Disney Around The World

Disneyland Paris has some amazing details throughout the parks and the resorts, and many of these go unnoticed. Some of these details people, well, they just walk right over!

One perfect example lies between the Disney Village and the Walt Disney Studios. Just before you enter the baggage/security check area at the Walt Disney Studios, there is a beautiful tribute to the Disney parks throughout the world in the ground.

The paving has a large circle, and on various points of the circle (which is a sort of compass) there are stars, showing the way to the different Disney Resorts throughout the world. It tells you the year they were opened and the distance they are from Disneyland Paris. Let's have a look at them.

Uh-Oh!

When you've finally escaped from the Curious Labyrinth, you always have to watch out for the Queen's Guards. You never know where they might be hiding...

Disney Legends - Up Close

Back in May of last year I introduced you all to the beautiful statue dedicated to Make-A-Wish and Disney Legends that stands in front of the Disneyland Hotel in Disneyland Paris.

I thought we would go back and have another look at this - and a closer, yet brief, look at some of the Disney Legends from Europe that were honored back in 1997.

Lucien Adés - pioneered "storyteller"/"read-along" albums for Disney in France
Angel Angelopoulos - worked alongside Disney creating magazines and publications in European markets.
Antonio Bertini - president of Walt Disney Creations S.p.A in Italy, also helping to produce and market educational films and Disney shorts.
Armand Bigle - part of Character Merchandise, and was asked to help open new territories for Disney in Europe by Roy O. Disney.
Poul Brahe Pedersen - was part of Disney publishing, through licensee Gutenberghus Publishing.
Gaudenzio Capelli - a former editor of "Topolino" or "Mickey Mouse" magazine in his homeland of Italy.
Roberto de Leonardis - after learning American English in a POW camp in Japanese, he translated many Disney films into Italian.
Cyril Edgar - joint managing director of Walt Disney Productions in the 1950s, helped sell and distribute Disney films in the UK.
Wally Feignoux - Disney's continental cinema representative in Paris, and helped keep the Parisian office open during the Nazi occupation in World War II.
Didier Fouret - part of publishing, helping bring Disney to France - and also played a part in EPCOT Centre, working on Les Chefs de France.
Mario Gentilini - former director of "Topolino" magazine in Italy, transforming from a monthly to a weekly publication featuring original Disney stories.
Cyril James - handled all the financial and administrative procedures for Walt Disney Productions Ltd. in England, and often called Roy O. Disney's British counterpart.
Horst Koblischek - part of character merchandise in Germany, introducing the Disney Comic Pocket Book to the children's markets.
Gunnar Mansson - manager of Disney's Stockholm office, later promoted to managing director, and part of character merchandise.
Arnoldo Mondadori - publisher of children's magazine "Topolino", also publishing the "Donald Duck" magazine.
Armand Palivoda - distributed Disney films and pictures in Italy, as well as being a friend of the Disney family.
André Vanneste - helped Disney get into the worldwide exposition, and later create many Disney magazines in the Netherlands - including the "Donald Duck Magazine".
Paul Winkler - helped develop Disney's presence in France, developing the first French Mickey Mouse comic "Le Journal de Mickey".

Happy Birthday D-O-N-A-L-D!

Today marks the most famous Duck in history's birthday - yes, Donald Duck turns a sprightly 75 years old today!

First appearing in the Silly Symphonies' The Wise Little Hen' in 1934, Donald has made his name as being a temperamental and slightly explosive little character! Wait, maybe I shouldn't say 'little'...Donald is #1 after all!

A Moment In The Studios

After yesterday's post of the dedication plaque from Disneyland Parc, I thought it would be appropriate to also take some time to appreciate the plaque in the Walt Disney Studios, Paris.

Situated in front of the Partners Statue when you enter the body of the Park (through Studio 1), the plaque reads as follows (in French, then English):

To all who enter this studio of dreams...welcome. Walt Disney Studios is dedicated to our timeless fascination and affection for cinema and television. Here we celebrate the art and the artistry of storytellers from Europe and around the world who create the magic. May this special place stir our own memories of the past, and our dreams of the future.

Signed, Michael D. Eisner

Learning More About The Parc

Every park has some sort of dedication plaque - and Disneyland Parc is no exemption. This often overlooked detail sits in front of the bandstand in the centre of the Square at Main Street U.S.A., looking down towards the Chateau.

The one in Disneyland Parc, the original EuroDisney, reads in both French and English:

"To all who come to this happy place, welcome."

Once upon a time...

A master storyteller, Walt Disney, inspired by Europe's best-loved tales, used his own special gifts to share them with the world.

He envisioned a Magic Kingdom where these stories would come to life, and called it Disneyland.

Now his dream returns to the lands that inspired it.

Euro Disneyland is dedicated to the young and the young at heart...with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration for all the world.

Michael D. Eisner

Chairman, The Walt Disney Company

Adventure At Every Turn!

Do you fancy taking a ride on the Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull in Tokyo DisneySea? Let's have a look at the information card first!