We are back with a new double edition of the DLP Report! In this post: fire at Cowboy Cookout BBQ, a peek into the Disneyland Hotel, Autopia and more!
Fired Up
It was just another winter morning at Disneyland Park when smoke started pouring out of Cowboy Cookout Restaurant. The iconic fireplace we’ve all enjoyed dining around in winter malfunctioned and ignited a piece of the roof structure.
Thankfully everyone was evacuated safely and no one was injured. A big thank you to the Cast Members and Disneyland Paris Fire Rescue.
The location was closed the next day but thankfully was able to reopen the day after, albeit with some patches on the roof. This leads us to think no major damage was done to the structure thanks to the quick intervention of the fire rescue.
Disneyland Hotel
With just about a month to go before official opening on January 25, we got treated to a peek at the final stages of construction and theming at the Disneyland Hotel.
The lobby and common areas are moving along nicely although time is ticking.
A look at Beauty and the Beast themed restaurant “La Table de Lumière”.
The legendary Castle Club lounge.
And a look at the deluxe rooms and some of the lavish suites.
From above, the exterior is pretty much complete, with the testing of the popcorn lights ongoing. Even the landscaping is taking shape.
We also got a first look at the menus for “La Table de Lumière”, the Royal Banquet and the Fleur de Lys bar. Obviously everything is outrageously expensive but that was to expect in this upscale establishment:
Autopia
This week, Autopia officially received its new sponsorship: Avis.
While this could’ve been a check and a couple signs, the WDI teams have actually developed two new billboard for the Attraction that replace a couple slightly “problematic” ones. One stone, two birds.
The first few guests also received a physical copy of the new poster and the new “driving license”.
The new poster has also been added under Main Street Station.
A generally positive sponsorship takeover. Welcome, Avis.
Construction and Refurbishments
At the Walt Disney Studios Park expansion site:
- progress in Arendelle with many shapes and structures easily recognizable
- Frozen show building almost enclosed
- North Mountain slowly growing
- Tangled attraction coming together
Staying at Walt Disney Studios Park, walls are down in Toon studio where the remaining planters have been removed and replaced by – you got it – asphalt. Of course this is temporary while the area gets remodeled but – eek.
At Disneyland Park, the LED turrets are back in action on Sleeping Beauty Castle and they are even used as holiday lights each night, albeit a bit late.
Over in Station Plaza, walls are also finally torn and the EDRR pho has been removed from the pavement. Not to worry tho, a new – different – design will be installed in due time.
These lovely Pandora poster were added on Main Street in the nook near Harrington’s.
Over at Disney Village, new artwork has been installed in the frames above the former Disney Fashion Jr. Note that this is also not college and the final product will look more polished.
And we’ve got your refurbishment Update for March 2024:
- Big Thunder Mountain reopens March 16 (closes Jan 29)
- PhilharMagic: March 4 – TBD
- Pays des Contes/Casey Jr: March 11 – TBD, likely for the addition of scenes
- Phantom Manor: March 11-22
- Crush’s Coaster: March 11-22
This and That..
A new custom Newport Bay Club Magic Pass has been unveiled – and soon at other hotels.
The technology will also evolve early next year with an in-app “Magic Mobile” virtual Magic Pass bringing many new features: mobile check in, park ticket, vouchers, spending tracker, and even room key at select hotels.
Talking about tickets and passes: after a recent test, the Disneyland Paris turnstiles now require a valid park reservation for all undated tickets and passholders, or valid Magic Pass for Disney Hotel Guests to open.
Cast Members are on hand to help but note that as a general rule, there are no exceptions.
And online booking of room-only Disney Hotels stays is finally available online for Disneyland Pass holders. The rooms are supposedly discounted, but we’d advise to check other travel sites for a comparison first.
