Disneyland Paris Update : " Magical Moments Festival " official visuals

The new "Magical Moments Festival" will begin at DLP anytime soon and i have for you DLP's official visuals which will be used all along the year for marketing purposes. For those of you who have missed my previous article i also repost the Magical Moments Festival press release, this time without my comments and explanations which you can find in the article HERE where you will also find "real" pictures.

Also include below some of the concept-arts - for what will be simple photo locations - found on the cafemickey.com forum. You'll note how the marketing visuals embellish the reality in comparison of what we can see on the concept-arts. But, to be fair, the real thing should be in between, i.e less glamorous than the marketing visuals and better than the concept-arts.



2011 Jumps into Disney Magical Moments Festival


This year, Disneyland Paris offers its guests more than a new festival, but the promise to live and relive a series of everlasting “Disney Magical Moments.”

Disney Magical Moments Festival: more emotion than ever before:
During Disney Magical Moments Festival that launches 6th April 2011 at Disneyland Paris, magic will reach great new heights. In 2011, guests enter the spotlight, starring in adventures inspired by Walt Disney Pictures films. From Fantasia to Alice in Wonderland, by way of Peter Pan, The Jungle Book and The Lion King guests take center stage and star in the stories. Girls get wrapped up in the classic Princess stories from Snow White to Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella or The Princess and the Frog. Children and parents alike take part in the adventures of the new Disney-Pixar generation from Ratatouille, Cars, Wall-E, Monsters, Inc. to the very popular and recent Toy Story films. And each guest will create his own adventures based on his own personal Disney experiences. All-new moments to be lived in enhanced reality for memories that will last a lifetime.

Come get swept away by the whirlwind of “Disney Magical Moments!”
In 2011, get ready to experience endless magical moments, full of action, adventure and emotion! Moments like no others, which will take you on a dream getaway alongside family and friends. There’s something for everyone: all styles and all ages... Moments you create and experience, and which will be engraved forever as some of your most emotional memories.

A sparkling array of magical moments just waiting to be lived, captured and later retold by you! Precious instants in life that only Disneyland Paris knows how to create and which always begin with a simple yet emotional plea: ‘let’s go to Disneyland this year!”


Spotlight on 14 Disney Magical Moments

1 - Mickey’s Magical Celebration
Who can resist the magic behind Fantasia, when Mickey becomes an incredible magician?
Each day, to celebrate Disney Magical Moments Festival, the Disneyland Park stages a spellbinding show in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. This fantastic new encounter stars Mickey surrounded by Disney Magicians, from Genie to Merlin, by way of Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. Mickey becomes the illustrious Magician known the world over. An enchanting moment to share with all the dazzling Disney couples, as well. Anything is possible with a sprinkle of pixie dust and a little imagination.




2 - Disney Princesses: A Royal Invitation
Just as every little girl dreams of becoming a fairytale heroine, few men can resist the charm of meeting a true Princess.
Where else than in Disneyland can you meet your favourite Disney Princess? Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Tiana… they’re all waiting to meet you. A royal invitation to live and capture the most enchanting of Disney moments.



3 - Following the Leader with Peter Pan
Who hasn’t ever dreamed of skipping out on time to run away to Neverland and stay a child forever?
It’s going to be a real crocodile-snappin’ adventure for Lost Boys and Girls and absolutely anyone who’s never wanted to grow up. Help Peter Pan, Wendy and his band of Pirates give Captain Hook a real fright. A unique song and dance adventure with only one motto: “I won’t grow up!”



Apparently, a photo location, probably with appearances of the Jack Sparrow character, will be built near POTC.



4 - The Wonderful World of Alice and The Mad Hatter
Who can resist celebrating each day for what it is—an incredible “un-birthday?”
The Mad Hatter has already set the zaniest of tables to celebrate thousands of un-birthdays in Wonderland. A great chance to savour a succulent cup of imaginary tea not far from the Dormouse and his teapot before returning to pursue the White Rabbit in Alice’s Curious Labyrinth and taking a spin on the psychedelic attraction Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups.





