We’d like to welcome Max to MiceChat. And while his column may be new, his name should sound familiar to you. Alain Littaye has used Max’s photos in his updates here on MiceChat for years. Now that Alain has retired, Max is filling in on our Paris coverage. Max writes his articles in French. We then translate via Google and do our best to clean things up a bit for an English speaking audience. It’s a small world after all folks! Welcome aboard Max!

It’s the slow season at the Walt Disney Studios Park, where there is very little news. With few visitors in the park there is only a single daily performance of the Lights, Motor… Action! Stunt Show Spectacular during the week.

Inside Studio 1, the Christmas decorations have been removed, and posters announcing Big Hero 6 are now in place. The animated film arrives at cinemas in February here in France. You’ve already had it in the United States, will we like it?

Very few people were in the Park the day I visited. The big blockbuster attraction of the park, Ratatouille, was just a 10 minute wait in the standby line and there was a 0 min wait for Fast Pass and Single Rider.

Toy Story Playland was closed for the day due to strong wind blowing on the site. The Cast Members were positioned in front of the entrances of the land and rides.

Rex wish us a happy new year.

You do not notice anything missing?

The trees of Fantasia Gardens are being replaced. The area is now less dense, more open and the views is better of the Disneyland hotel.

Before :

Christmas has disappeared at Disneyland Park, but the tree was still there on the 15th.

Discoveryland, Space Mountain Mission 2 and Videopolis are now closed for a major refurbishment. They are expected to reopen in mid-July. Add the closure of the Autopia attraction for its annual maintenance and we find ourselves in a land operating with just about half of its attractions. Note that during the General Assembly of Euro Disney S.C.A. January 13, it was announced that the area of Space Mountain Mission 2 and the Nautilus will be redesigned…Changes are to be expected beyond the name of the attraction, which will simply become « Space Mountain », cleaning of the dome, enhancements to the queue and effects in the ride.

Frontierland, renovation continues for the Silver Spur Steakhouse (restaurant closed). Thunder Mesa Riverboat attraction is also closed for maintenance and the playground of Pocahontas is closed as well as the area of Cottonwood Creek Ranch, causing the closure of the Disneyland Railroad station.

Speaking of the Riverboat , the Mark Twain is again visible. It would be good to find out if they will continue to let it decompose and let it be destroyed or refurbish and rebuild it.

The Cowboy Cookout Barbecue restaurant is also closed. Cottonwood Creek Ranch area will receive the Arendelle treatment this summer. Indeed, at the annual general meeting, it was announced that Frozen Summer Fun would be comeing from June 1 to September 13, 2015 with a spectacle, treats, merchandising and character meets. That said, after quickly analyzing the press release, one soon realizes a few things. “[…]Anna and Elsa will appear on stage in winter scenery inspired by the film. They will offer guests the chance to join them in singing the best songs from the most successful Disney story of all time. Olaf, their funny snowman who dreams of summer, will also be there on giant screens to help everyone to follow the lyrics. […].” The show at the Chaparral Theater is a sing-a-long. There is no doubt that the merchandising will be the same as what is currently at the Disneyland Resort in California. It’s possible that some of the California decorations will make their way here to Paris as the Disneyland version of Frozen Fun is scheduled to end before it begins in Paris.

Take a look at a test of the concept in France, then a second video in the United States (notice the difference in audience participation):

Our point of view is that this type of show doesn’t translate well for Disneyland Paris due to the language barrier and many nationalities who visit this park.

The European public is modest and reserved in its attitude, it is sometimes difficult just to get an audience to applaud, even when a show is successful.

The European public is not the same as in America, we are not comfortable jumping on a microphone if it is proposed that we sing. With all that, we see how Disney makes every effort for its visitors and we will see if this show succeeds. In the end, it may come down to budget. When Disneyland Paris puts up a significant budget to do things right, it works! And when they don’t . . . well . . . it doesn’t.

Bonjour Adventureland !

There’s some ground work going on here.

Fantasyland, Meet Mickey had the largest queue of the day at 30 minutes!

The teapots are under restoration. The mouse is absent, certainly to work on the internal mechanism that allows him poke his head out of the pot.

Disney Magic on Parade is back. Peter Pan float is still absent. Note that Disney princesses are no longer in dresses made for the parade, but rather costumes consistent with those of the other Disney parks.

At the Disney village the structures of the old sign and entrance are being removed.

It should also be noted that, surprisingly, many trees were cut along the walk around the Lake.

Renovation in front of the ice rink in hotel New York.

Theme parks business revenue increases for the 1st quarter of fiscal 2015:

+ 9% in attendance at theme parks

+ 5% increase in spending per visitor.

+ 10% increase at the hotels of Disney Village to 134.8 million euros ,

+ 4.6% increase in length of stay

+ 3% increase for Disney Village

We finish this article with two announcements made at the general meeting of Euro disney S.C.A.:

-The first is the official validation of the recapitalization plan.

-The second is that the Euro Disney Company could still face losses until 2018 and that shareholders will have to make their choices knowingly.

Did you enjoy the update? We’ll see you again soon!

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