Paris Beloved Jardin d’Acclimatation Starts a 60 Million Euros Placemaking and Will Re-Open Spring 2018 With 17 New Attractions, Jules Verne "Steampunk" style !

The important news of the day comes from where it was not expected as Paris beloved Jardin d’Acclimatation will receive a 60 million euros investment to become one of France’s top three amusement parks. The 19 acres park placemaking starts NOW and will run until May 2018 with nothing less than 17 new attractions, Jules Verne "steampunk" themed! More about this important news below and at the end D&M take telling you why it's a bigger deal than it look.

Work to restore the historic sections of the park and to build 17 new attractions will begin on September 4 and is expected to last until May 2018.

Jardin d’Acclimatation is France oldest leisure park, opened in 1860 by Napoléon III as a zoo before becoming a children’s leisure park, complete with rides, in the 1930s. The 19-acre complex has been managed by LVMH – which has an 80% share in the park, in partnership with theme park and ski resort developer Compagnie des Alpes – since 1984. Last year officials renewed the company’s concession contract for another 25 years, until 2041, paving the way for renovations to the beloved site.



President of the park, Marc-Antoine Jamet, said: “Thanks to the renewal of our concession decided in September 2016 by the Paris Council, we have managed the park for 25 new years. This allows us to make considerable investments worth 60 million euros.” The Jardin d’Acclimatation is owned at 80% by LVMH group and 20% by the Compagnie des Alpes company.

Around 17 new Jules Verne-inspired steampunk rides and attractions will be built between September 4 and May 1 2018 as part of the €60m upgrades. Napoleon III-era structures, including the stables and aviary, will also be restored, while some 1960s structures will be demolished but long beloved attraction as the little train, the Enchanted River and the mirrors house will be saved.



Jamet explains: “The idea is to re-level everything without losing the traditional elements of the park.” For the LVMH group, the goal is to be the third best of the French theme parks (after Disneyland and Parc Astérix), achieving from 2 million visitors a year to more than 3 million. The aviaries will be renovated, with 5 themed areas to the continents and new occupants. New attractions will be steampunk themed. "We chose a unique aesthetic around the park to allow for exuberance, invention and fantasy. The challenge now is to have this special universe stick together at first glance with that of the more traditional park."



The picture above seems to be a concept-art showing a vehicle of one of the future Steampunk rides.

LVMH is also working on another Paris attraction, located adjacent to the Jardin d‘Acclimatation, having unveiled plans in March to renovate the disused Musee National des Arts et Traditions Populaires. For the project, the aim is to turn the vacant museum into an arts and crafts centre in a €158m (US$187.7m, £144.8m) revamp by renowned architect Frank Gehry who did the gorgeous architecture of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, also close to the Jardin d‘Acclimatation.

Here is the Jardin d'Acclimatation release: "On September 4, 2017, as part of the renewal of its concession obtained last fall by LVMH, allied to the Compagnie des Alpes, the Jardin d'Acclimatation will undertake a major program of modernization and renovation of its 18 hectares. He will do so with a strong ambition: to be on the podium of the first three French leisure parks. It will do so with an essential promise shared with the City of Paris: to remain faithful to its origins while projecting itself towards the future.



The oldest leisure park in France will remain open to the public for the duration of the works which will end in May 2018. These transformations and improvements mark a new and decisive stage in the process of beautification and modernization that the Jardin d'Acclimatation has undergone over the last fifteen years. This dynamic has doubled the attendance of the Park and accommodate, under better conditions, two million visitors annually, Parisian, Parisians, tourists from all over France or abroad.

Defined in partnership with the City of Paris, but also in consultation with the Architects of the Buildings of France, the investment program decided by LVMH will mobilize nearly 60 million euros.It is part of the new concession of public service awarded by the Paris Council of 26 September 2016 to a group constituted at 80% by LVMH (which had been managing the fleet since 1984 on behalf of the City), against a minimum annual fee of two million euros to 20% by the Compagnie des Alpes, a major player in leisure parks in France. The two partners will finance their participation in the work to the extent of their financial commitment.

This project will restore the architectural heritage of the park, recompose its landscapes, offer its visitors a renewed, attractive and secure leisure offer, enable them to have redesigned services, whether catering or of shops. More than 30 million euros will be devoted to the rehabilitation of infrastructures and the enhancement of the architectural heritage, with architects Jean-François Bodin, Jim Cowey (Studios) and Didier Balland (workshop 24) landscape to make, under the direction of Philippe Deliau of the firm Alep, a space of walk unique and ecological, recovering the plans of the landscaper Barillet-Deschamps. 23 million euros will be allocated to the renewal of the emblematic attractions of the Garden and the installation of 17 new rides that will reconnect, in a SteamPunk style, with the history of the Garden. Particular attention will be paid to the development of the Small Farm and the welfare of the animals. A lesser weather dependency will be sought by covering some equipment. The digital ecosystem of Jardin d'Acclimatation will also be totally redesigned with a new website as a cornerstone.



