With thanks to poster 'True-lifeadventures' over in the 'Extinct Attractions' thread, who shared a link to a MiceAge article about the future of the Disney Village.
According to the article, Disneyland Paris' COO Daniel Delcourt has stated that:
QuoteDisney Village is no longer in line with Disney's vision of an upbeat family place, refurbishment is in the planning stage
http://micechat.com/117514-inside-disneyland-paris-meeting-daniel-delcourt-deputy-ceo-operations/
I know that's quite a broad statement, and I don't expect we'll be getting a Parisian equivalent of Disney Springs, but it's sure fun to speculate.
So any suggestions? Not only what we'd love to see, but anything that should stay.
I didn't add my opinions in the OP, so I'll put them here.
Aesthetically, the whole Village needs a complete retheme. Its too cold and industrial - and not in the trendy way. Perhaps a leaf out of the Disney Springs book, with its brick façades and the like, would be most welcome.
Of the "things to keep", I've not eaten in all of the venues, but I'd say that the majority of the restaurants should stay - even if they get re-located in some grand refurb scheme.
They could add something like Trader Sam's (Disneyland, Walt Disney World) as an additional themed area.
I'd live to see better goings on in disney village. b that I mean we've been during both swing into spring and Christmas when they have little huts selling treats abd they're fab. they make tge place Much more cosy. conversely we went In September when the alleged rock and roll fest was on and we're really disappointed. a couple of stands with people playing now and then. some cool cars but only a few. I was expecting something much grander. definitely didn't have a disney stamp on it.
Obviously I'm really glad that the parks are getting the upgrades and TLC they need ready for the anniversary next year, but it's awesome that they are already thinking about the following years.
This past week in the park, the difference in the CMs attitude and friendliness has been amazing. I've had some pretty poor experiences with some of them over the years, but the last couple trips it's really been obvious that they are stepping up their game.
I've actually just got back from Annette's where we had the best meal I've ever had there. The Wait and Kitchen Staff were all out signing and dancing and getting everyone involved, which I've never seen before. Our waitress cared that we were fussy with our food and wanted to make sure we didn't have certain things in our food. She was really helpful.
I think, like Downtown Disney in the US, when they made Disney Village they thought it was going to be a big night spot for park guests and people in the surrounding towns, but I couldn't imagine anyone going there who wasn't on their way back to their hotel from the park.
It would be good to reimagine the whole area to less of a 'night club' type place and more of just a 'park thats not a park' in the same vein as Disney Springs.
It appears they have a 10 year plan so we might have to be patient with this one.
Def needs upgrading. That line of shops and restaurants where the disney store is looks so outdated.
Next time you are in the village. Look at the outside of the disney store. Hasnt been changed for over 20 years. New york sandwiches and sports bar too.
Interior of the disney store with that old blue carpet depressed the hell out of me.
Disney Village could really use a huge makeover. Since 1992, Disney Village (once called Festival Disney) has been changed into a clash of various style that don't really fit together.
Personally, I'd like to see more of an entertainment district, featuring lampposts, fountains and possibly some quiet corners to relax.
After seeing pictures of Disneytown at Shanghai Disneyland, I was reminded of this thread. Disney Village really looks out of date and tired, and that's before you compare it to Disney Springs (WDW) and Disneytown (SDL).
OK, both those mentioned are no doubt expensive, however it can't surely be too hard to find even a half dozen potential tenants for an expansion of Disney Village that could justify the costs?
TBH I've never understood what people don't like about Disney Village - I first went in 2011 and last went last year and every time I've been I've actively enjoyed the area. I like the style of it all. It doesn't look old fashioned to me - but then I'm pushing 35 and I like the 90s aesthetic. I really like the little touches like the Elephants and Aligator, the cars outside Annettes, Mickey outside Buffalo Bill's, Statues by World of Disney, paving slabs with distances to other Disney Parks, places to take photos, themed huts over different holiday periods, the lookout over Lake Disney & Panoramagique etc. its really nice when they have live entertainment going on outside, and fireworks over New Year are great too :)
Maybe its just because I am always very happy & excited when I'm near the parks but I've never had a problem with it. I really like spending time in World of Disney and the Disney Store, the new Lego store is great, and I like looking round the gallery and fashion boutiques. I love Earl of Sandwich, Billy Bob's and Annettes, and the McDonalds, Starbucks, Rainforest Cafe and Planet Hollywood are all really nice designs - I've never been in but its always fun to see what characters are in Cafe Mickey's when walking past...
