Editing Disneyland Paris (section)

==History==
===Seeking a location for a European resort===

Following the success of [[Disneyland]] in California, plans to build a similar theme park in Europe emerged in 1966 with sites in [[Frankfurt]], Paris, London or [[Milan]] under consideration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disneyland Paris |url=https://navicup.com/object/paris-guide/disneyland-paris-257391/us |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Navicup}}</ref> Under the leadership of [[E. Cardon Walker]], [[Tokyo Disneyland]] opened in 1983 in Japan with instant success, forming a catalyst for international expansion. In late 1984 the heads of Disney's theme park division, Dick Nunis and Jim Cora, presented a list of approximately 1,200 possible European locations for the park. Britain, France, Italy and Spain were all considered. However, Britain and Italy were dropped from the list due to both lacking a suitable expanse of flat land. By March 1985, the number of possible locations for the park had been reduced to four; two in France and two in Spain. Both nations saw the potential economic advantages of a Disney theme park and offered competing financing deals to Disney.

Both Spanish sites were located near the Mediterranean and offered a subtropical climate similar to Disney's parks in California and Florida. Disney had asked each site to provide average temperatures for every month for the previous 40 years, which proved a complicated endeavour as none of the records were computerised.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 June 2012 |title=El año en que Valencia soñó con la Disney [The year that Valencia dreamed about Disney] |url=https://www.levante-emv.com/valencia/2012/06/14/ano-valencia-sono-disney/913079.html |access-date=14 August 2018 |work=[[Levante-EMV]] (in Spanish)}}</ref> The site in [[Pego, Alicante]] became the front-runner, but the location was controversial as it would have meant the destruction of Marjal de Pego-Oliva marshlands, a site of natural beauty and one of the last homes of the almost extinct [[Samaruc]] or Valencia Toothcarp, so there was some local outcry among environmentalists.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 January 2018 |title=El año en que Disney casi se instala en Pego [The year that Disney almost set up in Pego] |url=https://lamarinaplaza.com/2018/01/14/1985-el-ano-en-que-disney-casi-se-instala-en-pego/ |access-date=14 August 2018 |work=[[La Marina Plaza]] (in Spanish)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2021 |title=La Marjal de Pego-Oliva: De casi convertirse en Disneyland a recuperar la variedad histórica del arroz Bombón [The Marjal of Pego to Olive: From nearly becoming Disneyland to regaining the historical variety of Bombón rice] |url=https://lamarinaalta.com/la-marjal-de-pego-oliva-de-casi-convertirse-en-disneyland-a-recuperar-la-variedad-historica-del-arroz-bombon// |access-date=23 January 2023 |work=[[La Marina Alta]] (in Spanish)}}</ref> Disney had also shown interest in a site near [[Toulon]] in [[southern France]], not far from [[Marseille]]. The pleasing landscape of that region, as well as its climate, made the location a top competitor for what would be called Euro Disneyland. However, shallow bedrock was encountered beneath the site, which would have rendered construction too difficult. Finally, a site in the rural town of Marne-la-Vallée was chosen because of its proximity to Paris and its central location in Western Europe. This location was estimated to be no more than a four-hour drive for 68 million people and no more than a two-hour flight for a further 300&nbsp;million.

[[Michael Eisner]] signed the first letter of agreement with the [[Cabinet of France|French government]] for the {{convert|20|km2|acre|-1|adj=on}} site on 18 December 1985, and the first financial contracts were drawn up during the following spring. The final contract was signed by the leaders of the Walt Disney Company and the French government and [[Territorial collectivity|territorial collectivities]] on 24 March 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2017 |title=The Main Agreement of 1987: paving the way for Disneyland Paris |url=http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/the-main-agreement-of-1987-paving-the-way-for-disneyland-paris/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323115621/http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/the-main-agreement-of-1987-paving-the-way-for-disneyland-paris/ |archive-date=23 March 2019 |access-date=27 June 2019 |website=Disneyland Paris News}}</ref> Construction began in August 1988, and in December 1990, an information centre named "Espace Euro Disney" was opened to show the public what was being constructed at the time. Plans for a theme park next to Euro Disneyland based on the entertainment industry, [[Walt Disney Studios Park|Disney-MGM Studios Europe]], quickly went into development, scheduled to open in 1995 with a construction budget of US$2.3&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 February 1991 |title=COMPANY NEWS; Euro Disney Park |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE3DB1238F936A35751C0A967958260 |access-date=23 September 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The construction manager was [[Bovis Construction|Bovis]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2005 |title=Outdoor Theatre: A spectacle in Progress |url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/national/chi-0505110195may11,0,6886801.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504030137/http://www.dailypress.com/news/national/chi-0505110195may11%2C0%2C6886801.story |archive-date=4 May 2012 |work=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]]}}</ref>

===Design and construction===
[[File:Disneyland Hotel, Paris, France, 2011.jpg|thumb|'Disneyland Hotel'. Through the hotel is the entrance ticket hall to the Park.]]

