Disneyland Paris Update : World of Disney, Ratatouille Ride

A short Disneyland Paris update today, thanks to DLRP Welcome who kindly sent me these new pictures of the World of Disney Store, opening July 12 at the entrance of the Disney Village area.

All are night shots and you will see a bit more of the decor inside the store as well as the illuminated dome with Tinkerbell on the top and the Mickey and Minnie statues located outside the store. The merchandise products are of course not yet in place on the shelves, but don't worry, they should arrive anytime soon!













Not so far, at the Walt Disney Studios, a second crane arrived on the Ratatouille site, which means that there is now two cranes and it should be enough to convert those who still doubt that the ride will be built, even if there has been no official announcement yet.



That said, some fans are really talented and specially Johan who created what we can consider as "the first non-official Ratatouille ride teaser", as you will see below. Very well done, specially considering that it was not done with a Disney budget! Congrats, Johan!


RATATOUILLE : La nouvelle attraction de... by johan_production

World of Disney Pictures: copyright DLRP Welcome

Video: copyright Johan


Don't miss the Disneyland Paris "From Sketch to Reality" book which will tell you all about the creation of Disneyland Paris with 320 pages and 750 pictures and WDI renderings! The book always have a special offer and is now available with immediate shipping! Reviews from all those who have already received the book are "over the top" so, place your order now for a gorgeous collector's edition copy while you can get a 20% discount on this wonderful book! To know more about the book and how to order and send your payment please go HERE or use the Paypal one-click purchase button below, right under the video showing you the whole book!

WDW Magic Kingdom Dumbo "Interactive" Queue Video

Disney Parks just released a short video showing the supposed interactive queue of the new Dumbo attraction at WDW Magic Kingdom Storybook Circus. Interactive? Did i missed something? As you will see in the video below it looks more like a kids playground under a circus tent, with a great theming based on Dumbo final scene, i agree, but still, where are the interactivity elements in all this?

Sure, this indoor "interactive queue" - read: playground - will allow parents to sit on benches in air conditioning while kids " will burn off energy climbing through ropes, jumping, and running around", and considering how long a queue at Dumbo can be it's very welcome, but so far the only interactive element i noticed is a pager which will "bip" when it will be the "time to ride". Again, it's a very good idea which should help to make the Dumbo wait more agreable, but just don't call it "interactive" - or let me know where the interactivity is.








Pictures and video: copyright Disney

Brave "Temple Run" Special Edition

Disney Mobile’s newest iOS game inspired by Pixar upcoming animated "Brave" will be released on June 14th and chances are that it's going to be a huge hit on the iTunes Appstore. Here is why, and as you will see the guys of Disney Mobile have been pretty smart on this one.

Last year an iOs game called "Temple Run" was released and became almost instantly a huge success - right now the game has been uploaded 80 million times and there is 16 million daily active users!
Why Temple Run was so successful? Well, i've downloaded it a few months ago and i enjoyed it so much that i even intended to do a post about it because this is a game that all of you Adventureland fans will love! Temple Run is amazingly easy to play, so easy that it's almost stupid (!), and it's pretty addictive too. But most of all Temple Run is obviously paying tribute to one of the most famous adventurer of all time: Indiana Jones.



Now, you all remember this famous Raiders of the Lost Ark opening scene, when Indy stole the idol and run out of the temple to save his life? Well, that's what Temple Run is all about: running for your life with a stolen idol, chased by evil apes! All you have to do is to run, avoid the obstacles, slide under the trees or jump over, collect as many as possible golden coins that you find on your run, and this as long as possible - the longer you run without falling or be catched by the apes, the best your score is. Looks pretty simple doesn't it? Well, it's almost as simple as that, and the good news is that Temple Run is a FREE game on the appstore.





All the graphics have a great Indy style and when you fall, the next page - depending if you unfortunately fall in the swamp or another way - also has a funny ironic artwork over the score...





Now, what is the link in all this with Brave, you ask? I'm going to tell you all about it but first, have a look at this short video showing Temple Run in action, it's important for what will follow.







So, the guys at Disney Mobile saw Temple Run and almost instantly understood how they could adapt the game for Pixar's Brave. And that's what happened, on June 14th a "Brave edition" of Temple Run will be released on the Appstore. The game and its rules will be exactly the same: run for your life! Except that here the "Indy" character is replaced by Merinda, the evil apes by a ferocious demon bear named Mordu - who had attacked an encampment of the royal family when Merida was a little girl - and the temple / tropical / swamp decor by a scottish forest / grotto / ruins landscape.





