A new merchandise kiosk appeared next to Animagique this week.
It had been under construction for over a week backstage now, only to be installed next to Studio 2 yesterday.

We don’t have any photos for now, but will update this message as soon as we do!

UPDATE: A reader has send in a photo, revealing that the kiosk is appropriately selling Cars and Finding Nemo merchandise!

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…

We’ve uploaded a video to YouTube from the new Toon Studio Plaza at night!

Photos Magiques has a whole bunch of photos from the press event from past weekend at Walt Disney Studios Park. See the official inauguration by Karl Holz, tons of characters including the rare Mike from Monsters Inc, the Ratatouille characters and Toon Studio at night!

» Toon Studio press event photos at Photos Magiques

In line with the rumoured renaming of Animation Courtyard and Production Courtyard to “Toon Studios” and “Hollywood Studios” respectively, a new rumour has just surfaced that the park’s Backlot zone could be renamed “Action Studios” (or similar) to complete the transformation project.

The rumour once again comes from Peter Bell’s MiceAge article, where he also confirms that this area of the park – which has arguably been the most popular since the 2002 opening – will infact see very few visual changes. The new name would, however, bring the three main zones of the studios together with three similar, consistent names that make the style of their theme and the contents of their attractions much more obvious to first-time guests.

It should be noted, however, that this renaming rumour appears to be the least credible of the three, since the “Backlot” name not only matches its “Front Lot” partner but has arguably become far more well-known with guests than the unpopular Courtyard monikers.

You can discuss this rumour right now on our forum.

We’ve lined up all the Toon Studio posters together into one single image.

The newest park plan revealed yet another Toon Studio logo, matching the design of the other zone logos on the park plans.

We’re lining them all up for comparison…

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice statue has finally arrived at Toon Studio. The statue marks the entrance to the Toon Studio land and features its logo as well.

Previous concept arts featured a golden statue with a beam of sparks coming out of his wand, these features seem to have been exchanged for a more realistic Mickey Mouse statue in its original colours.

More photos have been uploaded to Photos Magiques here.

Magicforum moderator Flor has send in some great photos from the Toon Studio placemaking, most importantly from the Toon Town backdrop and the details surrounding it!

Enjoy the photos below and check out the dedicated Photos Magiques album here for even more photos.

In preparation for the shareholders-previews have signs been put up on the construction walls and lighting rigs with the attractions’ opening date and a notice that the previews are for “invitees only”.

The sign also features the brand new logo for the whole Toon Studio area and the logo’s for both Cars Race Rally and a never before seen one for Crush’s Coaster.

A friend at Walt Disney Studios Park has send us in a photo from a Snow White poster that’s currently been placed on a lighting rig backstage.

Identical posters (although the Paris one has been cropped) can be found on the Hong Kong Disneyland esplanade. The artworks each show a Disney character in its traditional 2D-design on a coloured background.

We have received no confirmation yet if all the lighting rigs in the park will receive these posters, as the backstage one can just be a test. To be continued…

WDSfans photo: thanks to P.T.
Hong Kong Disneyland photo by Laughing Place

They finally arrived: the golden statues that originally circulated Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. For now three statues have been installed: Peter Pan, Wendy Darling and Tinker Bell. Rumours persist that Winnie the Pooh, Ariel, Flounder and Dumbo would be placed on the building as well, but there’s no sign so far from them whatsoever.

In the mean time, construction workers are finishing up the connecting path between the Studio Tram Tour and the new Toon Studio plaza, leading behind the Art of Disney Animation building.

All photos by Grandmath on Disney Central Plaza.