Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=74259" target="_blank"><b>Latest: BBCNews: Euro Disney earnings hit by downturn</b></a> <p>According to <i>BBC News</i>, earnings at Euro Disney have dropped sharply as the economic downturn affected visitor numbers but the report indicate average guest spending rose 1%.</p>
Originally Posted By Malin This is really bad news, especially after the recent turn around. Disneyland Paris is proving that its still very vulnerable, and has a long path ahead if it wants to retain long term profit. Unfortunately Toy Story Playland and the New Generation Festival are not the answer to the Resorts problems. Poor results like the above will only mean more cutbacks and possibly the loss of any chance of having this Ratatouille attraction for the 20th Anniversary.
Originally Posted By u k fan Agreed. The NGF has garnered a lot of interest though. It'll be interesting to see if that relates to bookings this year. I do agree it's not enough though. I do think a new marketable E-Ticket would help!!!
Originally Posted By Malin A new E Ticket would certainly help push attendance. But DLP needs to prove it can sustain growth without expensive new attractions. I am really concern about the future of this Resort. The New Generation Festival, Captain EO and Toy Story Playland are all big reasons for Guest to make a return trip this year and I hope the next financial results will tell a different story. Spending should hopely increase thanks to all the new NGF merchandise that appears to have been given some thought for once. But when you see TV advertisments with 40% savings on bookings, you seriously need to question how Disney expect to make any money out of the offer.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Here's a question for our DLP experts living in Europe: How much of an attendance hit do you think DLP will take this year because of Harry Potter opening at Uni Orlando? Will European families take advantage of the weaker US dollar while they still can, and make the trek to Florida this year, instead of putting it off and risking a stronger dollar in the future? Given the number of British tourists I've encountered at WDW through the years, I cannot imagine why they wouldn't jump at the chance to see Harry Potter now versus later.
Originally Posted By Malin Regarding British tourist, I really don't think Harry Potter will make a difference. The pound currency is weak against both the Euro and the dollar. Universal has yet to promote or advertise the Harry Potter expansion in our market, while Disneyland Paris has been plugging the New Generation Festival for months now. A trip to Orlando for many Brit's is a once in a lifetime trip, and months of planning is needed. Disneyland Paris on the other hand is considered a short stay destination with long term planning not necessary when visiting Paris. Walt Disney World should be far more threatened by Harry Potter than what Disneyland Paris needs to be at this precise moment.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well this is no surprise at all. The economy is going to hell in a handbasket across Europe, with Greece (and more importantly Spain, one of DLP's key markets) really feeling it. Then, for the UK, travel has been severly disrupted, with the Channel Tunnel suffering break downs and putting people off. Add in the ash cloud impact. And then the fact that the cost of living (and especially travel) have gone through the roof. Then there is the continual increase in price of a DLP trip, even with the discounts. And when you get there, if you have been before, the quality is lower than ever in it's history, with nothing worth buying and stupid food prices for now limited and dull offerings. So, why is this so surprising? As for WWOHP, although a bunch of deluded Brits seem to love those swamp lands, I doubt it will make a dent. The flights (due to tax and environmental costs) are higher than ever. So no, I doubt it would make a huge difference, and WDW is even more stale than DLP. For the first time in my life I am going to a Disney resort soon, and I am looking forward more to the off site activities more, doing Disney for the kids. I never thought this would happen, but the value is not longer there for me. And TSPL and NGF are not enticements, in fact they put me off further. The lack of real entertainment, and all the things that make it a signature Disney experience are missing. I have to say, if this direction of travel continues, in the mood I am in today, I would prefer for it to close than to dumb down any further. But, that I doubt would happen, and most would prefer a dumbed down experience than none at all.
Originally Posted By u k fan Meanwhile Disneyland Resort Paris continues to delight millions of guests. I'm happy to accept a dumbed down version if it's all that's on offer. Whether it's the '92 version or the 2010 version, do you want to explain to my nephews who are about to make their first trip that their planning and excitement is pointless because DLP is going down the toilet? I find it really sad that some seem to be unable to take Disney at face value. It's a place that I can go to escape the outside world and build memories with my family. I can do that with or without Visionarium and just as easily over a pizza as filet mignon. I've had some fantastic times at DLP. It's a shame that that isn't enough for some!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I've had great times too. But when you have to justify the cost of going, and the quality is going down, while others are starting to deliver better quality, well it is no wonder they struggle. I find the dumbing down depressing. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised in a couple of weeks. But for everything I am reading, I am doubtful. Sure we will have a good time, we have a good time at the local playground too. But I really wish DLP would change their direction. Ripping out themed locals for Star bucks, quality entertainment is gone in favour of a hub show, and the attractions green lighted are of a lesser quality than Chessington's new area, there is something wrong with management. I have heard Disney newbies even remark they had a good time, but would have just as good a time at Alton Towers or Legoland, for less cost and hassle. As a Disney lover, this breaks my heart.
Originally Posted By u k fan You can't really compare DLP and Chessington or AT in terms of visitor numbers. Despite the fact that they are similar on some levels, in the UK they aren't 100% competing for the same markets. Both of those would be a day trip for me with a possible stop at a B&B. A better comparison would be how many visitors from France does Chessington get? I'm guessing not many. So even if Chessington's new area is better then TSPL (and that remains to be seen when TSPL opens), is that really what's driving visitor numbers? I do miss some old attractions, I'll miss the old Wild West store in DV no doubt, but I'd be surprised if many average guests will even notice. Genuinely, I'm more upset that Dumbo will be down when we're there than I will be about the store being gone. I prefer the store to Dumbo by a huge amount, but the kids aren't going to be disappointed that the store isn't there.... I agree maintenance could be better - I mourn the loss of Tarzan, but I'll still have a good time and so will countless others and if people are seriously looking at a trip to DLP it won't make any difference to them. It's the economy keeping people away - not the fact that there's no Legend of The Lion King anymore. Of course we can all have a good time at our local playground, but it's not the same!!!
