Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I think a value could work in the WDSP/DV area. Perhaps an all-suite hotel. I've had to stay offsite a few times because a room for 4 isn't big enough and Disney have very few options. I like the idea of extending the DLH to provide a deluxe option at WDSP. They would need to add more amenities, but I think it could work. I can't see a DVC only resort/hotel, but maybe a hybrid could work?!!!<<< A value hotel would work at the DV/WDSP area, but I still think that space should be used for a deluxe hotel. That's a prime location and so it shouldn't be used for a value hotel. I can also imagine that a DVC/Hotel hybrid can work at DLRP, but it shouldn't be too big until they know how well such a programm is received in Europe. As for a DLH expansion, I'm not sure if there is enough room. on the right side behind Discoveryland, there is the parking lot for the hotel and on the left side, there are Frontierland and Toon Studio.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I've read about the Marriott place, which is what made me think that Disney might want to get into the business on their own. They seem to think it's a pretty reliable income source for WDW (which I question, since it uses valuable property but doesn't generate much long-term income), so I'd think they might want to expand their market. At the US resorts, DVCers can trade their points for hotel stays, so it makes sense that they could also do it at DLP. They can even trade their points for vacations at non-Disney hotels and timeshares, so there's a lot of flexibility. I'm surprised Disney hasn't tried to tap into the European market sooner, but I don't know how popular it would be (though the Marriott place seems to do fine)<<< I don't know how well such programms work in Europe, but I know many Germans and Austrians own such timeshare units in Spain. Since Disneyland isn't advertised here at all, I'm not sure if people would apply for Disney timeshares. I guess French, British and Benelux guests would be interested. Although Europe is currently hit by an economic crisis, I don't know why it shouldn't be tried in a few years when we have overcome the crisis, since it takes a few years to build such a hotel. This DVC/Hotel hybrid would fit perfectly between DV and NPBC, because such a hotel needs to be deluxe, like the DVC hotels in Florida. Maybe TWDC should operate such timeshare units instead of ED SCA, because they have more experience in that field with their hotels in Florida. That would also mean ED SCA doesn't have to provide the money. TWDC builds it and only pays the land rental fee, while ED SCA operates the hotel for regular guests.
Originally Posted By dagobert Rumour has it, that Euro Disney SCA CEO Philippe Gas will leave the company in September to join Hong Kong Disneyland. <a href="http://radiodisneyclub.fr/breaking-news-ceo-philippe-gas-leave/" target="_blank">http://radiodisneyclub.fr/brea...s-leave/</a> Let's wait and see if the rumour is true. I'm not entirely sure if he was a good CEO. Given ED SCA's financial problems, I think he did fine, but he didn't achieve anything remarkable. Only TSPL and WoDS were opened under his tenure. Dreams was his biggest success and he got the approval from the banks for Ratatouille. He also tried to improve the maintenance of the park, although it wasn't a good one. Mayne areas and attractions are still in a bad condition.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Interesting about Gas. He seems like he has the best intentions for the resort, but never really made any progress. I think whoever takes his place needs a little bit more fire in their belly to get the stuff done that needs to be done.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Interesting about Gas. He seems like he has the best intentions for the resort, but never really made any progress.<<< I thought the same, but under his tenure neither attendance grew that much, nor did guest spending. Although ED SCA didn't improve its financial situation, the company needs some continuation. It can't be good to change the CEO every four years. Each time the lenders and banks have to negotiate with a new face. Maybe since TWDC has the last word, it doesn't matter that much. >>>I think whoever takes his place needs a little bit more fire in their belly to get the stuff done that needs to be done.<<< That's easy to say, but with no money things can be tough. However I agree with you. DLP needs an aggressive marketing campaign throughout Europe to attract more guests. Maybe a new CEO has new ideas to improve the situation.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>According to the latest rumors, the CEO title of Phillipe Gas would expire in September and would not be renewed. (Rumor denied by Disneyland Paris) After his title's expiration, Philippe Gas would be affected to the asian market because of his experience as Regional Vice Président for The Walt Disney Company in Asia few years ago. According to the rumor, the new CEO would be Joe Schott which is currently Chief Operating Officer at Disneyland Paris, few days ago he inaugurated World of Disney on July 12th with Disney's 2012 ambassadors and the préfet of Seine-et-Marne.<<< <a href="http://www.newsdlrp.com/en/dlp-1192-philippe-gas-ceo-title-on-september.html" target="_blank">http://www.newsdlrp.com/en/dlp...ber.html</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert The Parc-O-Rame Twitter account informs, that ED SCA CEO Philippe Gas held a roundtable discussion yesterday. Here are some points brought up: - Next new ride after Ratatouille won't be Pixar based. - DPL thinks to expand Christmas Season into January to match with Russian Christmas celebration. - Disney Village will continue to grow. - Inside theming of Villages Natures water park will look like the rock work of a real cliff in (some town that guy forgot). - The colour of some buildings in Villages Natures will change through the year because they're made of real greenery. - DLP is looking (in longer term) to use RFID wristbands as admission ticket - like it's currently tested in WDW. - Ratatouille ride will be strong on guest/hour capacity and will include a boutique and "make guests hungry". - Also, WDS placemaking will last 6 years. (From when? Ratatouille construction last summer?) - Villages Natures will have an icon: a Mayan pyramid. (never heard about this before) <a href="http://twitter.com/parcorama/status/302046628469145600" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/parcorama/s...69145600</a> I don't care that much about Villages Natures, although I like the concept art, but I'm wondering about the six years of WDSP placemaking. Hopefully something based on Marvel or Lucasfilm.
