, you’re right to object — the second gate at Disneyland Resort Paris does attract far, far more people than this. The inaccuracy in these estimated figures is that Euro Disney SCA count their parks on what they call a “first click” basis, so if you bought a Park Hopper and visited Disneyland Park the first day and Walt Disney Studios Park the second, your “point” would go to Disneyland Park, and the Studios wouldn’t get anything.

So next time when you're visiting the resort, be sure to head over to WDS first for a ride on Tower of Terror, Crush's Coaster or a breakfast in Disney Studio 1!

CinéMagique repaint!
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, March 10 2008

Cinémagique's left side is currently surrounded by the famous green construction fences for a complete repaint. The purple border above the queue line has been turned into a white/crème colour and a large chunk of wall inside the waiting area has been painted purple instead.
Also, some of the light bulbs in the waiting area are being replaced by flashing strobe-lights.

Dealing with the crowds
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, March 10 2008

Temporary turnstiles had to be added at the park's main gate to cope with the large crowds that flocked towards Walt Disney Studios Park this weekend.

Two computer systems and hand tally counters took away some pressure from the other turnstiles, which were all in operation, including the recently added turnstiles on the Walt Disney Studios Store's side.

In addition was the WDS guest storage facility once again re-opened after many years of closure.

Advertisements everywhere!
Posted by raptor1982 on Friday, January 11 2008

Park operations continues to put efforts in attracting more guests to Walt Disney Studios Park. When the new Toon Studio attractions opened, a large amount of posters appeared all over the resort advertising Crush's Coaster and Cars Quattre Roues Rallye.
A new set of posters is now showing up, for Tower of Terror this time. They follow the already installed poster over the moving walkways towards the parking lot.

Other posters have been replaced as well: the Ratatouille ones on Disney Studio 1 by ads for Disney's new hit Enchanted. Unfortunately is the large Cars billboard still present...

Enjoy the Magic of the Movies one hour longer!
Posted by raptor1982 on Sunday, December 23 2007

Walt Disney Studios Park will be operating daily from 10am to 7pm as of April 2008. The extended operating hour is a result of the new additions in the park and the growing attendance in the resort.

Current Walt Disney Studios park plan
Posted by raptor1982 on Wednesday, November 21 2007

Download here the current park plan from 10 November 2007 - 6 January 2008.

More crowds => more turnstiles?
Posted by raptor1982 on Sunday, November 11 2007

Our Photos Magiques camera captured construction workers preparing work on the far right of the Walt Disney Studios Park gate. It was confirmed afterwards by La Roquine on Disney Central Plaza forum that an additional turnstile was under construction. Is Tower of Terror already showing of its effect?

Bob's secret visit
Posted by raptor1982 on Sunday, October 14 2007

Bob Iger, thé Walt Disney Co. CEO, has visited Disneyland Resort Paris last week. According to insiders he had spent most of his day at... Walt Disney Studios Park, while only a couple of hours at Disneyland Park.

More top executives were spotted at Walt Disney Studios the past few months which include John Lasseter, back then Executive Vice President of Imagineering Tom Fitzgerald and head world wide park operations Al Weiss.

Rats invade Rendez-Vous des Stars
Posted by raptor1982 on Saturday, September 1 2007

Our WDSfans photographer visited the new all-you-can-eat buffet at Rendez-Vous des Stars, and got pleasantly surprised.

The restaurant did not just change it's food offerings, it also changed the whole theme! Disney-Pixar's Ratatouille can be found all over the restaurant! From the menu outside to Remy and Emile cut-out's and plush inside.

It's not known yet if the new layover of the Pixar characters is permanent, or just a marketing trick by Ratatouille's marketing team.

The current menu costs 23 euro's for an adult (12 euro's for each child), which includes one drink. Oh and yes, a ratatouille dish is being served.

New park plan stand
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, August 13 2007

Disney Brothers Plaza has received a new mobile park plan stand, similar to the ones used at your public library for brochures. Although missing a Disney-tough and professional look, it should help out Guest Flow with the increase of visitors to the Walt Disney Studios Park.