True to its public service mission, the Jardin d'Acclimatation will remain open throughout the construction period, even if during some weeks or months, certain areas of the park will not be accessible at the moment (Village des Manèges, Petite Ferme and Grande Volière) . Ephemeral and seasonal animations will be developed. A village of fleeting rides will be installed in the central part of the park from 24 September.

Finally, to celebrate the future Jardin d'Acclimatation, the last day before the start of the thirty yards that will occupy the park for six months, on Sunday, September 3, 2017, will be completely free (entrance, rides and animations) and will end with a fire fireworks. "We keep everything you love. We invent whatever you like, "is the promise that the Jardin d'Acclimatation makes to the Parisians."

And now, here is why it's a bigger deal than it may look:

1) The Jardin d'Acclimatation is located at the heart of Paris, is a truly lovely place beloved by Parisians since one century, and has already 2 Million visitors per year. His location also makes it the closest competitor to Disneyland Paris in France, closer to DLP than the Futuroscope and even than the Parc Astérix. Access is much more easier too for Parisians.

2) Although the Jardin d'Acclimatation has visitors from all kind of social classes, most of them are living nearby and are coming either from Paris or Neuilly rich districts, the same high income families who are going to Disneyland Paris and may be tempted to less visit DLP where nothing really new is expected for 2018.

3) The opening ( or renovating ) of 17 attractions - even if it won't be rides as sophisticated as at DLP is quite a big deal and will appeal visitors.

4) Chosing a "steampunk" theming is a genius idea for this place and will keep the beloved 19th century atmosphere and its "time capsule" feeling.

5) LVMH is the famous luxury brand ruled by Bernard Arnault, a man with extremely good taste and the Compagnie des Alpes partner is well experienced in theme parks as it rule several theme parks in France and Belgium, including the Parc Astérix.

As for me, who know the place since a looong time, and many years before most of you were even born, i can't wait to see the final result!

Shanghaî Disneyland Update: Mandarin Production of Disney's Broadway Musical Beauty and the Beast Coming Soon to Shanghai Disney Resort, New Float and Winter Passe,...

Shanghai Disney Resort announced yesterday that Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning hit Broadway musical, is coming to life in Mandarin on the Walt Disney Grand Theater stage in 2018, with official casting auditions beginning this month.

This marks the 2nd time Shanghai Disney Resort will work with Disney Theatrical Productions to produce one of the world’s most successful stage musicals in Mandarin. Building on the great success of THE LION KING mandarin production, which will play its final performance on October 8th of this year, Shanghai Disney Resort will collaborate with Disney Theatrical Productions again to bring another Disney classic Broadway spectacle to the Chinese audience.

The Disney landmark musical Beauty and the Beast is one of the longest-running and highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time. Since its Broadway premiere in 1994, Beauty and the Beast has been produced around the globe in 37 countries, been seen by more than 35 million people, earned numerous major arts awards, and is the tenth longest running musical in Broadway history. It is the classic story of Belle, a young woman who is first repelled by, then attracted to a gruff yet big-hearted Beast, who is really a young prince trapped within a beast’s body. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton, Beauty and the Beast is a romantic journey where things are not always as they seem.

The new show is recruiting China’s music theatre stars as well as up and coming talent from across China at both invited and open call auditions. These auditions exemplify the resort’s strong commitment to showcase China’s top performers, and its dedication to developing local music theatre talent. Shanghai Disney Resort continues to support the growth of China’s cultural industries while bringing spectacular world-class live entertainment to guests.

The introduction of the Mandarin production of Beauty and the Beast will be a magnificent addition to the one-of-a-kind, immersive entertainment guests can discover at Shanghai Disney Resort. Beauty and the Beast will be performed at the 1,200-seat Walt Disney Grand Theater, one of most visited landmarks at the resort.

For more information on casting auditions, please visit the Shanghai Disney Resort official audition Wechat account: DisneyAuditions.



Also in what has become a fan-favorite Shanghai Disney Resort tradition, this September the resort will introduce an enchanting new parade float for the 2017 Shanghai Tourism Festival, bringing magic and excitement to spectators in Shanghai and viewers from around the country. The newly designed parade float is named “Magical Blast” and is designed to delight guests with authentically Disney magic and distinctly Chinese charm.