To provide lodging to patrons, it was decided that 5,200 Disney-owned hotel rooms would be built within the complex. In March 1988, Disney and a council of architects ([[Frank Gehry]], [[Michael Graves]], [[Robert A.M. Stern]], [[Stanley Tigerman]], and [[Robert Venturi]]) decided on an exclusively American theme in which each hotel would depict a region of the United States. At the time of the opening in April 1992, seven hotels collectively housing 5,800<ref>{{Cite web |title=Today In Disney History ~ August 12th |url=https://www.themainstreetmouse.com/2015/08/12/today-in-disney-history-august-12th/ |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=The Main Street Mouse|date=12 August 2015 }}</ref> rooms had been built.

An entertainment, shopping, and dining complex based on Walt Disney World's [[Disney Springs|Downtown Disney]] was designed by Frank Gehry.

With its towers of [[Redox|oxidised]] silver and bronze-coloured [[stainless steel]] under a canopy of lights, it opened as ''[[Disney Village|Festival Disney]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=RICHARD CORLISS |date=20 April 1992 |title=Voila! Disney Invades Europe. Will the French Resist? |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975357-3,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401082351/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C975357-3%2C00.html |archive-date=1 April 2009 |access-date=23 September 2009 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |location=MARNE-LA-VALLEE}}</ref> For a projected daily attendance of 55,000, Euro Disney planned to serve an estimated 14,000 people per hour inside the Euro Disneyland park. To accomplish this, 29 restaurants were built inside the park (with a further 11 restaurants built at the Euro Disney resort hotels and five at Festival Disney). [[Menu]]s and prices were varied with an American flavor predominant and Disney's precedent of not serving alcoholic beverages was continued in the park.

2,300 [[patio]] seats (30% of park seating) were installed to satisfy Europeans' expected preference of eating outdoors in good weather. In [[test kitchen]]s at Walt Disney World, recipes were adapted for European tastes. Walter Meyer, executive chef for menu development at Euro Disney and executive chef of food projects development at Walt Disney World noted, "A few things we did need to change, but most of the time people kept telling us, 'Do your own thing. Do what's American'."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Today In Disney History ~ August 12th |url=https://www.themainstreetmouse.com/2015/08/12/today-in-disney-history-august-12th/ |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=The Main Street Mouse|date=12 August 2015 }}</ref>

===Recruitment/employment===
Unlike Disney's American [[amusement park|theme parks]], Euro Disney aimed for permanent employees (an estimated requirement of 12,000 for the theme park itself), as opposed to seasonal and temporary part-time employees. Casting centres were set up in Paris, London, and [[Amsterdam]]. However, it was understood by the French government and Disney that "a concentrated effort would be made to tap into the local French labour market".<ref name="book2">{{Cite book |last=Anthony |first=Robert |title=Euro Disney: The First 100 Days |publisher=Harvard Business School |year=1993 |id=ASIN B0006R2N8Y-1}}</ref> Disney sought workers with sufficient communication skills, who spoke two European languages (French and one other), and were socially outgoing. Following precedent, Euro Disney set up its own [[Disney University]] to train workers. 24,000 people had applied by November 1991.<ref name="book2" />

In 2011, the park provided 55,643 direct and indirect jobs in France.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disneyland, leader d'un secteur qui ne connaît pas la crise |url=https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/services/tourisme-loisirs/20120406trib000692286/disneyland-leader-d-un-secteur-qui-ne-connait-pas-la-crise.html |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=La Tribune|date=6 April 2012 }}</ref> According to Damien Audric, Director of Development and the Environment, Disneyland Paris would generate 63,000 jobs by 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disneyland Paris fête ses 30 ans, les collectivités aussi |url=https://www.lagazettedescommunes.com/808871/disneyland-paris-fete-ses-30-ans-les-collectivites-aussi/ |access-date=10 September 2023 |website=La Gazette des Communes}}</ref> Overall, in 2022, Disneyland Paris was still Seine-et-Marne's largest employer.<ref name="Le Parisien">{{Cite web |title=Comment Disney et l'État ont développé Val-d'Europe en 35 ans de collaboration |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/seine-et-marne-77/comment-disney-et-letat-ont-developpe-val-deurope-en-35-ans-de-collaboration-30-03-2022-7Y2U6NLYX5CZNMGNZJKLMY4H5A.php |access-date=10 September 2023 |website=Le Parisien|date=30 March 2022 }}</ref>

