Take a look behind the scenes at the Disney's Hollywood Studios and the now extinct Great Movie Ride with these two videos of TPMvids, sharing the best history & facts about Disney MGM Studios. From Disney rides like Tower of Terror and Muppet Vision 3-D to extinct attractions like the Streets of America and the Backlot Tour, to the largest hidden Mickey at Walt Disney World!
Bad news as the Red Car Trolley News Boys street show at Disney's California Adventure will end soon, on July 23, it was confirmed by Disney to Mice Age who posted this:
"When Marvel construction required us to close the Red Car Trolley, we sought out a way to continue offering an adapted entertainment show for our Guests. However, as construction continues, and based on current viewership trends and the needs of the business, we have decided to close the show at this time.
Without the trolley, the show just didn’t offer the same value to guests."
Hmmm, sure without the trolley the show don't offer the same value, and i understand that works on the Marvel land can be a problem, but wasn't there really any way to keep the trolley, even with the Marvel land construction? It's a bit hard to swallow... It's a cool street show that had a lot of fans which will now leave Disney's California Adventure . If there is a logic in what Disney say the show should be back once the new land will be finished but i wouldn't put all my bets on it.
So, for fans of the Red Car Trolley News Boys show and for those of you who've never seen it, here is a great video of the show filmed by Mouse Steps in 2015 and it was the full, updated show which included a new song ( If you can dream it, you can do it ), Mickey Mouse with the stunning animated head and even a quick cameo by Minnie Mouse in her new dress!
Disney Parks at last announced today the opening date of Star Wars Galaxy's Edge "Rise of the Resistance" E-Ticket ride, and the ride will open first on December 5 at WDW Disney's Hollywood Studios Galaxy's Edge - Dec 5 is Walt Disney’s birthday - "a way to honor the ultimate storyteller by introducing the most immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined in a Disney Park".
As soon as work is completed at Walt Disney World, Imagineers will head back to California to complete their mission at Disneyland Resort where Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will open on Friday, January 17, 2020.
"When it opens, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will blur the lines between fantasy and reality and will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Guests will be recruited to join Rey and General Organa at a secret base. Along the way, they will be captured by a First Order Star Destroyer. With the help of some heroes of the Resistance, they break out and must escape the Star Destroyer, protect the secret base, and stay one step ahead of Kylo Ren. "
So, now you have it, those of you who were waiting for Rise of the Resistance opening to come to visit Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland or WDW know exactly when to come!
We stay at Disneyland Paris today, and this time it's unfortunately for bad news. Daniel Delcourt from DLP Operations announced recently at the InsideEars event that the Barber Shop currently located in the Emporium - with an entrance on Flower Street - will be relocated inside Liberty Arcade - picture above by Nicolas Bailly. And i'm sorry to say that fears of DLP fans that they'll put the Barber shop where the Statue of Liberty Diorama currently is were justified, as it is exactly what they are going to do.
OutsideEars posted the blueprints - you'll see them below - showing that the Barber shop will indeed be rebuilt there, which is a big mistake in my opinion ( and even more when you'll learn why they do this ) as the whole Liberty Arcade is originally a tribute to the Statue of Liberty and its design, construction, etc, with in the center of the Arcade this Statue of Liberty Diorama. In two words, it was not only a great theming idea, it was also full of meaning.
Now, apparently DLP will keep the main scene of the Diorama, and i'm not sure if they'll keep also the Mannequins watching the inauguration - i wouldn't bet on it - or only the Inauguration diorama scene in front of them - picture below shot by Photos Magiques.
But, wait, what a scene of the Statue of Liberty Inauguration would do in a Barber shop?!? I know they're keeping it because, hey, we're in Liberty Arcade and the scene is nice so it'll make a nice backdrop ( and probably also to avoid fans uproar ) but, isn't anyone at DLP thinking if it has any meaning? The question of meaning is more important than it seems because this is THE main problem of the world we live in ( and not only at DLP ). When there is no meaning then things don't have any sense anymore, and contrary to what you may think, Imagineers always design a park or a land with this question of meaning always in their minds.
So, gone the meaning, and unfortunately the beautiful and gorgeously designed entrance of the Statue of Liberty Diorama - picture below - will also be gone, completely, the mural and red curtains and flag - as the blueprints show there will be instead the windows and entrance door of the Barber shop. That's truly a big loss of theming, i can tell you.
The Barber shop might get a bit more visibility because being located in the center of Liberty Arcade guests will see it from Main Street, but ONLY when the doors between the Arcade and Flower street will be open ( and they're often closed in winter because of cold temperatures ).
