There's been a lot of rumours lately of a DCA-style revamp of the Walt Disney Studios Park, following the news that Toy Story Mania is being considered as the park's next ride, following Ratatouille.
Here's a summary of the rumours from a member of MiceChat:
Quote from: "Fultimate"A placemaking is rumored but not official for the moment. Toon Studios is rumored to become a kind of Pixar World, Backlot is rumored to become Marvel Studios, Production Courtyard is rumored to become Hollywood Studio. The whole park is rumored to be renamed "Disney Hollywood Adventure". This is not a joke, those rumors are serious, but are absolutely not official at present.
At present EuroDisney barely have sufficient funds to meet their current debt obligations. I cannot imagine the funding for such a project would be available for at least 5 years.
ED SCA has 250 mio Euros to spend and I guess that amount will be used for Rat and another new ride, which could be TSMM.
As for the name change, the park will not be better just because it gets a new name. Although I enjoy spending time at WDSP and I also think the park improved in recent years, it needs a huge makeover to be a wonderful Disney park. But I can't see how that should happen with the huge debt ED SCA is facing.
Quote from: "ford prefect"At present EuroDisney barely have sufficient funds to meet their current debt obligations. I cannot imagine the funding for such a project would be available for at least 5 years.
But there are a lot of rumors in the wild these days, that says that money is coming this way. On DCP all the "insiders" are pretty excited... but i think most will depend on how well the DCA extreme makeover will hit on park crowds.
Q
Quote from: "|Q|"Quote from: "ford prefect"At present EuroDisney barely have sufficient funds to meet their current debt obligations. I cannot imagine the funding for such a project would be available for at least 5 years.
But there are a lot of rumors in the wild these days, that says that money is coming this way. On DCP all the "insiders" are pretty excited... but i think most will depend on how well the DCA extreme makeover will hit on park crowds.
Q
I'm not sure if DCA 2.0 will have such a big impact on DLR. Most of the visitors are already Annual Pass holders. The park will get more visitors, no doubt, but the overall attendance will stay the same.
I also think DLRP and DLR can't be compared. DLRP is a combination of WDW and DLR since it attracts tourists like WDW and locals like DLR.
We can only hope that these rumours are true, but I don't get my hopes too high, at the end of the day it's still the debt driven DLRP and not the money making machine DLR.
Quote from: "dagobert"Quote from: "|Q|"Quote from: "ford prefect"At present EuroDisney barely have sufficient funds to meet their current debt obligations. I cannot imagine the funding for such a project would be available for at least 5 years.
But there are a lot of rumors in the wild these days, that says that money is coming this way. On DCP all the "insiders" are pretty excited... but i think most will depend on how well the DCA extreme makeover will hit on park crowds.
Q
I'm not sure if DCA 2.0 will have such a big impact on DLR. Most of the visitors are already Annual Pass holders. The park will get more visitors, no doubt, but the overall attendance will stay the same.
I also think DLRP and DLR can't be compared. DLRP is a combination of WDW and DLR since it attracts tourists like WDW and locals like DLR.
We can only hope that these rumours are true, but I don't get my hopes too high, at the end of the day it's still the debt driven DLRP and not the money making machine DLR.
Quote from: "dagobert"ED SCA has 250 mio Euros to spend and I guess that amount will be used for Rat and another new ride, which could be TSMM.
As for the name change, the park will not be better just because it gets a new name. Although I enjoy spending time at WDSP and I also think the park improved in recent years, it needs a huge makeover to be a wonderful Disney park. But I can't see how that should happen with the huge debt ED SCA is facing.
Ratatouille and Dreams have swallowed almost all of that €250million.
The WDC will want to see some returns before committing more money.
Quote from: "ford prefect"Ratatouille and Dreams have swallowed almost all of that €250million.
The WDC will want to see some returns before committing more money.
I already thought that the whole money was used for maintenance, Rat and Dreams. I guess we just have to wait and see what the future holds for DLP.
From what I read Dreams had a €10 million cost and Ratatouille was rumored to be €150-200 million.
Dreams was being planned/produced for 2 years already, while the €250 budget loan just happend very recently, so safe to assume only the Ratatouille cost is/will be taken out of that.
Maintenance is a different budget anyway and was already spend before the loan happend, which is why for example the outside exterior of the HTH will only get fixed with next years maintenance budget, so this will also not have effected the €250 million budget.
So I assume afther Ratatouille there is still €50-100 left for a second ride like Toy Story Mania.