5 - Adventureland rhythms of the jungle
For those who, like Baloo, only need the bare necessities!
The “Hakuna Matata” terrace has become the new hotspot for getting down in the jungle to the sound of tam-tams with the heroes of great Disney Classics such as The Jungle Book and The Lion King. Untamed winds are blowing over Adventureland and may bring along performances from characters such as Baloo, King Louie, Timon, or the wise old Rafiki for a frenzied dance or two. Their sidekicks Zazu and Kaa won’t miss the occasion to spice up your personal photo shoot.





6 - Moteurs… Action ! Stunt Show Spectacular featuring Lightning McQueen!
If you love thrills, spectacular special effects and the action of revving automobiles, then this show is for you…
The most exciting automobile stunt show welcomes a feisty new star! While the Disney-Pixar film Cars 2 is still in the makings, Lightning McQueen has decided to make a pit stop at the Walt Disney Studios Park! Lots of fast-paced memories await you during this exceptional appearance. Watch for the flag—Lightning McQueen is ready to hit the asphalt...moteurs ...action!






7 - Meet Rapunzel from Walt Disney Pictures' "Tangled"
The latest Disney heroine from Disney Studios has set a new trend for long hair—endlessly long hair... Decidedly modern from her temper to the tips of her magical hair, Rapunzel has a way of moving people... especially her beloved brigand Flynn Rider. Discover her story and world by stepping into a giant pop-up book decor for a magical photo. And great memories lie ahead on the ‘hair’izon when you might come across them around Fantasyland!





8 - Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade with interactive show stops
Have you ever dreamt of being part of Disneyland Paris Parade?
This year, the Disneyland Park grants your wish and invites you into its fabulous Disney’s Once Upon a Dream parade. It’s revolutionary—the Disney films’ greatest stars and their friends encourage guests to take part as the parade moves along through numerous accessories, dance moves and other fantastic tricks!



9 - Green Army Men Meet & Play
Want to see what it’s like to be a toy?
Destination Toy Story Playland(3), the all-new land in the Walt Disney Studios Park with three new attractions: Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop and RC Racer! Andy’s Green Army Men enlist guests in an adventure in Andy’s extraordinary backyard and invite them to experience excitement alongside Buzz Lightyear and friends while reduced to the size of real toys.



10 - Smile and say "Cheese" with Remy and Emile
Saying “cheese” before a photo has just taken on new meaning!
Remy the gourmet and his gluttonous brother Emile have specially ordered a huge French cheese platter for guests of the Walt Disney Studios Park. Guests will love to pop their heads through the holes, while saying “cheese” for the photographer alongside the stars of Ratatouille. A fun food moment to remember forever!



11 - Monsters, Inc. Scream Academy
What if you could scream to the top of your lungs with no limits?
Sully, top scarer at Monsters, Inc. and his faithful assistant, Mike, encourage guests to participate in a terrifying screaming contest. Meet them at Toon Studios to break the decibel meter and experience a spine-tingling moment with the Monsters, Inc. Scream Academy.



12 - Aladdin’s Magic Lamp
What if you could have three wishes from a magical lamp just like Aladdin?
It has been said that Aladdin’s famous magical lamp is hidden somewhere near Adventureland, in the newly-installed market of Agrabah... What could be the best way to release the Genie and receive your three wishes? Posing for a magical souvenir photo while rubbing the lamp!





13 - Share the love with Wall-E and Eve!
What if there was proof that love would still exist 700 years from now?
Come to Discoveryland for an encounter with Wall-E, the most lovable and earth-friendly robot who can’t hide his love for Eve, the prettiest android in the universe. A timeless love story full of humour and romance shared by two heroes from the 28th century.



14 - Disney Dance Express
Feel like partying with your favourite Disney character?
The “Disney Dance Express” train crosses Main Street, U.S.A., several times a day, and invites guests to get down to the rhythm of Broadway. Goofy, Minnie, Donald, Chip ’n’ Dale, and even Daisy and Pluto... They’re all ready to bring the Disneyland Park atmosphere alive with the “Magic Movers”!