Originally Posted By u k fan There are a few interesting items there. I'm interested in the Villages Nature project as it sounds very intriguing, but I doubt I'll ever stay there. I wonder what the new attraction will be and I assume that the 6 years of placemaking means we'll get nothing at DL Park for the rest of that time!!!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I'm not surprised that DLP will be getting RFID eventually. With the huge investment that's gone into the NextGen project so far, they could have easily opened a new park; they're going to want to spread it around as much as possible to try to dillute the cost. The Villages Natures project doesn't interest me at all, but it sounds like it will be well executed, and that there's an audience that is looking forward to it. I'll definitely keep an eye on it, but I just don't understand the concept of eco-tourism (wouldn't it be more environmentally friendly to just stay home and read about the places online or in a book, rather than expend all that fuel and create the extra trash associated with vacations?) As much as WDSP needs to continue to grow, I hope that the next attraction (the non-Pixar based one) will be for DLP. While that park has great bones, it could use a couple new things to breathe some more life into it. Perhaps they'll get a copy of the new Mermaid ride from DCA/MK?
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>As much as WDSP needs to continue to grow, I hope that the next attraction (the non-Pixar based one) will be for DLP. While that park has great bones, it could use a couple new things to breathe some more life into it. Perhaps they'll get a copy of the new Mermaid ride from DCA/MK?<<< I think it was in another roundtable discussion in which Mr. Gas mentioned a dark ride behind Fantasyland beyond the rail tracks. The entrance would have been to Fantasyland Stage underneath the railway station. Since TLM was under construction during that time, everyone assumed that TLM could come to Paris. I think it would be a wonderful addition, but I would like to see the original Mermaid ride envisioned for DLP. There is a videoclip with Tony Baxter on TLM DVD. I still hope that one day the Indiana Jones Adventure will get built in Adventureland. The space is there and plans already exist, but I guess it's too expensive for ED SCA. I'm happy that the next ride will not be Pixar based. DLRP already has Buu Lightyear Laser Blast, Cars Race Rally, Crush's Coaster, Toy Story Playland and soon Ratatouille.
Originally Posted By dagobert Here's another summary of the roundtable discussion. <a href="http://www.dlparisguide.com/2013/02/news-13th-feb-2013-shareholders.html" target="_blank">http://www.dlparisguide.com/20...ers.html</a>
Originally Posted By u k fan I'm very wary of anything they do opposite Pizzeria Bella Notte as one of the things DLP has in it's favour is how the lands run seamlessly from one to the other and that's tough to do with these two very different themes. IMHO, they have it right by not having Fantasyland and Discoveryland linked. At MK the space where FL meets TL is ugly. If a new attraction in that space means a permanent link between the two lands I hope they do it right. The best I can come up with would be to have something like Endor coming off behind Star Tours matching up with something forest based in Fantasyland (Tangled/Tinkerbell/Sleeping Beauty). If that side of Discoveryland were to become a Star Wars Mini-land that could work!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I'm very wary of anything they do opposite Pizzeria Bella Notte as one of the things DLP has in it's favour is how the lands run seamlessly from one to the other and that's tough to do with these two very different themes. IMHO, they have it right by not having Fantasyland and Discoveryland linked. <<< Would it really be a problem? I mean currently there is just a berm with trees. If they put a building there, the path leading to Central Plaze would not be changed, since it's also used for the parade. The building wouldn't interfer with Discoveryland because of the Videopolis building. The walkway between FL and DL that leads from IASW to ST, wasn't open for the public until they realized the guest flow problem and so they opened that path. I guess it could be incorporated into a TLM building. On the oney side it could be themed like DL and on the other side like FL. The same happened in FL and AL as well.
