Looking Up in Tinseltown

Walt Disney Studios (soon to become "Disney Adventure World" next year) is the most infamous member of Disney's theme park portfolio. The neighbor to Disneyland Paris--arguably the most beautiful Magic Kingdom of them all--this park is universally agreed upon as Disney's least inspiring.  Inspired by Disney Hollywood Studios (originally's Disney's MGM Studios), this movie-themed theme park opened with minimal attractions, less than stellar ambiance, and a clear sign that it was built "on the cheap," with its line-up featuring many copies from other Disney parks around the world. 

One of the examples of WDS' unconventional approach was its interesting take on a Main Street area.  Guests enter the park through the Frontlot, which is part plaza and part giant sound stage that happens to have a line of classic Hollywood-esque facades and stores and diners in neon and color to try to impart the vibrance of the movies.  The concept isn't terrible, especially in France's snowy winters, but it just doesn't quite feel immersive enough.  By the time the atmosphere feels enveloping, one is already on their way out onto the Production Courtyard, and most people don't really linger to take in the shops and restaurants.  Plus, theme park nerds can't help but notice the prominence of the building structure and catwalks and light up above, helping with the show lighting but also clearly ruining any illusion that might enrich the ambiance.  And I get that this is the point--it reinforces the movie studio motif.  But it just isn't that immersive, and for Disney fans, that becomes disappointing.

Still, I tried to snap photos to capture the ambiance, even though it was much to crowded to get any clean environmental shots that I usually love capturing.