DLP Update : Permit Validated for the New "The Art of Marvel" Hotel at Disneyland Paris

A short DLP update for the week-end as this week the building permit for the renovation of the Disney’s New York Hotel with a Marvel theming has been accepted. « Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel » was the only announcement at the last D23 Expo regarding Disneyland Paris. This transformation of the Disney’s Hotel New York will bring a new visitor offer and experience including a completely redesigned decoration of the hotel and the rooms adding the Marvel universe in addition to modernizing the place. Works will start at the end of 2018 with a total closure of the establishment during the renovation.

Note: Looking for the other DLP update of the week about the Summer of Marvel Super Heroes Season with Marvel Super Heroes United Stunt Show? You will find it HERE.

Thanks to Jake Sully who shot the pictures of the blueprints below - as, according to the French laws these are available to be seen by anyone - we have a closer look to what will be the changes... or not. According to the blueprints nothing will really change for the exterior architecture, except a slightly change of colors of the facades.






As for the inside it will be different. In addition to the redesigned rooms and lobby, a new 137 sqm Lounge will be created in front of the already existing Skyline bar ( 1st picture below ) and something which look like a new restaurant but which could end to be only a new 258 sum Executive lounge with buffet will appear on the left side of the path leading to the convention halls ( 3rd picture below ). The 2nd blueprint below shows the swimming pool area. All this, in addition to the new Marvel inspired theming, will be there when the hotel will re-open late 2019 or early 2020.









As a reminder, here are the official pictures of the future new lobby and the rooms with the new theming.








If you've not read it yet don't miss the update about the "Summer of Marvel Super Heroes Season Debut at DLP Walt Disney Studios, FULL Video Report Including Marvel Super Heroes United Stunt Show" that you can see HERE.

Pictures: copyright Disney - Thanks a lot to Jake Sully!

Kung Fu Panda : The Emperor Quest Open at Universal Studios Hollywood - FULL Show Video !

The new state-of-the-art attraction "Kung Fu Panda : The Emperor Quest" has opened at Universal Studios Hollywood and thanks to a video filmed by Patrick Dougall you'll see all of it below, pre-show and show. As described by Screamscape, "the new 240 seats Dreamworks theater is stunning and comes alive through the magic of projection mapping technology, wrapping your forward 180º view in the action through the use of seven Christie 4K projectors and 360º surround sound.  No more 3D glasses, and the theater seats that can actually pivot and swivel to follow the action, combined with various in-theater physical effects like wind and water."

So, on with the show, and here is the first video showing the full pre-show and show of Kung Fu Panda : The Emperor Quest at Universal Studios Hollywood, filmed and posted on Youtube by Patrick Dougall.





Don't go away as there is more as Universal also revealed details about the brand new “Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration” nighttime lagoon show beginning this summer at Universal Orlando:

"Prepare to experience a brand-new nighttime lagoon show that’s a great new way to cap off an exciting day in the parks. “Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration” will debut at Universal Studios Florida this summer and take our lagoon show experience to the next level.

Located in the heart of the lagoon, “Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration” will bring thrilling and fun moments to life inspired by characters from popular Universal Orlando experiences and blockbuster films.

You’ll witness moments from the Harry Potter series conjured to life by way of spells, ear-shattering roars from dinosaurs in Jurassic World, the adrenaline rush of speed from The Fast & the Furious, mischief by the Minions from Illumination’s Despicable Me and so much more…



And, it’s all seamlessly projected on full panoramic water screens, accented by pyrotechnics and – for the first time ever – more than 120 dancing fountains with projection mapping. The entire waterfront of the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounding buildings will transform into a vivid celebration of epic movie moments and beloved characters.

We’re also building a permanent, dedicated viewing area for the show in the Central Park area of Universal Studios where you’ll be able to watch the lagoon come to life.

Get ready for an epic cinema under the stars during “Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration,” starting this summer. Bookmark the blog and sign up for emails to receive updates on the new show"

Pictures: copyright Universal - Dreamworks

Video: copyright Patrick Dougall, Universal Studios

Breaking News! Tokyo Disney Resort Announces DisneySea Expansion Plan Including a New Themed Hotel, a Frozen Land, a Tangled Land and a Peter Pan Land, with an Opening in 2022!

Absolute "Breaking News" today as Tokyo Disney Resort just announced Tokyo DisneySea expansion plan which will include a new themed Hotel, a Frozen land, a Tangled land and a ...Peter Pan land with an opening scheduled in 2022! This looks extremely exciting and the budget is 250 billion Yen ( $2.27 billion / €1.9 billion ) which is huge for three medium size lands and a hotel. TDS guests will access TDS new themed port through a pathway between Arabian Coast and Lost River Delta, though guests of the new hotel will probably be able to have a direct access to the new lands.

