Last year heralded the arrival of the first Christmas at Walt Disney Studios park ("WDSP") at Disneyland Resort Paris ("DLRP"). Lindsay and I were unable to travel to DLRP last year for the seasonal entertainment due to work commitments and frankly, neither of us had any inclination to do so. Like most of the non-Magic Kingdom theme parks in the Disney empire, WDSP suffers from being unable to adjust to changes in the seasons. The park is designed to resemble a working movie studio with an industrial backlot and buildings rendered to look like soundstages. Unlike its neighbour, that has readily adopted seasonal festivities in a land appropriate to the celebration, the Studios was always going to struggle adapting to easter, Halloween and Christmas. On arrival at DLRP for Christmas 2003, we were both surprised by not only the depth of thought that has been invested in the WDSP's festive decorations, but also the quirky and imaginative humour that has been injected in the Front Lot area. WDSP has proven that it is not a question of quantity that counts.

The giant arches, towering above the park's turnstiles are draped in a series of looping green and red frames with illuminated stars that are very effective at night. They compliment the art deco-inspired flurrishes of the entrance plaza to the Studios. Beyond the turnstiles, the entry courtyard has been dressed for the season. The park's icon, the Earffiel Tower may not feature a santa's hat like its counterpart in Disney's California Adventure park, but the wonderful Sorceror Mickey sculpture, that is nestled in the centre of the courtyard is garbed in a sparkling red costume, complete with white trimming, as Mickey conducts the stars and the myriad of bronze brooms that surrounding him in (and outside) the fountain. It is a lovely touch to the Studios' most iconic and photogenic image.

The remainder of the Front Lot also features numerous Christmas decorations. Every lamp-post is adorned with a wire-framed Christmas tree, with red and silver hanging ornaments. On closer inspection, guests can even see Mickey-shaped cut-outs within the metallic decorations. All of the three buildings that flank the courtyard, the Walt Disney Studio Store, Studio Photo and the Studio Services facility continue the festive flavour, with decorations identical to those on the entry arches.

The main entrance to the store has been altered for the season, with the metal framework of the Art Deco-inspired store logo edged in red lights above the entrance canopy. The stretched limosine that is permanently parked as a photo opportunity outside the store, has been topped by a red bow and Santa Goofy is on hand to sign autographs and pose for snapshots with guests. Even the windows to the store have been dressed in vibrant red, highlighting the Christmas merchandise available throughout the resort. Upon entering the store, the entire central section has been converted into a temporary grotto, stacked with animated plush figures of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pooh in appropriately festive dress.

On the exterior, the Studio 1 complex looks no different than it does throughout the rest of the year, but on the interior, the show decorators have pulled out all of the stops for this Hollywood Christmas. The myriad of fake fronts, neon lights and objects hanging from the ceiling that are always an overload for the senses are joined by even more of the same for the Christmas season. Each facade, such as the Schwab's Pharmacy and the Egyptian have been adorned with appropriately coloured lights and decorations. Even the Liki Tiki has joined in, with the giant flat Tiki masks dressed in Santa hats and beards! Inside the giant Restuarant en Coulisse, additional neon sculptures and hanging 3D objects join the host of cinema decor for diners. From an odd collection of Santas from the 1930s, lit from within to the "moving" image of Santa's sleigh being pulled by reindeer.

A new photo opportunity has been installed near the gas station in Studio 1. A small bridge over an icy river with a backdrop featuring the rolling hills of the Pacific Northwest is the setting for a cute plush Koda (with a santa hat), sitting in the middle of the frozen lake was popular with guests, despite the fact that Brother Bear has only opened in the U.K. to date in Europe. Later in the day, the bridge provided the setting for an acapela group of singing Santas providing carols. In addition, Studio 1 also provided a Christmas version of their mini-Streetmosphere show, where aspiring actors and actresses are put in costumes and asked to perform in front of their fellow guests. To round out the live entertainment, Edelweiss performed Christmas melodies several times each day.

Upon exiting Studio 1 into the remainder of the park, the Blaine Gibson sculpture of Walt and Mickey has been joined by white and blue lighted tubes, forming shooting stars on either side. They are facing the back of the giant soundstage, which has a huge waterfall of tiny lights hanging from the glass framework. Little else has been installed in the WDSP, except for the outdoor staging in front of CineMagique and the Walt Disney Television Studios. Again, giant stars and a canopy of lights has been attached to the flagpoles on top of the stage. A Christmas tree replaces the usual outdoor entertainment and serves as a photo opportunity for kids with Stitch, Koda and Kenai. It was amusing to see French children buzzing around these characters, although few actually knew who the new furry creatures were. They still insisted on photos and autographs, and then stood around shuffling the signature book in their hands as they tried to decipher the names!

The guidebook proclaimed that the Moteurs....Action! stunt show featured a Christmas Surprise! this year. Lindsay and I braved the freezing winds in the open-air auditorium, and were somewhat disappointed that the only addition was a Santa, being driven around the arena in a three-wheeled trike! However, the show producers had tweaked the show again since our last visit and it was interesting to see yet another revision. I suspect that this must be the most worked-upon show in Disney history, as every performance we have seen in the past two years has been slightly different.

Although lacking any substantial seasonal offerings, the park dressers had made the Front Lot look festive for the season and the decorations were fun and appropriate for the decor of the park. Christmas will always firmly belong to the Disneyland park, but that will never stop the WDSP from joining in the festive cheer and helping the entire resort in celebrating the season! In the next LP Update from DLRP, Lindsay and I will be presenting comprehensive coverage of the Christmas season at the Disneyland park.