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[Kristof]

Finally  


Toon Studios* at Walt Disney Studios Park

A new land in Walt Disney Studios Park will soon offer guests insight into the backstage activity of their favourite Disney characters. This land will be none other than the place where the toons toil - the setting where they make their films - and this theme makes our expansion unique in Disney Theme Park history.
This new Land will be a continuation of the Theme Park's current celebration of the animated world, and will thus find itself located alongside Animation Courtyard, between Flying Carpets Over Agrabah and Art of Disney Animation. Not only will guests meet their toon heroes here, but they will also explore their professional universe and participate in some of the most unforgettable scenes from their box office successes.

A further part of the development also calls for the expansion of the oasis area around Flying Carpets Over Agrabah and the integration of a number of photo, merchandise and food locations in this Animation Backlot.

Tower of Terror* at Walt Disney Studios Park

It all happened that stormy night. A freakish lightning bolt struck a luxurious Hollywood hotel, changing things forever and causing its last residents to vanish. 2008 development plans for Walt Disney Studios Park include a European version of an attraction whose popularity has soared since its introduction at Walt Disney World Resort in 1994, and more recently at Disneyland Resort in 2004. One thing already clear in the project is that the attraction will be a
Walt Disney Studios Park landmark. Its monumental architecture, central position on Production Courtyard and multi-story structure will all make it unmissable - to say nothing of the attraction experience itself.

Visitors will begin their journey by strolling through the timeworn, yet atmospheric lobby and library. These same guests will then be elevated high into the body of the hotel aboard service lifts, and straight into a strange world. The fate of the vanished former residents will then unfold before their very eyes, just as their own destiny becomes frighteningly obvious. As theirlift door opens, they return to reality, finding themselves and their lift plunging to the bottom of a lift shaft. The breath-taking descent will happen quicker than gravity itself and the rebound back to the top will give those who closed their eyes a second chance to watch what happens.

[experiment627]

I'm afraid that we'll end up a bit disappointed with these additions... :-/

[Anthony]

I'm not really expecting more than a nice meet n greet area for Toon Studios, so hopefully I won't be disappointed.  :? Other rumours of a Nemo "coaster" and Bug's Life/Incredibles carnival-style rides are interesting though...

As for ToT, I think it'll fit right in and really help to get more guests into the park.  I just hope they do keep that Twilight Zone theme, even if it isn't mentioned anywhere on the press release.  I just can't imagine the ride being anywhere near as good without *that* music and *that* commentary.

As there were models and concept art on show at the CM event today it's strange we haven't seen anything yet - surely CMs are armed with cameras 24/7 just incase DLRP decides to suddenly show them some new attractions.  :twisted:

[Kristof]

Baloo, I just read the complete report from that CM on Disney Central Plaza.

According to him, we'll be getting the same theme as the Tower of Terror in DCA.

The Wild Mouse attraction for Finding Nemo sounds really fun, and was actually something I was talking about like they have in Wuze Town.  Although I doubt that people will be able to walk between the tracks...

Just meet 'n greets and façades is something that the studio needs!  Get yourself on a bench somewhere near the Armadillo or Les Parapluies and see how many people want to get a picture with that.  

I wonder if we can expect more in 2008...

"2008 development plans for Walt Disney Studios Park include a European version of an attraction whose popularity ..."

[Anthony]

I wonder if we can expect more in 2008...

"2008 development plans for Walt Disney Studios Park include a European version of an attraction whose popularity ..."

I noted this on DLP.info, and it's got me really excited now.  I think it'll depend on the success of Buzz and Toon Town in their efforts to get more people to the resort as to how much extra we get with ToT.  We'll definately get ToT, but if Buzz does really really well then I think DLRP could decide to go a bit crazy and build at least part of a street set already for 2008.

I also applaud EDSCA's decision to fill up WDS rather than extend out the back and make it look even more empty.

Once we've seen the concept art and heard more about the new attractions, I think a big thankyou and congratulations is in order for EDSCA (esp. André Lacroix and co.)!  

[Kristof]

Baloo, did you read the news on dlp.info??

... But there are going to be some more changes in the Walt Disney Studios. With the Toons building there own land and the Tower to look forwards to, the Studios will transform even more. Starting with the tram tour that will get a new starting location. If you want to catch a tour in the future, you'll have to hop on behind "cafe de cascadords".
Another change will be the overall look of the studios. With a few more sets that will be added, like the once you can find at the backlot, with extra lights, décor and other small expansions... Ready for the movies? Get your tickets, enjoy your popcorn and prepare for the future rides at the Studios...

[Anthony]

No, I didn't see that!  It sounds very interesting - I wonder what will be at the end of the street which currently leads to STT then?