Here is the full TDR Press Release with details on the attractions and artworks!

Agreement Reached on Plan for Largest Ever Tokyo DisneySea Expansion Project, Opening in 2022, The Walt Disney Company Licenses Extended

URAYASU, CHIBA—Oriental Land Co., Ltd. announced that an agreement has been reached with The Walt Disney Company on plans for developing a new themed port at Tokyo DisneySea, which will also include a new Disney hotel. With this agreement and upon the completion of the Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland expansions, the licenses for the Disney theme parks and other key licenses between The Walt Disney Company and Oriental Land, which currently run until 2046, will be extended to 2076.

The expansion at Tokyo DisneySea will create an eighth themed port that is inspired by a magical spring leading to a world of Disney fantasy. The themed port will be comprised of three distinct areas recreating the worlds of the Disney films Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan, as well as a deluxe hotel with a one-of-a-kind luxury wing that will be the most luxurious accommodations ever at Tokyo Disney Resort. Also, four new attractions will be developed just for this expansion. Operations are projected to begin in fiscal year 2022. Oriental Land will invest about 250 billion yen in this project, the largest additional investment to date for existing facilities.

D&M Note: You'll note on the map above that the TDS available land located on the left of Lost River Delta and behind port Discovery will remain untouched, meaning that TDR will still have the room to build a new land there in the future if they want. 

Together with the large-scale enhancement of Tokyo Disneyland, scheduled to start operations in 2020, this new project marks a major step in the evolution of Tokyo Disney Resort into a one-of-a-kind themed resort where Guests will enjoy even more magical experiences.

In the 35 years since the Grand Opening of Tokyo Disneyland, Japan has undergone rapid growth and Oriental Land has consistently offered new experiences that can be shared by Guests of all ages that they can only have at Tokyo Disney Resort.

Tokyo DisneySea Large-Scale Expansion Project

1. Overview of “Tokyo DisneySea Large-Scale Expansion Project”
a. Site to be developed: the Guest parking area adjacent to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, which will be relocated so that the Tokyo DisneySea property can expand into that space
b. Number of facilities: four attractions, three food facilities, one shop, one hotel
c. Development area: about 140,000 m2 (about 100,000 m2 for the theme park and hotel)
d. Completion of project: in fiscal year 2022 (tentative)
e. Investment amount: about 250 billion yen (tentative)

2. Overview of new themed port

Themed to magical springs that lead to a world of Disney fantasy, the new port will consist of three areas inspired by Disney films that are beloved by Guests of all ages—Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan. By entering the new themed port and exploring its numerous springs, Guests will discover Anna and Elsa’s kingdom of Arendelle; the forest and tower where Rapunzel lives; and Never Land and—the home of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys. Guests will be able to experience these wonderful, fantastical worlds as no one has before.
The four attractions and the Disney hotel have been newly developed expressly for this project. This new themed port is certain to enhance the appeal of Tokyo DisneySea, the only Disney Park themed to the myths and legends of the sea.

Notes:
- The new themed port will be connected to other areas of the Park through a pathway between Arabian Coast and Lost River Delta.
- The image above represents the current concept and is subject to change.

3. Overview of the three areas

1 - Area themed to the Disney film Frozen:

This area is set in Arendelle after the events in the film when Queen Elsa has embraced her magical power to control snow and ice. She has since opened the castle gates so that Guests can freely visit the Kingdom. Located here will be a heartwarming attraction that tells the story of Elsa and her beloved sister, Anna. Guests will board boats and experience the sisters’ heartfelt journey while enjoying iconic songs from the film and encountering surprising thrills. Also located in this area will be a restaurant set inside Arendelle Castle at the foot of beautiful, snow-capped mountains.

2 - Area themed to the Disney film Tangled:

Guests visiting this area will discover Rapunzel’s tower rising above in a charming forest. The area will include an attraction that follows Rapunzel to the lantern festival and a restaurant inspired by the hideout of the humorous band of thugs who appeared in the film. In the attraction, Guests will board gondolas for a romantic boat tour of Rapunzel’s “best day ever” as she journeys with Flynn to the lantern festival. Countless flickering lanterns illuminate the attraction’s climactic scene while Rapunzel and Flynn sing an iconic song from the film, building to an unforgettable finale.