Of course, there are improvements that could be made. I'd personally like larger arcades and more variety in the games, and a wider range of exclusive merchandise in the shops to separate each one from the other. I'm always up for more exclusively Disney theming - character models etc. I wish the cinema showed English (and maybe other) language films as well as French ones.
I've never been to Disney Springs but hopefully will be going there later this year, so it'll be good to see what people are talking about. I'd really love an indoor virtual "theme park" like Disney Quest - though I am sad to read that the Florida Disney Quest is closing, so its unlikely they'd open a new one :(
I think the place needs a little TLC, but before changing the aesthetic I think it needs expansion. Put that ahead of it all, build the expansions in the new aesthetic and change the old stuff later, it is too small atm.
Really though I'd rather put the money into Studios, I believe if the Studios would be profitiable then the entire resort would, so lets fix that, people spend more time in the parks than the village anyways,
Quote from: mrpiggywinkles52 on May 11, 2016, 04:42:39 PM
I think the place needs a little TLC, but before changing the aesthetic I think it needs expansion. Put that ahead of it all, build the expansions in the new aesthetic and change the old stuff later, it is too small atm.
Really though I'd rather put the money into Studios, I believe if the Studios would be profitiable then the entire resort would, so lets fix that, people spend more time in the parks than the village anyways,
I think it's easy to forget that the Disney Village is accessible to people without tickets, and Disney would like to keep it as an important part of the resort
Quote from: daddyof2 on May 11, 2016, 04:53:32 PM
Quote from: mrpiggywinkles52 on May 11, 2016, 04:42:39 PM
I think the place needs a little TLC, but before changing the aesthetic I think it needs expansion. Put that ahead of it all, build the expansions in the new aesthetic and change the old stuff later, it is too small atm.
Really though I'd rather put the money into Studios, I believe if the Studios would be profitiable then the entire resort would, so lets fix that, people spend more time in the parks than the village anyways,
I think it's easy to forget that the Disney Village is accessible to people without tickets, and Disney would like to keep it as an important part of the resort
Sure, but I do wonder how many people actually use it without tickets? It's a glorified Disney Store with a few cool resteraunts and Buffalo Bills. hardly the type of place you go all that often. That said it is great as a side thing whilst you are on a vacation to the parks.
Not to say it doesn't need help, but the priority should be on the resort's biggest downfall and what I've heard makes it unprofitable, the Walt Disney Studios.
^I don't disagree with you there. The Studios is the big issue for the resort - one assumes that the hotels are not as big a burden as in the past if they are considering building an eighth.
However I don't think they can ignore the Village's issues either. Personally whenever I've stayed at one of the hotels, the Village was merely a part of the route to get to the Esplanade. I maybe looked in a couple of stores (the Art of Disney if I remember right) and I did eat at Annette's but the Village as a whole is not a destination where I would want to spend part of my holiday.
Whereas Disneytown and Disney Springs (maybe Downtown Disney) are virtually destinations in themselves.
As for the aesthetics of the place, there's just no charm to it. That 'Industrial chic' look is so out of date it might just become retro and trendy again soon.
Mrpiggywinkles, I do agree though - they probably would be better expanding the place before trying to smarten up what's already there. At least they could construct a second 'street', without much disruption to the guests.
I'm not saying that Paris should have a vast shopping mall setup (I don't think we need that many fashion outlets) but look at the newly opened 'Town Center'. Certainly more appealing that our industrial warehouses.
https://youtu.be/ETZQiFjkHZg
Heck, even if they just replicated that indoor portion (that admittedly looks like a converted warehouse) next to the current Disney Village, then we might be just getting somewhere. Plus, with Villages Nature not too far from opening, there should be an increase in footfall.