===Controversies===
The prospect of a Disney park in France was a subject of debate and controversy. Critics, who included prominent French intellectuals, denounced what they considered to be the [[cultural imperialism]] of Euro Disney and felt it would encourage an unhealthy American type of [[consumerism]] in France.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2gLy9ssyM |title=Saving Euro Disney |date=12 June 2018 |publisher=Offhand Disney |time=2:50–3:05 |access-date=11 October 2018 |format=YouTube}}</ref> On 28 June 1992, a group of French farmers blockaded Euro Disney in protest of farm policies supported at the time by the United States.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2gLy9ssyM |title=Saving Euro Disney |date=12 June 2018 |publisher=Offhand Disney |time=3:24–3:34 |access-date=11 October 2018 |format=YouTube}}</ref>

A journalist at the centre-right French newspaper ''[[Le Figaro]]'' wrote, "I wish with all my heart that the rebels would set fire to [Euro] Disneyland."<ref name="thunderbird">{{Cite web |title=Thunderbird Case Studies; 'EuroDisneyland' |url=http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/pdf/about_thunderbird/case_series/a15990007.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830055144/http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/pdf/about_thunderbird/case_series/a15990007.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2006 |access-date=5 March 2007 |website=www.thunderbird.edu}}</ref> [[Ariane Mnouchkine]], a Parisian stage director, named the concept a "cultural [[Chernobyl accident|Chernobyl]]",<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=JEFF CHU |date=18 March 2002 |title=Happily Ever After? |url=http://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/article/0,13005,901020325-218398,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051116204705/http://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/article/0%2C13005%2C901020325-218398%2C00.html |archive-date=16 November 2005 |access-date=23 September 2009 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |location=Marne-La-Vallee}}</ref> a phrase which would be echoed in the media during Euro Disney's initial years.

In response, French philosopher [[Michel Serres]] noted, "It is not America that is invading us. It is we who adore it, who adopt its fashions and above all, its words." Euro Disney S.C.A.'s then-chairman [[Robert Fitzpatrick (art executive)|Robert Fitzpatrick]] responded, "We didn't come in and say O.K., we're going to put a [[beret]] and a [[baguette]] on [[Mickey Mouse]]. We are who we are."<ref name="book2" />

Topics of controversy also included Disney's American managers requiring English to be spoken at all meetings and Disney's appearance code for members of staff, which listed regulations and limitations for the use of makeup, facial hair, tattoos, jewellery, and more.

French labour unions mounted protests against the appearance code, which they saw as "an attack on individual liberty". Others criticised Disney as being insensitive to French culture, individualism, and privacy, because restrictions on individual or collective liberties were illegal under [[French law]], unless it could be demonstrated that the restrictions are requisite to the job and do not exceed what is necessary.

Disney countered by saying that a ruling that barred them from imposing such an employment standard could threaten the image and long-term success of the park. "For us, the appearance code has a great effect from a product identification standpoint," said Thor Degelmann, Euro Disney's personnel director. "Without it we couldn't be presenting the Disney product that people would be expecting."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disneyland Paris – Parcs d'attractions et Hôtels pour un séjour Disney |url=https://www.parckoaland.fr/disneyland-paris/ |access-date=29 September 2023 |website=Parckoaland}}</ref>

===Opening day and early years===
Euro Disney opened for employee preview and testing in March 1992. During this time, visitors were mostly park employees and their family members, who tested facilities and operations. The press was able to visit the day before the park's opening day, 12 April 1992.

On 12 April 1992, Euro Disney Resort and its theme park, Euro Disneyland, officially opened. Visitors were warned of chaos on the roads. A government survey indicated that half a million people carried by 90,000 cars might attempt to enter the complex. French radio warned traffic to avoid the area. By midday, the car park was approximately half full, suggesting an attendance level below 25,000. Explanations of the lower-than-expected turnout included speculation that people heeded the advice to stay away and that the one-day strike that cut the direct [[Réseau Express Régional|RER]] railway connection to Euro Disney from the centre of Paris made the park inaccessible.<ref name="thunderbird" /> Due to the European recession that August, the park faced financial difficulties as there were a lack of things to do and an overabundance of hotels, leading to underperformance.<ref name="Disneyland Paris Brief History">{{Cite web |last=Solarius |title=Disneyland Paris Brief History |url=http://www.solarius.com/dvp/dlp/dlp-history.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211162227/http://www.solarius.com/dvp/dlp/dlp-history.htm |archive-date=11 February 2013 |access-date=28 February 2013 |publisher=Solarius}}</ref> The failure of Euro Disney caused the cancellation of several projects like [[WestCOT]], [[Disney's America]], Tomorrowland 2055 at [[Disneyland]] and Beastly Kingdom at [[Disney's Animal Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2017 |title=25 Years Ago, All of These Disney Parks Projects Were Cancelled. Here's What Could've Been. |url=https://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20170502/32734/25-years-ago}}</ref>

A new Indiana Jones roller coaster ride was opened at Euro Disney in 1993. A few weeks after the ride opened, there were problems with the emergency brakes which resulted in guest injuries.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2gLy9ssyM |title=Saving Euro Disney |date=12 June 2018 |publisher=Offhand Disney |time=3:39–3:47 |access-date=11 October 2018 |format=YouTube}}</ref>