And yes there is still alot of debt but this year will be very crucial to see if Dreams combined with a 20th anniversary theme will impact a big increase in attendance and revenue, so they could be turning a healthy profit afther their next planned debt payment, that combined with the debt payment plan actually decreasing in the following years, could open up budget alot sooner then what we where used to from DLP in the past.
Quote from: "DisneyFanB"From what I read Dreams had a €10 million cost and Ratatouille was rumored to be €150-200 million.
Dreams was being planned/produced for 2 years already, while the €250 budget loan just happend very recently, so safe to assume only the Ratatouille cost is/will be taken out of that.
Maintenance is a different budget anyway and was already spend before the loan happend, which is why for example the outside exterior of the HTH will only get fixed with next years maintenance budget, so this will also not have effected the €250 million budget.
So I assume afther Ratatouille there is still €50-100 left for a second ride like Toy Story Mania.
And yes there is still alot of debt but this year will be very crucial to see if Dreams combined with a 20th anniversary theme will impact a big increase in attendance and revenue, so they could be turning a healthy profit afther their next planned debt payment, that combined with the debt payment plan actually decreasing in the following years, could open up budget alot sooner then what we where used to from DLP in the past.
Toy story mania cost will equal, if not exceed ratatouille. the 250million includes the already exisiting 100 million line of credit. The cost for Dreams and maintenance and general operation came out of the original costing with the subsequent €150m being earmarked for Ratatouille.
EuroDisney SCA will not turn a profit for some time. Periodically it shows an operating profit, for example when it sold the Val d'Europ property.
http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CO ... elease.pdf (http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2012-02-07-Q1-FY12-Press-release.pdf%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
Gives the current spin on the last quarter turnover
http://2011annualreport.disneylandparis ... sults.html (http://2011annualreport.disneylandparis.com/corporate/financial-results.html%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
Gives a quick look at the state of play
The resort made an operating profit of 11.40 million, a third of what it did in 2010, however this was partially off set by a large tax rebate received in 2010.
Don't get me wrong here guys, I love DLP and am desperate for it to succeed, however the finances are really against us here!
Actually I think the second link indicates that the maintenance round recently completed is included as costs in last financial years operating costs, so would not have come out of the more recently announced line of credut.
Kevin
Quote from: "DopeyDad"Actually I think the second link indicates that the maintenance round recently completed is included as costs in last financial years operating costs, so would not have come out of the more recently announced line of credut.
Kevin
That's correct. The recent credit was for Ratatouille.
When they announced the new credit of €150 million , it was said the other remaining previous credit of €100 million was still unused and available to be used untill 2014 (could be 2016, not sure about the year anymore).
So the €250 was still there in full the day the news broke about a new €150 creditline.
Yes rigthnow there is only an operating profit, but that is based on a "normal" year and turns into a loss once the debt payment happens.
But now with Dreams and the 20th anniversary year will be a crucial year to see if it brings in alot higher attendance in both parks , but more importantly hotels, therefor more revenue that could turn the operating profit higher that it still stays a profit even afther the yearly debt payment happens.
Which over the next few years could happen since the yearly payoff becomes less in upcoming years, €153 million in 2012, €133.5 million in 2013, €37.4 in 2014 , €96.9 million in 2015 , €16.2 in 2016.
Look at 2014 , "only" €37.4 needs to be paid back, if Ratatouille opens that year and holds the assumed higher attendance the parks will get now with the 20th anniversary theme, it could leave alot of profit at the end of that fiscal year.
If that money is then used for a new ride to be build and open in 2016, a year with another low debt payoff, they could try to repeat that effect then with higher attendance/revenue with low debt payoff and turn it's fortunes around and start opening up new rides alot faster compared to what we where used to from DLP in the past.
Absolutely, and well put. Servicing the debt to manageable levels that allow reinvestment back in time for post 20th times, to hopefully keep momentum going with new attractions and maintaining increasing attendance. Who knows, it might just fly :)
The 20th, with a now refurbished park and Dreams is certainly a good start. If they can get better entertainment, and the Hotel standard improved now they can certainly be in a position for significant attraction investment in maybe 3-4 years perhaps.
Ever the optimist I know, but that time frame could also coincide with an improving economy and a leaner DLP actually benefiting from the lessons its had to learn during hard times.
Quote from: "ford prefect"The WDC will want to see some returns before committing more money.
I doubt it. They know that they need to act ASAP, hence the fact that they've already planned for the park's future. Sitting and waiting to see what the money does will only hurt the company.
