Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I had no idea there were such rigorous standards for the number of stars a hotel receives. I can’t imagine that many (any?) of the WDW Deluxe hotels could possibly meet the standards for what they claim to be. They’re nice, but there’s no way they can live up to true 4 and 5-star locations<<< Yes, the star rating in Europe is very strict, that's why DLP used Keys in their advertisement, because none of the hotels except DLH would have met the four star rating before the refurbs. That's why it's great that they took the effort to achieve that. In one or two years they have to prove again that the hotel is worth a four star rating.
Originally Posted By dagobert Val D'Europe is expanding and it is getting an art deco design to match the neighbouring WDSP. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/art-deco-thrives-at-val-deurope/">http://disneylandparis-news.co...deurope/</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros That sounds really nice. Is Disney still the primary developer of Val d’Europe? It would be really tough in the US for the city to enforce something like an architectural style on an entire neighborhood, but I guess that’s one of the benefits of a heavily-controlled city like this
Originally Posted By dagobert DLP is getting a new Italian restaurant. The German Vapiano restaurant chain is going to open a new location at Disney Village. Until now there's only a French press release: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://radiodisneyclub.fr/vapiano-ouvrira-nouveau-restaurant-ete-disney-village/">http://radiodisneyclub.fr/vapi...village/</a> Website of the restaurant chain: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.vapiano.com/en/home/">http://www.vapiano.com/en/home/</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I didn't realize Vapiano was a German company! We have a few of them in DC, and they're really tasty. I think it will be a great addition to Disney Village Did the press release say where it was going? I saw something about Earl of Sandwich and a Coke kiosk, but couldn't tell if it was describing the location or just what's already there
Originally Posted By dagobert No the press release doesn't say anything, but on a French Disney Forum they speculate that it is going into the former NEX arcade between WoDS and the IMAX. I find the location a little bit odd, because it would be outside the security area. Maybe they extend the building towards the fence so that the entrance would be inside the Disney zone. We have also a few of these restazrants in Austria. I think it will be an improvement for Disney Village, too.
Originally Posted By dagobert Today WDSP is celebrating its 14th aniversary. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/walt-disney-studios-park-already-13-years-old/">http://disneylandparis-news.co...ars-old/</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert Today DLP is also hosting "The Last Tour To Endor" event. Afterwards the original Star Tours is closing for good. What a great ride it was!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Wow, I can't believe that WDSP is already 14 years old! It's had some growing pains, particularly in the early years, but it certainly seems to have been making moves in the right direction I know that the new version of Star Tours is better technology, but I'm sad that the original will be closing forever. I think that version is a lot more fun (and doesn't rely on having an extensive knowledge of the Star Wars universe to enjoy) with a more cohesive storyline, but the updates have proven to draw big crowds so I'm sure it will be popular
Originally Posted By dagobert The X-Wing looks terrible. the refurb is needed. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/ED92live/status/710777445645942784">http://twitter.com/ED92live/st...45942784</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/ED92live/status/710778931360698368">http://twitter.com/ED92live/st...60698368</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros A lot of that weathering is part of the design, to fit in with the dirty look of the original trilogy. It's tough to tell in photos what is intentional, and what has been added by real weather through the years Has it been confirmed that the X-wing will return after the refurbishment? The other versions all had some facade updates in the process, but all 4 versions of the ride have always had unique exteriors
Originally Posted By dagobert More informations about the very interesting looking Villages Natures. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2016/03/all-about-disneyland-paris-villages.html">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....ges.html</a> I guess I will never stay there, but I really like the design. It looks very modern and innovative.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Has it been confirmed that the X-wing will return after the refurbishment?<<< It was never said that it would be removed, so I'm sure it will return. They took it down with a lot of care.
Originally Posted By dagobert Article about the refurbishment of the Disneyodendron Semperflorens Grandis. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/major-renovation-for-the-cabane-des-robinson/">http://disneylandparis-news.co...obinson/</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I'm still not sure I understand the concept of the Villages Natures (it's just not something we have in the US), but that article did a great job explaining it. It sounds kind of similar to some of the places I've read about in the mountainous parts of Germany and Austria. I didn't realize there were going to be so many different activities and things to do there The concept art looks really nice too. I'm a little concerned that the modern style won't age particularly well, but if they do a good job with it, it can become part of what makes it special (like the early 80's vibe at Epcot)
Originally Posted By dagobert Good news for DLP fans The famous Dole Whip is coming to DLP. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/DisneylandBerry/status/712010407200686080">http://twitter.com/DisneylandB...00686080</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I'm a little concerned that the modern style won't age particularly well<<< I'm also a little bit concerned about the aging, but I guess we have to wait and see. This project will either be a big draw or a total failure. I have never been to Center Parks, the same company has a joint venture with ED SCA about Village Natures, but I guess the concept is similar. Center Parks seems to be very popular in the Benelux countries, in the UK and in Germany, maybe even in France. So I can imagine that this will work near DLP too.
Originally Posted By dagobert A new pictorial update on DLP <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.disneygazette.fr/gazette-star-tours-railroad-studio3-gare-cheyenne-news-1905.html">http://www.disneygazette.fr/ga...905.html</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Wow, it sure looks like there's a lot of work going on! I'm surprised that Star Tours won't reopen until next year. I don't remember the exact timelines for the other redos, but I don't think they could have take much more than 9 months. Unless there are some serious technical upgrades needed, I would think they could get it done by the Christmas rush I'm also surprised by the new lighter colors on Big Thunder. Maybe it's because the old paint has gotten dirty, but the existing colors are much darker and warmer than the new areas, and really stand out on a cloudy day. The new colors look even lighter than DL's mountain, which doesn't seem right for the DLP climate
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I'm also surprised by the new lighter colors on Big Thunder. Maybe it's because the old paint has gotten dirty, but the existing colors are much darker and warmer than the new areas, and really stand out on a cloudy day. The new colors look even lighter than DL's mountain, which doesn't seem right for the DLP climate<<< Because of the climate in Paris with the grey skies in winter, the brighter colours look better. BTM looked the same in 2007 when they cleaned it the last time for the 15th anniversary.