In 1994, the company was still having financial difficulties. There were rumours that Euro Disney was getting close to having to file for bankruptcy. The banks and the backers had meetings to work out some of the financial problems facing Euro Disney. In March 1994, Team Disney went into negotiations with the banks so that they could get some help for their debt. As a last resort, the Walt Disney Company threatened to close the Euro Disney theme park, leaving the banks with the land.<ref name="Disneyland Paris Brief History" />

===Financial, attendance and employment struggles===
[[File:Lake of Disney Village 2.jpg|thumb|left|Disney Newport Bay Club]]
In May 1992, entertainment magazine ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' reported that about 25% of Euro Disney's workforce, approximately 3,000 people, had resigned from their jobs because of unacceptable working conditions. It also reported that the park's attendance was far behind expectations. The disappointing attendance can be at least partly explained by the [[Early 1990s recession|recession]] and increased unemployment, which was affecting France and most of the rest of the developed world at this time; when construction of the resort began, the economy was still on an upswing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 March 2009 |title=FACTBOX:Who's next? Countries at risk of recession |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSP40009620090304 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

Euro Disney S.C.A. responded in an interview with ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', in which [[Robert Fitzpatrick (art executive)|Robert Fitzpatrick]] claimed only 1,000 people had left their jobs. In response to the financial situation, Fitzpatrick ordered that the Disney-MGM Studios Europe project would be put on halt until a further decision could be made. Prices at the hotels were reduced.
 
Despite these efforts in May 1992, park attendance was around 25,000 (some reports give a figure of 30,000) instead of the predicted 60,000. The Euro Disney Company stock price spiraled downward and on 23 July 1992, Euro Disney announced an expected net loss in its first year of operation of approximately 300 million [[French franc]]s. During Euro Disney's first winter, hotel occupancy was so low that it was decided to close the [[Disney's Newport Bay Club|Newport Bay Club]] hotel during the season.

Initial hopes were that each visitor would spend around US$33 per day, but near the end of 1992, analysts found spending to be around 12% lower.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disneyland Paris (Euro Disney) Frequently Asked Questions – 1996, Andre Willey/Tom Drynda |url=http://www.faqs.org/faqs/disney-faq/disneyland-paris/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922165130/http://www.faqs.org/faqs/disney-faq/disneyland-paris/ |archive-date=22 September 2009 |access-date=23 September 2009 |publisher=Faqs.org}}</ref> Efforts to improve attendance included serving alcoholic beverages with meals inside the Euro Disneyland park, in response to a presumed European demand, which began 12 June 1993.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 June 1993 |title=Euro Disney Adding Alcohol |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEEDF1E3FF931A25755C0A965958260 |access-date=23 September 2009 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

By the summer of 1994, Euro Disney was burdened with $3&nbsp;billion worth of debt. Disney CFO [[Richard Nanula]] and Wall Street financier Steve Norris worked with [[Alwaleed]]'s business advisor Mustafa Al Hejailan to rescue the [[overleverage]]d company. In that deal, Disney's 49 percent stake was reduced to 39 percent, the banks agreed to forego interest payments until 1997, Disney wrote off royalties and fees until 1999, and Alwaleed agreed to pay $345&nbsp;million for a 24 percent stake in Euro Disney.<ref name="Khan">{{Cite book |last=Khan |first=Riz |url=https://archive.org/details/alwaleed00rizk_0/page/125 |title=Alwaleed, Businessman Billionaire Prince |date=2005 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-06-085030-2 |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/alwaleed00rizk_0/page/125 125–132] |url-access=registration}}</ref>

===1995 turnaround===
On 1 October 1994, Euro Disney changed its name to Disneyland Paris. On 31 May 1995, a new attraction opened at the theme park. [[Space Mountain: Mission 2|Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune]] had been planned since the inception of Disneyland Paris under the name ''Discovery Mountain'', but was reserved for a revival of public interest. With a redesign of the attraction (which had premiered as [[Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)|Space Mountain]] at the [[Walt Disney World Resort]]'s [[Magic Kingdom]] in 1975)<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2gLy9ssyM |title=Saving Euro Disney |date=12 June 2018 |publisher=Offhand Disney |time=5:50–6:18 |access-date=11 October 2018 |format=YouTube}}</ref> including a "cannon launch" system, inversions, and an on-ride soundtrack, the US$100&nbsp;million attraction was dedicated in a ceremony attended by celebrities such as [[Elton John]], [[Claudia Schiffer]], and [[Buzz Aldrin]].

