magicblog, the blog by Photos Magiques dedicated to Imagineering and Disneyland Resort Paris’ history, takes a closer look at the new Toon Backlot area, part of Toon Studio.

Did you know that the common theme of the backlot area is the large backdrops for each attraction? Find out more today at magicblog!

A stroll around Toon Backlot

Over just a few years, many changes have been made at the former Animation Courtyard. We’re comparing two photos from 2004 and 2007 to highlight the changes.

Other major change was the addition of the Toon Backlot area (the location where Crush’s Coaster and Cars Rally is build). The old location, visual from the Flying Carpets photo platform, was empty and really made the Walt Disney Studios Park feel like an empty carpark. But that has changed…

Construction fences at “Animation Courtyard” near Animagique are finally coming down to reveal more of the new flooring. The repainting of the building has now been extended to the queue area were the walls are currently receiving their blue makeover. The wall separating backstage with on-stage has been painted bright white, most likely the primer for a different colour (blue anyone?).

Back at the entrance of the “zone” has the planter in front Art of Disney Animation finally received its protective fencing, which are exactly the same as the other ones in the area.

More photos can be found at Photos Magiques’ recent photo update.

Construction fences came down past weekend to reveal a freshly refurbished Flying Carpets over Agrabah. Ripped fabric, worn wood and chipped paint are all gone now and leave behind a brand new attraction, ready for its Toon Studio initiation.

But there’s more! The newly added Oasis planters are undergoing some changes as well. The planters have now been filled up with sand and the brown railings have been repainted silver.

The Kodak viewing platform has been repainted purple (used to be blue), but other areas like the “Green room” flooring (queue area behind the backdrop) have not been repaired (yet?).

A new concept art for the Toon Studio area has been released showing the overall look of the transformed Animation Courtyard and the integration of the new attractions.

This artwork by Christian Hope differs from the previously released drawings:

• The concrete has been replaced by tiles on different ground levels.
• A small fountain is located in front of Animagique.
• The Toon Town backdrop seems to be larger and features now a sun.

Sources are insisting that this artwork was part of the early concept ideas, so it’s not a given thing that we will see all of these cool features when the project is finished.

WDSfans.com staff member Anthony returned from Disneyland Resort Paris with a whole bunch of great photos from the WDS construction sites, including the freshly unveiled Oasis area.

Notice also the photos from the new planter in front of Art of Disney Animation.

The three new planters in front of the Flying Carpets over Agrabah have finally been revealed after construction started in August of this year.

Julien, member on our magicforum was the first to post photos of the new area development. Notice that there are 3 planters, each with Arabian lamp posts, palm trees, regular trees and plants, surrounded by brown protective railings.

The original plans for the attraction called for a similar Oasis area, but were scrapped by management due to budget cuts.

Construction fences surrounding the new trees aside Art of Disney Animation were surprisingly removed recently, giving Grandmath from Disney Central Plaza forum an excellent chance to capture them on camera.

The planter surprisingly do not feature a protective fence, that in contrary to the oasis planters near Flying Carpets over Agrabah which were installed recently as well. They how ever are not (yet) themed to the whole Agrabah area.

Photos by Grandmath on Disney Central Plaza

And I’m not talking Wonderwall here…

Without doubt the pièce de résistance of Kyoto’s latest photos is this excellent shot from on board Flying Carpets Over Agrabah. As you can see, the new “oasis” planting areas in front of the attraction have finally received tall, luscious palm trees, and the impact of these can be seen already. Now, the Flying Carpets are fully hidden away in this corner of the land, existing within their own tropical mini-land and providing something for guests to “discover” as they walk around the park.

This new style of themeing has also spread to other areas of the “new” Toon Studio – take a look at the curbs bordering the Cars Race Rally area, for example – not a straight line in sight, entirely customised to the park and the attraction.

It’s no more showbuilding-to-showbuilding – the curved paths (currently covered in protective wooden boards whilst construction work continues) and rounded planting areas will send guests in all directions, finally allowing them to “explore” in Walt Disney Studios Park.

Photos by Kyoto on Disney Magic Interactive forum.

La Roquine on Disney Central Plaza forum reports interesting news regarding the Toon Studio placemaking project:

• Work will start this week at the main entrance of Art of Disney Animation.
• Mid-October to mid-November work continues at the entrance of Animation Courtyard to install the Sorcerer Mickey statue.
• Construction fences will then move to the entrance of Animagique and the exit of Art of Disney Animation.
• Followed by the zone between the Incredibles photo location and the Cars Race Rally construction site.

La Roquine points out as well that the new yellow flooring near the Flying Carpets will receive handpainted details in the coming months.

Disneytheque.com posted a photo of the fast growing Agrabah Oasis, which has now received a layer of sand-coloured concrete!

The Flying Carpets over Agrabah is receiving an additional Oasis area, as originally intented by the Imagineers.

The Oasis expansion, part of the Toon Studio placemaking, is coming along well. The concrete has been poured and the curbs for the greenery are in place.

Imagineers were spotted on location on Saturday to make sure the construction continues to go as planned.