3 - Area themed to the Disney film Peter Pan:

Home to two attractions and a restaurant, the Never Land area will feature landmarks that make that fantastical world so memorable, including verdant mountains, Captain Hook’s pirate ship and Skull Rock. One attraction will fly Guests over the jungles of Never Land into a battle with Captain Hook and his crew of pirates. Guests will join Peter Pan in an adventure to rescue Wendy’s younger brother, John, who has been kidnapped by Captain Hook and his pirates. Guests board boats and follow the Lost Boys down a river. When Tinker Bell sprinkles the boats with pixie dust, Guests find themselves flying through Never Land on an unprecedented adventure that features iconic music and dynamic 3D imagery of the characters from the film.

A second attraction immerses Guests in the oversized world of Pixie Hollow where Tinker Bell and her fairy friends live and work. The restaurant is inspired by the Lost Boys and their hideout, affording lovely views of Never Land that Guests can enjoy while they dine.

4 - Overview of the Disney hotel:

Themed to Disney fantasy, the new Disney hotel will be located inside the Park. The hotel will rise above and around the magical springs that serve as the core of the new themed port’s story. Park-facing rooms will provide beautiful views of the port’s majestic landscape, affording Guests a magical experience that can only be had at this hotel. The Disney hotel will offer 475 deluxe-type and luxury-type guest rooms, with the latter providing the finest accommodations in Tokyo Disney Resort. A merchandise shop that helps share the story of the magical springs will be found on the hotel’s first floor, facing the Park.

5 - Facility Details:
(As of the date of this release. Details subject to change.)
Area themed to Frozen:
One attraction One restaurant
Area themed to Tangled:
One attraction One restaurant
Area themed to Peter Pan:
Two attractions One restaurant
Merchandise facility
One shop
Disney hotel:
Guest Rooms: 475
Facilities: Two restaurants
One lobby lounge One parking area Other facilities
Note: This information is subject to change.

Pictures: copyright Disney - Oriental Land Co

Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Splashing Summer with Cool New Entertainment, Seasonal Offerings and More

From June 16, Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Splashing Summer with Cool New Entertainment, Seasonal Offerings and More:
This summer, Shanghai Disney Resort is celebrating its second anniversary and welcoming guests to enjoy endless summer excitement with new seasonal sensations rolling out across the resort. Starting on June 16, Shanghai Disney Resort will create a brand-new summer atmosphere for guests to enjoy all the cool new summer entertainment, food and beverage offerings, shop for trendy merchandise with exclusive new looks and styles, and discover a host of activities in Disneytown.



Summer entertainment to offer fresh surprises and memorable experiences for guests:

Cool Zones will be ready throughout Shanghai Disneyland where guests can escape the heat of summer and be energized in the fun and refreshing misty areas. Part of the brand-new Disney - Pixar Toy Story Land will be transformed into a water-blast-world with Farmer Al’s Splash Around designed to delight and cool off guests. At several points throughout the day, a number of Andy’s favorite toys will host an interactive water play performance designed to fully immerse guests in the colorful new world of toys.

The extremely popular “Summer Blast” will return to the stage at the Enchanted Storybook Castle, with a number of performances held every day. The exciting show features energetic performers, classic Disney characters, and a fun dose of water, and several new showery surprises.

Duffy’s Splashing Pre-Parade is also set to delight guests as they gather to witness Mickey’s Storybook Express this summer. The pre-parade procession, led by Duffy and ShellieMay, will give guests a welcome bout of cool spritzes as they, along with a host of dancers with hand-held soakers, traverse the parade route cooling guests off. This year StellaLou and Gelatoni, Duffy’s friends, will also join the parade on a brand-new float. Lucky guest families have the chance to get in on the watery fun along the parade route aboard the two grand marshal cars that are part of this summer celebration.



Seasonal menus deliver a refreshing summertime experience all their own:

This summer, guests will find many cool drink offerings throughout the resort, including the StellaLou Fantasy Dreamer served up in a StellaLou souvenir cup, Mickey honey pomelo slushes in Mickey souvenir cups, Toy Story Souvenir Sips and more, like Donald’s Special Cooler, set to roll out later this month. New kiosks desserts, like the Stitch spiral sundae and the mango frozen yogurt sundae, or the Mickey marshmallow brownie and Olaf strawberry fruit tart at Remy’s Patisserie, will really hit the spot for any guest with a bit of a sweet tooth.

