Disneyland Paris Never to Open Gates Again?

[Kram Nebuer]

Oh no! Disneyland Paris has a potential closing in June!

Adults dressed as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck standing in a Paris job center may sound like a comedy sketch, but it could turn out to be a harsh reality if Euro Disney can't reverse its downward financial spin.

All is far from magical at Disneyland Paris. Euro Disney, the debt-burdened operator of the theme park, announced on Thursday that unless creditors can be persuaded to give the ailing enterprise more breathing space after the end of May, Mickey, Pluto and Goofy could be looking for alternative employment come June.

The group's chief executive, André Lacroix, delivered the bad news that Euro Disney would be unable to meet its financial obligations if it failed to agree a new restructuring strategy with lenders and shareholders.

Full Story ~ Click Mickey ºoº

If it does close, which I hope it does not, what will become of the space and the attractions? WOuld it be possible to transfer them to the other parks? That would be awesome...but the beautiful Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant might just be teared down! I hope that it gains attendance soon so it doesn't close!

[Yuki]

Not DisneyLand Paris! I am planning on going to all of the DisneyLands out there, and I haven't even gone to DisneyLand Paris yet!

I hope that it doesn't close

[Ludwig Von Drake]

I think of all the disneylands and worlds disneyland Paris has they nicest castle.

[Joe Carioca]

Yeah, it will be a shame if Disneyland Paris closes (and yes, they have the best design - that Castle is breathtaking!!), but this park fits into the "made on cheap" category that Roy loves to emphasyze.

[2099net]

No, I think the park fits into the "made where there's bad weather all winter" category that common sense would realise.

[Jens]

I really hope the Disneyland Paris Resort will not close! I go there every year with my family, it's a tradition! I knew they were in trouble by building the Walt Disney Studios as they didn't have the money for it (the park was build on loans) but I didn't know it would come to this! I thought some Arabian Prince that is a shareholder of Eurodisney was going to buy the hotels and by that Eurodisney didn't have to pay for their hotels anymore. Anyway, I really hope they can get enough money. It just is so unreal, closing a park as big as that...

[pinkrenata]

They had better hold the gates open over there at least until I have arrived. I've been waiting for years to get there. If they shut down before I have a chance to go, whoever is in charge had better watch out. I'm going to have my b/f kick his arse.

[Maerj]

That's funny as I thought that DLP was doing better recently. Oh well, I hope they can turn things around a little bit over there. If not, they can send some attractions back here I suppose or to California?

[Kram Nebuer]

I'm glad a lot of other people feel as I do. I really want to visit Disneyland Paris!!! They DO have the best castle and besides Tokyo, they have the Dragon's Lair underneath the castle! And Paris has a rollercoaster version of Indiana Jones ride and Alice's Labyrinth and lots of other cool stuff! I surely hope somebody saves them!

[Loomis]

No, I think the park fits into the "made where there's bad weather all winter" category that common sense would realise.

I think that pretty much sums up its lack of success.

It would be a shame if it did close, simply because I'm seeing 2 out of 4 next year (hopefully) and had plans too see the rest in my very long lifespan (I am immortal you see. No, really.). At least one member of the family Gray has been and returned with gifts. But I want my chance to buy Parisian Disney-related Pooh products!

I can't help but think of that 'Itchy and Sratchy Land' episode of the Simpsons. "My children need wine!!"

[Leonia]

I really hope they don't close DL Paris -- I really want to visit that park (along with Disneyland in Japan and Disney World)

[Jens]

No, I think the park fits into the "made where there's bad weather all winter" category that common sense would realise.

I think that pretty much sums up its lack of success.

I always visit Disneyland Resort Paris in wintertime around christmas, and I wouldn't even think about going in the summer! We are very happy when it snowed, everything is even better there then! I'm sure it's not the weather that played parts in this, it's the Walt Disney Studios that did it all. Look at some other parks like Parc Asterix in France, Six Flags in Belgium, Efteling in the Netherlands and many other parks. Do you really think they are making any loss? Well they are in that "place where there's bad weather all winter" region too you know! So I don't think so you 2

[bean:therio]

I think that pretty much sums up its lack of success.