“Shanghai continues to rapidly develop as a world-class tourism destination and the 2017 Shanghai Tourism Festival is a celebration of all the city has to offer,” said Philippe Gas, General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, “We look forward to bringing more unforgettable fun and entertainment to the Shanghai Tourism Festival parade, and to welcome guests from near and far to experience the magic of Shanghai Disney Resort.”

Shanghai Disney Resort made its Shanghai Tourism Festival parade debut in 2014 and has participated in the event every year since. Shanghai Disney Resort’s debut float earned the “Most Popular Float of the Year” award, and the resort’s 2015 and 2016 floats have also been fan favorites with parade viewers.

This year’s Shanghai Disney Resort parade float, “Magical Blast”, incorporates intricate Chinese designs, including traditional Chinese knots and white clouds, symbolizing luck in local culture, melded with bright colors, modern, tropical patterns and exclusive Disney artwork that make this one of the resort’s most vibrant, colorful floats to date. Leading the way for the parade float are Mickey and Minnie Mouse who will be dressed ready for vacation in colorful resort-wear and will wave to the crowds along the Huai Hai Road route. A magnificent Disney castle will be the grand centerpiece of the float, representing the iconic Shanghai Disneyland Enchanted Storybook Castle. On either side of the float, visitors will be greeted by Donald Duck, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto and Chip & Dale. Two-dozen dancers will surround the float, bringing an added touch of charm and entertainment with their exciting choreography, and as the parade float passes by, onlookers will be serenaded with the song “Disney Blast.”

The float will makes its debut at the festival on September 10, 2017, making its way through throngs of happy parade onlookers through downtown Shanghai and watched by millions more from across China live on television. After the Shanghai Tourism Festival Parade, the Shanghai Disney Resort float will make other local appearances in Shanghai from September 11 to October 6, to further spread the Disney magic with fans, families and friends throughout Shanghai.



Finally, to celebrate the most festive season of the year, Shanghai Disney Resort today announced the launch of a new Shanghai Disneyland Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass, on sale beginning September 3. The new Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass offers a tremendous value for guests by giving them the opportunity to experience the magic of Shanghai Disneyland and invites guests to celebrate the holiday seasons like never before.

“Holidays at the Shanghai Disney Resort are very special as they create unforgettable memories for guests with amazing experiences only Disney can deliver,” said Philippe Gas, general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. “Our guests tell us that Shanghai Disneyland is a multi-day experience and we are excited to offer them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unparalleled storytelling and creativity of Shanghai Disneyland again and again, now during the best holiday seasons of the year.”

During the holidays, Disney magic is coupled with unique festival moments guests can only find at Shanghai Disney Resort. The park will be transformed for many exciting holidays, including Halloween and Christmas, with tailored festive decorations, enchanting entertainment, holiday-themed celebration, special experiences and new offerings throughout the season.

The Shanghai Disneyland 2017 Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will be available for guests to purchase beginning September 3. The new pass will be valid for multiple entries by the same guest from September 3, 2017 to January 25, 2018. Standard, Child, Senior and Disabled passes are available at three tiers – Weekday, which is valid for admission on weekdays, except for holidays that fall on a weekday; Any Day, which covers all days except October 2 to 7 and December 31, 2017; and Sunday, which covers Sundays except December 31, 2017. Previous seasonal pass holders can enjoy special pricing when purchasing their passes.

From September 3 to 10, the new Shanghai Disneyland Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will only be available on the official Shanghai Disney Resort Fliggy Flagship Store with limited-time launch offers for new passholders, in celebration of the resort’s Tmall Heybox special promotion.

From September 11 through the end of 2017, the pass will be available on multiple official channels at marquee prices – including the official Shanghai Disney Resort Fliggy Flagship Store, the resort’s official WeChat and QQ accounts, the Shanghai Disney Resort Reservation Center, the Shanghai Disneyland Main Entrance ticket booths, the resort’s official store on JD.com and through the resort’s official travel trade providers, Ctrip and Dianping.

The new Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will continue to provide guests with a wide array of exclusive benefits including special offers for resort hotels, discounts on dining and merchandise, Disneytown special offers and many more. Additionally, passholders have special access to exclusive events just for them.

Guests are invited to visit the Shanghai Disney Resort official website www.shanghaidisneyresort.com for more detailed information.