Just like in Temple Run you'll have to collect as much coins as possible, and you'll also be able to enable an "invisibility" or "coin magnet" power up. However, since Merida is an archer, while you’re running along you’ll come across special archery sections. Targets appear on either the left or right of the environment and must be tapped to shoot an arrow into them. Hit all the targets in a section in a row and you’ll earn a bonus and this is adding an additional element of strategy while you play, which didn't existed in the original Temple Run.



Want to have a closer look at this Brave Temple Run edition? Here is a video, and you'll see how this Brave edition use the same principles than Temple Run. Now, although the original is free on the Appstore the Disney - Pixar "Brave" edition won't be ( what a surprise! ) but it will cost only 99¢ when the game will hit the App Store on June 14th. In the meantime you can download the free original Temple Run game and you'll understand instantly why Disney Mobile is gonna make a lot of money with this Temple Run "Brave" special edition!




If the video above don't work here is a another one, the game trailer.




Pïctures: copyright Imangi Studios, Disney - Pixar

Disneyland Paris Book "From Sketch to Reality" : The Readers Comments !

As you know the Disneyland Paris book was released one month ago in it collector's edition and i did may updates all along it's re-publishing. As i'm one of the two authors of the book i'm not of course in the best place to talk about it. But those who are are the one who ordered the book and just received it. Many of them left a comment on the book site and i thought that it will be interesting for those of you who are not totally decide yet to place an order to have a read of what those who have the book in hands think about it.

So, below, you'll find some of the comments - and all of them are true comments! I also repost the video showing the full book and i remind you that you still can order a collector copy with the special offer at 100 euros instead of 120€. Payment can be done by Paypal - Paypal payment must be sent at: neverlandeditions@gmail.com or you can use the Paypal one-click purchase button below. You can also pay by bank wire transfer if you wish.

We'll begin by the video, then you'll find below the comments in english, and then in french from those who bought the french edition. By the way, both english and french collector's edition are still available and you can learn more about the book HERE for the english edition and HERE for the french edition.




We begin by the comments one english about the english edition/

From Abigail:

If you like Disney I recommend you to buy this book. Everything about DLP is in it. It's an absolute MUST HAVE for your collection

From Michael:

Last year I was really kicking myself that I hadn't bought this book when I had the chance. It was almost impossible to get anywhere and if you found a second hand one it was vastly over priced.
It was simple; if you were anything more than a passive visitor to Disneyland Paris it was the only book to have.
The Disney parks work, and are loved, because of Disney's attention to detail. What makes this book work? Simple, attention to detail. Love the park? Love this book!
Alain, Didier, thank you.

From Guy:

You only have to like Disneyland to love this book. It's absolutely gorgeous! I just got the book a few days ago (the packaging was great, and the shipping really fast), and I already spent hours and hours reading the book and looking at the beautiful photographs. If you're not sure whether you should buy the book or not; please do it! You won't regret it, I promise!

From Anonymous:

Truly the Best Disneyland-Book I ever buyed - and I think I have a lot.
Thank You so much for this great work. If You like Disney I recommend You
to by this book. If You love Disneyland Paris it´s a must have.
It´s more worth than the money.

From Walter M:

The pictures and video in this article just portrait a very tiny bit of the beauty this book treasures inside: the detail of the printing is fabulous, the quality of the paper is excellent and the lithographs are a nice addition to this already perfect documentation of Disneyland Resort Paris.

From Dirk:

Best book of disneyland i've ever see, don't miss it.


From Anonymous:

Alain,

Just wanted to drop you a note that I received my Disneyland Paris From Sketch to Reality yesterday. WOW!! WOW!! This is an amazing book, and I proudly add it to my Disney collection. The book alone is beautiful, but the pictures, the writing. Love it!

From Robby Clay:

Hello Alain,
I recieved my book today and its far better than I ever expected. I've already read through page 100, and I can't wait to finish the rest. Thank you so much for releasing the book again. It makes the perfect new addition to my collection of Disney park books and videos. As an aspiring Imagnineer, getting a behind the scenes perspective of how the magic is made is the ultimate treat. It helps me gain a greater appreciation for what the Imagineers do. I look forward to any future releases you may also have and of course the next update to disneyandmore. Thanks again and much admiration.

Robert

From Pascale:

A High Quality and magical Book that brings all your Disneyland Paris memories back to life!!

From Steve K:

For those of you that don't have this book, you must get it if you have any interest in Disney Parks (which I imagine most of you do since you come to this site). By far the best book on Disneyland Paris and easily one of the top 2 or 3 books on any Disney Park...the others being The Nickel Tour and Disneyland: The Inside Story.