I always visit Disneyland Resort Paris in wintertime around christmas, and I wouldn't even think about going in the summer! We are very happy when it snowed, everything is even better there then! I'm sure it's not the weather that played parts in this, it's the Walt Disney Studios that did it all. Look at some other parks like Parc Asterix in France, Six Flags in Belgium, Efteling in the Netherlands and many other parks. Do you really think they are making any loss? Well they are in that "place where there's bad weather all winter" region too you know! So I don't think so you 2

I agree. The 'bad weather' aspect really isn't that bad. Last time I visited DRP was in the fall and even though there was an occasional shower it was just as much fun as it would have in the summer.

HOWEVER: if DRP does go bankrupt I will be bidding for the castle whey they auction off the properties. It will look nice in my garden. And the gardens of all my neighbours.

[toonaspie]

are there any theme parks in Europe that are actually doing well? I think about this when I think about the jokes that they make on the Simpsons regarding European theme parks

[rnrlesnar]

The problem with DLP is that it's in France.

I really have no desire to go to France ever. If I was going on a European tour I'd stop there just to see Paris, but it would hurt to spend even a nickel in that country.

Disney ought to put a theme park in Australia.

[rnrlesnar]

I just got done looking at the DPL website and they have some really cool looking stuff!

For those that have been there, can you describe what the following are like?:

Dragon under the castle
Aladdin Ride
Indiana Jones Roller Coaster
Armageddon Special Effects show
Disney Studio 1

[AwallaceUNC]

The problem with DLP is that it's in France.

Congrats- I don't think I've ever laughed out so loudly at a MB comment before. loL.

I'm no France fan either, but I DO want to go to Disney Land Paris veeeerrrryyyy badly. It's not likely to happen for years, so I really hope it stays open 'till then. Please save this, Disney!

-Aaron

[2099net]

are there any theme parks in Europe that are actually doing well? I think about this when I think about the jokes that they make on the Simpsons regarding European theme parks

There's lots of parks in the UK that are doing well. The thing is though, all of these park's business plans are built around the parks being closed in Winter. Disneyland Paris has always been designed to run all year (as far as I know)... and in the Winter (apart from special events like Christmas and Halloween) you will just not attract the customers.

[AwallaceUNC]

So maybe Disney Land Paris should start closing shop for the winter months, except the holidays? Is that even being considered?

There's also the old argument of Parisians being overdone with castles and what not, so it may not be as special to them. Disney itself may not be quite as special there if it doesn't have the same sort of cultural heritage there that it does here (it may, I really don't know). I would think that it offers enough as simply a theme park, though.

-Aaron

[2099net]

So maybe Disney Land Paris should start closing shop for the winter months, except the holidays? Is that even being considered?

There's also the old argument of Parisians being overdone with castles and what not, so it may not be as special to them. Disney itself may not be quite as special there if it doesn't have the same sort of cultural heritage there that it does here (it may, I really don't know). I would think that it offers enough as simply a theme park, though.

-Aaron

Well, yes. Castles. We've got umpteen on the little blighters all over Europe in various states of decay. A castle is as exciting to me as a bus is. Sadly, my mother still thinks castles are exciting and any family get togethers normally result in visits to castles, old buildings or churches.

Europe has houses and buildings which go back many centuries, some of which have attractions or in-costume tours and demonstrations. Paris itself is full of historical landmarks, including the real Notre Dame Cathedral, which really is stunning.

I don't think a lot of Europeans will be going to Disneyland Paris to see the castle. But I could be wrong. Of course Disneyland ofters more than recreations of castles and old buildings, but it is something that should be considered - why go to a copy when you can go to a real life old building?

EuroDisney never seemed that impressive to me, none of the rides seemed to be that exciting to me. I think the addition of the Walt Disney Studios Park makes the whole thing more attractive, but I guess it's not working.

France has many other themeparks, and I think their Asterix Theme Park is the most successful (but maybe someone from France can provide more information).

http://www.parcasterix.fr/intro.htm