Frequently Asked Questions When can guests purchase their 2017 Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass? The Shanghai Disneyland 2017 Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will be available for guests to purchase beginning September 3. Previous seasonal pass holders can enjoy special pricing when purchasing their passes.
From September 3 to 10, the new Shanghai Disneyland Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will only be available on the official Shanghai Disney Resort Fliggy Flagship Store with limited-time special launch offers, in celebration of the resort’s Tmall Heybox Promotion.
From September 11 through the end of 2017, the pass will be available on multiple official channels at marquee prices – including the official Shanghai Disney Resort Fliggy Flagship Store, the resort’s official WeChat and QQ accounts, the Shanghai Disney Resort Reservation Center, the Shanghai Disneyland Main Entrance ticket booths, the resort’s official store on JD.com and through the resort’s official travel trade providers, Ctrip and Dianping.

What is the price of the pass? We offer Any Day, Weekday and Sunday passes. Passes for children, seniors and disabled guests will also be available for purchase at reduced prices. Limited-time special offers will be available for new passholders at Shanghai Disney Resort’s official Fliggy Flagship store from September 3 through September 10 to celebrate the resort’s Tmall Heybox Promotion. Previous 2016 Winter Seasonal Pass holders and 2017 Spring Seasonal Pass holders can enjoy special prices when purchasing their passes. Complete charts with all pricing are below.





What does the Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass include? The Shanghai Disneyland 2017 Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will be available for guests to purchase beginning September 3. The new pass will be valid for multiple entries by the same guest on most days from September 3, 2017 to January 25, 2018. Standard, Child, Senior and Disabled passes are available at three tiers – Weekday, which is valid for admission on weekdays, except for holidays that fall on a weekday; Any Day, which covers all days except October 2 to 7 and December 31, 2017; and Sunday, which covers Sundays except December 31, 2017.



In addition, the Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will continue to give pass holders exclusive resort-wide benefits. Some highlights include:
• 20% off at Shanghai Disney Resort table service restaurants (Royal Banquet Hall, Lumiere’s Kitchen, and Aurora) and quick service restaurants
• 20% off at Shanghai Disney Resort merchandise locations
• Special Disney PhotoPass offers
• 10% off Shanghai Disney Resort hotel room rates
• Special Disneytown benefits
*Please visit the Shanghai Disney Resort official website for the full list of the special benefits and users Terms & Conditions.

Is a government ID required to purchase the seasonal pass?
Yes, government ID is required at the time of purchase. However, the guest who purchases the seasonal pass does not have to be seasonal pass holder or user. The seasonal pass will be associated with the identity and photo of its user on the first visit and is non-transferrable after that. A Guest can only own one Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass in his/her name.

How do guests receive their seasonal pass?
Guests who have purchased a seasonal pass are encouraged to visit the official channel where they purchased their pass and make an advance reservation to activate the pass at one of our ticket booths. Guests will have their photo taken and have their pass issued at that time.
Guests will use the same ticket from their first visit for subsequent visits and their photo on file will be used for validation. After January 25, 2018, all Shanghai Disneyland 2017 Fall and Winter Seasonal Passes expire and are no longer valid for entry.

What are the restrictions on the seasonal pass?
The Shanghai Disneyland 2017 Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will be available for guests to purchase beginning September 3. The new pass will be valid for multiple entries by the same guest most days from September 3, 2017 to January 25, 2018. Standard, Child, Senior and Disabled passes are available at three tiers – Weekday, which is valid for admission on weekdays, except for holidays that fall on a weekday; Any Day, which covers all days except October 2 to 7 and December 31, 2017; and Sunday, which covers Sundays except December 31, 2017.
Admission is subject to available park capacity each day. THE LION KING production at the Walt Disney Grand Theatre at Disneytown, Shanghai Disney Resort’s shopping, dining and entertainment area, is a separately ticketed event and is not included as part of the seasonal pass. The pass does not include free access to the Shanghai Disney Resort parking lots. Can guests change the name on their seasonal pass?
The seasonal pass will be associated with the identity and photo of its user on the first visit and is non-transferrable after that. Only the guest whose name appears on the pass and whose picture is associated with the pass may use it for park entry. Guests should always bring their government ID to the park with them each time they use the pass, as government ID will be requested by our Cast Members at the turnstiles to confirm identity.

How can guests get answers to any additional questions they might have?
Guests can contact the Shanghai Disney Resort Reservation Center at 400-180-0000 or 86-21-31580000.

Pictures: copyright Disney, Shendi

DLP Update : Disneyland Paris Announces "Disney Fan Daze" for DLP Fans, Halloween Season, and more

Here we go for a new Disneyland Paris update as DLP released sa eries of press release recently about special events coming to the parks. But first, yesterday, Disneyland Paris President Catherine Powell sent a tweet via Twitter saying that fans can await some "FAN-tastic News" coming tomorrow! Was it going to be the "big" awaited announcement about DLP and WDS pacemaking? A D23 Expo for DLP? Well, not really. The announcement was done a few hours ago and DLP announces "Disney FanDaze", a new series of ultimate fan experiences, specifically for Disney Fans! Here is the press release:

"On the heels of the excitement surrounding the 25th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris, the resort is launching a new series of fan experiences, inspired by and created especially for Disney fans around the world. Disney FanDaze is a series of experiences designed to entertain and thrill those who know and love Disney better than anyone else: Disney fans.