(end of press release)

In my previous article i've posted the emotional U.K TV Ad for DLP's new season. Here is another one based on the same concept - the kids reaction when they learn they're going to Disneyland - but this Ad was done by Disney Parks, not DLP. As the concept looks the same the question is: who had this (good) idea first, DLP marketing or Disney Parks marketing in the U.S?



See you soon for a new update!

All pictures, video and concept-arts: copyright Disney

Pictures: copyright Disney

Shanghaî Disneyland: Shanghaî mayor clarifies the real price of SDL project

Last news from Shanghaî Disneyland, and this time they're coming from Shanghaî mayor himself who clarified this morning the real price of the SDL project:

"The approved investment for the first phase of the Disneyland project in Shanghai stands at 24.5 billion yuan (3.7 billion U.S. dollars), Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng said Sunday.

"I have read some media reports about the Disneyland investment, but they were incorrect," said Han while attending the ongoing annual parliamentary session in Beijing.

"I thereby clarify the figure seriously. The approved investment for the first phase of the Disneyland project is 24.5 billion yuan," he told reporters.

The long-awaited theme park project in Shanghai was launched in November last year, when the state-owned Shanghai Shendi Group Co. Ltd. inked a deal with the Walt Disney Co. for the development of the project.

The Shanghai International Tourism Resort Administrative Committee will manage the project.

It will be the first Disneyland theme park on the Chinese mainland and sixth in the world, and the U.S. entertainment giant's third theme park in Asia after Tokyo and Hong Kong.

The first phase of the Disneyland theme park will be built and put into operation within the 2011-2015 period.

"I hope construction on the project can start soon. Currently, both sides are endeavoring to do some preliminary work," Han said.

Shanghai's Disneyland project received the green light from the Chinese authorities in 2009.

Disney and the Chinese side had been negotiating on and off for more than a decade, and the last round of negotiation took months."

Charlie and the Apple Factory

Here is a fun "off Disney" short animated for the week-end. The guys of College Humor did this short movie based on "Charlie and the chocolate factory" except that the Willy Wonka character is replaced by...Steve Jobs! You will quickly understand that they're having fun about Apple and Steve who, by the way, appeared in good condition this week during the presentation of the iPad 2.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

The same guys did a TRON legacy parody - non animated but real movie, inspired too by The Big Lebowski in which Jeff Bridges was also playing - and you can watch it HERE.

Video: copyright College Humor

20000 Leagues : Rare pictures of the Giant Squid scene

After the LIFE Magazine underwater pictures posted last week, we'll go today over the water for rare and beautiful B&W pictures of the giant squid attack in Disney's 20000 Leagues under the sea.

As you probably know, a big part of 20000 Leagues under the sea was shot in a huge studio filled with water, as you can see on the picture below.



Then arrived the moment to film the giant squid scene. I mean, that squid:



In the movie, the giant squid attack sequence happen during a storm and generally the color images that we have in mind looks like this one...



But the pictures that you will see below are rare and beautiful B&W pics with, on most of them, James Mason as Captain Nemo fighting the squid.





The above and below pictures were shot during the first shooting with a sunset sky. But Walt Disney and Richard Fleischer thought that it was not good enough, that the cables which animated the giant squid tentacles were too visible, and decided to re-shoot the whole scene with a night sky and a storm effect to hide the cables. If you look well at some the pictures you will see the cables.







A last B&W picture, not from the same series - but coming from a theatre still.



All pictures: copyright Disney

Visionarium "From Time to Time" - The full Tokyo Disneyland show

After the making-of videos of the Visionarium attraction that i posted two days ago and the debate in the comments about the differences between the DLP and WDW versions, i thought it might be interesting to have a look at the Tokyo Disneyland version of the show.

