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Yesterday, Ireland and the rest of the world have been celebrating Saint-Patricks Day. Disneyland Paris joined in the fun as well and they have been doing this since a couple of years actually.
This is how the famous Irish holiday was celebrated on 17 March 2006:
Saint-Patrick’s Day Fireworks video:
Disney has just released the big blockbuster movie “Oz the Great and Powerful”, a prequel to the original books by L. Frank Baum.
Walt Disney had a big fascination for the stories about Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Wizard and all the other Oz characters. He loved them so much, he bought the rights to the books in the late fifties to make a movie called “The Rainbow Road to Oz”.
This concept eventually fell through and when the Storybook Land Canal Boats for the original Disneyland in California was being designed, an elaborate scene with scenes from the world of Oz would have been placed inside a giant mountain made out of candy.
These plans as well fell through and were replaced by scenes from Walt’s famous animated movies like Pinocchio, Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
When Disneyland Paris opened in 1992, it became clear that the park needed added capacity. Plans for a large expansion behind Fantasyland Station were quickly abandoned and replaced by two attractions: Casey Jr Le Petit Train du Cirque and Le Pays des Contes de Fées, the French counterpart of Disneyland’s Storybook Land Canal Boats.
Although this version is shorter than its American cousin and does not feature a Cast Member in each boat telling the stories of the miniature scenes, the Paris version did get one thing Walt Disney always had in mind to add to this ride: the wonderful world of Oz!
Le Pays des Contes de Fées concludes with a scene representing the castle from the Wicked Witch of the West and Esmerald City, based on Disney’s 1985 movie Return to Oz. Miniature figures of Dorothy and Toto, the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow can be seen overlooking the banks of the Story Book Land canal. A figurine of Tiktok, one of the 1985’s movie characters has been missing for years.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to see more
Journey into your Imagination is an attraction at Walt Disney World’s Epcot. Guests are carried in Omnimover ride vehicles through various scenes that evoke imagination.
Since it’s opening in 1983, there have been 3 different versions of the attraction. It’s the original version, once created by Tony Baxter himself, that’s the most popular. Disney purists are lobbying for years to bring this attraction back to its original state. In 2002 they kinda succeeded; only 2 years after its second make-over, which omitted the popular Figment character from the first version, fan out-cry was so loud that the character was re-introduced.
The classic song “One Little Spark” written by the Sherman Brothers is still part of the attraction since 1983.
Photos by Photos Magiques – August 2012
Kids Carnival was a mid-season that ran in February and March of 2005 and 2006. It succeeded The Lion King Carnival which took place on Central Plaza in 2004. For that occasion, Pride Rock was build in front of Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant and a live show was performed on it several times during the day. The show even involved a real lion cub!
The Lion King Carnival got replaced in 2005 by an all new experience, this time on Town Square. Colorful ribbons and banners (although cheap and tacky looking) decorated the Town Square shop fronts and trees. Main Street Station was decorated with the season’s logo and three weird, organic-like creatures could be found around the gazebo.
There were several entertainment offerings during Kids Carnival, which included the Carnival Fever character meet ‘n’ greets with live DJ, The Jungle Carnival and the Under the Sea Carnival cavalcades. A mash-up of both cavalcades was performed at the end of the day.
The Jungle Carnival cavalcade featured characters and music from The Jungle Book and The Lion King. Costumes and props were re-used from The Lion King Carnival. The Under the Sea Carnival was based on The Little Mermaid and featured the rare Sebastian character, as well as Ariel as mermaid on a small float.
The cavalcades featured a new song composed by Vasile Sirli, called La-Li-Da Carnaval, which was released on CD and is featured on the 15th Anniversary and 20th Anniversary cd albums. A limited edition pin shaped as the Kids Carnival logo was released as well.
Carnival season didn’t return in 2007 due to the 15th Anniversary celebrations which lasted all year long.
Curious about this season? Then continue to our photo gallery dedicated to Kids’ Carnival!
Rivers of the Far West is the water body surrounding Big Thunder Mountain. In this photo you can see Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor and the Molly Brown right after sunset.
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Take a photo tour of the three star resort boarding Lake Disney: Disney’s Sequoia Lodge. Inspired by the great American national parks, Disney’s Sequoia Lodge is surrounded by an artificial forest, including sequoia trees imported from the United States.