There is little doubt that Disney fans are among the most devoted, passionate, and enthusiastic people in the world. Since the inception of Disneyland, the number of fans of Disney theme parks and their beloved Disney Characters, has grown exponentially. Events, festivals, and other celebrations held by and for Disney fans occur daily all across the world.

Since Disneyland Paris opened its gates 25 years ago, Disney fans - from all over Europe and beyond - have been traveling from far and wide to celebrate anniversaries, seasonal festivities and other special events at the European resort. Thousands of fans come every year to relive their favorite memories and to make new ones, and many others revisit time and again to meet Disney Characters and immerse themselves deeper in the stories that have always delighted and inspired them.

Now is the time to launch entertainment experiences created especially for these Disney fans.

So if you dream of spending more time with your favorite Disney Characters and you're a fan of delightful days and dazzling nights, then Disney FanDaze is for you! Stay tuned and follow us on our Twitter account #DisneyFanDaze account for more details. Each tweet is a date with Magic that no fan will want to miss.

Disney Fan Daze events will be FAN-tastic - full of fantasy and fun, created for the young and the young at heart. Stay tuned for more exciting news, coming your way very soon!"

Disneyland Paris Halloween Season will start Oct 1st and here is the full press release for this new Halloween season: Halloween and Goofy’s Skeletoon Street Party: two October celebrations at Disneyland Paris!

From 1 October 2017, Disneyland Park will give you chills with two special experiences: Halloween, with the highly-anticipated return of the famous Disney Villains, and “Goofy’s Skeletoon Street Party”, a colourful new event at Frontierland where skeletons and Goofy will party together...

Welcome to Goofy’s Skeletoon Street Party

Who said October was just for fright? Imagine a colourful skeleton party that’s full of fun. That’s exactly what Goofy wanted to create for the new season. This year, dressed up all in bones, he’ll set the tempo at Frontierland with his troupe. They will invite you to party with them in a setting where you will find yourself face to face with colourful and funny skeletons.

We’re also pleased to announce the arrival of two friends who we rarely see at Disneyland Paris: José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles, Donald’s sidekicks in the film The Three Caballeros.

Lastly, Mickey and Minnie will also make an appearance for truly splendid meet ‘n’ greets.

The return of the Disney Villains and Halloween thrills

Want to meet the Disney Villains you love to hate? The Disneyland Park will delight you with an all-new, previously unseen parade: Mickey’s Halloween Tricycle Gang. Disney Villains and many other Disney Characters will entice you along the Halloween spirits’ route, perched on their quirky tricycles. A daytime event every day on Main Street, U.S.A.

If you want to face them and strike a pose with them, you will love the encounters with the Disney Villains. Fantasyland has a treat in store for you with the witch from Snow White, The Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland) and, of course, Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), who'll be making a spine-chilling appearance in the Castle Courtyard – which has been overrun by a huge bramble… Jafar (Aladdin) and Captain Hook (Peter Pan) will also be there, in Adventureland, and Cruella (101 Dalmatians) will be making an appearance at the Walt Disney Studios Park.

Frontierland will also be packed full of ghosts and pumpkins – making it the perfect place to celebrate Halloween this year. And if you like witches, you'll love Daisy's costume!

Come to Disneyland Paris from 1 October to 5 November 2017 for a new season and twice more fun with Halloween and Goofy’s Skeletoon Street Party. More information available soon on news.disneylandparis.com.



Also, From September 8th to the 24th, the first ever Rendez-vous Gourmand de Disneyland Paris will take place at Walt Disney Studios Park, bringing a brand new flavour to the beautiful Place de Rémy. This special autumn event will highlight French specialties and wines by region – a tasty way for foodies and French food lovers to start the new school year!

D&M: Looks to me that it's DLP version of the "Food and Wine festival"

"The Rue de Paris, which leads to the Place de Rémy, will soon be livelier than usual. Six chalets, designed by Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, will pop up and offer a taste of top dishes from around France, giving guests a chance to enjoy these specialties in a bustling small-town ambiance.

