Euro Disneyland 1994

[ukstitch]

I'm sure that in the early years it was rare to see any characters out and about, the parade was therefore unmissable due to the fact that you got to see the characters. Nowadays it seems that you can't go anywhere without bumping into them.

I've even seen three or four of the same character in different lands at the same time!

This seems to me to simply mark a change in direction with the marketing. The things that have been removed all strike me as fairly adult themed ideas, which goes hand in hand with the shortage of characters.

Now, it seems that the resort has shifted their marketing focus to be aimed sharply at children - more characters, less adult things, kids go free offers etc... The resort is getting gradually busier now, so it must be working, at least for a lot of people.

I do think it's a shame that you see multiple characters around at the same time, as this does ruin the magic that they are "the" Mickey/Minnie/Cinderella etc if somebody realises.

Personally, I do think that a return to some of the adult things would be good as the resort is quite biased towards children now, but at the same time, I wouldn't want to lose that childhood theme too much, because part of why I enjoy DLRP is because I suddenly lose 10 years from my age when I walk through those gates.

 

[davewasbaloo]

I always am a big kid at a Disney park, but to me Disney is best at Edutainment. Or at least it used to be.

There was entertainment and characters everywhere in the early years. The two things are not mutually exclusive (though characters are cheaper than skilled actors, musicians, dancers, acrobats etc.)

As for my memory, if I could make a living as a Disney historian I would. My library consists of 50 (adult) books on the subjects, I have dedicated my life to learning about the parks and resorts. But what is going on in Dubai right now is closer to what Walt set out to do with his parks.

Did you know, except for opening day, Davy Crockett was the only Disney character in Disneyland for over a year?

It is all about marketting. I used to defend my love of Disney stating it was not just for kids. There was something for everyone. Disney is responsible for a lot of learning quests travelled in my childhood. These days the focus on toons and thrills - and Crush is the epitome of bringing that together. A part of this breaks my heart!!!!!

To me Disney should offer a balanced theme park experience, not just the desert!

 

[cap'njack.]

Davewasbaloo - Well you certainly know more than I do. I was certain that there wern't that many characters in my first trips. Maybe I it's because I was 12 and was trying to be cool

I'm really interested in the history of DLRP, I haven't yet managed to come across any books on the subject, it's a shame you haven't done one yet!

I was trying to show my wife what she was missing by not having been to DLRP until 2000. I like to point out to her things that used to be there/work that no longer do.

One question for you, did there used to be flames around the Discoveryland entrance? I'm 99% certain that there were however I can't find a single picture and it wasn't on the video last night either

 

[squizz]

Wow the flashbacks, I first went in the May 92 just after it opened, a present from my granparents to our family. I can't remember much, but I do remember the gun fights on the rooftops, I'd love to see them again.

Also the lack of characters on the streets made them extra special when you saw them.

My nan still has a photo of myself and DB (he was only 3) on that first trip, Mickey Mouse walked over to the 2 of us, took us by the hand and started dancing off down Main Street with us, Mum and Dad running along behind not quite believing it. That is one memory from EuroDisney, as it was, that i'll never forget, and everytime i visit my nan and see the photo I break into a huge grin.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Davewasbaloo - Well you certainly know more than I do. I was certain that there wern't that many characters in my first trips. Maybe I it's because I was 12 and was trying to be cool

I'm really interested in the history of DLRP, I haven't yet managed to come across any books on the subject, it's a shame you haven't done one yet!

I was trying to show my wife what she was missing by not having been to DLRP until 2000. I like to point out to her things that used to be there/work that no longer do.

One question for you, did there used to be flames around the Discoveryland entrance? I'm 99% certain that there were however I can't find a single picture and it wasn't on the video last night either

I have been tempted. Some friends of mine wrote one once called "Sketch to Reality" which is excellent and full of pictures. The imagineers provided content for them. It reveals some nice history.

Once I went on a trip and gave a tour. we did three days and still did not finish it. There are loads of hidden gems that were learning points from the other resorts, rectified problems, in jokes, or where it was done first in DLP (texture pavements, synchronised music on coasters, first loop, first launch, prototype stuff for Animal Kingdom etc. etc.)

Everyland has a major back story - there are credits to the imagineers in everyland.

So many things.

 

[cap'njack.]