Here is a selection of the french comments - Voici one sélection des commentaries français, et come pour les commentaries en anglais ils sont tous 100% authentiques!

De Alexia:

Ce livre est une PURE MERVEILLE !!
je penses dire ca pour tout le monde mais on ne seras jamais assez vous remercier... depuis le temps que je révais de ce livre magique, je le possede enfin grace a vous et il est clair que quand on voit l'ouvrage le prix devient tellement minime... bref merci de tout coeur !

De Arthur:

J'ai reçu le livre jeudi , je l ai eu comme cadeau d'anniversaire par ma mère et que dire, à part que ce livre est MERVEILLEUX !!! Une véritable mine d'informations sur le parc avec de superbes photos , je le recommande à tout fan des parcs disney .
Merci de tout coeur d'avoir permis la réédition de cet ouvrage !

De: FRANCK PERRIMOND:

C'EST TOUT SIMPLEMENT " THE LIVRE " SI VOUS NE DEVEZ POSSEDER QU'UN SEUL LIVRE SUR DISNEYLAND PARIS, C'EST CELUI CI ET PAS UN AUTRE!!!
FAN DE DISNEY, J'EN AI MEME COMMANDE 3!!! UN EXEMPLAIRE POUR NOUS ET UN POUR CHACUNE DE MES FILLES POURTANT AGEES DE 17 ET 22 ANS !!!! ELLES VOULAIENT ABSOLUMENT AVOIR UN EXEMPLAIRE LORSQUE PLUS TARD ELLES IRONT FONDER LEUR FAMILLE!!!
TOUT SIMPLEMENT INDISPENSABLE!!!BRAVO POUR L'EMBALLAGE DE TRANSPORT AU TOP !!

De Pierre:

Le livre est splendide et franchement, j'etais vert de ne pas l'avoir achete dans sa premiere edition, donc etre enfin en mesure de le compte parmis mes ouvrages Disney est un pur bonheur. En plus, tout s'est passe comme sur des roulettes depuis l'achat en ligne (via cheque) jusqu'a la reception du colis (tres bien emballé et avec un livre qui est donc arrivé dans un etat impeccable). Du pur bonheur! Merci d'avoir reedite cette petite merveille...!
MERCI ENCORE

De Lilie:

Cet ouvrage est exceptionnel! On découvre le parc sous un autre œil et on y apprend son Histoire, avec un grand H, mais aussi ses histoires avec un petit h, car ce livre conte aussi les légendes de chaque land. Les photos sont d'excellente qualités et les dessins préparatoires nous montrent diverses visions du parc des "imaginieurs". Enfin ,on y voit que le souci du détail et très important à Disneyland Paris. N'attendez plus pour vous le procurer!

De William:

Ce livre est extraordinaire. La qualité est irréprochable. Le contenu est feerique et l'on ne peut qu'avoir envie de retourner a DLP en fin de lecture. Je suis fier de l'avoir en ma possession. De plus, l'envoi fut soigné , le livre vraiment bien emballé et surprotegé des coups eventuels. Du travail de pro, impeccable !!!!!! MERCI pour cette réédition !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! °O°

De Freddo:

Un livre de référence pour tout ceux qui aiment l'univers de Disneyland Paris. Je suis heureux de l'avoir dans ma bibliothèque celui-là. Merci pour cette réédition, et bravo pour le suivi. Le colis est arrivé sans soucis. Du courrier comme ça, on aimerai en avoir plus souvent !!!

De Romain Luengo:

Je l'ai reçu et ce n'est que du bonheur !
Un merveilleux livre qui comblera et qui a déja combler un bon nombre de fans ! A acheter sans hésiter !!!

De Sebastien Lambert:

superbe livre
c'est vraiment la bible de disneyland paris , a se procurer au plus vite
la finition et la qualité des pages ainsi que la couverture est parfaite

bravo et mille merci pour cette réédition de se livre que je voulais posséder depuis quelque temps

De Virginie:

Super livre à ne surtout pas manquer! Je l'ai dévoré et cela donne encore plus envie de connaitre Disney et ses secrets. Maintenant chaque fois que j'emmènerai quelqu'un à Disney pour la première fois je pourrai tout lui raconter et lui faire une visite guidée du parc lol. Merci beaucoup pour cet immense travail qu'à été la réimpression.

De Benjamin:

Un livre de grande qualité livré dans des conditions optimales. Mr Littaye sait respecter le lecteur par son sérieux et la qualité des informations qu'il nous a fournies tout au long de la réédition de ce livre!

Un grand merci à toute l'équipe !