Guests will experience a festival of flavours as they sample regional dishes from Brittany, Alsace, the South of France, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Alps. The chalets will serve savoury, sweet, fruit, and even alcoholic treats – something for everyone! Each chalet will have a dozen options, including wines, main courses, desserts, cheeses, and drinks. Guests can visit the chalets as they wish and taste a galette from Brittany, choucroute from Alsace, tartiflette from the Alps, snails, leg of lamb, or even foie gras and caviar! Red, white, rosé, and champagne wines will be available to go with the specialties.

Portions will be miniature and designed to be eaten at standing tables, so that guests can wander around and taste of all that’s on offer – and maybe even find some new favourite dishes. Guests can also take some specialities home, like sardines or organic mustard… The perfect thing to enjoy yourself or offer as a gift!

Le Rendez-vous Gourmand de Disneyland Paris is part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations, and has been created to encourage guests to try new flavours and have unique and new experiences in our theme parks!

Simultaneously, from September 15th to 24th at Disney Village, A Taste of Oktoberfest will celebrate the Bavaria region of Germany with regional specialties and entertainment.

Where? Walt Disney Studios Park, Rue de Paris When? September 8-24, 2017, from 10 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 10 AM – 8 PM on the weekend.

On Friday September 22nd, due to the Disneyland Paris® Magic Run Weekend, the Bistrot chez Rémy will serve a special menu. The chalets will be open from 9 PM to midnight."



Also, Celebrate Oktoberfest for the first time at Disney Village from 15 to 24 September! During the Taste of Oktoberfest event, guests will be able to celebrate this classic German festival with Bavarian-inspired entertainment and typical dishes.

Oktoberfest is an unmissable gastronomic event in Europe, famous well beyond the German borders. So naturally, Disney Village wanted to join the party too!

It will all start with a quintessential Bavarian atmosphere, including colourful decorations and a new band filling the streets with Bavarian music. Starting at 4pm every day, guests can enjoy a variety of entertainment, including Bubbles Man and Streetsmophere on stage during the week and Frères Houblon or the duo Fricka and Kurt at the weekend. A Bavarian orchestra in traditional dress will play each day to accompany guests as they stroll through the area. The whole family will be amused by everything going on, from songs to street performers and original sketches.



Of course, German cuisine will be featured in several restaurants. La Grange will offer a buffet with many Bavarian specialities, and two special Burgers of the Month will available at Annette’s Diner. The Steakhouse will have a special Oktoberfest menu. And menus at Sports Bar and New York Style Sandwiches will feature pretzels, flammkuchen and Bavarian sausages, along with local products from the Disney Village chalets. As it does throughout the year, King Ludwig’s Castle will continue to offer their Germany-inspired menu. The famous German beer Paulaner will also be available to liven up the party at most dining establishments, with a special brew at Sports Bar and Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloon — to be consumed in moderation, of course!

Picture: copyright Disney

Cars Land and Buena Vista Street to Get Spooky as Halloween Time Expands to Disney California Adventure Park

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is almost here! This year, the spooky fun extends throughout the Disneyland Resort, with returning favorites at Disneyland park and new ghostly delights at Disney California Adventure park.

In Cars Land, the residents of Radiator Springs are transforming their little road town into a Haul-O-Ween celebration. Each establishment will be decorated for the season, with Fillmore showing off his Jack-Oil-Lanterns and ghostly folk art, a Spider-Car spinning webs all over Flo’s V8 Café and more. 

Two Cars Land attractions will also transform for the first time ever this Halloween season. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will become Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, an all-new spooktacular dance celebration where Luigi and Guido will entertain the cugini (cousins) with Halloween twists on traditional Italian festival songs like the “Terror-antella,” “The Chop Top of Carsoli” and more.

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will become Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, where guests will whirl around the graveyard to the tune of creepy new songs and fun haunted twists on favorites such as “Monster Truck Smash” and “Welcome to Radiator Screams.”


At Buena Vista Street, a new 10-foot-tall statue of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, holding his jack-o’-lantern head up to the sky, will haunt Carthay Circle. Mickey Mouse and his friends bring more Halloween fun to this stylish avenue, donning new costumes, with Mickey Mouse as a bat, Goofy as a ghost, Daisy Duck as a witch and more!

Discover these new experiences along with returning favorites during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, September 15 through October 31!

Pictures: copyright Disney

Sphero Release Two New Robotic Star Wars Droids, R2D2 and BB-9E !

After the highly successful BB8 robotic droid released last year - one million units were sold - Sphero announced today the release o two new droids, one is the beloved R2D2 and the other is a brand new one, BB-9E, which will appear in the upcoming "The Last Jedi" movie, and this one is on "the dark side of the force".

