Showing posts with label discoveryland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discoveryland. Show all posts

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Welcome to Autopia

The entrance to the Autopia attraction at Parc Disneyland is really quite impressive.

As you can see, the Autopia attraction is sponsored by Ford and we are en route vers le Futur ("On route to the future").

Thursday, 25 August 2011

Travel in Style

Discoveryland, at Parc Disneyland in Paris, is full of many hidden treasures and fantastic Disney details. If I am lucky enough to have some quiet time in the parks, I love to just walk around and Discover what I can find in the 'land.

For example, there are many forms of transport in plain sight around Discoveryland. It would be easy to overlook this, but considering the area has been built with such futuristic stylings in mind, it's fascinating to have a look at all the different modes of transport there is!

We have the cars of Autopia.

The Nautilus submarine.

An airship at Cafe Hyperion.

Rockets ready to shoot you to the moon!


Tuesday, 9 August 2011

The Captain Has Landed

After the untimely death of Michael Jackson just over 2 years ago, the Disney Theme Parks reintroduced the classic Captain E.O. 3D film and attraction back into their parks (almost) world wide.

Disneyland Paris was no exception, especially as the guests who visit that park really have a soft spot for retro and classic Disney attractions. The film returned to Discoveryland on June 12th 2010, taking over the old Honey I Shrunk the Audience attraction (which, in my opinion, was starting to become more outdated and less 'retro').

You can read more about Captain E.O. at this Wikipedia page.

Thursday, 17 March 2011

Reach for the Skies

As you enter Discoveryland in Disneyland Paris, we are welcomed by one of the main shops of the area. Situated next to the Buzz Lightyear attraction, Constellations is a shop perhaps run by the man himself!
It's a fantastic little store, with many gifts from the Discoveryland area itself. But if you have a look at the outside of the building you will see something very special and often overlooked.
Yes, we see a lovely looking mural adorning the building. Although not as impressive or spacious as the Mary Blair murals or those currently in Tomorrowland in Disneyland, California, the mural still shows many hidden details from the Disneyland Park.Can't see them? Take another look!

Tuesday, 14 December 2010

Driving into Discovery

Disneyland Paris may have a very different Tomorrowland, in the shape of Discoveryland, but there is one attraction that guests will find very familiar.The Autopia ride can be found in Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, Magic Kingdom (in the form of Tomorrowland Indy Speedway), Tokyo Disneyland (Grand Circuit Raceway) and, of course, in Paris, as 'Autopia'.
A thoroughly popular attraction, if you fancy taking a ride on this futuristic, 1950's style, Grand Prix track, you are advised to get there early. The queues for this ride can get very long as the day goes by, as it is a long attraction and the loading can be quite slow.The theme here is far more retro-futuristic, trying very hard to fit into the Jules Verne-theming of the rest of Discoveryland. It is a great chance for children to try their hand at driving a real car! Although it may be more appealing to younger children (under the age of 10, perhaps) it is a fun, family attraction and can bring back memories to those older guests who may have enjoyed this attraction at a younger age.

Autopia is sponsored by Ford, and it is 'On Route to the Future'!

Friday, 19 November 2010

Power Points

Buzz Lightyear understands that it takes a lot of electricity for his Space Ranger attraction in Discoveryland. So he makes sure the ride vehicles are always fully charged, by keeping a plug-point handy at the Fast Pass entrance.

Saturday, 30 October 2010

Below Deck In The Deep

As Halloween is this weekend, I thought it would be a fun opportunity to head back to the fantastic walk-thru attraction, Les Mystères du Nautilus.We have visited this before, but there is so much to see in the depths of this attraction that we can still see something new heading back there. Situated in Discoveryland, the Nautilus is based on the writings of Jules Verne and the tails of Captain Nemo.

As I mentioned, this attraction is a walk-thru, and usually has no wait. Although it is usually only open between 11.30am and 5pm, and can be closed in incliment weather (due to the steps that one has to take to get into the submarine). But it's open for us - so let's go in and take a wee walk around!But beware - every so often there is something that attacks the submarine...what could that be? Oh no, is it a monster...or perhaps a...a giant squid?
I knew this place was spooky enough to take you to for Halloween!

Sunday, 1 August 2010

To Infinity and Beyond!