For high-end fashion shopping, DLRP already has Val D'Europe, and it is excellent at what it does.
I just watched the video above and tbh it looks cold and uninteresting. Imagine being a kid walking through that area - you'd be pretty bored. Our current Disney village has a huge amount of colour and variety in between each shop and restauarnt - there's loads of stuff to look at and see. Sure, some of it is dated and could be modernised, but I think if the colour and variety was to go it would be a huge shame.
^We'll have to agree to disagree on the Village being a visual treat. When I think of it all I can see is those horrid metal columns and uninviting store fronts. Not to mention that hideous off-model character thing they have over the door of the Disney Store. (The one next to the Sports Bar).
Sure, Disney Springs has that shopping mall vibe (and as I said the Village does not need any fashion outlets), however it still looks like a place that belongs. It has nuanced details that are hallmarks of a Disney themed environment.
The World of Disney was a welcome addition to the Village - in fact if they did up the rest of the Village to match its facade then at least it wouldn't look like something from the Nineties pretending its still trendy despite being 25 years in the past.
I totally agree on the World of Disney Store look its a lot more classy and timeless.Similarly I feel the design (inside and out) of the comparitively new Earl of Sandwich has a interesting but classy look.
I also agree that the design of the village looks a bit "stuck in the 90s". I especially agree that the Disney Store exterior looks rather dated. ::)
But from the perspective of a child or young teen wanting lots of themeing and things to look at, the stuff around the Village has got to be cool the first time you go there - think of the big mushrooms, colourful balloons, the animals, the models of disney characters climbing on the walls, hanging from ceilings, the ever changing photo spots etc. Even the standard things you get everywhere like Starbucks and McDonalds are a lot more visually interesting than they are "back home".
Don't get me wrong, if they wanted to raise it all to the ground and start again, that'd be cool by me - as long as they have a decent budget and add the little (or big) touches of Disney design and stuff for kids to be excited by "discovering". I think there is definitely something to be said for each restaurant and shop having its own visual style - rather than looking all the same except their logos/signs.
The place looks terrible and old . Not enough happening at night either . It needs to be modernized to a smaller scale Disney springs like theme .
P.S .
please get rid of that hideous arcade between the Disney store and sports bar .
OK, here's a question; if they did expand the Village, where is best?
Should they use the area around the Earl of Sandwich and the events tent, or just go straight to the patch of land that sits alongside Lake Disney (which presumably was for another hotel at some point)?
Quote from: Rocketeer on May 21, 2016, 09:09:11 PM
OK, here's a question; if they did expand the Village, where is best?
Should they use the area around the Earl of Sandwich and the events tent, or just go straight to the patch of land that sits alongside Lake Disney (which presumably was for another hotel at some point)?
Personally I think near Earl of Sandwich to keep things more compact... if they do use the hotel space then it would be interesting to see what extras they add as I would hate to see another disney store same as the others!
^Good point on the Disney Store thing. Personally I think there should be more individual shops run by Disney, rather than the big name brands that you see at Disney Springs.
Things like Downtown Disney's Vault 28 and Disney Springs' Marketplace Co-operative and Design-A-Tee.
Quote from: Rocketeer on May 21, 2016, 09:50:07 PM
^Good point on the Disney Store thing. Personally I think there should be more individual shops run by Disney, rather than the big name brands that you see at Disney Springs.
Things like Downtown Disney's Vault 28 and Disney Springs' Marketplace Co-operative and Design-A-Tee.
I would be thrilled if they did add in some little extra cute shops. Even a Xmas decoration shop would go well in the village IMO (like the one in Springs).