From CNN: In stark contrast to BB-8's cheery white and orange exterior, BB-9E's body is a menacing black and gray. In 'The Last Jedi,' good droid BB-8 will meet its dark side in a new droid character, BB-9E. "We saw some imagery of "The Last Jedi" and learned how it sounds and behaves in the movie," said Sphero CEO Paul Barbarian. Like the BB-8 toy, BB-9E is also a 4.4-inch app-controlled robot. It has the same ball-shaped body that moves without wheels. It comes with a magnetically-attached head. It features blue and red lights that illuminate when the head is attached to the body. "This is clever engineering," said Berberian. "The lights are powered through induction when the head is connected to the body."



BB-9E features 40 sounds and nine commands controlled via the app such as "patrol," "run away" and "look around." Meanwhile, Sphero's draw-and-drive function -- first created for BB-8 -- lets you program BB-9E to follow any pattern you draw via the app. After putting the toy on a base, you can explore the different ships of the "Star Wars" galaxy through an augmented reality experience on your mobile device. Soon, the droids will be able to interact with each other. The BB-9E toy ($149) will go on sale midnight Friday during the "Force Friday" event, along with the mini robotic version of R2-D2 ($179).

For inspiration, Berberian said the company purchased every R2-D2 toy it could find and found "not one could behave and move as the character did in the movie." But Sphero's R2-D2 design can pull a third leg up into its body, waddle and fall down and play dead, just like the character in the movie. "We want to think of [our products] as droids come to life; not just toys," Berberian said. The BB-8, BB-9E and R2-D2 toys are designed to interact with the movie itself. When the film is playing, the droids make noise and interact with each other. "Through sound, BB-9E shows it is happy when the bad guys win and BB-8 becomes sad," he said.



In 2014, the startup participated in a three-month Disney accelerator. During that time, Sphero was handpicked by Disney CEO Bob Iger to make the toy version of BB-8. "[Iger] knew us and immediately pulled out his iPhone and showed us photos from the Star Wars set and BB-8," Berberian said. "He asked if we could make it come to life." Sphero was already working on the next iteration of its app-controlled robotic ball, which closely resembled BB-8. The Sphero ball was the company's first product, and it sold 800,000 units. But the company said it will be a producing a much smaller quantity of BB-9E. "We're not going to be able to make any more, even if there's a lot of demand for it," said Berberian, adding that the move was a deliberate decision. "Typically good characters tend to be more popular than evil ones," he said. "We're [also] not making as many because we want to keep the mystique of [BB-9E]."

Watch all of them in the video below and another one on CNN HERE, then jump to the Sphero website HERE.




Pictures and video: copyright Sphero

Text: copyright CNN

Slinky Dog Dash Ride Vehicle Arrives At Disney’s Hollywood Studios !

The Slinky Dog Dash attraction, currently under construction in Toy Story Land, celebrated a major milestone today – National Slinky Day – with the reveal of the coaster’s first Slinky Dog ride vehicle.



Slinky Dog Dash is one of two major attractions coming to Toy Story Land, a 11-acre expansion that’s set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2018. In Toy Story Land, guests will shrink to the size of a toy and explore the world of Andy’s backyard on two fun family attractions – Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.



Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster themed as if Andy built it in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit and some of his other favorite toys. The attraction’s ride vehicles, inspired by the character of Slinky in the film, will send riders dipping, dodging and dashing around turns and drops Andy has created to stretch Slinky’s coils to the max.



 The second attraction, Alien Swirling Saucers, is designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first “Toy Story” film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle using “The Claw.”



Here is the video released today by WDW for the arrival of Slinky Dog Dash Ride Vehicle!




Pictures and video: copyright Disney

Rare 1955 Article Introducing Disneyland Reveal Disneyland Rides Original Artworks and Attractions That Never Were

I've got for you today something really cool as it is a document published in a non-Disney american magazine before Disneyland opening in 1955. What's really interesting in it - click on each images to see them in big size - is of course these WED Enterprises renderings drawn by Disney artist Bruce Bushman, but more specifically the one about the Snow White dark ride showing how the ride was envisioned back in 1955.

As you can see, a lot of scenes still  now exist in the Snow White dark ride but here they're shown not in the same order. What is interesting about this sketch is that it ends with the warmth of the movie, not the witch falling of a rock. You have a long time to approach the Castle and see them heading off together with the Dwarves. A better, happier ending. 

You'll note also the difference of design on the ride vehicle itself as at that time they envisioned to have a sculpted dwarf on the front of the vehicle. 

The rendering above showing the Dumbo ride also prove if needed that the elephants were originally imagined to be in pink color.