All I want to say at this point is that any park name ending in "Adventure" strikes me as inane and stupid. The problem with the Studios is not the name... It's everything else.
Paris Disney Adventure...land.....o'rama :)
I would suspect that this year is crucial in the future investment on attractions. This year is likely to hold the key on the future of WDSP.
Surely rather than change the name, the park should aspire to its current name and BE a studios! A showcase of filmmaking past & present, fantasy or real. The park has some real gems, i.e. Cinemagique, it just needs to grow around these.
To be honest, I've never liked the park's current name. It gets annoying when you have to clarify to people that you're talking about the WDS Park. "Disney Hollywood Adventure" is an OK improvement, but the park doesn't need any more association with DCA than it already has.
Also, this is a bit off-topic, but why has Disney started using the word "Disney" instead of "Disney's" in front of their trademarks, lately?
Quote from: "Josh"Also, this is a bit off-topic, but why has Disney started using the word "Disney" instead of "Disney's" in front of their trademarks, lately?
I don't understand that at all... reading Disney California Adventure doesn't make sense to me. I don't see what's so bad about Disney's? :?
I don't know why they renamed it from Disney's to Disney, and it's such a small change, but the park next door to DCA is called Disneyland and not Disney'sland, so maybe that's got something to do with it. Also I don't see a complete revamp of the Walt Disney Studios happening, that would warrant changing the parks name to "Disney Hollywood Adventure", which I think is a joke. They should stick with WDS which is unique to DLRP. But I don't see a DCA style revamp coming to WDS.
A few months ago there was discussion about changing the name of the company from The Walt Disney Company to The Disney Company or even just Disney.
Quote from: "ford prefect"A few months ago there was discussion about changing the name of the company from The Walt Disney Company to The Disney Company or even just Disney.
That should never happen. It was started by Walt and his name should live on in that way
They've changed names before as we know, EuroDisney to Disneyland Paris to Disneyland Resort Paris and back to Disneyland Paris. So changing the name of the WDS to Disney Hollywood Adventure is possible I suppose, but I don't see the point. Unless they build Marvel Land in the Studios, then calling it Disney Hollywood Adventure might start to make sense.
On DCP they're talking about a Marvel based theming of the unthemed backlot area with a rethemed Rock'n'roller coaster and a new attraction (someone daresays a kuka robotic arm based robocoaster) dubbed "Marvel Land"
Q
So basically a retheme of Armageddon as the second attraction.
Quote from: "peter"So basically a retheme of Armageddon as the second attraction.
And maybe the Mouteurs Action show?
Q
I think a Marvel land would be pretty cool but I wouldn't want to lose the whole theme of Disney. I'm not too keen on the new possible name of 'Disey Hollywood Adventure' either. Walkt Disney Studios is just fine :)
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I still love the idea of the park having "Studios" to the "Lands" next door. Hollywood Studio(s), Toon or Pixar Studio, Marvel Studio would give the park a really neat and strong naming. There still exists the problem today that Disney itself ignores the lands of the park. On the current retro merchandise they've stuck Walt Disney Studios Park on almost like the sixth land of Disneyland Park. And I know they might be waiting until further placemaking happens, but they really should just rename the bland and useless Production Courtyard to Hollywood Studio immediately.
I can't believe Disney Hollywood Adventure whatsoever. They going to add "Adventure" to a park name, seriously? And if one of the lands is called Hollywood Studio, the park surely won't also have Hollywood in its name. The nice thing about Walt Disney Studios Park is that it can pretty much allow for anything, Hollywood-related or not. Disney Studio 1 should be the only film set, then once you step through those doors you're inside the movies (basically like you are in Disneyland Park, but with a more 20th/21st Century feel rather than 19th Century).
I'd also stand up for the current name because alongside Disneyland Park it represents the two main institutions of the Disney empire in the States: Disneyland and the Walt Disney Studios. (If they're looking for another pillar for the third gate, then Epcot it should be.)
When we stand at the entrance of the park it looks like a film studios, the front lot and studio 1 the themeing is superb, the best part of the original park in 2002. It looks like a film studios, so they should stick with the current name WDS, and Walt Disney's name above the entrance. Disneyland park and Walt Disney Studios work well together, that's what Walt Disney was famous for, his film studios and Disneyland. The two pillars of the WDC, as has been said.