Rendez-vous des Stars à volonté!
Posted by raptor1982 on Friday, July 27 2007

More changes are coming to Walt Disney Studios Park. Not just more theming, attractions or shows, but also a change in food offering. From 27th August will Rendez-Vous des Stars transformed into an all-you-can-eat restaurant, the first in its kind at the Walt Disney Studios Park.

According to several sources at French message boards will the restaurant offer for the price of 23 euros an all-you-can-eat and -drink formula and a menu that will be very similar to the one at Plaza Gardens in Disneyland Park.

Unfortunate incident at Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Posted by raptor1982 on Tuesday, June 26 2007

Sad news today:

A 14 year old Spanish girl was found unconscious after riding Rock 'n' Roller Coaster past monday. The DLRP medic team was rushed to the attraction where they tried to revive her, but by the time an ambulance arrived, the girl had passed away.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster closed immediately and will remain so until the results of cause of death are known.

Our sympathies go to the girl's family and friends.

Information board updated!
Posted by raptor1982 on Wednesday, June 20 2007

The information board on Disney Bros. Plaza has been updated with the new park plan and new signs for the attractions.

The new attractions have been added to the list, including The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror which is marked "Coming Soon".

Additionally are the restaurants listed with a mentioning what type of restaurant it is.

Ratatouille cooks up a new Studio 1
Posted by Anthony on Saturday, June 16 2007

If the 'Cars' billboard on the front wall of Disney Studio 1 isn't enough for you (in place for over a year since it took the place of the original Chicken Little advertisement), Buena Vista have just this weekend cooked up a treat for any Pixar fans on Disney Studio 1.

No, the 'Cars' billboard is still there, but has now been joined by a second poster on the back wall of Studio 1 and a complete covering the former attraction posters on the Front Lot side. No longer will guests see previews of the park's attractions such as CinéMagique and Studio Tram Tour upon entering as is Disney tradition, now they'll be greeted by a heavy advertising pitch from Buena Vista...

The posters have been added this weekend ready for the Toon Studio Press Event today, which will also include a special preview screening of the film in the CinéMagique theatre.

You can discuss this topic on magicforum here.

Leading the way to Toon Studio
Posted by raptor1982 on Sunday, June 10 2007

Magicforum moderator Flor has send us in some photos from a foggy Disneyland Resort Paris, showing the new signs that are popping up all over the resort telling guests how far away the distance is to the new attractions. The visuals used for both Crush's Coaster as for Cars Race Rally are similar to the ones used for the brochures and marketing, but this time the actual ride vehicles have been blended in.

These boards have been spotted already near the Vinci parking lot, the resort's parking lot and the main hub. It seems to be a smart move by the marketing team to attract more guests to the Walt Disney Studios Park since the park's being skipped by a lot of visitors. A survey held some years ago revealed that not everyone on resort property was aware of the second gate, resulting in some hilarious answers as "Isn't that a museum?"

We'll soon find out if these new boards have affected the number of guests go by the Studios turnstiles...

More photos coming today.

More posters returning
Posted by raptor1982 on Friday, June 8 2007

We've got word from a friend that more posters have returned on the lighting rigs through out the park. The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe posters have appeared near Rendez-Vous des Stars along with Armageddon posters near the same-named attraction.

Moderator Flor captured a photo of a Mary Poppins poster near Disney Studio 1 and in the distance Disney Channel posters can be seen near the Television Tour building.

Many thanks to CHT and magicforum moderator Flor.

Extra magic hours coming to WDS!
Posted by raptor1982 on Friday, June 1 2007

More excitement for WDS Fans is coming next year. And it's not just new attractions or entertainment, but something that fans are asking since the park opened: longer opening hours.

Extra Magic Hours is a system that allows guests staying at any Disney Hotel or Hotel l'Elysée Val d'Europe to spend 2 hours before or 2 hours after regular park times. This service was first launched last year at the Disneyland Park, but now appears to have found its way to the Walt Disney Studios Park, thanks to its expansion.

