Disney MGM Studios - The Dick Tracy CrimeStoppers Attraction That Never Was

We will talk today about a Disney MGM Studios attraction that never was - or almost was: Dick Tracy CrimeStoppers.

Remember this Warren Beatty movie adaptation of the famous Dick Tracy comic strip in 1990 ? The stylised movie where Al Pacino and all vilains had masks to have their faces looking like in the comic strip.



Yes, the one with Madonna playing in it - she was dating Warren at that time!



Well, everybody at the WDC was so much convinced it will be a big hit that Walt Disney Imagineering designed a fantastic Dick Tracy attraction, a whole park area in fact.
An attraction where "Dick Tracy will recruit guests to shoot it out with gangsters bad guys"...



The 1990's press release was saying that " Guests will literally get "into the act" in this new high-tech action-adventure featuring the very latest in Audio-Animatronics, simulation, sound and special effects." And also: "Guests will join America's favorite comic-strip detective in a high-speed chase with his gangster adversaries." And in what kind of decor this high-speed chase would have take place? Well, this kind of decor - a really great great one.



Just below, two close shots of this artwork to have a better view how detailed it was.




As for the high-speed chase itself, this rendering below will give you a perfect feeling of it.



Here also, two close shots of the artwork.




It looked great, doesn't it? And not only the Dick Tracy CrimeStoppers attraction was envisioned for the Disney MGM Studios, but also for Disneyland, Anaheim for a whole new land: "Hollywoodland". And if you ask any imagineer who worked at WDI at that time and who had the luck to see the model, they will all tell you how great the attraction would have been.

Yes, but...the problem was that the box office of the movie didn't reached the WDC expectations, and, well, you know what kind of things happen when a "eagerly anticipated summer hit" finally is not that successful, don't you? That's right, all the plans were cancelled, and we're all still waiting for this Dick Tracy attraction...although...when i looked again to that cinemascope rendering of the decor, the right part of it reminds me something that i saw in the best themed park on earth: the streets under the elevated tramway at the American Waterfront of Tokyo Disney Sea.

Hmmmm, i'm wondering if something from Dick Tracy Crime Stoppers finally survived? Your thoughts?

Artwork: copyright Disney Enterprises Inc.

"Goodbye Christopher Robin" Tells the Story of How Author A. A. Milne Was Inspired the Magical World of Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh is one of Disney most beloved character and a new film titled "Goodbye Christopher Robin" about the life of A.A Milne, the creator of the stories, based on a real story of his life is released worldwide after an initial release in the U.S in October.



Here is the synopsis: "Goodbye Christopher Robin" gives a rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children's author A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) and his son Christopher Robin (Will TIlston), whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie the Pooh. Along with his mother Daphne (Margot Robbie), and his nanny Olive (Kelly Macdonald), Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War. But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family?"

Here below is the trailer of "Goodbye Christopher Robin".




Pictures and video: copyright Fox

Watch the Incredible Disneyland Paris 2018 New Year's Eve Parade, the Longest Parade Ever !

Disneyland Paris had of course a special New Year's Eve on Sunday evening and guests were amazed by the New Year's Eve parade as it was the longest parade ever at DLP. During 40 minutes DLP guests had the pleasure to see dozens of parade floats, with the new ones and the ones of the previous parade as well as those form the Stars and Cars parade of the Walt Disney Studios and plenty of rare characters. I'm even wondering if it was the longest parade ever for any Disney park, though i think they had one incredibly long too some years ago at Tokyo Disneyland.

The first video below was filmed by Curious Axel and of course shows the whole parade.




For Fans of 4K definition here is another video filmed by  ashliiful with a slightly wider angle but a bit less light.




And of course happened later the New Year Celebration Fireworks, also filmed by Curious Axel.




Videos: copyright Curious Axel, ashliiful

Happy New Year to all Disney and more Readers !

Part of the planet is already in 2018! Here is the video of the awesome 2018 New Year Fireworks over Bangkok Chao Praya River, filmed in 4K. Happy new year and best wishes to all of you and to our friends in Thailand!

New Year's Eve Special : Have a Magical Dinner With a "Sparkling Experience" at Disneyland Paris Hotel ! by Robert Stallard

I rarely talk on Disney and more about food in the parks but here is one about Disneyland Paris "Sparkling Experience", one that you may have never heard about. This luxury dinner experience is "a real culinary experience where outstanding food and fine wines are blend to perfection" and a special report about it is perfect for a New Year's Eve article!

First, i'd like to thanks Robert Stallard, faithful Disney and more reader who enjoyed a lot this "Sparkling Experience" and who shot the pictures for D&M. He will tell you the whole story and how he had a magical evening at the Disneyland Paris Hotel. The "Sparkling Experience" is available every day - it is not the "New Year's Eve" dinner - and it is quite pricey - 199€ for adults, 49€ for children - but as you'll see you're treated like a king!






"The "Sparkling Experience" dinner happen only at Disneyland Paris hotel and anyone can book it for the evening. It starts with a cocktail in Cafe Fantasia.










Then come the moment of the choice of dishes in the menu. You can do your own choice or they will mix you a specialty not in the menu. I choose to let them surprise me.






They then took me to the California Gril restaurant where the dinner itself happen. My table had been reserved for me near the window.

I first got another cocktail as starter. Then the dishes started. The asked me if I wanted to choose anything from the menu again, and I said "surprise me!"  The waitress did explain each course and on my first time - as i did the "Sparkling Experience" twice, the second time for my birthday - I was stunned that on the meat course I had caviar in my gravy! They truly try to make your experience unforgettable...

The menu was composed of :

Appetizers : Salmon Rillettes, Madeleine with Parmesan and Cromesqui at the Brie de Meaux.






Starter : Melon gazpacho and ginger ; Parma's ham chips ; beetroots balloting







Hot starter : Tiger salad (salad, langoustine in tempura wagyu beef, sweet chili pepper and pesto sauce






Fish : Lobster with mushrooms risotto (shiitake & shimenji Japanese mushrooms), Carrots and zucchinis beads, Carrots purée flavored with Zuzu






Meat : Angus Beef filet with Stuffed potatoes with truffles, Californian sauce made with zinfandel wine, mushrooms and vegetables cooked in blood orange reduction





Cheese : Trolley with a selection of cheese





Dessert : Strawberry and chocolate entremets




Just after 10pm my waitress asked if I wanted my dessert but she advised me to first see the Illuminations show on the castle, then have dessert which I did. The manager took me personally with champagne and fruits to the Castle Club and opened the private Founder's Room. He had brought blankets for me because it was a bit chilly. He then turned out the lights and turned on the live music from the castle. I was so overwhelmed being alone watching the show. I had to sit down after alone and just get my emotions together. It was great having the music in the room and just being completely alone in the dark!













 After that I sat alone a while and ate my fruit. Went then down and had the dessert.

The Castle Club Founder's Room is a room where usually no one enter, here are some pictures.











It's was an evening where I felt special all along the evening. I also think that being in the Founders Room all by myself being treated like a king was incredibly special. When the maitre d'hotel left he turned out the lights and told me to enjoy it as it is very special and I will not forget it!

The pictures below were shot just before midnight when I left. Quite beautiful with almost no one else around inside the Disneyland Paris Hotel!




Well, let's thanks again Robert for this amazing report on the "Sparkling Experience" dinner which for sure looked delightful, magical and tasty! A bit pricey but i'm sure it worth the unforgettable evening!

You can follow Robert "Adventures with Duffy" on his Facebook page HERE.

Pictures: copyright Robert Stallard