Snow White book now available in soft cover edition at affordable price

Last week, i've let you know about the new and gorgeous "Jungle book" book by Pierre Lambert. This week, i have a good news for all Disney animation fans as Pierre Lambert previous book about Snow White is now available in soft cover edition and at a very reasonable price - 30 euros on Amazon.fr instead than 120 euros for the hard cover edition.

The size of the book is smaller but still big - 10" x 10" - and the artwork inside the book is the same than one could see in the original edition. Let's have a closer look at this great book, another perfect Christmas gift!

This first artwork is a cello on background painting for a scene at the beginning of the movie.



Next artwork is a Joe Grant preliminary study of the evil queen.



This cello on background painting of the evil queen is famous but so perfect that it's always a pleasure to see it again.



Another cello on background painting for the famous scene of Snow White with the animals of the forest.



This next artwork is a production background watercolor painting of the seven dwarfs cottage.



... just like this one below.



Here is a rare preliminary study for the seven dwarfs by Ferdinand Horvath.



Below, a cello on background painting for the music sequence.



Same for this next one with all the seven dwarfs.



The book also show great story-board drawings like this one of the witch during the "apple" scene.



A cello on production background for the same "apple" scene.



And a last one for the happy ending!



The book has 240 pages. This is the french edition, but only the first 30 pages have a text in french and all the others have only artwork. So, no need to say that even if you don't read french it won't be a problem to enjoy the book full of never-seen-before Snow White artwork. Just like the Jungle Book book by the same author, i highly recommand it to you, specially at this very affordable price.

All pictures: copyright Walt Disney Productions

Disneyland Paris as seen through Christmas ball ornaments

It's the full Christmas season at DLP and Maureen Chaffurin is back with a great new photographic report: Disneyland Paris as seen through mirrored Christmas ball ornaments!

The pictures below -in fact done with a fish-eye lens and a bit of Photoshop magic - should give you a good idea of how the park will look if you looked at it through mirrored Christmas ball ornaments - if, of course, there was Christmas balls everywhere in the park. Definitely double click on each to see in big size these unique shots of the Christmas parade, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Fantasyland and Discoveryland.
















Don't forget to have a look at Shootin, Maureen Chaffurin web site HERE!

All pictures: copyright Maureen Chaffurin

D&M Exclusive : Work-in-progress pictures of Universal Studios Singapore Ancient Egypt Land

If you're a faithful Disney and more reader you know from my previous updates that Universal Studios Singapore will open early next year. An official announcement will happen soon and apparently Universal is planning the grand opening of Universal Singapore for the end of January. In the park, guests will find both new and classic Universal Studios rides, and a brand new land: Ancient Egypt.



Located on the right side of the lake - when you come from the entrance - Ancient Egypt will have a great theming with a huge replica of an old Egyptian temple and palm trees all around. Guests will find of course the Revenge of the Mummy ride, the entrance of the attraction will be located where are these giants black Anubis statues on the picture below.





It seems that the columns of the temple will be painted, at least the top of them, as you can see on one of the columns on this next picture. Note also the engravings on the temple facade.



If we look closer to the attraction entrance we can see that the old Egyptian theming seems to continue inside the temple.



Another attraction, a brand new one specially for the park, will be called "Treasure Hunters" - you can see its location on the map below...



...an attraction where "Young treasure hunters will be able to drive their own vintage motor car through an expedition in an abandoned excavation site". On the picture below you can see two of the "vintage cars" inside what is probably the "excavation site" boarding area of the attraction.



On the next picture, the track that you can see in the middle of the road is probably a kind of guide-track for the vehicles, like in Autopia. If you enlarge the picture you'll see also what seems to be mechanical bugs that will probably move when the vintage car will pass by to scare the young drivers! In the background, other giant Anubis statues, part of the great theming of this land.



Always in this land guests will find a shop called "Carter's Curiosities" - a tribute to Howard Carter who discovered the tumb of Tut-Ankh-Amon. A shop for "Aspiring archeologists with grab replicas of historical artifacts or fossils discovered from ancient Egyptian ruins". Nearby, the "Oasis spice Cafe" will be a royal feast of the best of Mediterranean, Indian and Malay cuisines served in a Egyptian themed environment.