Cordialement,

Benjamin

De Michel:

Livre reçu il y a quelques semaines et tellement absorbé par la lecture que j'en ai oublié de poster mes commentaires.
Livre magnifique, richement illustré, d'une très très belle qualité.
Vraiment heureux d'avoir pu me le procurer neuf et bravo pour cette ré-édition

De Florian (DJ Mickey):

J'ai reçu mon livre il y a quelques semaines et après l'avoir lu de la première à la dernière lettre je peut vous dire que je suis plus que ravi de mon achat. Même si le prix peut décourager certains, lorsque l'on a le livre entre les mains on sait que ce prix est justifié et le livre vaut vraiment ce prix, de part la qualité du papier, des photos et des informations.

Aucun autre livre ne décrit aussi bien le parc Disneyland Paris !!
Pour tous les fans, collectionneurs, curieux, amoureux de la magie Disney !

De Julie:

J'ai reçu mon livre début mai et je l'ai dévoré! Les photos sont époustouflantes et magnifiques(un gros de coeur pour toutes celles vues du ciel par Yann Arthus Bertrand) et le livre regorge d'anecdotes ainsi que d'infos qui à chaque fois m'ont donné envie de retourner sur le parc "Houlalala, ça je l'ai manqué, vite vite faut que j'aille voir tout ça de mes propres yeux" ;)
Bref, pendant un moment j'ai pensé que c'était une petite folie de mettre autant dans un livre, mais je ne regrette pas du tout de m'être fait ce cadeau! Merci 1000 fois pour cette réédition.

TDS and HKDL Wallpapers Apps are Back on iTunes !

I'm pleased to inform you that the TDS and HKDL Wallpapers applications for iPhone - iPad are Back on the iTunes Appstore! We had since two weeks a problem with a server who had crashed and all pictures became unavailable for download by those who had bought the apps. I removed the apps from the appstore but a new server is now in place and everything is working fine now. So, the apps are back on sale on the appstore and if you have bought the apps recently check them again as ou should be able to see the hundreds of gorgeous HD wallpapers pictures.

And for those of you who have NOT download the apps yet it's the right time the to do it, you will love the pics, as everyone does! Here are the direct links: Click HERE for direct access to the TDS Wallpapers HD iTunes page or READ my article first HERE. And for the HKDL Wallpapers app, for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, click HERE!
Direct iTunes link HERE!

Picture: copyright Park Lane Editions Ltd

WDW Art of Animation Resort Artwork

The awaited Art of Animation Resort opened on May 31 and to be honest, even if i really hate the buildings of all these "value" hotels - i'm not talking about the theming, just about the building - i have to admit that the Imagineers did a pretty good job to transcend the original and rather cheap architecture of the buildings.

As usual WDI did some artwork, you probably saw them already but, hey, it can't hurt to see all of them together again. Above and below the theming inspired by Little Mermaid, Nemo, Lion King and Cars.







Artwork: copyright Disney

Hong Kong Disneyland Launches Grizzly Gulch Web Site !

All the articles of this week were about Hong Kong two main parks, and we're going to end this week always talking about Hong Kong as Hong Kong Disneyland launched today the Grizzly Gulch Web Site! Actally, more than a special website it's more a new section of the Hong Kong Disneyland official site and although it's a short presentation of Grizzly Gulch there is some cool animation effects of geysers, sparkling gold nuggets and the train launch in a dynamite blast!



On the next page, though, we can learn some interesting facts, i.e the final titles of the main ride and others Grizzly Gulch areas. The Grizzly Gulch coaster is now called "Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars" and the geysers area is called "Geyser Gulch". Also, some "live" performances will happen at the "Grizzly Gulch Welcome Wagon Show", you'll be able to have your picture as a prospector finding the "biggest gold nugget ever found in Big Grizzly mountain" at "Wild West Photo Fun" and you will meet and greet Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale and some bears at "Friends of the Wild West". Enlarge the pictures above and below to read the full official text.
The "Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars" coaster seems to be a clever mix of Big Thunder Mountain - for the western mine theming - with a bit of expedition Everest - for the train going backward - as well as Rock and Roller coaster - for the horizontal high-speed launch, used here during the ride and not at the start - and even a bit of DCA for the bear mountain sculpture, all this with a brand new and HKDL exclusive story-line.



The third page of this new Grizzly Gulch section is all about prices but for sure it will interest those of you planning to discover Grizzly Gulch this summer. I remind you that the opening date should be July 13, if not it will be probably on July 20.



Screen Captures: copyright Disney, Hong Kong Disneyland


Don't miss the new HKDL Wallpapers HD App for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch!
Direct iTunes link HERE!