On March 16, 2002, the Walt Disney Studios opened in Disneyland Paris. The studios is the second Disney theme park to be opened in Marne-la-Vallee, France, and the 10th Disney theme park in the world.
The park is represented by the Earffel Tower, a water tower similar to the Earful Tower in Walt Disney World’s Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The dedications was made by Michael D. Eisner on March 16, 2002 and read:
To all who enter this studio of dreams…welcome. Walt Disney Studios is dedicated to our timeless fascination and affection for cinema and television. Here we celebrate the art and the artistry of storytellers from Europe and around the world who create magic. May this special place stir our own memories of the past, and our dreams of the future.
- Front Lot
- Toon Studio
- Production Courtyard
- Backlot
Front Lot serves as the park’s main entrance and is home to most shops and services of the park, the Earful Tower is located here. The entrance courtyard,La Place des Freres Lumiere, is designed in classic Spanish architecture which was common of the grand entrances movie studios of the 20s and 30s had.La Place des Freres Lumiere is loosely based on the design of the original Disney Bros. Studios on Hyperion Avenue. The central feature of the courtyard is a large Fantasia fountain. The courtyard is a tribute to the French inventors of cinema. Front Lot features Disney Studio 1, a covered walkway with shops and restaurants themed after a soundstage with a recreation of Hollywood inside. The exterior of Disney Studio 1 is loosely based on the first soundstage Walt Disney owned. The parks primary gift shop, Walt Disney Studios Store, is located in this lot as well as the park’s largest restaurant
Toon Studio is inspired by classic Disney and Pixar animated characters. The lot features such Disney and Pixar characters as Crush (from Finding Nemo), The Genie (from Aladdin), Mater and Lightning McQueen (from Cars), Buzz, Woody, Slinky, and other characters from Toy Story, in addition to the classic Disney characters present in the land’s show, Animagique.
When the park originally opened in 2002, the land was known as Animation Courtyard but in 2007, as part of the park’s 5th Anniversary, two new rides were added (Crush’s Coaster and Cars Quatre Roues Rallye). In 2009 the area was expanded with the attraction Toy Story Playland. In January 2012 construction began on a new Ratatouille themed ride and restaurant.
Production Courtyard’s theme revolves around the production aspect of Hollywood movies and the Hollywood mythos, including movie legends. The land contains two distinct parts: Hollywood Boulevard, which features Hollywood-inspired street sets and the rides Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic; and Place des Stars themed around the production facilities of movie lots, containing the attractions CineMagique, Stitch Live!, and Playhouse Disney: Live on Stage!.
The Backlot is themed after actual movie backlots with an industrial theme and is very plain. This lot showcases the high thrills of movies and is targeted toward older children and adults with three thrilling attractions. The Backlot also features soundtracks from blockbusters such as Mission: Impossible II,Planet of the Apes, Batman, or Independence Day.
Mouse Fan Travel® an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, has been planning and creating magical Disney vacations since 2005. Their mission is to provide premium service and expert advice to help you get the most for your vacation time and dollar. Their Disney Travel Agents operate with the highest degree of integrity and will handle your family vacation, reunion, honeymoon, corporate incentive trip or getaway, as if it were their own. They pride themselves on expertly representing and advocating for you – their client.
The next time you and your family are planning a Disney vacation, visit Mouse Fan Travel for your no obligation quote or to answer any Disney vacation questions you may have. Are you looking for a beach vacation, tour or cruise to destinations across the globe? Visit MEI-Travel for exceptional expertise with ZERO agency fees.