On 25 July 1995, Disneyland Paris reported its first quarterly profit of US$35.3&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2gLy9ssyM |title=Saving Euro Disney |date=12 June 2018 |publisher=Offhand Disney |time=7:08–7:16 |access-date=11 October 2018 |format=YouTube}}</ref> On 15 November 1995, the results for the [[fiscal year]] ending 30 September 1995 were released; in one year the theme park's attendance had climbed from 8.8&nbsp;million to 10.7&nbsp;million, an increase of 21%. Hotel occupancy had also climbed from 60 to 68.5%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 1995 |title=INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS;Euro Disney Reports Profit for '95, but the Future Remains Cloudy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/16/business/international-business-euro-disney-reports-profit-for-95-but-future-remains.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526143923/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/16/business/international-business-euro-disney-reports-profit-for-95-but-future-remains.html |archive-date=26 May 2015 |access-date=27 June 2019 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> After debt payments, Disneyland Paris ended the year with a net profit of US$22.8&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2gLy9ssyM |title=Saving Euro Disney |date=12 June 2018 |publisher=Offhand Disney |time=7:20–7:26 |access-date=11 October 2018 |format=YouTube}}</ref>

===2000–2017===
In March 2002, Disneyland Paris underwent a second name change to Disneyland Resort Paris. In 2002, Euro Disney S.C.A. and the Walt Disney Company announced another annual profit for Disneyland Paris. However, it then incurred a net loss in the three years following.<ref name="January 11, 2005">{{Cite web |date=11 January 2005 |title=Euro Disney, S.C.A. Reports First Quarter Revenues for Fiscal Year 2005 |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2005-01-11-euro-disney-sca-reports-first-quarter-revenues-for-fiscal-year-2005.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023222343/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2005-01-11-euro-disney-sca-reports-first-quarter-revenues-for-fiscal-year-2005.pdf |archive-date=23 October 2014 |access-date=12 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> By March 2004, the Walt Disney Company had agreed to write off all debt that Euro Disney S.C.A. owed to the Walt Disney Company.<ref name="November 16, 2005">{{Cite web |last=Euro Disney S.C.A. |title=Reports Annual Results for Fiscal Year 2005 |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2005-11-16-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2005.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024010138/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2005-11-16-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2005.pdf |archive-date=24 October 2014 |access-date=12 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> On 1 December 2003, Euro Disney S.C.A launched the 'Need Magic?' campaign, which lasted until March 2006 to bring new, first-time European visitors to the resort.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Disneyland sponsors New Year on ITV in bid to boost visitor numbers
 |date=11 December 2003 |publisher=[[Marketing Week]] |url=https://www.marketingweek.com/disneyland-sponsors-new-year-on-itv-in-bid-to-boost-visitor-numbers/ |access-date=26 January 2025 |location=London}}</ref>

In March 2006, Disneyland Resort Paris launched the advertising campaign "believe in your dreams" and paired with the TGV East European Line to encourage European family attendance to the resort.<ref name="April 19, 2006">{{Cite web |last=Euro Disney S.C.A. |title=Disneyland Resort Paris Partners with the TGV East European Line |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2006-04-19-disneyland-resort-paris-partners-with-the-tgv-est-european-line.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024011901/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2006-04-19-disneyland-resort-paris-partners-with-the-tgv-est-european-line.pdf |archive-date=24 October 2014 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref><ref name="March 3, 2006">{{Cite web |last=Euro Disney S.C.A. |title=Disneyland Resort Paris Launches New European Advertising Campaign: "Believe in Your Dreams" |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2006-03-03-disneyland-resort-paris-launches-new-european-advertising-campaign-believe-in-your-reams.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024040632/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2006-03-03-disneyland-resort-paris-launches-new-european-advertising-campaign-believe-in-your-reams.pdf |archive-date=24 October 2014 |access-date=18 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> Shortly after announcing a 12% increase in revenues for the fiscal year of 2007,<ref name="November 8, 2013">{{Cite web |last=Euro Disney S.C.A. |title=Reports Annual Results for Fiscal Year 2007 |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2007-11-8-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2007.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024030130/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2007-11-8-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2007.pdf |archive-date=24 October 2014 |access-date=18 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> Euro Disney S.C.A. implemented a "reverse split" consolidation of shares of 100 to 1.<ref name="December 3, 2007">{{Cite web |last=Euro Disney S.C.A. |title=Effective launch of share consolidation |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2007-12-03-cp-lancement-du-regroupement-des-actions.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024025852/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2007-12-03-cp-lancement-du-regroupement-des-actions.pdf |archive-date=24 October 2014 |access-date=18 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> August 2008 brought the resort's 200 millionth visitor,<ref name="August 12, 2008">{{Cite web |last=Disneyland Resort Paris |title=Disneyland Resort Paris Celebrates Its 200 millionth Visit |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2008-08-12-visiteur-200millionieme.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105162910/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2008-08-12-visiteur-200millionieme.pdf |archive-date=5 November 2013 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> and made for the third consecutive year of growth in revenues for the resort as well as a record 15.3&nbsp;million visitors in attendance.<ref name="October 21, 2008">{{Cite web |last=Euro Disney S.C.A. |title=Announces Net Profit in Fiscal Year 2008 |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2008-10-21-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104120930/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2008-10-21-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2008.pdf |archive-date=4 November 2015 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref>

