Originally Posted By tonyanton Hans...the original shopping village in Florida had a great feel (and "gasp" unique shops filled with non-Disney merchandise!). It started getting stripped away with Pleasure Island and the nail in the coffin was the ruination of the old Empress Lilly and WoD. It looks like the new Disney Springs concept is a step in the right direction, IMO.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Oh I remember The Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village well. It was quaint, but lacked the vibrancy of DTD Anaheim.
Originally Posted By dagobert Disney & More has posted some cool black and white DLP pictures. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2013/07/disneyland-paris-b-photo-essay-by.html">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....-by.html</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert Refurbishment of the resort hub continues. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/InsideDLParis/status/357510167841079296/photo/1">http://twitter.com/InsideDLPar.../photo/1</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/InsideDLParis/status/357511093272317953/photo/1">http://twitter.com/InsideDLPar.../photo/1</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert Here's a new update on DLP by Disney & More. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2013/07/disneyland-paris-update-ratatouille.html">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....lle.html</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert New temporary entrance signs: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/InsideDLParis/status/360308043281473536/photo/1">http://twitter.com/InsideDLPar.../photo/1</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/InsideDLParis/status/360307975782559744/photo/1">http://twitter.com/InsideDLPar.../photo/1</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/InsideDLParis/status/360306604089946112/photo/1">http://twitter.com/InsideDLPar.../photo/1</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert Designing Disney just tweeted that TWDC blocked blocked all future projects in development at DLP. Maybe because of a new masterplan for the resort. Does anyone, especially LeeMac, have any informations on that?
Originally Posted By dagobert Here's a link to the news: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://d-log.nl/nieuws/104/157195/breaking-news-toekomst-disneyland-paris-stuk-minder-zeker#English">http://d-log.nl/nieuws/104/157...#English</a>
Originally Posted By leemac <<Designing Disney just tweeted that TWDC blocked blocked all future projects in development at DLP. Maybe because of a new masterplan for the resort.>> It is business as usual at DLP. No major project has been approved so development continues as normal. Nothing has been committed before Kitchen Kalamity so this isn't anything new. I'd wager that they have seen an email that was recently sent by Philippe Gas that said that the resort was focused on the fixes to the Village and delivering RKK. It isn't anything to sweat at the moment. The summer booking has been softer than anticipated (pretty obvious considering the fatigue over the extended 20th anniversary) and the forward booking numbers haven't been great either so there was always going to be a recalibration in the second half of the year.
Originally Posted By dagobert Thank a lot for the informations leemac. So nothing to worry about. Is TWDC planning to step in at DLP since they bought the debts? Is there a chance that TWDC will take over ED SCA? Does WDI actually have a masterplan for DLP? Are they planning something new for Paris at all?
Originally Posted By u k fan It would be really good if WDSP got the DCA treatment, but I'll believe it when I see it. Thanks for your input Lee, it's good to hear from someone who knows the truth!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>It would be really good if WDSP got the DCA treatment, but I'll believe it when I see it.<<< I would already be happy if Production Courtyard would get the rumoured Hollywood makeover. I'm afraid a DCA like makeover will not happen in Paris, due to the financial situation. Disney shouldn't forget the main park, it deserves a new ride as well. Maybe ST:II. I know the Indiana Jones Adventure will never get built in Paris, but it would just be perfect for the park.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Thanks for your input Lee, it's good to hear from someone who knows the truth!!!>> I've just never heard of development being suspended - even in the darkest days of DLP there were projects in the works. It is a continuous process and being that most of the costs are sunk (think WDI people costs etc.) it makes sense to keep working.
Originally Posted By leemac <<So nothing to worry about. Is TWDC planning to step in at DLP since they bought the debts? Is there a chance that TWDC will take over ED SCA?>> There is always a risk that things could slide again - it will all depend on how successful the resort is over the next six months with little new to offer except the tired 20th campaign. I'd be surprised to see TWDC taking ED private - there is little incentive to do so. The refinancing was done to save ED finance costs as TWDC can raise debt much cheaper with a far better credit rating. Taking ED private offers no real incentive.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I've just never heard of development being suspended - even in the darkest days of DLP there were projects in the works. It is a continuous process and being that most of the costs are sunk (think WDI people costs etc.) it makes sense to keep working.<<< Does DLp currently have a masterplan for the parks and the whole resort in general for the next years? Is TWDC taking more control in DLP or will they continue the way we have seen in recent years?
Originally Posted By leemac <<Does WDI actually have a masterplan for DLP? Are they planning something new for Paris at all?>> Yup - every single resort has a masterplan. It is often just a laundry list of opportunities (i.e. masterplans aren't fully funded and usually go out beyond the five year planning window). However the masterplan is usually pretty solid when it comes to new construction - land use is effectively reserved for a specific purpose. WDI is the controller of every masterplan. It used to sit under Wing Chao's purview but the scattering of portfolio responsibility means it now rests with the lead imagineer.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Is TWDC taking more control in DLP or will they continue the way we have seen in recent years?<<< >>>I'd be surprised to see TWDC taking ED private - there is little incentive to do so. The refinancing was done to save ED finance costs as TWDC can raise debt much cheaper with a far better credit rating. Taking ED private offers no real incentive.<<< Sorry, I haven't seen that you have already answered. Thanks a lot for all the infos Lee!
Originally Posted By leemac <<It would be really good if WDSP got the DCA treatment, but I'll believe it when I see it.>> No chance. There isn't the money available to do so. Unfortunately the park will have to limp along with the Back Lot area for a little while longer. If RKK is a big success then that will be the next focus.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Is TWDC taking more control in DLP or will they continue the way we have seen in recent years?>> It has always had control. The other shareholders' interests are protected by the executive committee of independent directors.