Yeah I'm definitely "for" small Disney shops with a specific theme and exclusive stuff. Its a real shame that the majority of the shops in the parks just sell the same stuff. We really like the shops that are more specific and feel related to the area or a theme, like the Christmas shop in the castle, the Tower of Terror, Star Tours and Art of Animation shops etc. In the village the gallery is a nice one to look around, and there is some cool stuff in the fashion boutique, so more themed shops with stuff that feels "special" (ie if you hadn't have gone in that particular shop you wouldn't have seen it) would be good. I really like the design of the building for World of Disney, but the majority of the stuff in there is available everywhere... :-\
Another different direction would be to create a version of EPCOT City's International Street. A shopping district idea that morphed into EPCOT Center's World Showcase.
Although for Disney Village, I guess this would end up being more food focused though. Not that that would be a bad thing. Maybe adding more eateries, and replacing/relocating the existing ones with the bespoke stores, would be a good direction to go.
There is a major outlet and shopping center just around the corner. The problem is that Disney can't or won't market it because that would mean people leaving the bubble. Same goes for the Sea Life Aquarium.
I think that now, with trip advisor reviews and all. More and more visitors realize that there are good better value restaurants outside of the Village. This especially goes for the people staying in the partner hotels.
So they need to step up their game, and keep visitors inside of the bubble. Unfortunately until this day, I haven't seen DLP making any effort in doing so. :-\
I'd like to see a shop dedicated to Home Media. When I first went to DLP in 2002, I'm sure I remember seeing a shop in Village that sold DVDs and video games behind the counter. When we went back in November last year, the only place I saw DVDs for sale was in the gift shop in Studio 1 of the Studios - but all they had was Planes 1&2, and Monsters University. When we asked a CM in that shop if anywhere in the park sold DVDs, he said no and that the best place was to try the shopping mall in Val d'Europe. They had a fair selection of both DVDs and blu rays in the supermarket there (forget the name). Although they would need several different languaged DVDs to accommodate the guests, I think it would do them well to have a store like this.
Another type of store I'd like to see is one dedicated to pins and pin trading. I know it's nowhere near as popular in Paris as it is in US, but it would be a nice addition to the Village.
They have the little shop in the back corner of frontier l land for pin trading but it's only open weekends I think. If they had a larger so in the village it may well draw a lot more attention to it and help increase its popularity
I'd love a shop dedicated to pins and pin trading with everything laid out nicely and a large selection.
I also found it weird the first time that we went that there weren't any dedicated places selling dvds and cds of Disney stuff, though I know most people are switching to digital only stuff. They should make more of an effort in having Disneyland Paris related DVDs and music CDs though - rather than the very limited edition ones you randomly see every now and again. I'm sure that a decent, well produced "guide to the parks & attractions" DVD/Blu-Ray would sell like hotcaskes, as would a music CD with all the exclusive songs - rather than us having to make our own playlists to listen to on the way. I think the last "album" was well over 5 years ago and copies were rather scarce so most people don't even know there was one... ::)
Quote from: div129 on May 23, 2016, 10:54:33 PM
Another type of store I'd like to see is one dedicated to pins and pin trading. I know it's nowhere near as popular in Paris as it is in US, but it would be a nice addition to the Village.
Quote from: polar vixen on May 24, 2016, 12:07:09 AM
They have the little shop in the back corner of frontier l land for pin trading but it's only open weekends I think. If they had a larger so in the village it may well draw a lot more attention to it and help increase its popularity
There are dedicated Pin Traders stores in both Downtown Disney and Disney Springs, so I can't see why Paris can't have one.
Unless its just not as popular, but I can't see why not.
Quote from: div129 on May 23, 2016, 10:54:33 PM
I'd like to see a shop dedicated to Home Media.
