Disney and More blogger Alain spills the beans on the Resort’s 20th Anniversary attraction.

According to him, the Ratatouille dark ride has been approved by the park’s management in favour of other rumoured rides like The Little Mermaid and Splash Mountain and would cost approximately between $120M and $150M.

According to Alain the show building would take over the current Costuming Building, but our sources informed us this is not correct. A brand new building would be constructed on the small forest that used to feature the Pearl Harbour set.

Alain continues that the entrance and queue line will put guests on the rooftops of Paris with breathtaking height feeling, thanks to forced perspective.

Trackless vehicles (LPS) would roam free through the show building through sets designed as the guests were the size of rats. This would be accomplished by the size of the show building, which will apparently be as tall as Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland Park.
Animatronic rats will be a major part of the story, as well as oversized body parts of humans, like faces and legs.

Source: Disney and More

The Television Tour building currently housing Playhouse Disney Live on Stage, Stitch Live! and the Disney Channel Europe offices is currently packed in scaffolding for a complete repaint of its façade.

It appears that a new colour scheme has been chosen for the building, using more a more earth tone yellow/orange and replacing the green by an orange/red tone.

Props (but not original movie props) are showing up at the High School Musical room. The exterior sign appears to be finished and sails, railing and a steering wheel have been installed in the Pirates of the Caribbean room.

A peek over the construction fences shows the Toon Studio gate which used to be located next the Costuming Building has been moved all the way to the back of the construction site.

Hong Kong Disneyland released a new piece of concept art for their Toy Story Land.

Sources have confirmed to us in the mean time that Toy Story (Play)land was in fact supposed to be a Disneyland Paris exclusive, but it was decided the very last minute to clone the entire land with its attractions to the struggling Hong Kong park.

However, our sources did stretch out that our version will benefit from the WDS’ forest which creates a much better immersive environment.

Image source: Blue Sky Disney blog

The refurbishment of the former Television Tour building continues. A printed canvas has now been added on the façade side of the Stitch Live! entrance.

Interesting to point out is the construction of a circular canopy on the right side of the building, where the mural is located. It’s currently not known what its purpose will be.

The official name of the changed Backlot Express will be Disney Blockbuster Café.

On top of that, check out Photos Magiques’ photos from past weekend, showing off High School Musical posters and banners suspended in the cash register and eastern room.

More Disneyland Paris recent news in the Photos Magiques news update here.

Construction fences have been placed in front of Franklin Department Store façade. Several sources on fan message boards claim a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream location will be build inside in the façade.

Two progress photos from past weekend. Our sources informed us that vertical construction will start around the end of this year.

The first real piece of concept art for Toy Story Playland has finally been revealed, although it won’t be for Walt Disney Studios Park!

Disney just released a press release and concept art for its Hong Kong Disneyland expansion plan. This will include a carbon copy of our very own Toy Story Playland.

Expect to see an identical land, only mirrored. The barrel entrance will be located on the Costuming Building side towards the future Ratatouille entrance.

Official press release:

“Andy, the young boy from the Disney·Pixar Toy Story films, has left his toys unattended in this immersive and highly themed environment, based on one of Disney·Pixar’s most popular film series. While Andy is away, the toys come to life and play…and Guests are invited to join!

Key Technology and Creative Elements

• Oversized outdoor rides and photo opportunities allow Guests to experience the different perceptions of scale, and shrink to the size of a toy.
• One attraction includes a shuttle coaster which propels Guests along a U-shaped style track.
• A drop-style parachute attraction lets Guests join a “training mission,” plunging from a 25m tall tower.
• Guests will enjoy fun, immersive and interactive environments with life-size toys.
• A themed food kiosk provides a barrel of fun snacks and refreshments and Guests can shop for Toy Story inspired collectibles at the merchandise location.”

Source: Micechat

Grandmath reports on Disney Central Plaza that decorations will soon be placed on the blue construction fences currently circling the Toy Story Playland.

He says they will be in the same vain as the decorations during the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast and Toon Studio constructions.

These would be the first real public confirmations of the project.

To be continued…

Two photos of the Toy Story Playland construction photos taken past weekend.