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Today, 12th March 2014, is the 12th anniversary of the grand opening of Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris.
A lot has changed over the last 12 years, and the park has continued to grow into its own identity; a park filled with great shows, thrilling attractions and of course our favourite Disney character friends.
The park is not without its flaws though, and while many often claim that is lacks the attraction count of the other parks it does have 14 permanent attractions, 2 long running "permanent" shows, a parade, character greetings, and of course shops and restaurants. Of those 14 attractions and 2 shows, 5 are completely unique to Walt Disney Studios, and many of the others have a definite Parisian twist or alterations to them to make them "distinctly Disneyland Paris".
Later this year the park will be opening a brand new attraction, again that will be completely unique, which will utilise new technologies. "Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy" will whisk guests into the world of Remy and Emile from Disney-PIXAR's Ratatouille, shrinking them down to size in a magnificent Parisian adventure! As well as the attraction, the park will gain a brand new restaurant and a new store, too.
We very much look forward to the next 12 years as the Walt Disney Studios continues to grow. It'll bring more depth and more storytelling to its lands, binding together the magical worlds of Disney and the wonders of movie world.
For this photo tribute, I have deliberately left out many character photos, as we nearly always post characters shots to the blog anyway. I thought the park deserved some attention for its 12th birthday, and so nearly everything you see below are non-character photos, but of course, I have thrown a few character ones in for good measure!
Happy 12th Anniversary Walt Disney Studios Park!
Here's to the future!
Dan.
If you're considering a trip to Disneyland Paris, you can check prices and availability on the official Disneyland Paris website. They have some great offers right now, including up to 30% off hotel and and park tickets, and half board meal plan!
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 | Happy 61st Anniversary Peter Pan! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 11:13:07 AM |
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Today, 5th February, is the 61st anniversary of the premiere of Walt Disney's classic, Peter Pan. Debuting at the Roxy Theatre in New York City in 1953, it is the studio's 14th animated feature film.
Peter Pan, his Lost Boys, the Darling children and the pirates have gone on to become some of the most iconic characters ever produced by Walt Disney. They feature in many parades, shows and attractions round the world, as well as still greeting their fans.
Just as time stands still in Neverland, time has been good to Peter Pan and friends, allowing them to continue to have adventures for the past six decades, bringing joy and happiness to millions across the world, with their two simple beliefs that you should never grow up and if you think of all the joy you'll find when you leave your worries behind, you really can fly.
Youthful and timeless, and not looking a day older than their debut in 1953, Peter Pan, Wendy and all their friends will continue to bring adventure to those who believe for many more years to come.
Happy 61st Anniversary Peter Pan and friends!
Here's a selection of pictures from our travels through Neverland with Peter and the gang over the years.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 55th Anniversary Sleeping Beauty! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 11:41:08 AM |
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Today, 29th January 2014, is the 55th anniversary of the release of Walt Disney's beloved masterpiece, Sleeping Beauty.
Despite the fact that the film was not released until 1959, Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955 with Sleeping Beauty Castle as it's central icon, an icon which has since been duplicated in Hong Kong Disneyland (2005), and vastly improved upon at Disneyland Paris (1992).
In our usual Character Central style, let's celebrate with a cavalcade of photos from the Disney Parks around the world.
Happy 55th Birthday Sleeping Beauty!
Dan.
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 | Happy 112th Birthday Walt Disney | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, December 5, 2013 11:13:04 AM |
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Today is 5th December, which would have been Walt Disney's 112th birthday.
Born in Chicago on 5th December 1901 to Canadian father Elias and American mother Flora, Walt found himself growing up in a rapidly changing world. The automobile, electricity and telephones were amongst the new technologies that were gradually altering the way people went about their everyday lives.
Soon came World War I, and Walt found himself too young to enlist - but he did anyway!
While away he discovered his talent for drawing, and became known for decorating the helmets his comrades had found, with illustrations.
From there Walt developed his talents further, and found himself creating characters and shorts such as the Alice comedies and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
Sadly Oswald wasn't too lucky for Walt, but it did spur him onwards to develop a new character in 1928 - Mickey Mouse.
Mickey was Walt, and Walt was Mickey.
Walt Disney was a creative genius, who was far ahead of his time. Bringing a whole new definition to the world of film and television, Walt pioneered many new concepts and technologies.
Walt won more Oscars during his lifetime than any other person, a record that he still holds.
With his studio now one of the best in the world, Walt turned to other things. Bigger things.
Walt's ultimate dream was of course Disneyland; a place where anyone can come and have fun, away from reality.
In July 1955 Disneyland opened and has since become probably the most famous theme park in the world. Capturing Walt's very essence, and offering a true escape from the outside world, Disneyland was, and continues to be, the Happiest Place on Earth.
Of course, Walt's dream grew and grew, and so did Disneyland, to the point where Walt dreamt even bigger!
Florida was to be the home of Walt's final dream, one which sadly he did not get to see through to completion (having passed away in 1966).
Walt dreamt of a huge community where people not only lived and worked, but where they played an vacationed; known as EPCOT. A complete city built from the mind of this brilliant man.
Walt Disney World opened in October 1971 by his surviving brother and business partner, Roy, and was dedicated to Walt having changed the name from simply Disney World to Walt Disney World.