Quote from: "Cara"I think a Marvel land would be pretty cool but I wouldn't want to lose the whole theme of Disney.
you're talking abouth the aerosmith, right? ;-]
Q
Quote from: "|Q|"Quote from: "Cara"I think a Marvel land would be pretty cool but I wouldn't want to lose the whole theme of Disney.
you're talking abouth the aerosmith, right? ;-]
Q
ummm yes? haha The aerosmith ride is a bit odd in the studios but I have to admit that I do like it!
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Quote from: "Cara"ummm yes? haha The aerosmith ride is a bit odd in the studios but I have to admit that I do like it!
Wouldn't be better something, i don't know, Thor-based where you travel in the Rainbow Bridge between Earth and Asgard.
Q
Wouldn't be better something, i don't know, Thor-based where you travel in the Rainbow Bridge between Earth and Asgard.
Q[/quote]
That would be pretty cool. Maybe even something to do with the new Avengers movie..
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Quote from: "|Q|"Quote from: "Cara"ummm yes? haha The aerosmith ride is a bit odd in the studios but I have to admit that I do like it!
Wouldn't be better something, i don't know, Thor-based where you travel in the Rainbow Bridge between Earth and Asgard.
Q
Either that or possibly something Iron Man themed, theming the station to Tony's garage/workshop.
Recently I've been hearing rumours of a change of theme and name for Walt Disney Studios Park.
It says in the link below from officials at DLP that they are considering this. I don't know about you but I am very concerned for the future of the beloved Studios. Originally, the studios opened to give the visitor a taste of what it was like be on set, the glitz and glam of Hollywood and how scenes and special effects were conducted in the movies. Since the park became the home of Toon Studio I feel as if it has lost its movie studio feel! Personally, I hate change and I will be saddened if WDS is renamed and completely re themed. This is what I think should happen;
- The park should still be called Walt Disney Studios Park.
- Invest money into movie, stunts, big thrills attractions like the glory days.
- Once Ratatouille is built, stop building rides devoted to the new generation.
- Marvel, new generation ride ideas should be saved for a third park. Disney's Paris Adventure Park?
- The new hotel mentioned should be Hollywood related.
I've been visiting Disneyland before and after the studios was built and it is heartbreaking to hear that they might consider to re theme the whole park. Opinions?
Link - http://www.mepipe.com/2012/06/disneylan (http://www.mepipe.com/2012/06/disneylan%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;) ... aires.html
I agree with you that the park's name shouldn't be changed. Even with a new name it will look like a Studios park. It just doesn't make sense. WDI should start with the Hollywood makeover and transform the park into a beautiful one day park. Despite all the new rides and additions, it's still a mess. However I admit that I like to spend time there.
I don't see a problem with adding rides based on movies to the park. It's like Universal. There they also have rides based on movies and only the original park in Hollywood shows the production process. In Paris WDSP is not a working studio, so I don't need attractions about the productions. However I think these kind os attractions would also fit and are a nice addition. Disney was started as a movie studio, especially animation, and so I think there should be a nice attraction dedicated to that. The current Disney Animation isn't good enough to show that.
I don't want to see Marvel in a new park. If Disney wants to use Marvel, they have to do it now. Avengers just became one of the most successful movies. They should use Marvel now. Since new rides will be based on the movies and not on the comics, I think Marvel fits perfectly into WDSP. IF Disney ever builds a third park, that's way in the distant future, I want to see something like EPCOT or DisneySea. I guess that's wishful thinking, but who knows.
Quote from: "dagobert"I agree with you that the park's name shouldn't be changed. Even with a new name it will look like a Studios park. It just doesn't make sense. WDI should start with the Hollywood makeover and transform the park into a beautiful one day park. Despite all the new rides and additions, it's still a mess.
Exactly, the movie-theme in itself isn't tremendously original, but its not that bad really. The execution however is the real problem here and the park needs to sort things out. Since 2002, the park has increased its number of attractions, but also the level of incoherency regarding it's lay-out and theme. An abandoned Hollywood Hotel located amongst soundstages and a flat Hollywood street set implies that the hotel isn't a 'real' hotel after all. The addition of Toy Story Playland isn't properly integrated thematically and physically (the path behind Art of Disney Animation is still bare). Toon Studio's storyline has become conflicting (Art of Animation explains how animation is done while 50 metres away these animated characters are shooting their own films among carnival rides). And lets not even get started on the lack of area development, sense of place or the cosmetic appearance of the park. A themepark should be so much more than a combination of attractions.
