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Disneyland Paris news

La Tanière du Dragon reopened after a long refurbishment

La Tanière du Dragon located under Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant closed unannounced before the summer season of 2011. All entrances were fenced off and some fans even speculated it was over and out for what once was the largest Audio-Animatronic ever build. Too expensive to maintain, security and safety issues were rumoured on online boards.

But then all construction fences were removed early December and guests were once again able to explore the dark dungeon under the Castle. It turned out the lighting and the animatronic received an extensive refurbishment, bringing the smooth movements of the dragon back to its original glory as it was in 1992.

We captured a multi-angle video last week:

The photo album has been updated with brand new photos as well:

Disneyland Paris news

Disney’s Magical Moments Festival already making way for 20th

Although an end date of Disney’s Magical Moments Festival has never been officially announced, it’s common for Disneyland Paris to have it end a couple of weeks before the new theme year begins. This year however, it all seems to end much earlier. Why is that? Well most likely due to the fact the entertainment department is preparing for the 20th Anniversary (like the complete removal of the Central Plaza Stage) and in some cases most likely due to low guest satisfaction.

We’ve put together a gallery slide-show with all the end dates, but if you can’t wait, scroll down for a complete list.

Magical Moments that will stop after 9 January 2012:

Magical Moments that will stop after 4 March 2012:

  • Disney’s Once Upon a Dream Parade interactive stops
  • Following the Leader with Peter Pan
  • Meet Rapunzel from Walt Disney Pictures’ Tangled (although Rapunzel will likely be moved to the Princess Pavilion)

Magical Moments that will continue during the 20th Anniversary:

  • Disney Princesses a Royal Invitation (Princess Pavilion)
  • Smile and Say “Cheese” with Remy and Emile
  • Aladdin’s Magic Lamp
  • Share the Love with wall•E and Eve
  • Adventureland rhythms of the jungle
  • Monster Inc Screaming Academy (though already in the park since 2006)
  • Moteurs…Actions! Stunt Show Spectacular Featuring Lightning McQueen

The following Disney’s Once upon a Dream Parade floats will be rethemed for the 20th Anniversary parade (Disney Magic on Parade)

  • Dreams of Imagination( Mickey and friends): from 9 January 2012
  • Dreams of Romance 2 (Princess unit with the Castle): from 16 January 2012

Take these dates in consideration when planning your trip!

Disneyland Paris news

Bonjour Duffy the Disney Bear

Duffy the Disney Bear was introduced to Disneyland Paris early November 2011. This makes our Resort in Paris the last one of all other Disney Parks to offer the furry animal. Duffy originates from Tokyo Disney Resort where it was and still is a huge success. The concept, which is entirely based on in-park marketing and without any feature or animated film background; was quickly adopted by the parks in the United States and Hong Kong.

As part of the Christmas Season and to celebrate the introduction of Duffy, a group of European fashion designers were asked by Disneyland Paris to design unique costumes and suits for him. If you want to see Duffy in contemporary, modern or just totally crazy outfits, be sure to go look in the Disney Store windows in Disney Village before 8 January 2012. Afterwards, the entire collection will be donated to children’s hospitals in France and Belgium.

Duffy the Disney Bear exhibition in Disney VillageDuffy the Disney Bear exhibition in Disney Village

To support and advertise the sales in Disneyland Park has the Storybook Store in Main Street, U.S.A. been turned into the main Duffy store. Not only is it carrying the bear in all sizes, some of the theming of the shop has been changed too. Most remarkably, the well-known Tigger Audio-Animatronic located at the entrance has been ripped out and replaced by a large moving… Duffy!

The Storybook Store

But that’s not all that has been replaced! The Mark Twain poster located between the Boarding House (where the Duffy character performs meet ‘n’ greets) and The Storybook Store was recently over painted and replaced with a large painting of “The United States Steamship Company”, a reference to the American Waterfront area of Tokyo Disney Sea. These theme-changes were done by Disneyland Paris Imagineering to make sure the Duffy story fits in with the rest of Main Street, U.S.A. and Disneyland Park…

Duffy the Disney Bear meet 'n' greet location

To take a photo tour of The Storybook Store and its recent changes, check out our photo album here.

Site updates

“it’s a small world celebration” photos and video

This year the ever popular “it’s a small world celebration” returns with new music, new costumes and all new lighting effects on the attraction’s façade.

In this Christmas layover, dozens of “it’s a small world” dolls are dressed up in native seasonal clothing and additional props and lighting is added. Saint-Nicholas (Belgium & Holland), Lucia (Sweden), Ded Moroz (Russia) and many more can be found among the children of the world.

Disneyland Paris news

Disneyland Paris launches fan survey!

Disneyland Paris has launched an official survey for the fan community. In the survey, fans from all over the world are asked how they feel about the current communication towards the community and how it could be improved. Other questions are related to the merchandising offering the resort, special events and a possible official blog.

One question asks which websites you know, so don’t forget to check our very own “magic forum” and you can add “Photos Magiques” in the “other” field at the end of the list. Our friends and partners “DLRP Today” and “Disney Central Plaza” deserve some love too!

If you are interested in special events exclusively for fans or an official blog or anything else that Disneyland Paris can improve towards its fans, then it’s really important you fill out the survey. It will be open until 12 December, so spread the word!

Important: this survey will not work with Mozilla Firefox. Use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome instead!

Site updates

Welcome to Main Street, U.S.A.!

Over the weekend we finished up the last missing Main Street, U.S.A. photos, making the album complete now. Over 550 Main Street, U.S.A. photos can now be found in the album, so it’s time to rediscover the joys of electric lighting, automobiles and the latest 1900’s fashion.

A selection of Main Street, U.S.A. albums:

Discovery Arcade is one of the two covered walkways along side of Main Street, U.S.A. It’s filled with great memorabilia of the Statue of Liberty and features a large diorama dedicated to New York’s most famous statue.

Discovery Arcade

Plaza Gardens Restaurant is a popular all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant filled with great details and artwork.

Plaza Gardens Restaurant

Take a photo tour of The Emporium, Disneyland Park’s largest shop.

The Emporium

Salon Mickey is the Shareholders lounge. Take a rare look inside!

Salon Mickey

And obviously there’s lots more to discover.

Site updates

Disney’s Halloween Festival photos

Three more Halloween Festival 2011 albums have been added to the Photos Magiques gallery!

Mickey’s Halloween Treat in the Street was a show for the little ones on Royal Castle Stage. It featured a cast of scarecrow dancers and the VIP Disney characters.

Disney’s Maleficious Halloween Party was a show on Central Plaza Stage and was based on the Halloween shows from the past few years. It stars Maleficent, Dr. Facilier and other Disney Villains.

Disney’s Halloween Party (also dubbed Soirée Halloween in French) is the annual popular hard ticket event on the night of 31 October.

Disney’s Maleficious Halloween Party

Site updates

Terrorific Night 2011: photos + video

Although it’s all about the Christmas Season that was launched at Disneyland Paris this weekend, we still have to share some photos from the Halloween Season. And what better way to start with the gruesome zombies and creatures from the Terrorific Night 2011.

For the fourth year in a row, the Terrorific Night took place in Walt Disney Studios Park as a hard-ticket event. Attractions featured an adjusted soundtrack and scare performers wondered through the fog-filled streets of the park.

Put down that Duffy and enjoy these photos of an event that’s exclusive to Disneyland Paris.

Update: highlights of the Terrorific Night on video, including the Freaky Circus and Terrorific Tram Tour!