But the other artwork interesting on this double page is the flume ride with Monstro, the whale from Pinnochio. We've seen this artwork before and know that it is one showing "a ride that never was" but obviously the magazine, specially in 1955, got all these artworks from Disney which means that the ride was really envisioned to be built at that time and may be even shortly after Disneyland opening day. This Monstro sketch showing a straight flume was likely in reaction to the most popular ride at Coney Island that every operator told Walt he'd have to have "Chutes the Chutes". Finally the Monstro ride was never built but who knows, may be it will be one day?

On the second double page of this 1955 article we have the original concept for the Peter Pan's Flight ride. This Peter Pan sketch is a perfect example of illustrating a ride, and pretty faithful to the opening day show, the only surprise in it is that the track mechanics are shown on the sketch of the boat at the upper left in the picture above.

Also on this double page a sketch for Mr Toad's Wild Ride vehicle...

...but also this concept of a Donald ride that never was in which "seagoing visitors would have been captain of their own electric powered boats in the shape of wash tubs. Inflated inner tubes would have encircle each craft to absorb the shock collisions." It's funny, but when i see this artwork i thought that they still could do it using the same old Flying Saucers technique, the one they used at DCA for the Luigi Flying Tires attraction.
As for the Dutch mill in the background this one was finally built by Imagineer and DLP Fantasyland show-producer Tom Morris at Disneyland Paris Fantasyland - although with a slightly different design - and was of course a tribute to Disney's short animated and Academy Award winner The Old Mill.

A great idea - specially for a pre-show decor - was this decor of a huge table from Alice in Wonderland which would have made DL guests feel like Alice did after the potion made her tiny...

Last but not least, the artwork of the Alice Mad Hatter tea cups ride is another one showing an attraction that has been built, except that we don't have the table with the Mad Hatter and the March Hare in the center of the ride. It was probably not possible for technical reasons, but it would have been a good idea to have the tea cups turning all around this unbirthday party table...

Thanks again for your support, and if you wish you can use the Paypal button below to make a kind donation to D&M through Paypal, thanks by advance!

Pictures: copyright Disney

Shanghai Disneyland Introduces New Seasonal Pass to Celebrate the Fall and Winter Seasons

Shanghai Disneyland Introduces New Seasonal Pass to Celebrate the Best Holiday Seasons of the Year! To celebrate the most festive season of the year, Shanghai Disney Resort today announced the launch of a new Shanghai Disneyland Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass, on sale beginning September 3. The new Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass offers a tremendous value for guests by giving them the opportunity to experience the magic of Shanghai Disneyland and invites guests to celebrate the holiday seasons like never before.

“Holidays at the Shanghai Disney Resort are very special as they create unforgettable memories for guests with amazing experiences only Disney can deliver,” said Philippe Gas, general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. “Our guests tell us that Shanghai Disneyland is a multi-day experience and we are excited to offer them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unparalleled storytelling and creativity of Shanghai Disneyland again and again, now during the best holiday seasons of the year.”

During the holidays, Disney magic is coupled with unique festival moments guests can only find at Shanghai Disney Resort. The park will be transformed for many exciting holidays, including Halloween and Christmas, with tailored festive decorations, enchanting entertainment, holiday-themed celebration, special experiences and new offerings throughout the season.

The Shanghai Disneyland 2017 Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will be available for guests to purchase beginning September 3. The new pass will be valid for multiple entries by the same guest from September 3, 2017 to January 25, 2018. Standard, Child, Senior and Disabled passes are available at three tiers – Weekday, which is valid for admission on weekdays, except for holidays that fall on a weekday; Any Day, which covers all days except October 2 to 7 and December 31, 2017; and Sunday, which covers Sundays except December 31, 2017. Previous seasonal pass holders can enjoy special pricing when purchasing their passes.

From September 3 to 10, the new Shanghai Disneyland Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will only be available on the official Shanghai Disney Resort Fliggy Flagship Store with limited-time launch offers for new passholders, in celebration of the resort’s Tmall Heybox special promotion.

From September 11 through the end of 2017, the pass will be available on multiple official channels at marquee prices – including the official Shanghai Disney Resort Fliggy Flagship Store, the resort’s official WeChat and QQ accounts, the Shanghai Disney Resort Reservation Center, the Shanghai Disneyland Main Entrance ticket booths, the resort’s official store on JD.com and through the resort’s official travel trade providers, Ctrip and Dianping.

The new Fall and Winter Seasonal Pass will continue to provide guests with a wide array of exclusive benefits including special offers for resort hotels, discounts on dining and merchandise, Disneytown special offers and many more. Additionally, passholders have special access to exclusive events just for them.

Picture: copyright Disney and more