Now, about the blueprints posted by OutsideEars, here they are, and they're quite explicit. On the first one below you can see both the current location of the Barber shop and its future one, where the Statue of Liberty Diorama currently is.
The next blueprint shows the Barber shop entrance. As you see the great Statue of Liberty mural at the entrance of the diorama will disappear.
The next blueprint shows the inside of the shop and you can see - where is written "zone decor" - that the diorama itself will be kept. With or without the mannequins is another question.
And of course the question is: why do they do this, why do they move the Barber shop, and partly destroy this charming Statue of Liberty Diorama. Well, as explained by Daniel Delcourt, it's done to increase the shopping area of the Emporium, meaning that instead of the current beautifully themed Barber shop, you'll have more shelves with plushs, clothes, etc, any kind of merch you can think of. In two words, this is all done to make more money, period. And we're not even talking about getting back 20 or 30 square meters for the Emporium but roughly only 8 or 9 square meters, which for the most will be square meters on which the guests will walk, as they'll put shelves only on the walls. I can understand that they took their calculators and realized they would make more money by selling merchandise than the revenues made out of the Barber shop, but frankly, all this mess only for 8 miserable square meters?!? Honestly, it's not even stupid, it's ridiculous.
Below, a video showing the Statue of Liberty Diorama - yes, it's a bit dark and it's normal.
Pictures: copyright Nicolas Bailly, Photos Magiques, Hello Disneyland, Disney
We're back at Disneyland Paris today with two great videos of the Jungle Rythms Festival filmed by Max, D&M contributor and DLP Welcome webmaster.
The first video shows the Jungle Book Jive happening daily on Central Plaza and according to Max, it's a triumph. One thing you may not know is that DLP hired musicians and dancers from India and that's why the whole show has the most "Bollywood" look ever seen in a Disney theme park. Special note for the colored costumes which look great and to the soprano singer who is a great one. The floats, too, look great. And it seems that targeting Indians guests, whether living in France or visiting Paris seems to work as Max told me he's never seen as many people from India in the park.
The other video is about the new Lion King show inside the brand new Frontierland Theatre; On this one and although he find the artists and costumes wonderul, Max is a bit less enthusiastic for different reasons, oen of them being the lack of un-sung moment between each song; I, personally, think they did a good work, so have a look and let us know what you think!
Second WDW Update as promised and i have plenty of pics for you. We'll start by pictures of the opening of the NBA Experience Store at Disney Springs which opened today - the "Experience" itself is not open yet and will wait a few more weeks.
Next we have the latest pictures of the construction site of the new Riviera building near the Caribbean Beach Resort. This one is not yet totally finished or ready for opening, it still will take some time before it will be, and it's an even bigger building than the Gran Destino that you saw yesterday...
If you look closer to the tower below you'll see slides for the pool.
We're not done yet as a part three of this WDW update is coming tomorrow, so stay tuned on D&M!
Disney released the new official trailer for Disney's Maleficent: Mistress of Evil - in Theaters October 18!
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” is a fantasy adventure that picks up several years after “Maleficent,” in which audiences learned of the events that hardened the heart of Disney’s most notorious villain and drove her to curse a baby Princess Aurora. The film continues to explore the complex relationship between the horned fairy and the soon to be Queen as they form new alliances and face new adversaries in their struggle to protect the moors and the magical creatures that reside within.
The film is directed by Joachim Rønning from a story by Linda Woolverton and a screenplay by Linda Woolverton and Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster, the film is produced by Joe Roth, Angelina Jolie and Duncan Henderson with Matt Smith, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Michael Vieira serving as executive producers.
Disney has released a first teaser trailer for Mulan live-action movie!
Acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro brings the epic tale of China’s legendary warrior to life in Disney’s “Mulan,” in which a fearless young woman risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known.
" When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father. "
“Mulan” features a celebrated international cast that includes: Yifei Liu as Mulan; Donnie Yen as Commander Tung; Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan; Yoson An as Cheng Honghui; with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film is directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem
“The Ballad of Mulan.”
D&M has a two parts WDW update for you to start the week, here is the part one! The new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will open next week to WDW guests, and Disney and more has for you the first pictures of the inside of it where a special event for invited guests was happening this afternoon.
The lobby of the Gran Destino Tower is gorgeous as you'll see in the pictures below!
Tribute to Walt and Mickey on one of the murals...
More paintings with a hiddenMickey in it...
Gran Destino Tower Reception and Concierge desks...
Stay tuned on D&M as the part two of the update will be on line tomorrow!