Also an extinct attraction at TDL, The show cas called "Visionarium "From time to Time", i.e the DLP and WDW attraction titles put together. As a matter of fact the movie was the same version than the one we had in Paris - including the sequence with Gerard Depardieu which was deleted at WDW - and also featured the same music than the DLP version. But the pre-show movie - part one of the videos below - had a lot of differences so don't miss this one. Of course, all is in Japanese language but that's not the problem as we all speak Japanese, don't we? (just kidding).

Below, a picture of the WDI Timekeeper model. And i have a little gift for you after the videos, so don't go away, and enjoy the show!










Here is a little gift for you with a perfect scan of the "Conference on the Future" poster - by artist Darren Gilford - which was inside the pre-show area of the Visionarium attraction at DLP and related to the "conference" that Jules Verne and H.G Wells are supposed to have...



...before Verne being sent into the future by NineEye. The flying car in which you see Verne in the last sequence, flying over Paris and the Eiffel Tower, was displayed at the entrance of the show at DLP. It was called the "Reinastella" and designed by Renault, the car manufacturer, and the Imagineers. Depending of the versions it was a french or american or, like in the TDL videos, a japanese family supposedly from the audience who were "teleported" inside the car to join Jules Verne in the final scene.



Pictures: copyright Disney

Pixar's short "Hawaiian Vacation" Teaser !

The new Pixar's short "Hawaian Vacation" will be the first installment in the new Toy Story Toons short animated movies. Pixar released the synopsis of what should be another fun short movie from Pixar: "Set in new owner Bonnie’s bedroom, Hawaiian Vacation features Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) and Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and the rest of the favourite Toy Story 3 toys as they create the ultimate Hawaiian vacation for Ken (voice of Michael Keaton) and Barbie (voice of Jodi Benson)".



It seems that the reason why they're creating a Hawaiian Vacation in Bonnie's bedroom (Bonnie is the new "owner" of the toys) is because Bonnie is getting ready for vacation in Hawaii. The toys will create an illusion of an Hawaiian vacation in Bonnie’s bedroom...all this in the middle of a Midwest winter. Have a look to the 30 seconds teaser below!




Hawaiian Vacation is expected to premiere in front of Cars 2 on June 24 and a second Toy Story Toons short will be attached to the new Muppets movie, late 2011.

Pictures and Video: copyright Disney-Pixar

Disneyland Paris " Le Visionarium " making-of documentary

The beloved Disneyland Paris attraction "Le Visionarium" is now an extinct attraction. Since the opening of the park in 1992, and until it was replaced by the "Buzz Lightyear laser Blast" ride, everybody loved it. The music score was one of the best ever written for a Disney attraction, the Time Keeper and Nine Eye Audio-animatronics were just perfect, and the circlevision movie was awesome - a special award to legendary french actor Michel Piccoli who played the best Jules Verne ever seen in a movie.



The attraction opened years later at WDW Magic Kingdom - it was called "From Time to time" - but was less popular than it was at DLP. For an inexplicable reason, the music was changed in the WDW version, and i'm sorry to say that the new score was not as good as the original one at DLP who - literally - was giving an incredible epic energy to any DLP guest. A few years ago the last place on Earth where it was possible to see - i should say "live" the attraction - was at Tokyo Disneyland's Tomorrowland but it also closed at TDL to be replaced by....Buzz Lightyear!



We will have a closer look to how this great Circlevision movie was done, thanks to a wonderful making-of documentary in three parts, partly in english, partly in french. Making-of documentaries of Disney attractions are pretty rare, we saw recently "Shoot for the Moon", the one filmed during the making of DLP's Space Mountain, and this one is just as good. Enjoy it!

Visionarium Making Of - P1
envoyé par ImagineeringsFiles

Visionarium Making Of - P2
envoyé par ImagineeringsFiles

Visionarium Making Of - P3
envoyé par ImagineeringsFiles

All my thanks to the very good Imagineering Files site who had the good idea to download it on Daily Motion.

Pictures and Video: copyright Disney