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.
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.
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!
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?
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.
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!
Hipark Résidences Serris Val d’Europe
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.
LobbyKids’ CornerBusiness and Internet corner
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.
Outdoor swimming poolSaunaMassage roomGym
The breakfast room feels very loungy with modern furniture and lighting fixtures, all design elements that return in the guest rooms.
Breakfast roomBreakfast room
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.
StudioStudioStudio
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.
Executive SuiteExecutive SuiteExecutive SuiteExecutive SuiteExecutive SuiteExecutive SuiteExecutive SuiteExecutive SuiteExecutive Suite
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!
Sleeping Beauty Castle, or Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, is lit up for the Disney’s Halloween Party on 31 October.
By using a long exposure, a washed-out look is created because of the moving cloud projections on the Castle walls. On top of that, the green lights from the sides add to even more spookiness.
This particular photo was taken from the Winnie the Pooh character meet ‘n’ greet location. It shows all the different façades that house Casey’s Corner.
The street leading from Main Street, U.S.A. is actually called Crockett Road and gives access to Frontierland, either by a covered walkway ending at The Lucky Nugget Saloon or by a winding path between trees and planters leading to Fort Comstock at the entrance of the land.
Disney Dreams! lights up the night during its spectacular finale, using flame throwers, water jets and fireworks behind and on Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant!
Past weekend was the official launch of Disney’s Enchanted Christmas season and the French première of Wreck-it Ralph. As part of this “press weekend”, Disneyland Paris invited children with life-threatening medical conditions from all over Europe. They were given a VIP-treatment during the entire weekend with special acts, work shops, meet ‘n’ greets with Disney characters and much more!
Journey with us through our photo coverage of past weekend: from the new decorations on Main Street, U.S.A. to the Christmas Wishes press show!
Photos Magiques 