I understand I may sound overly critical now and maybe I am overthinking this way too much, but its almost impossible to argue that the park's lay-out and storyline has benefitted from these additions, despite that fact that some of the new attractions are obviously great fun in themselves. ;)
In my book, the Imagineers got one thing right back in 2002: the cleverly designed skyline of the park. From a distance you see a set of soundstages, the Earful Tower, the archway and searchlights in the sky. The problems of this park won't be solved by scrapping the Studio name, because in the end thats what it remains, so work with that. The lack of vision is the real problem here. A combination should be made of attractions that let you
experience the movies on one hand, combined with a handful of
explanatory attractions (Moteurs Action, Art of Disney Animation, even Armageddon). Universal Studios uses this approach aswell and it works fine in my opinion. But please don't pretend that films were actually shot here (so no fake streetsets and axe the Studio Tram Tour).
QuoteI don't want to see Marvel in a new park. If Disney wants to use Marvel, they have to do it now. Avengers just became one of the most successful movies. They should use Marvel now. Since new rides will be based on the movies and not on the comics, I think Marvel fits perfectly into WDSP.
There are so many properties they could introduce or expand: Marvel's Avengers, Avatar, TRON, the Muppets. I can imagine Muppet Mobile Lab roaming around Production Courtyard interacting with guests, ElecTRONica's Laserman in Backlot or the addition of Jack Sparrow to Stars & Motorcars (and bring back the Cinefolies in Studio 1, or introduce the Citizens of Hollywood). I'm not sure though if Backlot has to be transformed to Marvel Studios, I would like to see different properties to show the diversity of Disney's filmlibrary and franchises.
I agree that it would be terrible to rename the studios and that the new hotel should be studios themed.
However they do need to theme this park properly. When you enter the park the bit to your right as you enter should be pixar land (but with a better name), and they should replace animagique with a pixar style show (monsters inc?) and the genie spinner should be made pixar (the flying circus from a bugs' life?). All the music should be pixar with pixar only charecters.
When you go round to the left it should be marvel. The stunt show could easily be marvel themed, rockin rollercoaster should be Thor themed (travelling though space), armageddon should be the scene from wolverine where the adamantium is apllied (people forget x men is marvel...) the ratatouille cafe is going to move to be by the ride anyway so a marvel cafe, and they should retheme cinemagique to be marvel themed (from comics to the big screen style). They could then use the disney on stage building for another ride.
None of this involves actual building; only refuerbs and rethemes of old buildings. Still expensive, but not as much as it could be to retheme the studios properly.
Finally, for the central part of the studios should be true to the old film-making, holywood, stusdios theme. The art of animation and tower of terror could be included. If you look at it from above there is loads of room for the loading bay of the tram tour to be moved back creating massive new areas for development. the tram tour road could take you to the two movie scenes on a different route (although a new tram tour "scene" and some props would be nice...) and there is honestly loads of room back there to have a proper crack at doing a lovely studios theme. Without fake looking backdrops and the rest.
With all that said i love the studios; the attractions themselves are good it just needs to be a proper, full day, themed park. and BIGGER :-)
We're all disney obsessed i hope you realise....
I spend most of my time on a visit to disneyland paris in the studios park, i couldnt even imagine what beenmoff1 described. I hope they dont change it too much as personally im not a huge fan of change.
And changing the name would be a horrible idea
Quote from: "natalie1313"I spend most of my time on a visit to disneyland paris in the studios park, i couldnt even imagine what beenmoff1 described. I hope they dont change it too much as personally im not a huge fan of change.
And changing the name would be a horrible idea
Exactly!!
A retheme of the studios would be very dramatic but unless they were going to a do a DCA refurb i cant see to much being added or astheticaliy changed but this may be becuase of lack of vision.
With it being an unusual collection, I cant imagine the right side being pixar themed because of tower of terror and the right side being marvel becuase of the tram tour, play house disney etc or will they go full out and just change it to the pixar studios theme park and adapt tower of terror, back lot tour etc.
It leads me to think when this transformation happens what will the the park be and called
Agree with you all completely. If they're even considering changing the name they've lost the plot. Compared to DCA, which had a genuine problem with its image and became a byword for a poor day out, 'Walt Disney Studios Park' actually seems quite well understood and well regarded by the majority of visitors. We might grumble about the park on message boards, but it has never had the kind of high profile media backlash that DCA had.
And yet at DCA, they just dropped the possessive 's' and then proceeded to completely turn the park around. Changing the name would have been the biggest admission of a mistake possible, but they kept it and turned it into an incredibly strong park. It proved itself. They need to actually let Walt Disney Studios Park do the same.