In 2009, the resort started to recruit new employees, especially for the Christmas and summer seasons,<ref name="October 29, 2009">{{Cite web |last=Disneyland Paris |title=Come and Join Disneyland Paris!: The Search for Recruits continues around the UK |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2009-10-29-recruitment-england.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217185718/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2009-10-29-recruitment-england.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2014 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> which continued in 2010 and 2011 when 2,000 and 3,000 employment contracts being offered, respectively.<ref name="January 25, 2010">{{Cite web |last=Disneyland Paris |title=European Recruitment Tour: launching the new season at Diseyland Paris |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2010-01-25-european-recruitment.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104120932/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2010-01-25-european-recruitment.pdf |archive-date=4 November 2015 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref><ref name="March 8, 2011">{{Cite web |last=Disneyland Paris |title=Disneyland Paris Launches a Unique "Pop-up" Office Concept for its European Recruitment Drive |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2011-03-08-recruitment-pop-up-office.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217185715/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2011-03-08-recruitment-pop-up-office.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2014 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> The 2009 fiscal year saw a decrease in revenues by 7% and a net loss of €63 million<ref name="November 12, 2009">{{Cite web |last=Euro Disney S.C.A. |title=Reports Fiscal Year 2009 Results |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2009-11-12-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2009.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916020800/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2009-11-12-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2009.pdf |archive-date=16 September 2012 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> followed by stable revenues at €1.2&nbsp;billion in fiscal year 2010.<ref name="November 10, 2010">{{Cite web |last=Euro Disney S.C.A. |title=Reports Fiscal Year 2010 Results |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2010-11-10-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027032419/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2010-11-10-euro-disney-sca-reports-annual-results-for-fiscal-year-2010.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2011 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref> Euro Disney S.C.A. refinanced their debt to Walt Disney Company again for €1.3&nbsp;billion in September 2012.<ref name="September 18, 2012">{{Cite web |last=Euro Disney S.C.A. |title=Euro Disney group improves its debt profile with the 1.3&nbsp;billion refinancing of the group's debt by The Walt Disney Company |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2012-09-18-debt-Press-release.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127190031/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2012-09-18-debt-Press-release.pdf |archive-date=27 November 2012 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Euro Disney S.C.A.}}</ref>

A study done by the Inter-ministerial Delegation reviewing Disneyland Paris' contribution to the French economy was released in time for the Resort's 20th anniversary in March 2012. It found that despite the resort's financial hardships, it had generated "37&nbsp;billion euros in tourism-related revenues over twenty years", supports on average 55,000 jobs in France annually, and that one job at Disneyland Paris generates nearly three jobs elsewhere in France.<ref name="March 14, 2012">{{Cite web |last=Inter-Ministerial Delegation for the Euro Disney Project |title=Inter-Ministerial Delegation for the Euro Disney Project |url=http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2012-03-14-twenty-year-review-of-economic-and-social-impact.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407103633/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2012-03-14-twenty-year-review-of-economic-and-social-impact.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=Disneyland Paris: Corporate |publisher=Inter-Ministerial Delegation}}</ref>

For the first time in the resort's history, both the [[Disneyland Park (Paris)|Disneyland Park]] and [[Walt Disney Studios Park]] closed from 14 to 17 November 2015, as part of France's [[National day of mourning|period of national mourning]] following the [[November 2015 Paris attacks|terrorist attacks that took place that month in Paris]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tom Batchelor |date=14 November 2015 |title=Paris terror attacks – Disneyland Paris to stay closed on Saturday after terror attacks – World – News – Daily Express |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/619384/Paris-terror-attacks-Disneyland-Paris-closed-Saturday-terror-attacks |website=Express.co.uk}}</ref>

In 2015, Euro Disney announced major renovations for 2015, 2016 and 2017 in preparation for the complex's 25th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Euro Disney, 25 ans d'histoire mouvementée |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/dossiers/0203834350046/euro-disney-25-ans-dhistoire-mouvementee-130861 |access-date=10 October 2023 |website=Les Echos}}</ref>

The [[Themed Entertainment Association]] considers Disneyland Paris to be the leading European resort in 2016 with a total of 13.37&nbsp;million visitors. With two amusement parks and 5,800 rooms, it is followed by the [[Europa-Park]] resort with 5.6&nbsp;million visitors and 953 rooms. The Spanish complex [[PortAventura World]] completes the rank top three in Europe. It features three themed-parks as well as 2,100 rooms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Theme Museum Index 2016 |url=https://www.aecom.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2016-ThemeMuseum-Index.pdf |access-date=10 October 2023 |website=AECOM}}</ref>

=== 2017–present: Expansions ===
[[File:Disneyland Paris.jpg|thumb|Disneyland Paris]]
On 19 June 2017, the resort's operating company, [[Euro Disney S.A.S.|Euro Disney S.C.A]], was acquired by [[The Walt Disney Company]], giving them full control of the resort. In December 2018, Natacha Rafalski took over as CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2018 |title=NATACHA RAFALSKI APPOINTED TO PRÉSIDENTE OF DISNEYLAND PARIS |url=http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/natacha-rafalski-appointed-to-presidente-of-disneyland-paris/ |access-date=21 December 2018 |publisher=Disneyland Paris News}}</ref> On 1 September 2017 the resort's second nature resort opened as Les Villages Nature Paris.