Today concludes our picture tour of Buzz Lightyear's Pizza Planet in Disneyland Paris. Let's have a look at what is instore for us today.

What a fun enterance to the Planet - have you noticed the top of their barriers?Oooh - the claw!

Saturday, 31 July 2010

Taking Time Around the Planet

After yesterday's delicious visit to Buzz Lightyear's Pizza Planet, we stay at this Discoveryland restaurant to take a bit of a tour round some of the sights! Let's see how many things we can recognise from the first two movies.And look at the great play area for children! Who wouldn't love to slide down Slinky the Slide?

Friday, 16 July 2010

Calling All Space Rangers

With the upcoming release of Toy Story 3 here in the UK, I thought it would be appropriate to have a little wander over to Discoveryland, home of Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast. It seems quiet enough that we don't have to get a Fastpass - but let's have a look at the fun machines they have to give us the Fastpass during the busier times.
See, even the Green Aliens are excited!

Apologies if posts are infrequent over the next few weeks here at DF'82 - it's the summer holidays and the Royal Family are quite busy!

Sunday, 7 February 2010

Entering The Endor Express

Several posts ago here at DF'82 we mentioned the Star Tours attraction in Tokyo Disneyland. But I thought that today we could take a brief look at the Star Tours attraction in Disneyland Paris.

Situated in Discoveryland, the entrance to the Endor Express is behind Star Tours, close to the 'secret walkway' to Fantasyland (and next to Cherie, J'ai Retrici Les Public!). During the busy periods there is a Fastpass option for this ride.
For those of you who haven't experienced this attraction before, it is a collaboration between Disney and George Lucas, allowing you to experience a trip to Endor on a Starspeeder 3000. The ride itself is in French, but it is relatively easy to understand - it is all about the experience and the journey!
The attraction does not get as busy as in earlier years, but if you really want to make sure you experience it, I would recommend heading straight to Discoveryland on entering the park, perhaps to ride Space Mountain: Mission 2. Once you've riden that attraction, head over to Star Tours, as the entrance to it is right around the corner from Space Mountain.

But the best part of this attraction is perhaps the queue area. Where you will be able to meet R2-D2 and C-3PO getting your Starspeeder ready for your Express journey to the Moon of Endor!
Bonjour A Star Tours

Thursday, 4 February 2010

Honey, I Shrunk Paris!

The Honey, I Shrunk The Audience attraction is located in Discoveryland in Parc Disneyland, Paris, close to Star Tours and behind Space Mountain.

As you can see, the attraction title is Cheri, J'ai Retreci le Public - doesn't that make it sound more exotic? For those who have not experienced this attraction before, it takes place in the Imagination Institute and introduces us again to the Szalinski family from the classic movie by the same name. Guests put on 3D glasses - protective glasses for the experiments that are possibly going to take place! - as they watch a presentation honouring the works of Wayne Szalinski.

It is a great attraction for the whole family - and I won't spoil it for any of you - but be prepared! Also, under-5s may find this is a little intense, so procede with caution. As even certain Princesses find this a little, ahem, intense also...

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Jules Verne in Discoveryland

Coming back into the Discoveryland area of Disneyland Paris, there is a beautiful tribute to Jules Verne that is hidden in plain sight just off the entrance to Discoveryland.

This little section is often overlooked by Guests, eager to get to Space Mountain or Autopia. But this is another one of the ways Imagineers show who inspired them in the creation of Discoveryland.

The quote reads as:
Tout ce qui est dans la limite du possible doit être et sear accompli
Jules Verne
(All That's Within the Limits of the Possible Must and Will Be Accomplished)
This quote comes from one of Jules Verne's novels, The Steam House, which was published in 1880.

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Learning More About The Nautilus

We've been spending some time in Discoveryland in the Disneyland Park, Paris, so today I thought we should head over to one of the most interesting and informative areas of the park. It's also an often overlooked area, due to its location - so I guess you could call it a Hidden Treasure!
We spoke about Les Mystères du Nautilus previously on the blog, but I wanted to go back to this area to have a look at the outside of the Nautilus!
I love to spend some time here, especially on quieter days as you really feel like you own the park. The attraction is only open at certain times - it doesn't usually open until about 10am and usually closes at sunset. But you can still enjoy the attraction by standing outside (which is great if you are a little claustrophobic). Even then you can still enjoy the hard work the Imagineers went to on this - and learn a little at the same time.

