Details: La Confiserie des Trois Fées

Wildy overestimating their audience, thinking we all Europeans wouldn't stand a cheap carnival look, and finally eager to put Disneyland Paris up away above the its European competitors, Imagineers literally put nice little touches, kinetic details in almost every corner of the park: flags, animatronics, even working fireplaces (!) to make guests feel they were really in a magic land of its own kind.

For instance, let's take a tour of La confiserie des Trois Fées (Three Fairies' Candy Kitchen), Disneyland Paris' Fantasyland candy shop.

Here we are, right in the middle of a warm, rustic kitchen, full of sweets, candies and treats while a mouth-watering vanilla scent slowly tempt our senses: Aurora just left, probably to pluck some wild raspberries in the woods. But, what about the three fairies? Where did they go? where did they hide? They're fairies after all, you're not supposed to spot them so easily, but raise your eyes above those candy boxes and look in the fireplace. Look closer. What are those colorful little dots gently floating in the air? Here they are: Flora, Fauna and Merrywheather! Say hello to them, maybe they'll wave you back!

For many years, under the curse of a cheap management that ruled the park since a few years ago, this nice touch was simply turned off to save some pennies, and the three fairies were literally sent away to who-cares-nobody-will-notice-land. Then, a more respecful and intelligent management realised the mistakes done in the past, freed the fairies and give them back their kingdom (well, not really, their kitchen).

This effect is little, but it really adds to the atmosphere. For thos of you always wondering how did they do that, the trick used here is basically tha same used in the Ballroom scene from the Phantom Manor: a glass cleverly positioned between us and the wall reflects a monitor with the three fairies on it, thus giving the appereance they are floating right before your eyes.

A brand new Lucky Nugget Saloon

Last time I visited Disneyland Paris, I had the chance to see a brand new Frontierland: to break it to you, it was like seeing the first time the world in color after a life in black and white. Before the refurbishments began, the buildings of Frontierland all looked like the town of Big Thunder was cursed like Ravenswood Manor, but it was just greedy management.
Now the color are vibrant, creating a nice contrast to the dilapidated look of Phantom Manor.

Now, a nice detail. The first day of my visit, I took a picture of the Saloon and felt something strange, like missing, but couldn't understand what.


On the following day, I realised it: the day before the shadow behind some of the lettering was missing, but they worked overnight and finished the job in time for a brand new day.

Sorcerer Mickey to the rescue!

A lot has already been said about the total lack of charme and pleasantness of Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Resort Paris and, even though I couldn't agree more, I will not focus this time on this subject. I will cast a spot instead on the recent and much needed efforts Walt Disney Imagineering is doing to make this place a little more welcoming and colorful, and precisely to the Sorcerer Mickey Statue that is gracing the gates of Toon Studio.

Firs, an establishing shot:

I know, it's not the Tree of Life but it's so much better than the gray concrete esplanade there was once: sleek, colorful, energic, dynamic. Now, that's something that really can set the mood of an entire land. Some may say it still looks like something nice thrown away in a still too rigid environment but don't forget the aim here was not to re-design a land but to add touches that would make it more appealing, without making it too much different (and better) than other area of the park. I mean, a ToonTown-like makeover wouldn't have blended with the look of the park as a whole, very close to what real studios look like (giant squared warehouses, with empty corridors surrounding them).

Close-ups of the statue are even better:




And finally, only a few noticed Mickey is closely supervising the works on Walt Disney Studios' Tower of Terror. Let's all hope Mickey will give the right suggestions and support to the people working on it and that our new E-ticket will live up to its expectations!

Welcome back, Spaceship Earth

I still remember the first time I heard about a faraway place called "Epcot Center": I was a 9-year-old kid and was so impressed by that stunning geodesic -loved that word!- sphere, I committed myself I would have visited that wonderful place one day. I was lucky enough to make that dream a reality in 1997, when I even happened to work there as cast member at the Italy Pavilion: each night, just before going backstage, I turned my back just to catch one last fantastic view of that wonderful sphere.

Then, in 2000, the wand...

Finally, a few days ago, Disney took the step thousands of fans were waiting for and removed the wand, thus returning one of the most iconic building ever designed by Imagineering to its full glory.

I took this pictures during one of my days off back then when I worked there as cast member. I still think it's one of the best pictures I ever made.

Welcome back Spaceship Earth.

Finally online again!

My iMac has safely returned back home and I can finally start posting again! I have lots of pictures to share both from the present and from the past. Expect a post in the following days. Hurray!