Maybe it's just a legal requirement in the 1987 agreement that everything at Disneyland Paris must, at some point, undergo a name change? :-)
I don't think the quality of the park should be judged by the media backlash it created... theme parks in general have a lower media profile here in Europe. Yet, WDS requires much more help to be turned into a quality park than DCA.
H
Quote from: "DGRavenswood"I don't think the quality of the park should be judged by the media backlash it created... theme parks in general have a lower media profile here in Europe. Yet, WDS requires much more help to be turned into a quality park than DCA.
yes! The name is the smallest problem of the park. what we get till today from the placemaking point of view is just the standard of the dca park - before the big makeover. and they stopped it in the middle. now all that parts are not comming very well together. another theme and another deepness of theme at every corner. thats now really hard to fix. so why not thinking about what a studio of deams really mean. they will need a lot of money for that. but they should save the name. wds is perfect.
Quote from: "Anthony"Agree with you all completely. If they're even considering changing the name they've lost the plot.
I don't understand the excessive attachment to what is actually a rather unimaginative name: it only makes any sort of sense if the focus of the park is a studio. So if they were to think of changing or developing the theme in some other sort of way, then surely changing the name would be entirely logical?
Did anyone really care when Eurodisney became Disneyland Paris? It's what's actually
in the park(s) that matters, not what the sign says above the entrance.
Quote from: "DutchBrit"I don't understand the excessive attachment to what is actually a rather unimaginative name: it only makes any sort of sense if the focus of the park is a studio. So if they were to think of changing or developing the theme in some other sort of way, then surely changing the name would be entirely logical?
Did anyone really care when Eurodisney became Disneyland Paris? It's what's actually in the park(s) that matters, not what the sign says above the entrance.
Agreed! If they change the name to something less specific, they'll be able to drop any trace of the pretense left that we're in a real working movie studio (that never really worked out well, did it?) and can concentrate on building quality environments with a broader scope.
Yep, I agree with David.
It's funny because my least favourite attractions at Walt Disney Studios Park are all the ones that pretend to take you behind-the-scenes. Changing the name of the park would enable them to either demolish or re-theme these attractions:
• Flying Carpets Over Agrabah
• Art of Disney Animation
• Studio Tram Tour
• Armageddon
When guests visit a Disney theme park, they don't want to go behind the magic, and have it all dissected and explained to them. They want to experience the magic; full Disney magic.
Quote from: "DGRavenswood"I don't think the quality of the park should be judged by the media backlash it created... theme parks in general have a lower media profile here in Europe. Yet, WDS requires much more help to be turned into a quality park than DCA.
That was actually my point! :)
But surely it's not the name holding back development, it's money and intent. As others have said you can fit practically anything into a "Walt Disney Studios Park". I rather like the conceit that the current Front Lot could be the only true "movie studio" section, and once you step through the doors at the back of Studio 1 you're in a real world as seen through the movies. Into that you can fit Hollywood Boulevard, Pixar, Marvel, anything. Walking around the park should be as seamless as George walking through the scenes of CinéMagique, with one world backing onto another (as Toy Story Playland cuts straight to Ratatouille through the barrel tunnel). Backstage doesn't exist in that world.
The only name change I'd impose would be cutting it back to a neater Disney Studios Park (sorry Walt).
The great thing about Disney parks and Disneyland Paris in particular is that they are carefully, cleverly, painstakingly laid out from the get-go, in stark contrast to other parks which grow organically and spend much time explaining why that Victorian haunted house is sitting in the new pirates-themed section, et cetera. Much like movies, which use timing and acts, Disney parks can be laid out to make every ride and experience unfold itself precisely when it needs to.
Well, Disney now has the mother of all messy organic parks and its name is, but will not remain, the Walt Disney Studios. What a hopeless mess.
I still think the park has two raisons d'être and they are the Art of Disney Animation and CinéMagique. Change the name and concept and you've lost even that. CinéMagique makes for a classy exhibition in the otherwise lurid studios museum, but it will be an odd misfit in Disney's Adventure Park or whatever we can expect.
So yes, I agree with Anthony... Short of bulldozing the park, I would choose to draw a "real world" line somewhere at the end of Studio 1 and retain the name.
The thing is, walking into movies is what you'll end up doing in any Disney park in these synergy days.
And you can even keep a substantial part of the park dedicated to movies and moviemaking, like Hollywoodland (or whatever it'll end up being called) at DCA. It would even be possible to fit both CinéMagique and Art of Animation (as well as Tram Tour, if we have to) in that hypothetical land with some clever planning.