Currently all rooms are being refurbished and feature touches inspired by Disney’s Bambi!
Disneyana Collectibles is a shop within Harrington’s Fine China & Porcelains. It sells Disney animation cels, limited- edition lithos and figurines.
This sign shaped like a classic Mickey Mouse watch is located above the entrance of the shop inside the Discovery Arcade.
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It’s been a while since our last Ratatouille Kitchen Calamity construction update. Here’s a new 16.2mp picture of the construction site, taken from Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop on 15 January 2013.
Continue reading “High resolution: Ratatouille Kitchen Calamity construction site”
A LEGO Store was recently announced unofficially through a job posting for “the opening of the largest LEGO retail outlet in Europe, ideally situated in the Disney Village in Marne la Vallée”. Immediately rumors started circulating message boards and social media claiming this new shop will replace the existing Hollywood Pictures.
If this is really happening, we’re not sure yet, but it doesn’t hurt taking a little photo tour before its too late, right?
Below are just a few photos of the full photo tour.
Jump to the photo album in the Photos Magiques gallery
Pluto is part of the big World of Disney center piece: a large Victorian-inspired balloon. It is surrounded by 10 illustrations depicting the 5 continents, each represented by characters from famous Disney and Pixar animations.
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A brand new “aparthotel” recently opened in Val d’Europe. We booked a stay for past weekend, not knowing it was actually opening day on Saturday! After exchanging a few tweets with the official HiPark Résidences twitter account, I was able to arrange a tour of the hotel. Upon arrival, it turned out that the hotel manager himself, Emmanuel Darmouni, would guide us around and show us all the different room types and the hotel’s amenities. And he was doing this with great pride!
Our tour started obviously in the lobby which feels quite intimate and relaxing. A kids’ corner is located across the reception desk and nearby an internet and business corner, equipped with computers and a few LAN cables for those who prefer to bring their own laptop. Free internet is provided in the business corner, as well as free Wifi throughout the hotel and guest rooms.
The hotel is build around a courtyard that features an outdoor swimming pool. Mr. Darmouni pointed out the various safety systems. The pool cover is designed that it can hold a person if he would accidentally step on it. There’s also an emergency button that shuts down the water filtering system in case someone would get stuck.
Other leisure activities include a spacious sauna and gym room, free to use for hotel guests. There’s also a room for guests wishing to book a massage.
The breakfast room feels very loungy with modern furniture and lighting fixtures, all design elements that return in the guest rooms.
There are three meeting rooms as well. The largest can be used as an additional breakfast room in case additional capacity is needed. Business users that have booked a meeting room can use a private courtyard for their breaks.
Guest rooms
There are 3 room categories: studios, suites and family suites (each are upgradable to the larger “executive” version).
A studio (up to 2 guests) is equipped with a pull out sofabed, kitchen and bathroom.
A suite (up to 4 guests) features a separate bedroom, a living room with pull out sofabed, dining table, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom.
A family suite (up to 8 guests) is similar to a suite, with the exception that it features a connecting room.
Certain amenities like dish washer products, cleaning of the room, etc. are not included in your stay, but can be purchased as an extra. A full price list is presented in each guestroom.
Conclusion
There are several aparthotels in the surrounding area of Disneyland Paris (think Residhome, Park & Suites, …), but what puts the apart in this particular “aparthotel”? First of all, the overall design definitely makes it stand out and the perks like a swimming pool, sauna and free wifi are a welcome addition after a long day at theme parks. But what makes this hotel really particular is its location! It’s very close to the Place Toscane which gives access to the Val d’Europe shopping center with its Auchan supermarket (perfect for those guests that prefer to cook their own meals). But it’s also not too far away from the Disneyland Paris resort hub!
If you’re familiar with the surrounding area, it’s located right behind the Val d’Europe police station, almost at the beginning of the Avenue Paul Séramy (which ends at the Vinci Parking Lot and the Imax Theater). If you’re not willing to spend money on the RER, parking lot or bus (there’s a public bus stop right in front of the door), a walk of approximately 20 minutes isn’t too bad!
Staying off side? Give this aparthotel a chance!
More information:
Photos Magiques 