Max, D&M contributor, was among a selection of photographers that Disneyland Paris invited last Friday evening to shoot pictures and film Phantom Manor new version. And for this special private shooting the doom buggies speed was reduced at half, allowing to shoot a video and see each details better than ever before! Here is Max video below, by far the best video you've seen of the new version of the ride, and don't go away as there is more after!
I don't know about you but i always wished to be able to stay in the doom buggy when we arrive at the end of the ride to watch where they are going after the unload room. We see them turning and disappearing in a hidden passage, just to reappear a few seconds later in the loading room. Exceptionally, Max was allowed to stay in the doom buggy and for the first time you'll be able to discover this secret passage, so don't miss the video below!
While the start of major construction is expected by the end of the year, Disneyland Paris released new details on the Walt Disney Studios expansion project, which includes the creation of a lake that will be the biggest natural stage for the Walt Disney Studios Park.
"Imagine a sparkling body of water, lakeside walks, beautiful landscaped shorelines, waterfront restaurants and breathtaking scenery. The 3-hectares lake will become the new heart of Walt Disney Studios Park - and it promises to be awe-inspiring! Beyond being spectacular, the lake will become a hot spot of 360° entertainment. It will be equipped with the latest technologies to produce impressive water shows, with fountains, sounds and lights and special effects that will delight visitors. This new open-air space will complement the beauty and immersive side of Walt Disney Studios Park, while providing the perfect stage for daytime and nighttime shows. "
D&M: This confirms what i told you in a previous D&M update, i.e that they probably envisioned a big fountain show at night and a floating parade on daytime like the one that guests can see at Tokyo DisneySea but with a different theme, of course. You can see on the right of the land the canal that the floating floats will use to access the lake.
"This will allow us to offer a whole new experience "explains David Wilson, in charge of the Disneyland Paris portfolio at Euro Disneyland Imagineering, the division that designs and develops attractions for the European destination.
"The lake will also serve as a bridge between the thematic worlds that will come alive all around him. An area inspired by the successful animated film Frozen will become the showcase for the expansion of the park, with a reconstruction of the famous Kingdom of Arendelle, overlooked by a mountain 40 meters high "( D&M: around the equivalent of 14 floors ).
"A few steps away, Star Wars fans will be able to give life to their own adventure on the far side of a galaxy far, far away. These two zones will offer a total experience in the heart of these worlds with each one a major attraction, points of restoration, shops and exclusive meetings with the characters.
As in Disneyland Park, this space will be surrounded by high tree slopes that will allow it to fully blend into the landscape and mitigate potential impacts on the neighborhood."
D&M: Contrary to what you may have read on other sites i'm always confirmed that, so far, the attraction on Star Wars land opening day will be "Rise of the Resistance" and not "Millenium Falcon : Smugglers Run" ...which might come later as an expansion of the land is already planned.
Star Wars Galaxy's Edge open in one week at Disneyland and the first previews are currently happening for Disneyland CMs. They're normally not allowed to shoot pictures but you know how human nature is, so first pictures are now appearing on internet. The pics below are a selection so far and this article WILL be updated all along the week-end when i will find others pics.
Let's start by something we all love: attraction posters! Above and below, four of them for Batuu, Black Spire Outpost and the Millenium Falcon.
Next is the guide map for Galaxy's Edge.
A picture showing the Milenium Falcon, and not too many people aorund it during this preview.
These pictures below were shot inside the queen for the Falcon ride. Apprarently it looks very similar to the queen for Pandora Flight of Passage with a different theming of course.
Talking about the Millenium Falcon ride, no full ride video is of course available yet but you can see 7 seconds of it - not more, but 7 exciting seconds! - in the video below.
This picture below shows Chewie sit upon a creature which was supposed to be in the original Star Wars but George Lucas cut it out of the movie. Now the creatures head lives in Galaxy’s Edge!
Here is the Menu for the drinks at Oga's Cantina!
Have a closer look to the pciture below as the paper wristband on the pciture below as chances are guests who have a reservation for the next weks to visit SWL will have the same, indicating the start and end time they're allowed in the land.
Here is the special Coke bottle!
More pics now of merchandise items.
Seems to me that the last picture shows some of the crystals that you choose when you're doing your laser saber.
Stay tuned on D&M for more pics to be added soon!
All pictures: copyright their respective owners, and Disney
The TEA - Theme Entertainment Association - and AECOM have published today the 2018 Theme Index: Global Attractions Attendance Report and you can download the full DPF Report HERE. Now, let's have a closer look to the numbers as, as you'll see, they bring interesting informations.