(As a side note, I'd actually keep the "Walt" of all things; if they'd take a similar approach as – again – DCA and tie a good part of it strongly into Walt's own history, it could make for a compelling angle. But we're getting into armchair imagineering here and that's not really the point of this discussion, I suppose.)
It's true that the name isn't the problem and changing it isn't absolutely necessary. But if it ends up getting us a worthy second gate, I'm not going to complain.
Sometimes in the light of the morning things are bit clearer to me. And so...isnt it.intersting, that we discuss.about a.name knowing that the problems is the lack of a coherent park and not the studio-theme? And maybe the main problem will always.be just money. giving the park a totally new theme? Well...wasn t that 'the third park in a future far far away?
So back on earth...wat is.possible for a studio park with problems in the.coherent part of the theme.and.the.deepness of theming.and story? I dont think they take the invest of bulldozing big parts of the studios to create something new.
Now I maybe getting myself confused because I'm somebody who things it was a wonder that Disney built a second park at DLP, when I think of the resorts terrible financial history, even if Disney had planed to build a second park in the first place and had no choice. But how is the park not coherent, it is true the park has moved away from the original plan, taking us behind the scenes of a pretend, working movie studios with a Stunt show, Tram Tour and the Art of Disney Animation etc, to a movie theme park where we get the chance to ride the movies on Crushes Coaster, Cars and Toy Story Playland. These two themes do work together and can, in my opinion sit along side each other. The trouble I have is not the name of the park which I like, it's the lack of placemaking, movie sets and more rides. I could spend a whole day in Disneyland without going on many rides and just enjoy the atmosphere and explore the park. I can't do that in WDS. I love the Front Lot and Studio 1 but I couldn't spend a whole day wondering around it. Disney are moving in the right direction with Hollywood Boulevard and TSPL for themeing and attention to detail, not so keen on the rides in TSPL, but it's fun to walk around.
Quote from: "Anthony"But surely it's not the name holding back development, it's money and intent. As others have said you can fit practically anything into a "Walt Disney Studios Park". I rather like the conceit that the current Front Lot could be the only true "movie studio" section, and once you step through the doors at the back of Studio 1 you're in a real world as seen through the movies. Into that you can fit Hollywood Boulevard, Pixar, Marvel, anything. Walking around the park should be as seamless as George walking through the scenes of CinéMagique, with one world backing onto another (as Toy Story Playland cuts straight to Ratatouille through the barrel tunnel). Backstage doesn't exist in that world.
I wouldn't actually mind that if they actually made that into the story of the park. If that's what they're going to do, then they'll have to change Studio 1's interior so that it transitions guests from a Studio into a place where films become real. At the moment, the park is just a film studio in Hollywood, and I've never thought that ToT and the rides in Toon Studio don't make sense.
I can't imagine a complete revamp of the WDS but that's not because of lack of vision but rather lack of money. And the collection of rides in the park aren't that unusual, they just reflect how popular Pixar and Playhouse Disney (Mickey Mouse) are with the public. TOT is one of Disney's iconic rides and I can not imagine them adapting it to a Pixar themed Studios. If a Marvel themed area does come, again it only reflects how popular and lucrative the Marvel franchise is for Disney, just like Pixar.
Personally, I think the new guest who goes for a weekend and probably never comes back for another 5/6 years doesn't really care about transitions of theme etc, they just want to go on a good ride. Then you have me, the die hard DLRP fan who hates seeing the park being changed because it fits the "new Disney" look. I just feel with these changes the studios will lose the magic it had.
I think the problem of the studios and maybe of the village and other parts of the resort is, that they start things and then stey stop it the half way. the gave us a Hollywood bvd. but not a complete placemaking of the whole area. they gave us toon studio, but without something that put the parts together. We have even a really grey floor at toon studio entrance. they put tspl at one end.and they gave us a barell to a parisian street. maybe that will be a propper theme switching in some.yeas. at the moment we do not have a special toon studio spitit. then they gave us some silly changes. they changed the name of.rendezvous des stars to restaurant. they changed the backlot theme of the backlot express to blockbuster. one theme, the pirates, are based on an attraction in this wonderful park next door. the glory times of the other theme, hsm, was in the last stade while they changed it. now we have a restaurant with an old theme and a theme of an attraction of disneyland park. ...