The sign reads (in English):

Length: 70 Meters
Width: 8 Meters
Weight: 1,500 Tons
Material: Steel-Plate
Power Source: Electricity
Depth Limit: 6.950 Fathoms
Speed: 50 Knots
Home Port: Vulcania

What a great tie-in to the Disney Classic 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

Saturday, 17 October 2009

The Details In The Ground

It's easy to miss things in the Disney Parks - it's very rare to be able to enjoy any of the Parks when there isn't quite a lot of people around. It's usually very busy, there are children running everywhere and having fun - and even a few adults too!

But one of the benefits to staying in a Disney Hotel or a Disney Neighbour Hotel in the Disneyland Paris area is the access an hour before the general public to the Disneyland Parc. It is worthy to note, however, that Adventureland and Frontierland is not open until the usual park times. If you are staying at a Disney Hotel, make sure to check the signage in your hotel as it will let you know what mornings are the Early Mornings in Parc Disneyland. When we were there during the summer, it was almost every morning!

DLP 2009 - Along To Castle

So, this Princess awoke early one morning and went for a little walk around Discoveryland - the usually VERY busy Land is unusually quiet first thing in the morning. And I managed to find this fantastic Disney Detail underneath the entrance to the Hyperion Cafe:

DLP 2009 - Four Corners

I do love details on the floor, and this is fantastic! This compass perfectly blends into the theming of the rest of the land, which - if you recall - is firmly planted in the world of Jules Verne and Leonardo DaVinci.

Friday, 16 October 2009

Time for a Game

Following on from my earlier blog regarding the Hyperion Cafe and the Discoveryland area of Disneyland Paris, let's have another look at a clever Disney Detail.

Like most Disney Theme Parks, Disneyland Parc has an arcade area, allowing families and childrens to have an air conditioned break and try their hand at some 'modern day' gaming. But what I like is how the theming hasn't broken just to introduce us to the new arcade area.

Did you notice? The two gaming arcades are appropriately called "Arcade Alpha" and "Arcade Beta". Both 'Alpha' and 'Beta' are common in the scientific community for a number of different reasons (I'm a Princess, not a scientist, so I won't go into them all here!), having originated in the Greek alphabet. But this just highlights another way that the Imagineers keep us in the moment and keep the theming intact.

And it's yet another Disney Detail that often goes overlooked by the average Guest.

Sunday, 23 November 2008

From The Day We Arrive On The Planet

Disneyland Parc, Paris, has many exciting attractions and some fantastic entertainment, enough to keep you busy for days! Do you all still have your ticket? Those of you who have managed to lose it can pick up another one from Guest Relations at the front of the park - just tell them you're with DF'82! Because, you're going to need your ticket to come along to one of the Park's most popular and mesmorising shows - "The Legend of the Lion King".

Situated in the Videopolis Theatre in Discoveryland (next to the large Hyperion Ship), this show preimiered in June 1994. It replaced the "Mickey's Showtime" musical show. It tells the story of the Walt Disney Pictures 'The Lion King', with Simba, Timon and Pumba helping you learn about la Legende de la Roi Lion. The show uses some fantastic special effects, and has a truly energetic cast, retelling the story using dance, action and music from, and inspired by, the film. The costumes were mainly designed by Sue Lecash, who had studied African dress specifically for this, and created 118 animal headdresses for this show alone!

When this show first opened, it was necessary to get reservation tickets to make sure you could get into the show. This required a lot of queuing, first to get the tickets and then to get into the show itself! Of course, the show has been running for several years now, and tickets are no longer required. The Legend is performed in English and French, and your times guide will let you know which show is which - although, the musical numbers remain in English for both.

legend2

As you may remember from a previous post, the Cafe Hyperion is a counter service restaurant attached to the Videopolis Theatre. So, although you need to arrive about 25-15 minutes prior to performance for a seat in the theater, you can purchase your food at any time and coincide it with a show, sitting in the dining area of the theatre.

legend3

I have heard that this show may be closing in 2009 - so, shall we watch a viewing of it whilst it's still around to entertain us? And entertain us, it will!


legend4