Lightning's Headquarters

In Walt Disney Studios, you can happen across Lightning McQueen's Racing Headquarters, right in Radiator Springs.

And when you do, be sure to check out some of the awesome sponsors and contributors.

I think my favourite has to be Gasprin!

Light Up The Studios

Several years ago DF'82 looked at the series of lamp-posts dedicated to French, or European, filmmakers and revolutionaries.

I thought it would be nice to look at this one again, which has been relocated to the main Courtyard when you enter the Walt Disney Studios - Place de Frère Lumière. 

Louis Lumière (1864-1948)
Auguste Lumière (1862-1954)

The Lumière brothers helped give birth to the movies when they presented the world's first public screening of a motion picture in Paris on December 28, 1895. The Lumière brothers' company created more than 1,000 films using their revolutionary invention, the cinematographe.

 

From Conception to Animation

In the Walt Disney Studios' Art of Animation area of the park, you can see some beautiful pieces of artwork, as well as create some of your own.

One of the largest displays in this attraction, however, is the interesting display dedicated to the conception of animation.

Be sure to have a closer look at this part, as you can see some conceptual drawings and artwork on Ursula...

The Beast...

and Tinkerbell!

Get Ready, Get Set...

...Go to Cars Quatre Roues Rallye, in the Walt Disney Studios, Paris, and have a look at some of the adverts that adorn the walls.

Most people may walk by these on their way to the fun attraction, but here at DF'82 we aim to make  you stop and take in the disney details, even if it is after your trip!

RPM - Nighttime Backfire Suppressant

OctaneGain - Turbo Vitamins

Gasprin - Hood Ache Relief

No Stall

Piston Cup Racing Series

Re-Volting - Rebuilt Alternators

Nitroade - Hi-Energy Drink

Leak Less - Adult Drip Pans

Custom Filled Gaskits

Easy Idle - A Warm Start to a Cold Morning

Vitoline

Clutch Aid

Lil' Torquey Pistons

ReTread Roll On Tire Deodorant

Animation Of Gustaf

Wondering through the Art of Disney Animation in Walt Disney Studios, we come across the works of Gustaf Tenggran.

Tenggran was a Swedish-American illustrator, and the chief illustrator of the Walt Disney Company in the 1930s.

Gustaf was actually the chief illustrator on the feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, hired in 1936 especially for this purpose. The artwork shown in Walt Disney Studios highlights his work on Pinocchio, but also references his work on Bambi and The Old Mill.

He remained with the Walt Disney Company until 1940.

Buckets of Disney

The entry courtyard at Walt Disney Studios, Paris, is always full of guests and characters, welcoming you to the park. One permanent staple, of course, is Sorcerer Mickey.

He stands here, welcoming you to his Studios, and showing you some of the movie magic that has made Mickey Mouse so memorable.

Just look out for the wondering broomsticks...

Spanish Stylings

The sitting area close to the Tower of Terror in Walt Disney Studios is one of my favourite enclosures in the whole of the park. A small area for sitting and having a snack, or a drink, or simply waiting for your braver party members to complete their tower experience, it is a great place to pass a moment or several.

As you can see, the area is modelled closely to the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of Southern California, made famous in the early 1900s.

Linking to the Tower of Terror's storyline, and being set in 1939, this area of the park fits in perfectly, with this style of architecture at the height of fashion during the 1920s.

And one of my favourite parts of this area is this fantastic faux fireplace!

Sea of Colours

In the Art of Disney Animation, in Walt Disney Studios, Paris, there is plenty to see and do. With so many years of experience in the medium of Animation, this part of the Studios has far too much to take in for the average Disney fan!

One of the displays takes into account the effects and the spectrum of colour:

(In English) A Feeling for Colour

Artists have long understood the power and eloquence of colour to express emotion. Artists use passionate reds, tranquil blues, or muted yellows and oranges to heighten the emotional quality of a scene.

The wall displays some of your favourite Disney animated movies in a spectrum of colour.

Get Ready for Armageddon

Walt Disney Studios, in Disneyland Paris, has a show based on the Special Effects used in the blockbuster film 'Armageddon' (released in 1998).

Outside the attraction, there is a noticeable prop from the film.

Along with the plaque, explaining this contraption (and you know how this Princess loves a plaque!):

Built for Battle
A 50-person special effects crew designed and built the Armadillo to battle the asteroid villain of Armageddon. Its features include a Humvee chassis and 12 specially-designed tires inspired by the Mars "Sojourner" vehicle.

Props Upon Props

Hidden at the far end of the Walt Disney Studios, Paris, next to the Disney Blockbuster Cafe, is the Props' Warehouse of the Studios.

Of course, there are so many Props that some of them overflow into the Guest Areas of the Park. Such as this small area:

You can see this is where Props such as parking metres, gates, paving and statues are left, ready to be stored elsewhere. Maybe some blockbuster has just been filmed, and this is where the Props have been put aside!

Buy Your Books Here

If you are visiting the Hollywood Tower Hotel in Walt Disney Studios, and suddenly realise you need to buy some books, or perhaps some sheet music, well look no further than Gower Books & Music:

Perhaps named after Gower Street in Hollywood, California, this shop looks like it sells Books "Used and New". And as Gower Street marks the Eastern end of the Hollywood Walk of Fame,we can also purchase "Maps to the Star's Homes".

Welcome Travellers!

It's time to head back over to Radiator Springs in Walt Disney Studios. I think we are all in need of a little vacation, so let's take some time to rest just off of the infamous Route 66.

I just never tire of seeing that postcard-ready sign!

Here we can see the beautiful, and welcoming, building of the Quatre Roues Rallye sign, which I bet looks even more impressive at night. Just another way the Imagineers have helped to make the whole area really fit in with the Route 66 era!

And what's this?

Radiator Springs

Chamber of Commerce

Welcome Travelers

Route 66

Of course, we're definitely welcome in this tourist friendly town.

Hollywood 1939...Valet Anyone?

If you visit Hollywood back in the late 1930s, you might be lucky enough to have a car, and you might be lucky enough to stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Currently situated in Walt Disney Studios, it may be hard to find a parking spot in the area. But no need to worry - we can just take our automobile to the Valet Parking!

Greetings from the Springs

To celebrate the release of Cars 2 in the UK on Friday, we're going to head over to our very own mini-Radiator Springs in Walt Disney Studios in Paris.

We have reached the Gateway to the Ornament Valley.

And even Ramone is getting in on the welcoming, with one of his customised bonnets (or 'hoods', as they are known in Radiator Springs).

And finally, don't forget to pick up some curios to remind you of your time in this fantastic piece of Route 66.

Cafe for the Cars

While we're at the Walt Disney Studios, we may find ourself a little peckish. In that case, perhaps we should stop at Flo's Cafe over at Cars Quatre Roues Rallye.

This is the best place to grab some Lug Nuts, Gas, Oil, Coolant or Grease, at pretty reasonable prices. And, as you can see, it's also home to the 'infamous' Free 55-Gallon Dinner*!

*if used within one hour...there's always a catch!

Get Painted!

When you visit Walt Disney Studios, Paris, and Radiator Springs, don't forget to check out Ramones House of Body Art.

Just think of how different you will look afterwards!

Hands Up!

Do you look down as much as you look up when you visit a Disney Theme Park? I hope so! Because if you don't, you might miss some hidden treasures like these hand-prints in the Walt Disney Studios.

Can you figure out who these hands belong to? Some of them could be winning...or perhaps require a cup of tea!

And saving (one of) the best until last!