Hong Kong Disneyland Update With Fantastic 4K Drone Video Over HKDL Explorers Lodge Hotel

We'll start the week with a Hong Kong Disneyland update thanks to fantastic aerial shots from a 4K drone video filming from over Discovery Bay. You won't see close shots of the park in it but great views of the new Explorers Lodge Hotel currently in construction and scheduled to open next year.

Here we go for some screen shots from the video, starting with the picture above showing well how the park in the background is surrounded by mountains. On the foreground, the excellent Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. Below, closer shots on the park itself.

The drone camera then turn to the left revealing the construction site of the Explorers Lodge Hotel.

The hotel you see right behind is the HKDL Hollywood Hotel.

The drone then fly for a few minutes over Discovery Bay and then come back, offering another view of the Explorers Lodge Hotel from a different angle, and showing how close are the Hollywood Hotel and the Explorers Lodge Hotel.

The building construction seem to be almost over but no vegetation is in place and this will be probably the next step, as well as the interior decoration and theming.

if you don't remember the WDI rendering showing how it will look when the Explorers Lodge will open in 2017, here are the artworks.

The video ends with the drone in front again of HKDL Hotel showing the park in the background, and i remind you that all the land on which is built the park and hotels didn't existed 15 years ago and is man made, it was the sea before.

'Time to watch this great 4K video filmed by Youtuber Patrick Ooi with a DJI Phantom 3. Make sure to choose the 4K definition when you watch it!




Video: copyright Patrick Ooi

Shanghaî Disneyland : The Grand Opening Celebration Gala That Never Existed - 7/11 : Important Editing About What Really Happened

Editor's Note: This article had an important editing explaining what in fact really happened, make sure to scroll down to read the editing, thanks.

I've posted last evening this picture above on the D&M Facebook page: "I've found back a very strange picture which was supposedly shot during Shanghaî Disneyland Grand Opening Celebration Gala, the evening before SDL opening day. Yes, but, have a closer look at the pic, invited guests are sit in the center and at least 50% of the seats had no one... Could the pic have been shot during rehearsals? Could be, but it doesn't have any sense in this case to have so many people watching rehearsals. No, it's most probably during the Gala evening itself. So, i've been back having a look at the video of the Gala event and you can't find a shot showing the audience... Could it mean that this Grand Opening evening was not that "Grand" in terms of participants?..."

Then, three of my readers sent me messages with explanations of what seems to have really happened on that rainy night: 

One is saying: "I saw your post about the half-empty viewing area for the Grand Opening Concert. The concert was cancelled on the 15th (also the fireworks) and they used dress rehearsal footage in the broadcast. The reason was strong wind and rain". 

Another reader says "The opening gala for SDL was rained out and moved indoors.  All the media released of the opening show was recorded the night before at the final dress rehearsal. The extended fireworks tag on the first public night was the pyro intended for the opening gala." 

And a third one is saying "This grand opening has never really happened, the cause: the rain. The video is actually a filmed rehearsal the day before. Besides this, the inauguration was sad with just speeches as the real outdoor show was canceled because of the rain."

So, it seems that wind and rain had the final word on this opening gala and what you see up there is NOT a picture of the real "outdoor" opening gala in front of Enchanted Story Book castle as this one never existed, except for the TV special, and in fact had - with the VIP guests - to be moved indoor.




Important Editing: Well, we’ve got more infos about Shanghaî Disneyland Grand Opening Gala and what happened exactly. What i told you yesterday - coming from some readers comments - was that the show was filmed a day before due to the rain. But in fact that’s not what happened as SDL Opening gala was not filmed the day before - it was all live. Only that the orchestra was in a separate  and covered soundstage and the video editing did a very good job of covering it up. To make things more clear they had two plans and Plan B became Plan A. They worked for 2 years on the gala celebration to celebrate the opening of SHDL. Sylvia Hase's vision was so clear and so rich that bringing a team together to deliver was the "easy part."   Though nothing was easy about this project - the result was a terrific rain plan event and the planned event result. The rain plan - so skillfully conceived by Sylvia Hase and filmed by Hamish Hamilton and his team allowed to present the 'outside' show in its entirety but without the orchestra nor would the amazing human screen...but they shot a version without the celebs or the speech and brought those to life in front of a huge LED screen inside Evergreen Playhouse nearby. Truly elegant planning executed in a matter of hours by an amazing team!

Below, if you've not watched it yet, the official video of SDL Grand Opening Gala. 





Picture and Video: copyright Disney

Shanghaî Disneyland Voyage to the Crystal Grotto Night Video

Here is a Shanghaî Disneyland video i was waiting for. I've always thought that the SDL Fantasyland attraction Voyage to the Crystal Grotto - unique to Shanghaî Disneyland - had to be done at night. Not that i don't like it at daytime but considering that it is a fountain attraction the use of colors on the fountains would probably enhance the effect and make it more magical, and i was right. Thanks to Disney Dwayne we have a first video showing the ride at night, and even if you don't like the ride, give it a second chance and watch this nighttime video. The fact that it was filmed at night give also a better view of the "Grotto" sequence as the camera didn't had to adapt itself when going from daylight to a darker place. If only Dwayne hadn't moved so much from one side to another during that scene, it would have been perfect...

However, it was filmed recently, a Friday evening, and there was no queue at all and probably not more than ten people in the boat, which is not specially good news for the park, let's hope there was more people in others lands.

Now, Spiro a faithful D&M reader sent me this comment: 

Hi Alain, I enjoyed Shanghaî Disneyland Voyage to the Crystal Grotto Night Video.

Every time I look at any video of the "Voyage to the Crystal Grotto" I keep on saying something is missing.

Maybe there was a budget issue?

Now granted I haven't been on the ride and probably be looking at it differently

Or I don't have a translation of the ride inside the castle part that maybe I don't understand.

I keep on saying where is the spectacular ending. Just like a firework finale over the castle.

I like the map projections on the walls.

But I am wishing for a spectacular moment finale like the "attached image" proposed by WDI.

Because water fountains was use outside there is a little used inside.

If they carried the water jumping on and over the boat. Playful water with the ride boat.

Use of fiber optics.

Other special effects, fog, magical rain, etc.

Maybe a musical tune to remembered the ride like "its a small world" or "Electrical Parade" the ties the the different floats together but original song that you can come off the boat singing.

Look at "The Adventure of Sinbad" at Tokyo Disney Seas how the music carries with a grand finale and the tune.

I don't believe the ride is a let down. It just need something.

These are just my thoughts and hopefully they will plus the ride in the future. Or if I ever get there and experience the ride for myself I could see it differently than on the videos."

I have to say that i agree with him, the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto ride don't need a lot to be a really great ride, and a great song theme would help indeed, though it's a bit difficult to place because of the music of each scenes. Another reader - see his comment below - sais that the same ride indoor with moving Animatronics would have been awesome, and it surely would be the case. 

The real thing which is missing is indeed Audio-Animatronics characters but if it's not the case it's simply because SDL Imagineers have thought there was no way they could have outdoor AAs without having never ending maintenance issues. By the way, even without AAs they already have some maintenance problem as you'll see in the Tangled scene where the lanterns don't go up or down as they should. So, the lack of characters AAs is mostly a technical problem and i'm afraid they won't be able to resolve this one. 

That said, personally i like the ride and i'm sure it's even more enjoyable when you see it in real, i'll let you know soon, after i have been myself to SDL.




Video: copyright Disney Dwayne

Discover the Very Private Tokyo Disneyland Club 33

I don't think there is a place less known if not mysterious than Tokyo Disneyland Club 33 as, yes, there is a very private and members only Club 33 at TDL, just like there is one at Disneyland.

Recently TRD Explorer posted an article about it but he didn't shot pictures of the inside - except the food - as apparently it is not allowed. This of course pushed me to find some and not only there is some pics available HERE but, even better, i've found a video showing the whole Club 33! It's a 2011 video, so shot not too long ago and it probably shows TDL Club 33 as it is now. Enjoy!




Photo: copyright JSpence

Video: copyright Disneybase4U

Mickey and the Magician Show Debut at DLP WDS : Full Show, Creatives Presentation and Press Event HD Videos

The press event for Mickey and the Magician happened this week-end at DLP WDS and Max, D&M contributor and DLPWelcome webmaster was there and came back with three HD videos, including the video of the full show!

Mickey and the Magician plays several times a day at WDS Animagique Theatre, with a facade freshly repainted for the new show.

According to Max "Here we are in a place of magic. The musical notes are a foretaste of the adventures that you will live in a mysterious atmosphere. This show is simply one of the most beautiful creations of Disneyland Paris since the opening of the resort in 1992. It is for some (us included) the best show on stage ever created for the resort, a mix between a Broadway production, an illusion show and a Disney show. The result: Mickey and the magician!

Here is Max full HD video of the entire show!



During the press event a special presentation happened with the Creative Team of the show :
MICHAEL JUNG – Creative Portfolio Executive, Theatrical Development, Walt Disney Imagineering 
KATY HARRIS –Show Director 
TATIANA SEGUIN – Choreographer 
PAUL KIEVE – Stage Illusionist



Finally, Max also did a third video showing the press event in itself and it includes the increduble dinner which happened at Moteurs, Action. If you've ever wondering what a DLP Press Event look like, Max short video will give you a good idea.




Max will be back soon with a new update and in the meantime i remind you that the Grand Summer Special Offer has started for the Disneyland Paris, From Sketch to Reality book in English updated or French collector's edition at 60€ only ( + 15€ shipping ), so don't miss it while it last as it is the last copies of the book which will not be reprinted! 

The offer ends on August 31 but please note that NO shipping will be done for orders after July 28 for holiday reasons, so please place your order before July 28 if you don't want to wait until September to receive the book! And there is always the great surprise gift coming with each order!

The book is the perfect gift for Disney parks fan! Click on the link below to have a look inside the book and to order your copy or use the Paypal button below! Make sure to send me an email then at: neverlandeditions@gmail.com  to tell me if you order an English or French edition.

Special note to buyers with a shipping address in ITALY or BELGIUM : For shipments to Belgium or Italy, the shipping cost is 25 €.

Do not miss this Summer special offer, and to place your order please send an email to: neverlandeditions@gmail.com  - Please let me know in your email if you want the english or french edition!

You can pay by Paypal, credit card or bank transfer. Paypal payment must be sent to the same email address: neverlandeditions@gmail.com or you can also use the Paypal button below or on the right column, make sure to choose how many copies you want. 
The Paypal button works for both french or english edition but confirm me by email or in your Paypal payment which edition you want ( english or french ).
Also note that the Paypal button includes an additional discount for those who want to order 2 or 3 copies instead of one. 

If you do NOT have a Paypal account you can pay by credit card, or bank transfer, just send me an email about it at: neverlandeditions@gmail.com

Disneyland Paris From Sketch to Reality Book

ONE Disneyland Paris Book English or French Edition €60.00 EUR TWO Disneyland Paris Book English or French Edition €125.00 EUR THREE Disneyland Paris Book English or French Edition €185.00 EUR

Those of you who have never seen the book will find below a video presentation of the full book which will show you each of the 320 pages of the book AND you can see more pictures on the book website HERE.

Although you've probably heard about this beautiful book, many of you may have never seen a copy of it. So we've done a video presentation of the full book which will show you each of the 320 pages of the book! The book includes 750 pictures of the park, including 250 gorgeous renderings of Walt Disney Imagineering and stunning pictures of the park seen from above. The book is so big that it took us seven and a half minutes to show you the full book, and that's without stopping turning each pages! So, if you want to have a closer look at a page don't hesitate to stop the video!




Video: copyright Alain Littaye 2012

Tokyo Disney Resort Announces New Castle Show “Frozen Forever” - TDS Frozen Land Opening Delayed Until 2021

URAYASU, CHIBA— Tokyo Disney Resort announced that “Frozen Forever” will
be presented at Tokyo Disneyland® Park for limited period from January 13 to March 17, 2017. “Frozen Forever,” a new nighttime entertainment offering using projection mapping technology* will be presented as part of the Tokyo Disneyland special event, “Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Fantasy.”

“Frozen Forever” will consist entirely of scenes from the Disney film Frozen. These scenes, projected onto the exterior of Cinderella Castle, bring to life a world of Frozen that Guests can only experience at the Park. The show highlights the themes of the film through scenes showing Anna and Elsa’s childhood, their adventures and the importance of family ties. Guests will also be able to enjoy the film’s memorable songs, including “Let It Go,” “For the First Time in Forever” and “Love is an Open Door.” The show’s finale features dramatic pyrotechnics over Cinderella Castle. This awe-inspiring world of Frozen awaits Guests this winter for a limited period at Tokyo Disneyland.

Show Facts:
Duration: Performance: Venue:

About 15 minutes
1-2 Daily
Cinderella Castle (Castle Forecourt) 

Also, at Tokyo DisneySea, the new Frozen / Arendelle port won't open before 2021, if not later ( 2022 - 2024 ), and the delay seems to be due to a lack of space on the envisioned land. Backstage areas will need to be prepared to have the full needed area for the construction of this Frozen land, apparently always in the plans.

And while we talk about Tokyo Disney Resort here is a never seen before artwork by Fredrich Hope who was a proposed expansion of TDR, the artwork being done at the request of Oriental Land.

Picture: copyright Disney, Fredrich Hope.

Shanghaî Disneyland Explorer Canoes 4K Video !

Shanghaî Disneyland may not have any Railroad, Monorail, Steam Boats or even River Rogue Keelboats but, hey, it has canoes and Explorer Canoes needs you as it is human energy powered! Thanks to So Cal Attractions 360 we have a video of the whole trip around Treasure Cove and Adventure Isle, a great way to discover these lands on a new angle of view. The video is also in 4K, so make sure to choose the highest definition when you watch it!





Video: copyright So Cal Attractions 360