The Toy Box Café is also serving up new dishes like braised seafood rice and roasted pork ribs and wheat grass with potato chips, while Mickey & Pals Market Café, Pinocchio Village Kitchen and Wandering Moon Restaurant feature fresh additions, like tomato beef brisket rice, soup noodle with prawns and salt duck leg with pork noodle soup. Royal Banquet Hall’s new seasonal menus include gourmet appetizers and entrees—with a special lobster menu, plus sweet finishes like the StellaLou frozen ice cake. Hotel guests can also enjoy new a-la-carte additions at Aurora, and summer holiday beverages at Lumiere’s Kitchen.



Brand-new products to help guests stay cool and stylish this summer:

Shanghai Disney Resort will offer more than 50 new, exclusive seasonal merchandise products and limited editions pin. The tropical, beach-inspired collections feature Mickey and friends with summery seaside images. Guests can find the exclusive new apparels with Disney Character Images, stylish accessories such as new blue summer Mickey sunglasses and the popular Millennial Pink Minnie sequin headband. This summer also sees an all-new Duffy and friends summer merchandise line, which includes Duffy and ShellieMay plush, a ShellieMay headband, foldable shopping bags, ShellieMay and StellaLou tees and more.



Other hot new items to help guests soak up all the fun of summer include an exclusive Shanghai Disney Resort family beach towel, misty fans, stylish straw and bucket-style sun hats and plus the popular pink Minnie UV-proof umbrella.



More summer entertainment and experiences in Disneytown from sunset to evening:

Disneytown is another perfect place for families and friends to have fun together where a variety of summer-inspired activities will be hosted.

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a football camp will be held every weekend from June 23 to July 15 where guests can come and have a training. Once the World Cup comes to an end, the area will be transformed to allow guests to work out and practice Body Combat and Yoga in the cool evening air between July 21 and September 2. During the same period, on Friday and Saturday, a lawn movie night will be held to showcase some of your favorite Disney movies out on an open-air screen.



Pictures: copyright Disney - Shendi

First Teaser Trailer For Dumbo Live-Action Movie Directed by Tim Burton !

The first teaser trailer for the Dumbo live-action movie directed by Tim Burton is here, and it looks great to me!

Here is the official film synopsis: From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, the all-new grand live-action adventure “Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.

Here are some screen captures from the trailer!

Pictures and video: copyright Disney

BREAKING NEWS: Comcast Makes a $65 Billion Offer for 21st Century Fox, Starting Bidding War with Disney

BREAKING NEWS: That's it! Comcast makes a $65 billion offer for 21st Century Fox, setting up bidding war with Disney: Comcast made a stunning $65 billion bid Wednesday in what is expected to be the first of many attempts to buy up pieces of the entertainment world in the wake of AT&T’s decisive legal victory over the government to buy Time Warner.

The offer sets up a battle of wills between two of the most dominant and deep-pocketed entertainment companies in the world — Walt Disney and Comcast, the nation’s leading cable company which already owns Universal Studios and NBC. Comcast’s offer is about 19 percent higher than what Disney offered earlier this year. In two words, the battle has began and it's going to be bloody!
Read the full article on The Washington Post HERE.

 
Yesterday, AT&T and Time Warner finally got the green light for their $85 billion merger they were waiting for since 2016! Trump Dept of Justice tried to block the merger but yesterday the federal judge decided to approve the deal between the telecom and media giants.

This was what Comcast was waiting for to submit its own bid to buy 21st Century Fox. Read the CNN article HERE.

...BUT, don't go away yet as according to the New York Times, Comcast’s Pursuit of Fox Will Face Hurdles, Despite AT&T’s Victory. Read the N.Y Times article HERE.

Picture: copyright CNN

Blue the Raptor Joins Universal Orlando Raptor Encounter - Plus: New Jurassic World Kids’ Suites at Universal Orlando Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Heads up, dino-fans—there’s a new, fan-favorite carnivore at Universal Orlando Resort. From the Jurassic World films, Blue the Velociraptor has made her debut at Raptor Encounter in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. You now have a chance to get up-close and personal with Blue and the other raptors. These carnivores tower 12 feet in height and 15 feet from tail to snout. No need to worry though! The raptors are still contained inside their paddock.

Make sure to have your camera ready to snap a quick pic and try not to make too many sudden movements. There will be a trainer nearby to make sure nothing goes wrong and to relay some interesting facts about the clever girl. Like the fact that each raptor has 56 razor sharp teeth and lunges with curved claws that extend up to 12 inches from their 18 inch-long feet.

Blue’s debut at Islands of Adventure comes as part our celebration of all things Jurassic Park as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the movie that started it all AND the premiere of the new Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom on June 22, 2018. Video below by Attractions Magazine.