Maybe they could.simply tell us more about th e master plan behind all that things. something like the blue cellar. because at the moment I just see a love for patchworking and nothing that keeps the patches that well together except " was in a movie somewher". And also universal hasnt such a low standard anymore :lol:
Yesterday I posted this interesting graphic of what it would look like if you took Walt Disney Studios Park and put it on the land that Disney California Adventure occupies. It gives you a really clear view of how small Walt Disney Studios Park really is:
(//http://p.twimg.com/Av6aZw5CMAIMBEd.png) (//http://twitter.com/CafeFantasia/status/215779599567695872/photo/1/large)
Keywords: DCA, Disney California Adventure, Expansion, Development, Re-opening, Expanded, Walt Disney Studios Park, WDSP, Disneyland Paris, DLP, Theme Parks, New Rides, Future Attractions
this just might be in my head but i always thourhg that part of the problem for the studios was its weired shape
it expands into a V, starting small then the further up you go the more space there is, compared to other parks where you can have near 360 degree area of rides then expansion area this seems very unusual and i see as part of the problem and also why it is so quick to get around.
i also agree with what ed-uk staed above, i wouldnt mind at if the park was seperated off into its different areas of backlot, animation, riding the movies etc but with the sapce disney park has to seperate it all out (i know this will neverf happen)
i do quite like tram tour but i understand peoples lack o flove for it and i do see it just getting smaller and smaller and think that they should just replace it instead of letting it limp on
They should finally stop these small additions with a completely different theme all the time. Else the could rename the park eventually to "Disney Patchwork Park". Although I'm looking forward to the ratatouille ride, I'm absolutely no fan of all these small themed areas. the need to take a look at the big picture. Recently i went to DCA and just saw how this park has a great layout and compared to WDS you can't tell that cars land was just recently opened. At WDS you can clearly tell which patch of land was added as there are no connections between them. they need a master plan and i hope they do have one.
Quote from: "Whoknew?"Else the could rename the park eventually to "Disney Patchwork Park".
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Quote from: "never2old"Quote from: "Whoknew?"Else the could rename the park eventually to "Disney Patchwork Park".
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Lol!
(//http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/9198/ratatouilleperspectivec.jpg)
QuoteWalt Disney Studios
First of all, we are sure that this park will be developed until 2018.
Front Lot
An Imagineer (unknown) mentioned a complete rethematization of Front Lot to get a result close to DCA, beacuse this park needs a whole new placemaking.
Backlot
So much rumors about this lot! The strongest one is a rethematization in Marvel (Rock'n'Roller AErosmith would become AC/DC with Iron Man, ...). An Avatar ride may eventually come, but it seems very compromised.
More on that later...
Toon Studio
Well, it's no scoop, but the Ratatouille ride is under construction. There will also be a restaurant (no info on the menu yet) in a little zone called "Rue de Paris". It will look like a typical Parisian street. The ride shall include new 3D technology, and we're supposed to bet rat-sized... Opening 2014
Toy Story Playland
Toy Story Midway Mania may come. One of the most uncertain rumors...
Source: ThemeParkGuy
Rock N Roller coaster featuring Aerosmith was originally supposed to change it's music regularly to reflect different bands. However Aerosmith have/had a watertight contract prohibiting this.
I believe this contract was due for renewal in 2011. (Trying and failing to find where I read that, sorry)
If that is the case one could presume that TWDC have approached Aerosmith for 1 year rolling extensions. Or a single three year extension. That would tie in for a redevelopment in time for 2014.
A Marvel theming would not be difficult.
Quote from: "ford prefect"I believe this contract was due for renewal in 2011. (Trying and failing to find where I read that, sorry)
If that is the case one could presume that TWDC have approached Aerosmith for 1 year rolling extensions. Or a single three year extension. That would tie in for a redevelopment in time for 2014.
I read that as well, but I also can't remember where. However I thought that mentioned contract was only about DHS and that WDSP had another one that is still running some years. I could be wrong on that.
Transforming Backlot into Marvel would be a good idea. Backlot is by far the most ugliest place in any Disney park. And I definitely prefer that solution instead of building a whole park based on Marvel. Building a new park in France will not happen in the next five to ten years, there is just no money from ED SCA and TWDC is building a park in Shanghai, and I'm sure Disney wants to use Marvel now due to all the successful movies and not in ten years.
Quote from: "dagobert"I read that as well, but I also can't remember where. However I thought that mentioned contract was only about DHS and that WDSP had another one that is still running some years. I could be wrong on that.
I am glad it is not just me! I presumed they used the same license for the 2 parks. Equally I am happy to be proved wrong
WDS tour article by ThemeParkInsider.
//http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201207/3137/