It has become public knowledge that the Walt Disney Company want to make a complete buy out of Disneyland Paris. Though this is a very exciting prospect because I believe that this will bring Disneyland Paris in line with the other parks in terms of quality and service I believe that this may diminish attractions that are unique to the Paris parks.
The History
When it was first announced the Walt Disney Company wanted to open a park in Paris their was initial resistance because it was viewed as an Americanisation of culture and entertainment in France. To try to find a balance that would appease people the French government at that time made an agreement with the Walt Disney Company to have the audio of the rides in French and to have a unique style that represented France.
In doing this they created discovery land in the Disneyland park. On entering this land it's style and design represented a steampunk style from the imagination of classic French science fiction author Jules Verne. This design and style is celebrated by many people for its unique look that inspires thoughts of the past and future and is unique to the Paris park only.
I believe that the French government were correct to expect some thing unique and representative for the Paris park and that this should not change if the Walt Disney Company take full control over the park ownership and the current government should have the same expectations as the previous government had.
What has changed ?
As of now the ride Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast has replaced Le Visionarium, the Jedi Training Academy has taken over the Discovery land theatre and their is an overlay of Hyperspace Mountain (a Star Wars theme) coming to Space Mountain soon.
As much as I have enjoyed Star Wars since I was 12 the idea of it replacing discovery land is very disheartening and I feel like it is taking away a unique style and culture that is unique to the Paris parks.
Further more there is talk of bringing Marvel comics rides into the Paris Walt Disney Studio Park. This park contains a ride called the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror which is considered to be a classic attraction and their is also fear that this will be given the same treatment as the California adventure parks version as that has be converted into a Marvel Comics Guardians of the Galaxy ride, I feel like this is likely to happen as apart of The Walt Disney Company's generous plan to invest 2.1 billion euros into Disneyland Paris over the next 10 years.
What we would like ?
It would be a great shame to loose these unique and well designed rides to some thing less unique that can be easily experienced at the other Disney parks. The Disneyland Paris parks deserve to maintain its unique style that inspires great creativity and to hold onto France's own unique style and culture. From a business perspective it does not make sense to replace the unique Paris attractions with generic ones that people visit when they go to Florida.
I believe to increase visitor numbers and retain current customers Disneyland Paris needs to offer alternative attractions that are not generically found every where, this can be seen in the increased visitor numbers that the Hong Kong Disneyland parks received when they opened Mystic Manor and Big Grizzly Mountain which was spurred by the Hong Kong government.
Ideally I would like the French government and people to get The Walt Disney Company to:
- not change or modify classic rides (besides maintenance) e.g. phantom manor, tower of terror.
- Not giving a complete change to Discover land that makes Star Wars the main focal point, it is fine having Star Tours at the back of space mountain but no Star Wars intrusion or theming on other rides or the style of the area
- Return Discovery land to its unique visual style by replacing the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast with a unique attraction for Paris.
- Return unique shows that are not star wars or short films in the Discovery land theatre.
- Do not give space mountain a star wars theme and return it story to the one it had on its opening day.
- Do not give the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror an changes (besides maintenance) that would change its current story and style e.g. converting its theme from Twilight Zone to Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy.
If this can not happen then as a compromise I would ask that
- Do not give Space Mountain a Star Wars theme and return it story to the one it had on its opening day and that Discovery Land does not get changed into Star Wars land.
- Return unique shows that are not Star Wars or short films in the Discovery land theatre.
- Do not give the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror an changes (besides maintenance) that would change its current story and style e.g. converting its theme from Twilight Zone to Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy.
I consider this to be an extremely acceptable compromise as the cost to it is very little with the only expense coming from costume, set etc. in the change to the show in the Discovery land theatre.
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