We should point how ever that these Extra Magic Hours will be on selected days only, which will be announced several months up front.

Walt Disney Studios Park ranks 11th!
Posted by raptor1982 on Thursday, April 5 2007

TEA/ERA has released their attendance report with the top theme parks worldwide.

On the European theme parks list has Walt Disney Studios Park been ranked 11th, with 2,2 million visitors last year. This makes it the Disney park with the least amount of visitors, but still way above neighbour Parc Asterix and the German theme park Phantasialand.
Disneyland Park ranked first with 10,6 million visitors.

The results for Walt Disney Studios Park should be up next year, as by then the park's largest expansion ever should be completed.

Download the full attendance report here.

Park map reveals new additions
Posted by raptor1982 on Wednesday, April 4 2007

The new Walt Disney Studios Park map wasn't the best kept Disney secret, as it was already revealed in an article about the 15th Anniversary in a Dutch newspaper. However first thought to be a primarily draft, it turned out to be the final design for the map.

The new additions on the park map are the whole Toon Studio area with the new Sorcerer Mickey Statue, the Sorcerer's Hat with the golden Disney statues, Cars Race Rally, Crush's Coaster, a more realistic Flying Carpets over Agrabah, the Toon Town backdrop and finally the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror with its Hollywood quarter.

Download below a full size version of the new park map.

Stitch Invasion Pin #6
Posted by raptor1982 on Tuesday, March 20 2007

Disneylandparis.com reveals the newest WDS Stitch Invasion pin. The pin features Stitch driving a car on the Moteurs... Action set and the attraction logo.

Previously released Stitch Invasion pins included Front Lot Gates, Catastrophe Canyon, Armageddon - Les Effets Speciaux, the Earffel Tower and Flying Carpets over Agrabah.

5 Years of Movie Magic
Posted by raptor1982 on Friday, March 16 2007

Happy Birthday Walt Disney Studios Park!

To all who enter this studio of dreams...welcome. Walt Disney Studios is dedicated to our timeless fascination and affection for cinema and television. Here we celebrate the art and the artistry of storytellers from Europe and around the world who create the magic. May this special place stir our own memories of the past, and our dreams of the future.

Walt Disney Studios Park Dedication by Michael Eisner, 16 March 2002

Windows to Paris
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, March 5 2007

The windows from the Walt Disney Studios Store on Front Lot have been updated with a stylish look on Paris town using large photographs combined with neon lights.

5 Major Parisian attractions are featured, from left to right: Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Moulin Rouge and the Obelisque.

Park open longer in 2007!
Posted by raptor1982 on Friday, December 29 2006

It has been confirmed by DLRP's UK website that Walt Disney Studios Park's gates won't close before 7pm on March 31th, 2007. That day is supposed to be the start of 15th Anniversary celebration at both parks and will hopefully be the start of longer park opening hours at Walt Disney Studios as well.

The Storm Aftermath
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, December 11 2006

The Walt Disney Studios Park was an unfortunate victim of the severe storms that'd hit Europe last week. Most of the Christmas decorations got blown off, as well as the construction fences and the movie posters on the lighting rigs.

Poppy the Monkey, a regular visitor on the magic forum, posted some photos highlighting the damage at Walt Disney Studios Park.

More photos by Poppy the Monkey at the magic forum here.

Stitch Invasion pin #3
Posted by Anthony on Saturday, December 2 2006

The pin releases for December 2006 were announced on time today, and the third pin in the Walt Disney Studios Stitch Invasion series has been revealed to feature...

Armageddon: Special Effects!

This will also be the very first Armageddon-themed Disney pin released anywhere in the world, and a very rare occasion that Disney calls upon one of its Buena Vista/Touchstone licenses for use in Pin Trading.

Toon Studio and More, on the new Resort Map
Posted by Anthony on Wednesday, November 22 2006

The new 2007 Resort Map has been unveiled to the holiday-booking public, spread across a double page in the new 15th Anniversary Official Brochure. And, after no additions in 2006, the 2007 version has suddenly seen both parks fill up with illustrations of their most popular attractions... including Crush's Coaster and Cars Race Rally!