Quote from: samuelvictor on May 24, 2016, 08:28:47 AM
I also found it weird the first time that we went that there weren't any dedicated places selling dvds and cds of Disney stuff, though I know most people are switching to digital only stuff. They should make more of an effort in having Disneyland Paris related DVDs and music CDs though - rather than the very limited edition ones you randomly see every now and again. I'm sure that a decent, well produced "guide to the parks & attractions" DVD/Blu-Ray would sell like hotcaskes, as would a music CD with all the exclusive songs - rather than us having to make our own playlists to listen to on the way. I think the last "album" was well over 5 years ago and copies were rather scarce so most people don't even know there was one... ::)
Perhaps they are reluctant to sell DVD/BR as you'd have to stock four or five different languages of the same disc. I'm only guessing here, but although you select your language when you play the disc, maybe folk are not buying «
La reine des neiges» as they think its only in French. Likewise they see '
Frozen' but want '
Die Eiskönigin - Völlig unverfroren'
Again, that's only an assumption. And perhaps that's even an assumption by the merchandise department - maybe people would buy them..? Who knows.
As for a new album, I agree, we're definitely overdue.
..
Some great suggestions for new stores, keep 'em coming. I think we've managed at least four new ones - they'd sit great in a little crescent next to McDonald's. I guess that means removing the tent thing though!
There's some stores I think are real obvious additions that Disney village should borrow from Disney Springs. Here's my list:
- Once upon a Toy
- Disneys Days Of Christmas
- Goofys Candy Co
In addition,some kind of nice Desert/Icecream place would be a good addition.
In addition, I wish something could be done to draw people in to Billy Bobs more. I love the place. I just don't understand why more often than not its empty in there. The bands are usually awesome, and the drinks are a fair price compared to some of the hotels. In my mind it should be popular but it rarely ever is.
For me, they should have stuck to the original theme: from wikipedia,
The concept was a large open space full of life and music, lit from all sides around a central avenue with a starry sky. The columns that supported the starry sky would be the remnants of an old power station, left standing after the site was converted into a festival of 90’s contemporary American entertainment.
Gehry (the architect) noted:
The idea of a station in the U.S. made me think of power stations which are often found this close to a railway line. Festival Disney is a bright place full of life. The power stations are illuminated at night, hence my idea of a network of 3,600 low-intensity bulbs that cover all of the structures. Naturally, the lights will be suspended between towers and, as a measure of the design process, I blew and embellished the towers that I wanted to sparkle without merely being decorative. Once the sky and towers were imagined, I disposed of buildings and other parts of a normal avenue...
Now update this with a starry sky of LED lights which can twinkle and some warm lights incorporated into the towers which will be turned for a more cozy atmosphere. Add some electricity/lightning/laser stuff going on at random between the top of the towers, let a train by walt glide along the towers and trough the air (like dreams projections), add some sound effects.
Keep the neon, no colorful balloons. Create a "separate" section with some greenery and a fountain.
And keep the place loud like it used to be, not this relatively quiet "pass-trough-to-the park" section.
Quote from: anthony2k6 on June 04, 2016, 02:52:45 AMI wish something could be done to draw people in to Billy Bobs more. I love the place. I just don't understand why more often than not its empty in there. The bands are usually awesome, and the drinks are a fair price compared to some of the hotels. In my mind it should be popular but it rarely ever is.
Couldn't agree more. I really like Billy Bob's - good food and drinks at low (for Disney) prices, and I've seen fantastic bands and DJs perform there.
Disney Village Radio always has adverts for Billy Bob's, telling you what bands are performing, when etc, but other than a few of us die hard fans who listen online, I'm not sure where else you can actually hear the station so I don't know how effective that advertising is?!
Random story - I'm a film director by trade. I saw a band performing at Billy Bob's called Kane'd. They were so good that I instantly asked them if I could hire them to record a song for the soundtrack of one of my films. They then returned the favour and hired me to direct four music videos for them! :) (these can be found on Youtube under the accounts "KanedBandVEVO" and "KanedUK" for anyone interested) Obviously it wasn't just me that thought they were great, as DLP asked them back to perform there again the next year as well ;D
Quote from: Spacepilot on June 04, 2016, 07:25:35 AM
Now update this with a starry sky of LED lights which can twinkle and some warm lights incorporated into the towers which will be turned for a more cozy atmosphere. Add some electricity/lightning/laser stuff going on at random between the top of the towers, let a train by walt glide along the towers and trough the air (like dreams projections), add some sound effects.
