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The power and attention of the world has alternately shifted between the United States of America and Europe. Both have tried to portray themselves as better places to live, work and enjoy. With the... |
The power and attention of the world has alternately shifted between the United States of America and Europe. Both have tried to portray themselves as better places to live, work and enjoy. With the gala opening of Disneyland California, US was to gain a significant edge. A fact that made travelers, both young and old, flock to this wonder. However, When US revels in the art and package of complete entertainment, can Europe lag far behind? To counter this deficit of ‘happiness’ and happy places in Europe, Disneyland Resort Paris was conceived and opened in Marne-la-Vall?e in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. Lying mostly in the commune of Chessy, Euro Disneyland is approximately 20 miles from Paris.
Catering to some fifteen million of souls each year, Euro Disneyland is one of Europe’s most famous and lucrative tourist destinations. Fully functional since April 12, 1992, it was the second Disneyland to be inaugurated outside the shorelines of the United States of America. Moreover, it is the first Disneyland to be wholly owned and operated by Disney – another historic feat. This historic Euro Disneyland Resort in Paris is constituted of two theme parks, a variegated entertainment district and about seven hotels that are owned by Disney.
As for the actual shareholdings, the vast resort is owned by the French company Euro Disney S.C.A., a public company that has about 39.78% possession of The Walt Disney Company, whereas, the Saudi Prince Alwaleed has 10% of it and the rest 50.22% is owned by other respective shareholders. Karl Holz is the current chairman and CEO of the Euro Disneyland Resort.
However happy this place may be, it has had its share of controversies. When the plan was conceived and the execution was in its nascent stages, the company had to battle stubborn resistance and obstinate bickering from trade unions and other labor groups, not to mention environmentalists and the anti-globalization lobby. When the Resort opened, it was plagued by low attendances and a pitfall in customer traffic which made expected targets seem titanic. To counter it and launch a new image of the place, to make it more profitable and lucrative, the Euro Disneyland was renamed Disneyland Paris thereby connecting it with its Californian predecessor in 1995. It was then that the company started raking in tons of money and raised its head as one of the leading tourist attractions of Europe – for kids and adults alike – for after all, it also has the happiest management on Earth!