All these pictures, like the one below shot on a cloudy day shows a work-in-progress and this is not the final result, so we can expect this Ancient Egypt land to be even more beautiful when the park will open.



By the way, the red and blue coaster tracks you can see on a picture above behind the Egyptian temple are those of the Battlestar Galactica dueling coaster located in Sci-Fi City land next to Ancient Egypt. A little bit too close, if you ask me.



Meanwhile, right in the front of Ancient Egypt, on the other side of the lake, workers put the final touch to th Far Far Away Castle where visitors will step into the world of Shrek and Princess Fiona, and it seems it's going to be a reaaaly big castle!



Frankly, this Ancient Egypt land looks great. I've travelled in the "real" Egypt many times - wonderful country, by the way - and i can see where they took their inspiration. Nothing can equal the true temples of the glorious era of the Pharaohs, but I will go to Universal Studios Singapore with pleasure when it will be open to have a closer look to this great replica!


Thanks to leave a comment or discuss this article on D&M english forum on Mice Chat

Park maps and pictures: copyright Universal Studios Singapore

Gorgeous eFX Nautilus Replica now available for pre-order !

Visitors of the 2009 Comicon and D23 Expo were amazed by the new and gorgeous 4 foot long Nautilus replica produced by eFX, and i've previously show you some pictures of it and now eFX is taking pre-orders for this highly awaited Nautilus replica to be released in May!

eFX is also designing other Disney replicas as you will read in the official press release below. The pictures that i post today are official pictures from eFX, but two things will change - for the better - in the final version: first, the battery box with a cable that you can see under the Nautilus - needed for the lights inside the submarine - will be located inside the Nautilus, and, two, there will be a new design for the stand inspired by an architecture element of Nemo's Grand Salon.



Price of this stunning replica is $1799 and there is a possibility to pay the amount in four times, you'll get all details on the eFX web site.

I am a huge fan of Harper Goff's Nautilus, so of course i welcome this new limited edition replica, the best i've seen so far. And now, here is the press release with all details on this "ultimate" Nautilus. You can see additional pictures shoot at D23 Expo by Andy Castro HERE. And also on the eFX web site three pages of great pictures of the making-of of this replica by Scott Brodeen.




Ordering Begins Thursday for Capt. Nemo’s Nautilus, Inspired by Disney’s Classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

BURBANK, Calif. (December 7, 2009) – Disney fans will soon be able to add an element of epic adventure to their collections: On Thursday, December 10, eFX Inc. begins accepting orders at www.efxcollectibles.com for its eye-popping, four-foot replica of Capt. Nemo’s Nautilus, inspired by Disney’s 1954 live-action version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Shipping is anticipated to take place in spring 2010 for the Nautilus, the first of three incredible replicas offered in eFX’s new Disney line. The Nautilus is priced at $1,799, and payments can be made in four installments. Full ordering and shipping details are available at www.efxcollectibles.com.



This four-foot replica of the Nautilus offers features not incorporated in any previous model of the iconic submarine. Produced at approximately 1/45th scale, the replica features finely detailed interior views of the wheelhouse and Capt. Nemo’s salon, as well as LED lights to illuminate those rooms as well as the circular salon observation window.



In addition to a removable skiff, the Nautilus incorporates a freely rotating propeller and pivoting rudder, and includes a custom display stand. Each Nautilus will have a numbered plaque and certificate of authenticity, and production will be strictly limited to 500 pieces worldwide.

The Nautilus is the first of three Disney collectibles that eFX has created to launch its Disney line. Two additional replicas will be available for ordering in the next several weeks:
The exquisite Heart Box inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which sits on an elaborate, museum-quality display base featuring two sculptures by renowned artist David Kracov;



An 18-inch-tall “photo puppet” replica of the Muppets’ Rizzo the Rat, complete with letterman’s jacket and baseball cap.



Prices for these two pieces are being finalized, and eFX expects to begin accepting orders for them by the end of the year.

“The feedback we received when we previewed these pieces at Comic-Con and the D23 Expo was fantastic, and we’ve many inquiries asking when fans could order these new Disney collectibles, so we’re really happy to be entering the production phase,” said Bryan Ono, president of eFX Inc.
Orders for eFX’s Nautilus can be placed at www.efxcollectibles.com. For complete details of the products, the ordering process and shipping information, visit the eFX Inc. website.