On 26 March 2017, the opening of [[Star Tours – The Adventures Continue|Star Tours: The Adventures Continue]] – a new version of Star Tours – marked the start of Disneyland Paris' 25th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Star Tours: The Adventures Continue Launches as Part of Disneyland Paris' 25th Anniversary |url=https://www.inparkmagazine.com/star-tours-adventures-continue-paris/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |website=In Park Magazine}}</ref> On 31 March 2017, forums announced plans for Marvel attractions at Disney Adventure World<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spider-Bot : le nouveau jouet Marvel interactif du Avengers Campus ! |url=https://www.dlrpexpress.fr/spider-bots/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |website=Dlrp Express|date=29 November 2020 }}</ref> as well as renovations to the [[Disneyland Hotel (Paris)|Disneyland Hotel]] and [[Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel|Disney's Hotel New York]] in the next ten years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Un hôtel Marvel prévu pour 2020 à Disneyland Paris |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/un-hotel-marvel-prevu-pour-2020-a-disneyland-paris-9748467 |access-date=10 October 2023 |website=RTBF}}</ref> On 14 May 2017, to celebrate Disneyland Paris' 25th anniversary, the park welcomed actors from ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales]]'', for the film's European premiere.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Premieres |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/854540/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-men-tell-no-tales-premieres |access-date=10 October 2023 |website=E! News|date=19 May 2017 }}</ref>

On 27 February 2018, Walt Disney Company CEO [[Bob Iger]] announced that the company would invest €2&nbsp;billion into the Disneyland Paris resort.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney plans €2bn expansion at Disneyland Paris |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-43217593 |access-date=29 September 2023 |website=BBC|date=27 February 2018 }}</ref> The Disney Adventure World will be expanded with three new areas between 2021 and 2025, based upon [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]], ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'' and ''[[Star Wars]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney investit €2 mds dans le développement de Disneyland Paris |url=https://investir.lesechos.fr/actu-des-valeurs/la-vie-des-actions/disney-investit-2-mds-dans-le-developpement-de-disneyland-paris-1737314 |access-date=29 September 2023 |website=Les Echos}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney investit deux milliards d'euros pour agrandir Disneyland Paris |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/2018/02/27/20005-20180227ARTFIG00152-marvel-la-reine-des-neiges-et-star-wars-s-installent-a-disneyland-paris.php |access-date=29 September 2023 |website=Le Figaro|date=27 February 2018 }}</ref>

In March 2018, a Disney Parks West regional division was formed with Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World in Florida, and Disneyland Paris under Catherine Powell, outgoing Disneyland Paris president. This mirrors the Disney Parks East regional division consisting of Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland and Walt Disney Attractions Japan and headed by Michael Colglazier.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 March 2018 |title=Catherine Powell steps into new Disney role |url=http://www.parkworld-online.com/catherine-powell-steps-into-new-disney-role/ |access-date=18 June 2018 |work=Park World}}</ref> In September 2019, Powell exited her post as president of the Parks West division, with the division dissolving, and Disneyland Paris transferred to Disney Parks International.<ref name="cnbcLeadership">{{Cite news |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |date=25 September 2019 |title=Disney names new leadership for Disneyland and Walt Disney World |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/25/disney-names-new-leadership-for-disneyland-and-walt-disney-world.html |access-date=30 September 2019 |work=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

On 1 June 2019, Disneyland Paris sponsored the [[Disneyland Paris Pride|Magical Pride Party]], an [[LGBTQ]] celebration.<ref name="Petter2019">{{Cite news |last=Petter |first=Olivia |date=7 February 2019 |title=Disneyland Paris to Host First-ever LGBT+ Event |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/disneyland-paris-lgbt-pride-event-magical-june-2019-a8767206.html |access-date=7 February 2019 |work=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> Previous similar events have taken place at the park since 2014, but were not officially sponsored by Disney.<ref name="Petter2019" />