There is more as the new Jurassic World Kids’ Suites at Universal Orlando Loews Royal Pacific Resort will transport little ones right to the island of Isla Nublar from Jurassic World and allow them the opportunity to sleep among the dinosaurs! The second you open the paddock door, you have entered the world where Velociraptors, Pterodactyls and even the Indominus Rex roam.

When your kids lay down in bed, they’ll feel as if they have stepped right into their very own gyrosphere ride, maneuvering through the jungle terrain. The carpet will help guide them as it looks like the valley map with trail markings the gyrospheres followed. And the bedding is made to look like a test tube that was used to create new species of dinosaurs just like in Jurassic World. I wonder which new dinosaur species they’ll come up with in the new Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom movie…


The kids’ suites sleep up to five with one king bed, two twin beds and an option for a rollaway bed. Mom and dad can have a little privacy, while kids can have some fun in their own attached themed room. The kids’ room only opens into the adults’ room, connected via a door modeled after the dinosaur enclosure. Now, you can take a prehistoric adventure 65 million years in the making by experiencing Jurassic Park inside Islands of Adventure and have your kids sleep among the dinosaurs in these new Jurassic World kids’ suites.

One of the benefits of staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort is that you’ll also receive a Universal Express Unlimited two-park pass for everyone in your party, which allows you to skip the regular lines on rides like Jurassic Park River Adventure.  To learn more about those suites, jump HERE.

Pictures: copyright Universal Orlando

Jurassic World : Fallen Kingdom Short Review

I've been in theater yesterday to watch Jurassic World : Fallen Kingdom, and i quite enjoyed it a lot. I've seen there is plenty of reviews from people who didn't enjoyed it but here is what you need to know to don't fall in a misunderstanding: if you've not watched it yet, definitely watch the final trailer below. And have a closer look at the poster above, too. Because all you need to know to don't be disappointed is there.

In two words, if you're awaiting a film like the first Jurassic World or even the Jurassic Park movies, happening entirely on Nublar Island then you're on for a big disappointment because less than the first half of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom is happening on the Island that everybody - including the dinos - try to escape because of a volcano eruption. As clearly written on the posters "the park is gone". So, don't expect a ride in Jurassic World because that won't happen. No 2, as you can also clearly see in the trailer below, the saved dinos are moved in the U.S in a huge gothic manor to be put in auction - there is a reason for that but i don't tell you which one.

So, THIS is the storyline, you may not like it and the second part of Fallen Kingdom happen quite behind closed doors, but personally i didn't mind about it. I'd rather see Dinos moving inside a gothic mansion than in a kitchen like in the first Jurassic Park movie... The story has some parts a bit hard to swallow but we know that nothing of this is real - or can be real - and that Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom is basically a pop corn movie, so don't ask too much. That said, what Fallen Kingdom does, it does it pretty well and personally i enjoyed it more than the previous Jurassic World which i found a bit frustrating as i thought it didn't had enough sequences showing the park. Anyway, if you go to see it knowing that it's a very different Jurassic Park movie than the one we saw before - in two words: if you take it like it is and not what you would like it to be - then you should have a pretty good time watching it as it is well filmed and played and ILM wizards have again improved the CGI Dinosaurs, specially the skin, it's really impressive.

One more thing: the end is totally "open" so you can be sure that a third Jurassic World movie will come anytime soon!




Picture and video: copyright Universal

Summer of Marvel Super Heroes Season Debut at DLP Walt Disney Studios, FULL Video Report, Including Marvel Super Heroes United Stunt Show

The "Summer of Marvel Super Heroes" season started yesterday at DLP Walt Disney Studios and we have a full video report for you thanks to Max, D&M contributor and DLP Welcome webmaster.

The opening happened this week-end with a short opening show in front of DLP WDS entrance.

The main show of this "Summer of Marvel Super Heroes" is of course the brand new "Marvel Super Heroes United" stunt show and giant statues are now in place on the plaza in front of the former Cinemagique theatre as you'll see in this video filmed by Mulderville on June 8.

And now, here is the full "Marvel Super Heroes United" stunt show, filmed by Max in 4K for D&M!

Unfortunately, as enjoyable as the show can be,  it didn't took long to have a technical problem as you'll see in the short video below.

Right in front of the Tower of Terror there is also a new outdoor show "Stark Expo", playing several times a day.

Guests seems to have really enjoyed the new stunt show, which will be for sure highly popular all along the Summer of Marvel Super Heroes season!

Picture by Robert Stallard

Videos: copyright DLP Welcome, Mulderville, Disney