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Pictures: copyright eFX collectibles or Andy Castro

How Disneyland attractions inspired parks around the world - Part Three : Efteling's Carnival Festival and Fata Morgana rides

Here we go for the part three of my "How Disneyland attractions inspired parks around the world" series and this time we will have a look at two rides of one of the best theme park in the world: Efteling, located in The Netherlands.

Efteling is the largest theme park in The Netherlands, and as it opened in 1952, it is one of the oldest theme parks in the world - yes, older than Disneyland! Efteling, located in the town of Kaatsheuvel has received over 100 million visitors and in 1992 Efteling received the IAAPA Applause Award for Best Amusement Park in the World.

Originally the park catered towards children with a fairy tale theme. In over fifty years the park has evolved from a nature park with playground and a Fairy Tale Forest, into a full-size theme park along the lines of Disneyland. It is twice as large as the original Disneyland parkand nowadays Efteling appeals to both young and old with its cultural, romantic and nostalgic themes and its variety of amusement rides.

Efteling has a good relationship with the Disney theme parks. Disneyland Paris consulted Efteling during its construction and design phase, in order to adapt the American park to European culture. As a token of appreciation the Disney Company gave Efteling a small statue. Ton van de Ven, who designed many of Efteling's attractions, is also a good friend of Tony Baxter - senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering. The relationship between the two parks was emphasized when Efteling won the 2004 Thea Classic Award, the highest honor awarded by the Themed Entertainment Association: Efteling had, as it turned out, been nominated by Tony Baxter.



There is in fact a legend of sorts connecting Disney and Efteling: for years, rumors have circulated that Walt Disney got his inspiration for Disneyland (which opened in 1955), from Efteling (which opened in 1952) — and in the early 1950s Walt Disney traveled to Europe a few times, visiting tourist attractions. Reportedly, a brochure from the IAAPA, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, even states that Disney "spent a great deal of time studying Pieck's work at Efteling before beginning his own parks." However, the rumor was discredited by Efteling: one of the causes of the rumor was an off-hand remark by a PR person for Efteling, who had dropped to reporters that Disney could well have visited Efteling—the reporters accordingly dropped the hypothetical from the phrase, and a legend was born. Disney probably did not visit Efteling at all, though he did visit Madurodam and Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen; the latter actually did provide some inspiration for Disneyland.





In 1984 Efteling opened the Carnival Festival attraction where Carnaval Festival figures from all over the world take you on an exciting journey to explore their countries, their national dress and to find out how they make music. The guests will go on a journey to 15 different countries, get a taste of China, France, England, Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, etc...the whole world is celebrating carnival-style!





The ride was designed by Joop Geesink, is original, but clearly influenced by Disney’s "it's a small world", and signified a breach with the fairy-tale style of the Efteling. Just like IASW the ride is full animatronics with 270 different dolls. In 2005 the ride was redecorated with the famous Dutch doll "Loekie de Leeuw", which also was created by Joop Geesink. Joop Geesink’s objective was to make it a hilarious ride, which is done by taking cultural aspects that have been generalized, and portraying them with funny dolls. Here below is a great video of the ride.






Just like Disneyland Efteling also have its great flume ride called Fata Morgana. Fata Morgana - which means "mirage" - is not a copy of Pirates of Caribbean as the attraction is a trip through the mysterious Forbidden City from the Tales of One Thousand and One Nights, but you can feel the influence of POTC and also Spaceship Earth.







Open in 1986, this ride has 14 boats which sail past 104 different audio-animatronics characters in an Oriental setting and the AA don't look that bad at all. The ride begins in a twilight setting, showing a jungle and the skyline of a distant Arabian city. Upon entering the city, in the poor quarter, beggars and merchants call for attention. The next scene shows a prison and torture room, followed by a palace and a harbor with ships. Passing by a harem the real rhour capacity of 1800 persons. Here is the video of the full ride!




All pictures courtesy of Het Wonderlijke WC Web, a great web site about Efteling whom i thanks a lot for his help for this article.

Youtube videos: copyright baziewazie and Eftelrijk

Part of the text: copyright Wikipedia