Natacha Rafalski was promoted from chief financial officer to president for Disneyland Paris in December 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Niles |first=Robert |date=12 December 2018 |title=Women promoted to top spots for Disney Parks in Paris and Hong Kong |url=https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201812/6467/ |access-date=15 May 2020 |work=Theme Park Insider}}</ref> On 15 March 2020, in line with other Disney parks and resorts, Disneyland Paris was shut down due to the worldwide [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. [[Disneyland Park (Paris)|Disneyland Park]] and [[Walt Disney Studios Park|Disney Adventure World]] reopened to the public on 15 July with the rest of the resort. On 29 October 2020, the resort closed again due to a second nationwide lockdown.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Street |first=Francesca |date=15 July 2020 |title=Disneyland Paris reopens with new Covid-19 measures |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/disneyland-paris-reopens/index.html |access-date=13 September 2020 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rhodes |first=Elizabeth |date=16 July 2020 |title=Disneyland Paris Is the Latest Disney Theme Park to Reopen Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/disney-vacations/disneyland-paris-reopening-coronavirus |access-date=13 September 2020 |work=Travel + Leisure |language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ziady |first=Hanna |date=29 October 2020 |title=Disneyland Paris shuts down again as France enters lockdown |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/29/media/disneyland-paris-shuts-france-lockdown/index.html |access-date=29 October 2020 |work=CNN |language=EN}}</ref> Disneyland Paris reopened on 17 June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2021 |title=Disneyland Paris to re-open on June 17 |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/disneyland-paris-re-open-june-17-2021-05-17/ |access-date=17 May 2021 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

In 2022, Disney's shares in Villages Nature Paris were sold.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maintenant que Villages Nature Tourisme est à son tour restructuré, Pierre & Vacances va pouvoir se concentrer pleinement à son retour à une rentabilité durable |url=https://investir.lesechos.fr/actu-des-valeurs/la-vie-des-actions/maintenant-que-villages-nature-tourisme-est-a-son-tour-restructure-pierre-vacances-va-pouvoir-se-concentrer-pleinement-a-son-retour-a-une-rentabilite-durable-1889178 |access-date=10 October 2023 |website=Les Echos}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pierre et Vacances conclut le rachat de Villages Nature Paris |url=https://www.lechotouristique.com/article/pierre-et-vacances-conclut-le-rachat-de-villages-nature-paris |access-date=10 October 2023 |website=L'Echo|date=14 December 2022 }}</ref>

In 2022, Disneyland Paris celebrated its 30th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EXCLUSIF. Disneyland Paris : sa présidente dévoile ce qui est prévu pour les 30 ans du parc |url=https://www.lejdd.fr/Economie/exclusif-disneyland-paris-sa-presidente-devoile-ce-qui-est-prevu-pour-les-30-ans-du-parc-4093451 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Le Journal du dimanche|date=12 February 2022 }}</ref> In March 2022, in celebration of its 30th anniversary, Disneyland Paris marked its 30 years with a nightly drone show entitled 'Disney D-Light'<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gironde : le spectacle de la société bordelaise Dronisos pour Disneyland Paris encensé à Londres |url=https://www.sudouest.fr/gironde/bordeaux/gironde-le-spectacle-de-la-societe-bordelaise-dronisos-pour-disneyland-paris-encense-a-londres-12333911.php |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Sud Ouest|date=19 September 2022 }}</ref> that was realized with the use of 200 drones<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Pour fêter ses 30 ans, Disneyland Paris prépare un spectacle avec 200 drones |url=https://www.usinenouvelle.com/editorial/pour-feter-ses-30-ans-disneyland-paris-prepare-un-spectacle-avec-200-drones.N1778617 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=L'Usine Nouvelle|date=5 February 2022 |last1=Nouvelle |first1=L'Usine }}</ref> and won the Park World Excellence Awards' title of the 'Best Live Entertainment of the Year' in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The WINNERS |url=https://parkworldexcellenceawards.com/winners-2022/ |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=Park World Excellence Awards}}</ref>

In the summer of 2022, to mark the park's anniversary in France, Disneyland Paris inaugurated the Marvel Avengers Campus, an area dedicated to the superheroes of the [[Marvel Universe]], with the presence of the actress [[Brie Larson]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marvel Avengers Campus : un nouvel univers fantastique au sein du parc Disneyland Paris |url=https://www.elle.be/fr/371085-marvel-avengers-campus-un-nouvel-univers-fantastique-au-sein-du-parc-disneyland-paris.html |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=ELLE|date=12 September 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Disneyland Paris inaugure son "Avengers Campus" : "La plus grande transformation du parc depuis son ouverture" |url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/tourisme/disneyland-paris-inaugure-son-avengers-campus-la-plus-grande-transformation-du-parc-depuis-son-ouverture_5256592.html |website=Franceinfo|date=15 July 2022 }}</ref>

At the Expo of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), Disneyland Paris' 30th Anniversary Celebration was elected for the 'Most Creative Property-Wide Event, Amusement Parks and Attractions, Including Water Parks, Annual Attendance More than 1 million'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney Parks Outpace Competitors, Winning Several Awards |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2022/11/disney-wins-iaapa-brass-ring-awards-jrw1/ |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=Inside the Magic|date=18 November 2022 }}</ref>