I have been tempted. Some friends of mine wrote one once called "Sketch to Reality" which is excellent and full of pictures. The imagineers provided content for them. It reveals some nice history.

Once I went on a trip and gave a tour. we did three days and still did not finish it. There are loads of hidden gems that were learning points from the other resorts, rectified problems, in jokes, or where it was done first in DLP (texture pavements, synchronised music on coasters, first loop, first launch, prototype stuff for Animal Kingdom etc. etc.)

Everyland has a major back story - there are credits to the imagineers in everyland.

So many things.

I've been looking at that book. I guess it's worth the money then! I've heard that the book is amazing and I've seen a blog written one of the guys who wrote the book too which is really cool. I've learn't so much about DLRP since I started reading that. Think I'll try and get the book on my trip in October.

 

[davewasbaloo]

I think it's worth while, but I collect Coffee Table books.

It does not focus on the cuts, or some of the stuff that was lost, but there are some nice gems in there (and a few I could probably elaborate on).

 

[tinks_1989]

I went in Jan 1994, but there was no horses in the aladdin parade! But there were only about 10 people watching it, as the park was so quiet. I remember it was so cold and the park was covered in snow (real snow at that!)

i must have gone same sorta time i remember there was so much snow we stayed at the cheyenne and had a snow ball fight with a few CM's it was great and built a mickey mouse snow man

 

[cap'njack.]

I think it's worth while, but I collect Coffee Table books.

It does not focus on the cuts, or some of the stuff that was lost, but there are some nice gems in there (and a few I could probably elaborate on).

I'll certainly be picking that up if i can find it there then.

I got really into the history of the park after looking at a website that shows hidden mickey's, it lead me to think that if there were hidden mickeys dotted around the park then what else is there that the average tourist wouldn't notice, that then led me on to wondering what had been there and had dissapeared.

It's amazing to think that I knew about that hidden walkway right from my very first trip but didn't realise that it was something that most people didn't know!! Mind you I was shown that walkway by one of the imagineers that worked on the opening of the park in 1992, my Dad was part of the Opening Crew and even has an Opening Crew 1992 branded rain coat and jacket hanging up at home! That always seems to get him special attention when he wears them in the park

 

[davewasbaloo]

Wow Cat'n - what did he do?

 

[cap'njack.]

Wow Cat'n - what did he do?

He was something to do with the electronics on both Dumbo and the Teacups, he always jokes that it was him that had to put every single lightbulb on the teacup ride

Somewhere in the depths of my Dad's house there are pictures of him working on the rides. I'll have to try and dig them out.

 

[davewasbaloo]

That's so cool. I was just that little bit too young to work on DLP, but I knew some of the artisans that worked on the castle windows, and one of the sculpters of Adventure Isle Caves!

Right now if I could quite and take a senior management job at DLP I would in a heartbeat!

 

[cap'njack.]

It would have been so cool to be able to say that you had worked there!

I think I'd take any job there (well I would have done until my little one came along) I did actually get as far as getting an application form but as I can't speak a word of French I thought it wasn't worth it.

My Dad has just emailed me to say that he not only has the jackets but also a pin badge and a watch that were all Opening Crew exclusives somewhere!

 

[sherette7769]

we had a Nasa Space exhibit for a time in the area that is now Pizza Planet. And I greatly morn the loss of Space Mountain au la terre de la lune.

I still have my old leather fanny pack (what we call them in the US) that has embroidered on the front a pic of Space Mountain and the words au la terre de la lune. I guess I've kept it all these years as proof of our first trip to then Disneyland Paris.

 

[davewasbaloo]

I still have my old leather fanny pack (what we call them in the US) that has embroidered on the front a pic of Space Mountain and the words au la terre de la lune. I guess I've kept it all these years as proof of our first trip to then Disneyland Paris.

I used to have that one and the leather baseball cap from the opening. They got sun damaged in the car and my wife made me throw them out :-(

Cap't - I too have the pin thanks to a friend, but I would love to see the jacket.

 

[ruthiebabie]

My friend used to work at DLRP in the early days too - she was Mickey in the parade (when fireworks used to shoot out of Mickeys hands - think it was Electric Light show) and then when not being Mickey she helped work on Space Mountain construction (with her brothers who had come out to work there) so she has all sorts of tales about the ride being built.

Jealous....u bet I am!