Although Walt's vision of EPCOT never came to fruition as he saw it, it certainly has come true. Walt Disney World has given Central Florida a different identity to what it had 50 years ago. From swamps to a metropolis filled with hotels, malls, other theme parks and indeed entire communities of people who live and work there. Walt Disney World itself has thousands of Cast Members who live and work at the resort, who come from all over the world, ensuring that Walt's final vision is forever captured in an amazing and colourful reality.
Over a century after his birth, we are on the brink of the 12th Disney Park opening (Shanghai, 2015), have a world filled with hundreds more movies, TV shows and even stores, a cruise line and much, much more.
All the parks have their own little nod to Walt and his dreams, remembering the man who started it all.
Walt Disney lived to entertain, and entertained for a living. He gave the world a slice of imagination and inspiration that is unrivalled, and that will continue for many more decades.
Happy 112th Birthday, Walt Disney. We thank you for your dedication to your dreams.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 5th Birthday Bolt! | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, November 21, 2013 2:25:56 PM |
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Today, 21st November, is the 5th anniversary of the release of Disney's Bolt.
Bolt stars the title character, Bolt, along with new friends Mittens and Rhino.
Let's celebrate their big day with some photos of our adventures with the at the Disney Parks.
Happy 5th Birthday Bolt, Mittens and Rhino!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 85th Birthday Mickey and Minnie Mouse! | |
| DisneyDan
Monday, November 18, 2013 10:53:28 AM |
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Hello everyone,
Today is the 85th birthday of the two most famous mice in the world, Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
On 18th November 1928, Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie debuted to the public, and stars were born.
Without Mickey and Minnie, we wouldn't have the Disney company that we have today. For that we are eternally grateful to Walt Disney, and of course Mickey and Minnie, and look forward to many more decades of fun and laughter with them.
Happy 85th Birthday Mickey and Minnie!
In our usual style, here's a photo cavalcade of some of the magical adventures we've had with Mickey and Minnie at the Disney Parks and Resorts over the years.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 10th Birthday Brother Bear! | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, November 1, 2013 2:48:40 PM |
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Today, 1st November, is the 10th anniversary of the release of Disney's animated feature, Brother Bear.
Let's celebrate in our usual Character Central style with some photos of the Brother Bear characters at the Disney Parks and Resorts!
Happy 10th Birthday, Koda and Kenai!
Dan. |
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| Happy 42nd Birthday Walt Disney World Resort! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 11:27:53 AM |
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Today is the 42nd anniversary of the grand opening of the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Since the opening of Disneyland, in Anaheim, CA, Walt Disney's dreams had grown even bigger. The limit of space in the Southern California park had meant that Walt's ultimate dreams had to be confined to a relatively small area.
In the early 1960's Walt Disney set about bringing to life his beloved Disneyland on a much larger scale, this time somewhere where there was all the land he could ever imagine - Florida.
Sadly, Walt passed away before his dream had became a reality, but his brother, Roy, ensured that the park kept on track, and finally on the 1st October 1971, the Magic Kingdom opened, at Walt Disney World - renamed by Roy from just Disney World in honour of his brother.
Since then, more and more of Walt's dreams have come true, including the opening of EPCOT, also on October 1st, in 1982.
EPCOT was Walt's vision of the future, where people worked and played together in a utopian community.
Although some may say this dream has never fully been realised, since EPCOT isn't quite how Walt envisaged it, I think that actually, it has, and more.
The Walt Disney World Resort brings together people from all over the world, not just to visit, but to live and work, too. With its hugely diverse Cast Members, international cuisines, celebrations of different cultures, and world class entertainment, shopping, dining and indeed living (Celebration, Golden Oaks, Cast Member housing etc), Walt's ultimate dream truly has become a reality.
Since 1971, millions upon millions of dreams have come true, simply because one man believed that if you could dream it, you could do it.
Happy 42nd birthday Walt Disney World, here's to many, many more!
In our usual style, here's a cavalcade of photos of our magical experiences at Walt Disney World over the years. I have deliberately left out character images for today, since I really wanted to celebrate the beauty of the parks, and the work of the dreamers who believed they could build this magical place.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 26th Birthday DuckTales! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 3:22:00 PM |
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Today is the 26th anniversary of the premier of the Disney Afternoon show, DuckTales.
Starring Scrooge McDuck and his nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, the show also introduced us to aviator, Launchpad McQuack!
So, in our usual Character Central style, here's a photo cavalcade of some of our adventures throughout the years with the DuckTales gang!
Happy 26th Birthday DuckTales!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 8th Birthday Hong Kong Disneyland! | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, September 12, 2013 12:24:09 PM |
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On this day 8 years ago, Disney's first theme park and resort in China opened its gates for the first time, in the city of Hong Kong!
Since opening day, Hong Kong Disneyland has had many new additions, from "it's a small world", Autopia, to three entire new lands - Grizzly Gulch, Toy Story Land and Mystic point. The resort also features two stunning hotels; Disney's Hollywood hotel and the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
The amazingly friendly and thoughtful Cast Members, fabulous entertainment, unique merchandise, beautiful landscape, and its setting at the foot of stunning mountains next to the sea, make Hong Kong Disneyland practically perfect in every way.
So, let's celebrate in our usual style, with a cavalcade of pictures from our adventures at Hong Kong Disneyland over the years!
Happy 8th Birthday Hong Kong Disneyland Resort!
If anyone is planning a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, why not check out our awesome, dedicated Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Planner!
Dan. |
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