Originally Posted By u k fan I would expect the overflow path to be opened if both the Star Wars mini-land and FL expansion (in that location) ever happened to ease guest-flow. It's not so much the look of the buildings, more how thematically the lands work in harmony. Currently you have Main St's Liberty Arcade linking France to US history which is a nice touch, this runs into Frontierland which showcases the American dream from another angle. The slightly more desert feel near Fuente del Oro and the images of being out in the desolate terrain works nicely with the African style theming in that part of AL. The blending of AL to Fantasyland is IMHO one of the parks best moments. From Hook's ship, via POTC to Peter Pan and Pinocchio it's seamless. Leaving the FL/DL join to one side for now, the link between DL and the Discovery Arcade is obvious and blends the Verne-esque sci-fi of DL to the sci-fact of the Main St era. The link between Fantasyland and Discoveryland is the trickiest in any MK park and I think at DLP they have the right approach by leaving them separate. The problem is partly the architecture and partly how those two conflicting themes can work side by side in harmony. As it stands, not having DL properly linked to other lands also makes it feel more "out there" and remote which works well for DL. If the Nautilus weren't already at the park they could perhaps try something nifty with that and TLM with a big body of water (it would be a nice link to the MK subs as well), but it's less about look and more about how those concepts interact. I hope I've explained what I mean. At MK it's jarring to see parts of Autopia amongst the over-sized leaves of Alice in Wonderland, but maybe if Mr. Toad were in that spot with his love of automobiles the segue could have been much more sympathetic!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert Disney & More takes a look on the Shareholder Roundtable Discussion, too. <a href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.co.at/2013/02/disneyland-paris-update_3737.html" target="_blank">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....737.html</a>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Not sure if this has been posted at LP before, but here is concept art of a Star Wars themed Tomorrowland, presumably for DLP: <a href="http://inspirationalsparks.blogspot.com/2011/03/sparks-of-inspiration-star-wars.html" target="_blank">http://inspirationalsparks.blo...ars.html</a> I know that at one point before the redo in '98 a Star Wars themed makeover was talked about for DLR, so this could be left over from that project or perhaps it was an early concept for Discoveryland. Anyone know?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I've seen that image once or twice before, but I really don't know what it was intended for. There is just something about it that makes me think it's not for DL, but I can't put my finger on it. The 2 metal towers make me think that it could have been for WDW's Studios or for DLP's Discoveryland. Given the setup that DLP got, you can almost trace it back to this image. The train even seems like it would fit in that dark horizontal band across the bottom of the Death Star, but this is obviously much more Star Wars stuff than DLP actually got, and I'm not sure why they'd want 2 spinners in the same land (especially with the Astro Orbiter being the symbol of the area until Space Mountain opened)
Originally Posted By FerretAfros And speaking of that area by Star Tours in DLP, does anybody know what those plazas were designed for? They seem like a ton of space for an extended queue, especially with so much room inside, but I can't think of another use for them
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I know that at one point before the redo in '98 a Star Wars themed makeover was talked about for DLR, so this could be left over from that project or perhaps it was an early concept for Discoveryland. Anyone know?<<< I'm pretty sure that this concept art was for DLP's Discoveryland. If I'm not mistaken, I saw it inside Alain Littaye's book "DLP - From Sketch To Reality". Disney & More used the same image for a Star Tours article last year. <a href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.co.at/2012/04/star-wars-land-coming-to-disneyland.html" target="_blank">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....and.html</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>And speaking of that area by Star Tours in DLP, does anybody know what those plazas were designed for? They seem like a ton of space for an extended queue, especially with so much room inside, but I can't think of another use for them<<< Are you talking about that area between Videopolis, Star Tours, the railway tracks and the small walkway to Fantasyland? I'm just guessing, but in the early years of DLP, it was planned to add a Little Mermaid ride next to it's a small world, like the ride in California, but with the Peter Pan ride system. I can imagine that they would have also used that space for the show building, of course the backside would have been themed to match Discoveryland. As I said, I'm just guessing. It is also possible that they expected higher crowds for Star Tours and so they planned that area for more queues. When the Lion King musical was shown inside Videopolis, that space was used for the line and ticket distribution.
