Originally Posted By WorldDisney Yep, that's right, I been looking at all the pictures, the opening of the ToonStudio's area with the Crush Coaster and I have to say I'm sort of impressed . But, I think what makes me more interested is knowing not only TOT is coming this year, they also is building a little Hollywood Blvd to completment the area. I admit, I think I click on the WDS section about twice a year and definitely remember hearing about the ToonStudios area, but I didn't really know much about it, but I saw the pictures now and I must admit, it is cute . The Crush Coaster actually loooks FUN!!!! There is actually COLOR in the park now lol, who knew?? But, I just found out the TOT additions TODAY as I was on another website and acidentally clicked on DLP when I was looking for more Nemo pics!! Looking at the pics and the posters excitedly talk about the changes WDS is experiencing this year got ME excited!!! I'm actually for the first time thinking about making a trip so I *finally* can see the last remaining Disney theme park that has eluded me. I managed to visit the newly opened crappy HKDL three times within a few months, this crappy park has been open a few years now, so maybe its time. I know I come on here once a year and say, 'yeah, I'm reeeeallly going this time', but I always end up somewhere else. DLP naturally would get me to make another trip, but as there is litterally nothing new there since my last trip, it's hard to justify the cost and effort (and putting up with Parisians ). WDS was nothing I EVER even seriously considered to visit....but that looks like it may change . So, I want to see what the rest of the park will shape up in a few months, but I sort of HAVE to ride TOT (even though I technically rode it quite a few times now) since I will be riding TDR's version quite soon and with DLP's 15th bday party in full effect, I think I'm there . Looks like if I can swing the finances, I will be late 2007/early 2008 to be there when TOT officially opens. It's quite funny though, from what I heard, the facade theming around TOT will actually be the Hollywood replica of DCA's HBL. LOL, you KNOW a park is bad when people are just excited to be getting copied stuff from DCA ;D. That tells you it's bad out there. Yeah, I realize WDS is still a very, very bad park and if it armed wrestled with TDS, TDS would win...with it's pinky...a broken pinky too, but at least they have actual theming now. About TIME DISNEY!!!!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I want to go too, and I haven't even looked at any recent pics or reports on the place. I want to go to HKDL too. Just because I enjoy Disney parks, would like to be able to say "Yeah, I've been there," and to form MY OWN OPINION about them, for good or bad.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo we have a great time at the studios. And in addition to Toon Studios opening this weekend, followed by ToT in Jan, Stitch Encounter (ala HKDL) opens next year too!
Originally Posted By WorldDisney ^^I know you have a great time Dave, but after the first 45 minutes in the park when you did everything, what else do you guys do to entertain yourselves ;D. Seriously, I AM leaning to the idea of going more and more and now that I know Jan is the official date for TOT, that looks like my date as well .
Originally Posted By TDLFAN World Disney... please, DO GO to WDS. It will make you appreciate HKDL so much more.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol. True that HKDL probably has much more ambiance. However, WDS has better entertainment offerings than DLP. At least WDS has streetmousphere. The same cannot be said for DLP anymore.
Originally Posted By barryb I was there this weekend for the preview on Saturday. Crushes Coaster was really good fun. I'm told not all the effects were working yet. I didn't see the Angler fish at all and Bruce has just a flashing light on him but the queue, Nemo & Squirt and the spinning part were awsome dude! I'll post up some photos and video later today. BarryB.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<World Disney... please, DO GO to WDS. It will make you appreciate HKDL so much more.>> LOL TDLFAN, maybe that may not be good for these boards if I end up going. I haven't been of course, so I'm not on these boards giving this park the hell I use to give DCA and HKDL all the time . Me and Dave are friends on the boards, I would like to keep it that way ;D. But yeah, as much as I given HKDL over the last year, I ALWAYS aknowledged it's a nice looking park with some decent attractions. It just needs to be a BETTER park with GREAT attractions and it's the reason why I even bother to go in the first place. It IS worth seeing once if you are a big Disney fan and in Asia at least or have some interest in seeing Hong Kong. WDS just never saw worth it to me, period, unless I was already in Paris or somewhere in Europe already, but I would've never intentionally bought a plane ticket for it, but that might change now .
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I was dumbfounded by WDSP. The place just didn't make any sense to me. Having been there once I can't see one reason to travel half way around the world to see that place again.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sadly WDS was never built as an international destination. I think it was the first Disney park of this type - given that international visitors seem to really dig DCA.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt ^^That makes no sense. How could it not be for an international audience when DLPR's primary audience is, well, international? Not only that, DLPR is a destination resort for all of Western Europe and the UK.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I agree, but it was designed for the European market as an add on. Other parks - Epcot, TDS, even DCA to agree were built not only for the fairly local market but the international market. Europe is not seen as an international market as we are al members of the EU.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Okay, but that argument seems like a stretch. The EU is purely an economic/trade arrangement that does not necessarily eradicate cultural and national distinctions across boarders. French people are still French, the Spanish are still Spanish, and the Brits, well they will always be distinctly English. Thus, the DLPR is indeed an international destination, attractions millions of people from dozens of countries across Europe. This is not some rinky-dink roadside regional tourist trap we’re talking about here. I fully understand the financial constraints that have shaped DSP, but there is no denying that the place is simply not up to even the lowest standards for a theme park situated in a high-end destination resort like Disneyland Paris.
Originally Posted By Mr X >>This is not some rinky-dink roadside regional tourist trap we’re talking about here.<< Sure looks like it. (WDSP I mean, not the whole resort of course) But hey, Disney likes that stuff too...just look at Chester and Hester (and similar cheap crap they've been building lately). >>there is no denying that the place is simply not up to even the lowest standards for a theme park situated in a high-end destination resort like Disneyland Paris<< agreed.
Originally Posted By u k fan Yes, DLP is an international destination, but to me it has always treated the whole of Europe as one market, much the same way the US parks treat the US. So comparitively each European nation would be on a par with each US state. WDS was always intended as an add on and is currently not enough of a draw to entice customers from other areas whereas the rest of Disney's second gates are. This is all IMHO of course!!!
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt So, are people saying that DSP was intended to draw only the locals? I thought the whole point of adding a second gate was to increase overnight hotel stays.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Tricky one. It does entice people to stay longer, but DLP is the main draw. Whereas for me, Epcot and DAK are the main draw for WDW, or TDS is the maion draw for Tokyo. DLP is a slightly different model (constrained by budget - the quality of each attraction is excellent (now the TV Tour has closed!!!)). I think most visitors treat the Studios as a new land, and don't get hung up on this whole value of the 2nd gate debate we get particularly in California.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Interesting. I have to say as a visitor to DLP I was quite "bothered" by the value that was DSP. I guess I'm in the minority.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I think it is different mindsets Hans. Clearly one key issue is there was real concern about the potential closure of DLP in the 90's, so to get a new park, people were pleased. Also, the park was designed to fit in with French interests where possible (croques were sold in every restaurant when it opened), and there is no doubt about budgets. While I wish we had got something more in tune with MGM at the time, I actually prefered opening day WDS to opening day MGM. Yes, I did miss the GMR, but I felt all the other attractions at DLP were on par or better than opening day MGM. And there is actually enough room for growth for WDS to be bigger than MGM. Now with the place shaping and these good additions to the Studios,I am encouraged.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh, and I think cultural expectation plays a big role too. I know many Europeans (including my Step Dad) who prefer WDS to DLP! Honestly.
