Revo-rama at Disneyland Paris for “The Season of the Force” and the reopening of Big Thunder Mountain (video)

(You can choose French or English subtitles on Youtube)

 

Rogue One, meet Jyn Erso

Since the Walt Disney Company took over the fate of the Star Wars saga, we have known that there will be two types of movies: the follow-up episodes of the first two trilogies, and independent feature films set in the Star Wars universe. After episode VII in 2015, we discovered Rogue One in December 2016 (in anticipation of episode VIII in 2017, Han Solo in 2018 then IX and Boba Fett).

Rogue One is quite interesting because it happens just before episode IV, and we learn all about the construction of the Death Star, as well as the theft of its design plans (which will help Luke Skywalker to … do what he has to do). While it is an opportunity to briefly meet Darth Vader – with a nod to a few other characters too -, it is also a fresh opportunity to highlight another female character Jyn Erso.

A success in many ways, Rogue One rises brilliantly to a few challenges, such as existing beyond the trilogies and recreating a credible Star Wars universe/adventure with different a director and composer. Of course we prefer episode VII, but we like this one too. Enough to want to add the Blu-Ray to our Star Wars collection.

Check out the Rogue One trailer and our thoughts on it in this episode of Revo-Rama

 

Season of the Force at the Disneyland Paris Walt Disney Studios: The shows

After the Star Wars Night that you can watch in our previous video podcast, which took place at the Disneyland Park, the Walt Disney Studios launched a new season “The season of the Force”.

It takes place in a park that still very much needs to expand its range, especially in terms of shows. It also takes place in the low season. From this point of view, the investment appears appropriate (bearing in mind that at Walt Disney World it is the Hollywood Studios park which carries most of the Star Wars adventures, including Star Tours II, the Jedi Academy etc…). The situation is therefore paradoxical with some of the Star Wars shows at the Walt Disney Studios Park and others at the Disneyland Park. It’s even more especially a year of transition as Star Tours II and Hyperspace Mountain won’t be opening until March / April 2017.

For all that, we can say that this first season (which leaves room for further development) is a success, with a high tempo First Order March, an interesting “A galaxy far, far away” show, but in particular a nighttime show on the Tower of Terror, which is really well done! Good enough to hope to see it every night of the year, or alternating with other seasons dedicated to Pixar and Marvel!

Check-out the Season of the Force shows in video in this episode of Revo-Rama! 

 

Season of the Force at the Paris Disneyland Walt Disney Studios: merchandising and food and beverage

The Season of the Force is not present enough on this level, unlike Halloween, Christmas and even the Spring. Of course there’s the usual Disneyland Paris Star Wars merchandising (which can be found in several shops), but we still find it quite limited compared to what you can find in the Disney Store or on Amazon for example (where we bought the costumes and sneakers, under official license of course). However if you want a helmet or a light-saber, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

As for food, we didn’t find the TIE fighter offered with the popcorn (not for lack of searching), however we were able to taste the Darth Vader menu and get our hands on the BB8 souvenir mug. The menu is the same as for Halloween, but the average visitor won’t know this.

We expect that the offer will improve with the arrival of Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours II, as well as upcoming seasons. Disneyland Paris has to become the one stop hangout for Star Wars fans in France and Europe.

Check-out the Star Wars merchandising in Disneyland Paris, as well as the Darth Vader menu in video in this episode of the Revo-Rama.

 

Disneyland Paris: The metamorphosis of Big Thunder Mountain and Thunder Mesa after 9 months of renovation

Nothing to do with Star Wars or even officially with the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris. Yet the iconic attraction along with the Thunder Mesa Riverboat has just undergone a 9 month long makeover. The aim of the renovation was to bring back missing effects, to introduce new effects in the shape of projections, and to make long awaited improvements to avoid the breakdowns that disrupted this attraction on a daily basis.

It’s a real pleasure to rediscover Big Thunder Mountain. Still fun and exhilarating, even more beautiful with its amazing view, the river boat ride and Phantom Manor still complementing it as well as ever. We had missed the global mythology of Thunder Mesa and Frontierland.

However since its reopening, the breakdowns seem to be just as frequent, we did the ride at 10 am and realized that it broke down minutes later… There are many such examples on the social networks. Here’s hoping this can be sorted out before the 25th anniversary!

We were also a bit disappointed with the projections. When you see videos from the US parks they appear to be much more impressive. What happened there?

Experience our Big Thunder Mountain and Thunder Mesa riverboat rides in video, thanks to the Go Pro Hero 5, in this episode of the Revo-Rama!

 

Our family test of the Vienna House Magic Circus, a Disneyland Paris partner hotel

We took the opportunity to continue our tour of the Disney partner hotels, connected by a shuttle service that puts them just a few minutes from the park, they often provide a great price-quality ratio.

After B&B,  Apart Hotel Adagio, and the Explorers Hotel, and before the Vienna House Dream Castle, we slept and had breakfast at the Vienna House Magic Circus.

Very agreeable from every view point, from the reception to a generous breakfast, with an ever present circus theme, we were pleasantly surprised.

Our night at the hotel was quite affordable in this “low season”, it will be probably be a lot higher by the summer season. It is in a slightly higher price range than the others (but still well below the Disney Resort hotels).

Check out the Disneyland Paris Magic Circus in video

To conclude, a good start to 2017 for Disneyland Paris, in anticipation of the 25th anniversary celebrations. We recommend you take advantage of the low season to discover these new features.

We are impatient to discover Star Tours II, the controversial Hyperspace Mountain, and the next episodes of the Season of the Force.

The Magic Circus is a very pleasant hotel, which contributed to a successful stay.

 

What do you think of this episode of Revo-Rama, of the season of the Force at Disneyland Paris, the renovation of Big Thunder Mountain and the Magic Circus hotel?

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