DLRP Today

This month, from every corner of the Disney universe, it seems it’s “out with the old and in with the new”…

Sweet Delights in Main Street, U.S.A. — by MizzRabbit

Disneyland Resort Paris

It’s the end of Summer, it’s all-change at our home resort…

September is always a month of change. This year, that hits nowhere more than Euro Disney SCA. The operating company “behind the magic” at Disneyland Resort Paris is just about wave goodbye to its popular CEO serving since 2005 — Karl Holz — and say “bonjour” to a brand new guy, albeit one with plenty of Disney experience — Philippe Gas. But, as Riebi timefully asks, what are your hopes for a brand new Disneyland Resort Paris leader?

It’s “out with the old and in with the new” elsewhere too, as internet behemoth Google finally updates its aerial photography for the Marne-la-Vallée region! Now, Toon Studio is built and busy, Tower of Terror and Hollywood Boulevard are well on their way and Space Mountain is turquoise, rather than a rusty grey colour. Mobi has posted the news with a few screencaps for the general resort, commenting on how the new images are a much lower quality, whilst roaldbergmann posts images of the new Walt Disney Studios Park and members begin to dream of future changes…

Owain has heard rumours and is rightfully a little worried. Is Crush’s Coaster falling apart? Should Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril have only lasted a few years? Did Euro Disney SCA scrimp on buying new trains for Mission 2? Is this true? Find out…

We’ve reported the opening of the new Empire State Club at Disney’s Hotel New York, and even worked out a few prices, but now comes the damning verdict — it’s not worth it. At least not according to speedpacket.

Is Armageddon – Les Effets Speciaux really beyond saving? With the rumours of a change to a relatively temporary Narnia walkthrough-style attraction not inspiring many, and the recently DLRP Magic! Video of the attraction sparking new praise for the existing special effects show, magicforum members have begun to discuss the possibility of keeping the attraction.

Speaking of losing things, whatever happened to Old Joe? You know, the guy with a dog who used to sit fishing every day by the Rivers of the Far West. As RnRCj notes,t hese animatronics have been gone for almost a year, with no sign of a return. Time for another fan campaign?

And finally… That’s usually time for a silly story, right? We’ve got a great one, courtesy of ValentineMouse – “an un-disney (yet hilarious) sight at Moteurs… Action!“.

Your Trips

The latest trip reports on magicforum:

MizzRabbit — 14th to 22nd July 2008 — “Now I have a little time to update my trip report AND I’ve finally discovered the hidden secrets to adding pictures…”

king_spoon_ian — Tower of Terror Competition Prize Blowout — The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

never2old — 22nd to 23rd August 2008 — “Rain and crowds… N2O’s Trip”

davewasbaloo — “DLRP with the Baloos” — Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 3 – Day 4 – Day 5 – Day 6

World of Disney

The latest Disney talk from California, Florida, Tokyo, Hong Kong and beyond:

After the “Year of a Million Dreams” that turned into two years, AmericanMouse reports that Head of Parks & Resorts Jay Rasulo finally has a brand new marketing gimmick up his sleeve. The tagline: “What Will You Celebrate?“. It’ll be joined by a new advertising campaign for all Disney Parks from October. But, whilst California will be celebrating the start of its epic DCA expansion and beautification project, Florida won’t be celebrating much beyond the opening of the Studios’ new ‘American Idol Experience’ attraction.

Next, do you have $250 (€180/£145) to spare? If you also live near Anaheim, California or can afford the transport, maybe you’d like to visit Miley Cyrus’ huge ‘Sweet Sixteen’ birthday party. A steep price to pay for an already mega-rich star, but the price does get you into one of the entertainment world’s most exlusive parties — not to mention a privatised Disneyland, USA. No word yet if this Sweet Sixteen will be filmed by MTV and include a tantrum when she realises “mommy” only bought her two SUVs… Cynical? Well, we are European.

Beyond Disneyland Resort Paris, there’s one place in a few select countries that you can truly step “inside” the world of Disney. Those are the Disney Stores, of course! And, after the first new “concept” stores opened in Lakeside and Manchester last year, the shiny, glittery, high-tech design is now being rolled out across all of the UK’s stores — out with the old, again! Alpop and several forum members from Newcastle and the North East chart the progress of the Metro Centre’s redesigned store in particular. Work has now moved on to the store at The Trafford Centre, just outside Manchester.

At the same time, Owain has shared a whole load of great photos from Cardiff’s Disney Store, which still retains the original UK design of the 1990s and all its animated props around the store. How long till the only Disney Store in Wales succumbs to the “new”? Enjoy the old while it lasts…

CinéMagique

Disney on the silver screen and in your home:

DVD is well on its way to the format dustbin. Don’t despair, however, as all those discs will still work in your shiny new Blu-Ray player of the future — but without the super quality of HD. Now, remember that time when DVD was just becoming big and Disney piled the extra features high and heavy on those classic discs? It seems we’re nearing another home format boom, as new releases such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleeping Beauty and WALL-E look to convert not only your films – but you – to the world of Blu-Ray.

To end on a theme that we’ve carried throughout today’s mélange, is the “old” Disney truly on the way out? In a few years’ time, will Mickey Mouse, The Jungle Book and The Lion King be replaced by the likes of High School Musical, Hannah Montana and The Jonas Brothers? Barnsey313 thinks we might be in the process of saying ‘Bye Bye Classic Disney’… but what do YOU think? Join the discussion.

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