Category: Top Posts

Top 20 : Underrated Disney Park Music

When you think about what makes Disney parks more special than most amusement parks, you probably think about the stories and characters you know and love, amazing architecture, the tasty treats and of course the countless shows and attractions.

But there’s something else that no other theme park takes as seriously as Disney: music and sound design. So seriously in fact that some soundtracks that Disney created especially for its rides have become standalone pop culture icons over times.

You wouldn’t have landed on this blog if you weren’t a total theme park nerd, so I’m not going to make a list of the most famous Disney park soundtracks. Phantom Manor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Soarin’ , Main Street Electrical Parade… you already have all of these in your music library anyway. Besides these A-listers there are so many unknown gems in Disney’s theme park music catalogue that are worth listening too. Here is a non-exhaustive list of my favorite lesser known Disney theme park tunes, whatever it’s been composed especially for the parks or it’s a playlist of non-Disney tracks crafted for an area or queue line.

Jump to English version / Lire la suite

The Disney Park Christmas Gift Guide 2016

November has just started. What does it mean? You’re already late on your Christmas shopping and you know it. But there’s worse: you haven’t given your family a list of all the glorious Disney park related stuff you need. And because you are a serious theme park nerd, how can your relatives know the super specific things you want under the Christmas tree, I mean really?

Don’t panic though, you just landed on the only page on the Internet that features everything you want – all you have to do is forward this blog post to your mom and tell her you need everything on it. She’ll dispatch every item to every person who owes you Christmas presents! Oh and if you happen to be that mom, welcome to our geeky community – I love your festive sweater Karen! Is it mohair or cashmere?

Jump to English version / Lire la suite

Disneyland Paris Turns 25: The Dawn of a New Era?

We’re just six months away from the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris. In the ever-tumultuous story of Disney’s European destination, this might mean a little more than a typical birthday celebration, but also, maybe, a turning point.

Last week, Disneyland Paris press service announced the programme of the festivities:

  • Celebration will start on 26th March 2017
  • A new daytime pradade called “Disney Stars on Parade
  • The much anticipated ride update “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
  • A new revamp for a classic ride: “Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain
  • A new show : Mickey Presents “Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris
  • Another new show on the castle stage: “The Starlit Princess Waltz
  • A complete show update on the guest favorite Disney Dreams Nighttime Spectacular: “Disney Illuminations

Photos: Disneyland Paris

For a detailed look at all these additions and the unprecedented way Disneyland Paris announced the programme, I encourage you to have a look at DLPToday’s comprehensive series that breaks everything down.

Jump to English version / Lire la suite

Six designers who make better merchandise than Disney

Over the years on the pages of this blog, I frequently complained about the lack of merchandise that I’d actually like to buy in theme parks. Shirts that I’d actually like to wear. Posters and art that I’d actually like to display at home.

Of course we can argue that it’s only a matter of personal taste. I completely agree. But in the meantime, too often I returned home with great memories of a fun day spent in wonderful theme parks, oh-so-ready to spend big bucks to bring something home from the countless gift shops but nothing in these oceans of merchandise items made me want to buy something. It’s not just frustrating for me: it’s also a missed opportunity for theme parks.

Jump to English version / Lire la suite

Must See: Amazing Fan-made Tribute to Star Tours

As the last original version of Star Tours still in operation shut its doors a few days ago at Disneyland Paris, Star Wars mega fan and EndorExpress.net creator Kris Van de Sande decided to turn his sorrow into the most amazing tribute ever done to a theme park attraction. If you haven’t seen it already, stop everything you’re doing and watch this brilliant project called Star Tours: Before The adventures Continue.

Kris spent a lot of time and energy documenting and capturing the essence of Star Tours, from the queue line to the exit, as it was in early 2016. His immense talent and passion show in the videos he created. Kris was kind enough to answer a couple of questions I asked him about such a massive project, but before we get to the chit chat and of course, the video playlist tribute itself, here is an amuse bouche: a special trailer that the nerdiest Star Wars fans will definitely be familiar with :

Jump to English version / Lire la suite

Must See : Stunning ‘Space Mountain de la Terre à la Lune’ CGI recreation

JUMP TO ENGLISH TEXT : CLICK HERE !

Grégory Noacco est fan de Disneyland Paris et en particulier de Space Mountain, version originale “De la Terre à la Lune”, cela va de soi. Déçu, comme tout le monde, par le paresseux reboot “Space Mountain Mission 2” de 2005, il a décidé de recréer entièrement et au détail près la version originelle en images de synthèses. Rien que ça. Cet énorme projet habilement nommé “Discovery Mountain : Origins” a pris deux ans de travail avant d’arriver au résultat spectaculaire qu’il a partagé sur YouTube (ci-dessous). C’est bien simple, aucune vidéo on-ride de Space Mountain (version 1 ou 2) ne montre aussi fidèlement les décors et l’expérience en général.

Jump to English version / Lire la suite