Whilst earlier versions saw the parks feature a jumble of their most iconic attractions, the updated map has added far more detail to this area, presenting the parks almost to their true layout and adding several new attractions to the mix.

The biggest changes can be seen over at Walt Disney Studios Park - not only in real life but also on the map. The layout of the park is now clearly defined, with the entrance, Earful Tower and first three Disney Studios now featured, whilst Moteurs... Action! has been shrunk to make way for the guitar of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith.

Even details such as the Place des Stars Stage and sign are now featured, and the Reign of Fire scene from Studio Tram Tour has been hastily affixed from the main park map... dare we say a placeholder for the Tower of Terror next year?

Of course, the one location which your eyes will have been immediately drawn to is... Toon Studio! Featured on an official map for the very first time, and looking very much like the most recent official concepts. Flying Carpets Over Agrabah now has more detail and a deep purple backdrop, but the big additions are Crush's Coaster and Cars Race Rally.

Crush's Coaster features some details which appear different in the real design - for example, the map shows a grey building and purple rockwork, much like the concept art. Cars Race Rally is perhaps more accurate, featuring brightly coloured cars skidding around the canyon with the Cars showroom entrance (and it's massive illuminated "Cars" sign) in the background.

The new magic doesn't end there - even the Toon Town backdrop has been added! This version features the wall, hills and buildings of the latest concepts along with the smiling face of the sun, shining down from above the Toon Town hills!

And, as a final touch of mystery about the not-so-distant future of Toon Studio - the stars and moon of the Sorcerer's Hat have now been painted gold.

Moteurs... Action! The Soundtrack
Posted by raptor1982 on Wednesday, November 15 2006

One of the most requested Walt Disney Studios Park soundtracks must be the Moteurs Action music. Disney fans on the other side of the globe are now more fortunate. Walt Disney World's 2007 Official Album features an 11 minute long track from the Motors Action show at Disney-MGM Studios.

If you'd like to get your hands on this cd, you might give it a try to send an e-mail to: wdw.mail.order@disneyworld.com.

New Park Guide and Entertainment Programme
Posted by Anthony on Thursday, November 9 2006

The final traces of the resort's old 2002-2003 graphic design are finally being painted over. As November begins, and following the introduction of the new Disneyland Park plan on the 7th October, the park plan for Walt Disney Studios Park has also now been updated to the same format with a separate Entertainment Programme.

The front cover of the new plan matches exactly with that of Disneyland Park's, featuring Jiminy Crickett sitting on the full park logo with tickboxes and the dates below. The colour is much lighter and fresher than the old map, and the cleaner feel is continued inside the guide.

Not only the layout and design has been copied from Disneyland Park's new plan, however, since most of the tips and advice match exactly between the two guides with (in all but one case) City Hall simply swapped out for Studio Services. Thankfully, the numbering of the attractions has returned to its original form, with all attractions (such as Studio 7's Armageddon and Studio 2's CinéMagique) now featuring their correct studio number rather than the random numbering of the previous map.

One strange detail, however, is the lack of attraction number 8. The previous map featured numbering up to 10 attractions, whilst this features 11 with no number 8. A sneaky way to beef up the park's attraction roster, or just a mistake?

Again like the new Disneyland Park plan, this one features a separate Entertainment Programme. Originally light blue, Disneyland Park's programme switched to pink during Halloween, perhaps suggesting the colours would match those of the Park Guide. Alas, as November arrived, Disneyland Park's programmes returned to blue and Walt Disney Studios first ever Entertainment Programme is... purple.

Deck the Studios!
Posted by raptor1982 on Thursday, November 2 2006

More and more Christmas decorations are popping in the park. Halloween isn't celebrated at Walt Disney Studios, so the decorating team has been constantly putting up Christmas decorations the past month. There are no remarkable changes compared to the other years, but there's still much to finish up before the season starts on November 11th.

A warm welcome back...
Posted by raptor1982 on Thursday, November 2 2006

A couple of months ago we reported that the Bottle on Tour truck was removed on Backlot. It finally returned without the Bottle on Tour banner and the sound effects.

Also returning are brand new Armageddon posters on the side of Studio 7. The old faded ones got removed back in July only to be replaced 3 months later.

Stitch Invasion Pin #1
Posted by raptor1982 on Wednesday, October 18 2006

An image from the first Stitch Invision pin has hit the internet. DLRPmagicworld.com has a full list of the new pins on their website.
The limited edition pin will be released Saturday 21th October 2006.

Image source here

No make-up for the Stars
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, October 16 2006

The make-up boot at Disney Studio 1 has been temporarely closed. Children can get a free make-up makeover at Disneyland Park during the Halloween season (inside the giant pumpkin), so management decided to close the paying make-up locations at Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Park.

More rehabs around Front Lot
Posted by raptor1982 on Tuesday, October 10 2006

The rehab of the Walt Disney Studios Store has been expanded all over the building now. The right side has been finished off with a deeper shade of orange, while the other side has just received its layer of white primer.

The ticket booths outside the park are being repainted job as well, in similar deeper orange colours.

Stitch Invasion?
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, October 9 2006

No, we're not talking about the big Stitch Encounter rumour, but about the popular limited edition pins at Disneyland Park. A reader has send in this information:

"The new pin series (starting this month) is about the "Walt Disney Studios Invasion". Little is known about the pins yet, but the first one will be released October 21st. The series will probably contain 10 to 13 pins and if it continues on the previous series as they will all include Stitch."

Many thanks to Gary Jans.

Bottle on tour...
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, September 11 2006

But this time for real! The Bottle on Tour trailer between Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Moteurs... Action has been removed from its location. The trailer, sponsored by Coca Cola, was filled with musical instruments, including an interactive synthesizer.

Word hasn't reached us yet if this is a permanent removal.

Photo left: after the removal, photo right: Bottle on Tour trailer

New merchandising
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, September 11 2006

New merchandise from Walt Disney Studios Park has been spotted at Legends of Hollywood. Photo albums, notebooks and t-shirts are adorned with the silhouette of Mickey and his camera.

New food offerings
Posted by raptor1982 on Sunday, August 20 2006

More food offerings are showing up at different locations in the park.

Restaurant En Coulisse offers a Studios Burger with Kebab sauce.

Studio Catering Co. near Television Production Tour offers two different "Grab 'n Go pasta menu's.

Pin Trading Day at the Studios
Posted by Anthony on Thursday, August 3 2006

The Disneyland Resort Paris pin releases for August 2006 have just been announced, and along with them is the announcement of a special Pin Trading Day event at Walt Disney Studios Park. This will be the park's second pin event and will allow pin traders to get together and exchange pins, as well as discovering some extra special pins created just for this day, which are sure to be of interest to Walt Disney Studios fans!

The event will take place on 26th August 2006, from 9.00am. You can discuss the event and see August's pin releases in full on our forum.

Update: Thanks to Gary for pointing out this is infact the second Pin Event at the Studios. The first was the 'Stitch Hawaii Pin Event' of August 2004.

Café des Cascadeurs reopened
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, July 3 2006

Café des Cascadeurs, the only table-service restaurant at Walt Disney Studios Park, has been reopened after a few months of closure due to the Tower of Terror construction.

The art deco style studio diner is now offering a slightly changed menu serving hotdogs and salads.

Click to open the updated menu:

Art of Disney-Pixar Animation
Posted by raptor1982 on Monday, June 12 2006

It's a tradition for every new Disney Animated movie to show a promotional feature during the Drawn to Animation presentation at Art of Disney Animation. For Disney-Pixar's Cars is this no exception. John Lasseter shares the story and some footage from his latest Pixar creation.

Interesting article on Miceage
Posted by raptor1982 on Wednesday, May 31 2006

Peter Bell shares an interesting article at Miceage about the Walt Disney Studios Park and the dropped Disney-MGM Studios Europe concept.

Read it here.