Keep the neon, no colorful balloons. Create a "separate" section with some greenery and a fountain.
And keep the place loud like it used to be, not this relatively quiet "pass-trough-to-the park" section.
Yeah that sounds cool (though I admit that I like the baloons) - lots of neon & LEDs would work. And yes, I agree, the area works much better when there is live music and stuff going on, like at Christmas, Halloween, Welsh Festival, St Patricks etc. 8)
Quote from: anthony2k6 on June 04, 2016, 02:52:45 AM
There's some stores I think are real obvious additions that Disney village should borrow from Disney Springs. Here's my list:
- Once upon a Toy
- Disneys Days Of Christmas
- Goofys Candy Co
I agree that those shops could be something go have in the Village, as long as you'll also find something shop specific that you'll don't get at the rest of the resort.
Quote from: Spacepilot on June 04, 2016, 07:25:35 AM
Keep the neon, no colorful balloons. Create a "separate" section with some greenery and a fountain.
And keep the place loud like it used to be, not this relatively quiet "pass-trough-to-the park" section.
That sums the current village up perfectly. Its almost an after thought, its mainly just the rat-run that gets you from the hotels to the parks.
Quote from: Spacepilot on June 04, 2016, 07:25:35 AM
For me, they should have stuck to the original theme: from wikipedia,
The concept was a large open space full of life and music, lit from all sides around a central avenue with a starry sky. The columns that supported the starry sky would be the remnants of an old power station, left standing after the site was converted into a festival of 90's contemporary American entertainment.
Hearing that, it makes the steel columns make more sense. Trouble is, as they are now, they just don't seem to be a part of any themeing.
And the description also reminds me of Hyperion Wharf, the plans they had for Pleasure Island in '10, before it got shelved and converted to Disney Springs.
Quote
A nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier will evolve Pleasure Island into "Hyperion Wharf." By day, the bustling port district will draw guests in with its stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.
-Yesterland
Surprisingly the Disney Parks Blog post for it (with concept art) is still available.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/11/first-look-waterfront-district-hyperion-wharf-among-plans-for-downtown-disney/
Quote from: Rocketeer on May 24, 2016, 01:18:20 PM
Quote from: div129 on May 23, 2016, 10:54:33 PM
I'd like to see a shop dedicated to Home Media.
Quote from: samuelvictor on May 24, 2016, 08:28:47 AM
I also found it weird the first time that we went that there weren't any dedicated places selling dvds and cds of Disney stuff, though I know most people are switching to digital only stuff. They should make more of an effort in having Disneyland Paris related DVDs and music CDs though - rather than the very limited edition ones you randomly see every now and again. I'm sure that a decent, well produced "guide to the parks & attractions" DVD/Blu-Ray would sell like hotcaskes, as would a music CD with all the exclusive songs - rather than us having to make our own playlists to listen to on the way. I think the last "album" was well over 5 years ago and copies were rather scarce so most people don't even know there was one... ::)
Perhaps they are reluctant to sell DVD/BR as you'd have to stock four or five different languages of the same disc. I'm only guessing here, but although you select your language when you play the disc, maybe folk are not buying «La reine des neiges» as they think its only in French. Likewise they see 'Frozen' but want 'Die Eiskönigin - Völlig unverfroren'
Again, that's only an assumption. And perhaps that's even an assumption by the merchandise department - maybe people would buy them..? Who knows.
I don't see a problem here. I have some DVD's that have about 7 Languages in speech and subtitle.
I think they could easely make a dvd/blu-ray with the languages from most of the guests.
So you would have to make 1 version of the disc and yes you could use diffrent cover versions but that isn't really necessary as the french will also understand Frozen as a title.
As for the stores I would love to get some more special stores like theChritmas shop in there. There is now coming a new restaurant perhaps maker it so that you can walk around they could use the space meant for the hotel as I have seen a picture once of plans that they wanted to construct the hotel over shops so than it isn't a problem to construct the shops firts and expand it later on with the hotel.