First, about the TOP 10 Theme Parks Groups worldwide. No surprise, Disney is in first position with an attendance of 157.311.000 visitors ( all parks together ) but Universal is not No 2, instead it's Merlin Entertainment Group, and Universal is No 3 with 50.068.000 visitors. Six Flags is No 7 and Sea World No 9.
Next, the always awaited TOP 25 for Theme Parks worldwide. WDW Magic Kingdom is No 1 with 20.859.000 visitors and Disneyland Anaheim No 2 with 18.666.000 visitors, followed by TDL and TDS in Japan with 17.907.000 and 14.65.000 visitors and Universal Studios Japan as No 5 with 14.300.000 visitors. Shanghaî Disneyland is doing very well with 11.800.000 visitors. WDW Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and California Adventure are No 6, 7, 9 and 12. HKDL is No 16 with 6.700.000 visitors.
But as you see Disneyland Paris parks are not in the first 12, and Disneyland Paris Park is No 13 with 9.843.000 visitors. As for DLP Walt Disney Studios it is No 23 with 5.298.000 visitors only... it's more than time that works begin to make out of this park a full day park, and a real good one if possible. Europa Park, DLP main competitor is No 21 with 5.720.000 visitors, Efteling No 22 with 5.400.000 visitors and Tivoli Gardens No 24 with 4.850.000 visitors.
Next is the Top 20 for Water Parks worldwide and Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are No 2 and 3 with a bit more of 2 Million visitors for each. Chimelong water park in Guangzhou, China, is No 1 with 2.740.000 visitors. Universal Volcano Bay is No 6 with 1.725.000 visitors, not bad for a new water park.Aquaventure Atlantis in the Bahamas is No 5 and Aquatica Orlando No 7.
The three next pictures shows the TOP 20 Amusement / Theme Parks for America, Asia and Europe.
Again, i strongly recommend to download the full PDF HERE which has plenty more of precious informations about how 2018 was globally a very good year for theme parks around the world.
Oriental Land Co., Ltd. announced that Fantasy Springs will be the name of the eighth and newest Tokyo DisneySea themed port which is being developed together with a new Disney hotel. The themed port and hotel are scheduled to open in fiscal year 2022 as part of the large-scale expansion of Tokyo DisneySea Park. For this project, Oriental Land is investing 250 billion yen, the largest additional investment to date for existing facilities.
Themed to a magical spring that leads to a world of Disney fantasy, Fantasy Springs consists of three areas inspired by Disney films that are beloved by Guests of all ages—Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan. Stepping into this new themed port, Guests will find waterfalls and ponds flowing with the magical spring waters. The themed port’s attractions and restaurants will give Guests the opportunity to experience the story of each film. Overlooking Fantasy Springs and situated inside Tokyo DisneySea will be a Disney hotel that offers deluxe and luxury level accommodations.
The four attractions, three restaurants and one shop in Fantasy Springs, as well as the new Disney hotel, have all been newly developed exclusively for this expansion. With the opening of Fantasy Springs, Guests of Tokyo DisneySea will enjoy a first-of-its-kind, new world of fantasy in the only Disney Park themed to the myths and legends of the sea. Fantasy Springs will be connected to other areas of the Park through a pathway between Arabian Coast and Lost River Delta.
Bob Iger, Philippe Gas, Shanghaî Disneyland President as well as Tokyo Disney Resort President and executives were there for the groundbreaking ceremony and name reveal.
New concept-arts were also released, the first ones below showing the entrance to Fantasy Springs, day and night...
Note the Peter Pan, Frozen and Tangled characters sculpted in the rocks, on left, right and center of the entrance to Fantasy Springs.
...and the two others are showing springs within Fantasy Springs, also with characters sculpted in the rocks, here i think Cinderella.
The next picture below shows the area where Fantasy Springs and the new hotel will be built.
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. 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
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.
3. Overview of the three areas
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.
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.
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.
Overview of the new 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.
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.
Disneyland Resort president Josh D’Amaro offered a sneak peek inside Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with a group photo of the land’s many cast members. What is interesting is that the picture also gives a pretty good idea like never before of how big the Millenium Falcon is, bigger than i thought in fact.
Cast member previews started on Monday and will run May 20-22 and May 26-27, allowing eligible resort employees the opportunity to experience the land in four-hour windows ahead of its official opening May 31.