[Kristof]

Well, I know a certain CM ( :wink: ) who made a walk backstage behind the loading station.  According to him, that's where the Street sets are/were supposed to be build.

[experiment627]

raptor,

never ever believe a CM anything - believe me, I used to be one  :wink:  :wink:

But the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of "Toon Studios". Sure, I would have loved to get a true ToonTown in the style of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit".

But with "Toon Studios" WDS stays true to its overall storyline: that of movie making. It's not a place where people live, it's not a fantasy world like Disneyland (or even Disney-MGM). And if they manage to keep true to that, then I'll say "Kudos"!

Now, how the "Tower" fits into that story is still a big question...

[Kris]

Toon Studios was originally such a fresh and exciting idea that I really prefered over TOT, but now I am worried that it will be a non-event. There is little space for many substancial things and the ideas that are floating about are depressing to me... although these are "old" ideas.

[Anthony]

I don't know why, but after my original hate of the Toon Studios concept art and the ideas in it, i'm actually starting to really like the look of it.  It's as if my hatred has looped back around to liking the idea!  :?

I think there are some things which NEED to be done to make the idea work though:

- A better entrance gate
- Cameras, sound equipment, etc. EVERYWHERE.  If this really is where the toons make their movies we need cameras at every corner to really establish the theme and make sure people understand it.
- Change the Bug's Life idea - if they're going to have a ride like that, then theme it to the circus scene from the film and maybe have the story as you are controlling the props/effects or something.  Add cameras around it and it'd be just like you were helping them film that scene!
- Finding Nemo - a better entrace!  I can't even see the actual entrance on the concept art, so it needs to be bigger and better.  The ride itself could maybe be that Crush and pals are giving you a ride around under the sea in between filming their scenes.
- A restaurant!  It's not on the concept art, so I want to see it!
- The area behind Art Of Disney - this area is actually really huge and could add almost 50% more land onto the Toon Studios.  They need to use it well!  How about *keeping* A Bug's Life as it is in the concept art and then having Toy Story or The Incredibles here?  They'd fit in nicely in this area since they'll be hidden behind the street sets when they are finally built.
- Photolocations and trailers.  I don't like the location in the concept art, the trailers are too hidden whereas they should be spread out nicely along the path from the main square to the magnifying glass.
- FOR GOD'S SAKE - CAMERAS AND FILM EQUIPMENT! IT'S SO SIMPLE AND IT REALLY MAKES THE IDEA WORK!  I actually already love the Flying Carpets storyline, and the other areas of Toon Studios have the same potential to be interesting, colourful and lively aswell - make it happen DLRP!

Wow - I'm actually really looking forward to Toon Studios again now, but only when I forget that that concept art never happened...  :wink:

[Kristof]

Yeah Baloo, I was thinking almost the same as you!!!  The whole concept art doesn't give me a Studios thing, although all that stuff would be a nice addition to the WDS park.  But then again, this is probably one of the many pieces of concept art...

[experiment627]

What I really, really, really HATE about Toon Studios is... the "fans".

Just because of one simple concept painting (which, by the way, gives a good idea about the layout of the Toon area) some act like all hell broke loose.
One day, these folks are enthusiastic beyond belief, the next day they are yelling bloody murder. Talk about some drama queens...
(That's one of the reasons you'll never find me attending a "fan event"...)


I'm looking forward to Toon Studios.

[Anthony]

Just because of one simple concept painting (which, by the way, gives a good idea about the layout of the Toon area) some act like all hell broke loose.
One day, these folks are enthusiastic beyond belief, the next day they are yelling bloody murder. Talk about some drama queens...
(That's one of the reasons you'll never find me attending a "fan event"...)

Haha, I definately see you're point.  I'm getting quite annoyed with most people on certain forums now, since I still love the Toon Studios idea even if I do believe the "concept art" is the worst ever.

You see, that's the trouble - it's labelled as "concept art" when it might not be.  It's very unlike Disney to make sketches like this which have no atmosphere at all, which leads me to believe that this is more of a sketched layout diagram rather than full-on concept art.  If we were to see some "concept art" from ground level for this project (like normal Disney concept art is) then I think I'd be looking forward to this project even more.

As I said above, the only thing this area really needs to make it work is cameras.  Once they've got cameras they can pretty much put rides based on scenes from any film and the theme is complete!  That's some pretty clever Imagineering now I think about it, especially for a troubled resort like DLRP which doesn't have a lot of money but needs to get rides which will be popular in there ASAP.

[experiment627]

it's labelled as "concept art" when it might not be.  It's very unlike Disney to make sketches like this which have no atmosphere at all, which leads me to believe that this is more of a sketched layout diagram rather than full-on concept art.

... better they save on "concept art" with artistic value than on the actual attractions, I'd say  :wink: