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:
"Holes"
When Walt Disney Studios Park opened, visitors will have
noticed the "holes" in the park layout. Entire
areas between buildings, with only a few wooden walls
separating backstage from on-stage, were left blank for
future expansion. These caused in the early years of the
park for the inspiration of some gossips, rumours and
urban legends... We're going to try and list all of the
lost and forgotten projects that the current
Walt Disney Studios Park never saw.
Studio Tram Tour sets
A concept art send out to the press prior to the opening
of the park, reveals two Studio Tram Tour sets that were
never build. One shows a medieval castle and the other
is a scene from George of the Jungle.
Two lost Studio Tram Tour sets.
Gangs of New York sets
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 in
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
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 Marne la Vallée
to start construction, which never happened. Soarin' is
now rumoured to be build on the former Sound Studio location.
Many references to the Sound Studio building on concept
art and models.
Animation Restaurant
One of the ideas for the Animation Courtyard area was
its own restaurant. The location would have been the grass
field behind the Art of Disney Animation building. 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 Cruise line.
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast and Goofy's Barnstormer
Although Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast found its way in 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
Another idea for a more children-aimed attraction at Animation
Courtyard was the addition of Mermaid Lagoon, build at
Tokyo Disney Sea. A recreation of King Triton's Castle
would have lead guests to three underwater-inspired attractions
(Flounder's Flying Fish Coaster, The Whirlpool and 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 its impressive
façade and themed children's rides
Festival of the Lion King
An expansion map commissioned by former Euro Disney CEO
André Lacroix shows a large circular building,
placed on what's now the Tower of Terror location. It
would have housed the Festival of the Lion King show from
Disney's Animal Kingdom. A hub fountain and an unkown
building marked "Sony" across the Theatre is
also mention on the map.
Expansion map reveals the Lion King Theatre
Sunset Boulevard & Tower of Terror
A long time rumour since park opening places Tower of
Terror at the end of a Sunset Boulevard, similar to Disney's
Hollywood Studios in Orlando.
The magic of photo-editing software.
This concludes our roundup of projects that never made
it to Walt Disney Studios Park. However, this list is
not complete and it will never be while new ideas and
concepts are being sketched down...
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