86-947: The Tussauds Group was an entertainment company which is now a part of Merlin Entertainments . It was based in Poole, Dorset from where it managed a portfolio of brands and over 50 attractions that included the Madame Tussauds waxworks , Legoland Theme Parks , Legoland Discovery Centres , Sea Life Centres , PortAventura Park in Spain, Gardaland in Italy, Heide Park Resort in Germany, The Dungeons, The London Eye , The Blackpool Tower attractions, The Orlando Eye , Warwick Castle , Alton Towers , Thorpe Park , and Chessington World of Adventures . Merlin Entertainments bought
172-553: A 15% shareholding in Big Bus Tours . Disneyland Paris Disneyland Paris is an entertainment resort in Marne-la-Vallée , France, located about 32 kilometres (20 miles) east of Paris. It encompasses two theme parks, seven Disney-owned hotels, two convention centers, a golf course, an arena, and a shopping, dining and entertainment complex. Opened on 12 April 1992, the resort is operated by Disney Experiences ,
258-488: A 24 percent stake in Euro Disney. 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: 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 at
344-583: A 33% stake, along with British Airways and Marks Barfield . The site was managed by Tussauds and soon became one of the United Kingdom's most popular attractions. Tussauds continued to look for acquisitions in Europe and in 2002 opted to buy Heide Park in Soltau, Germany . The park was among the country's largest, and helped to make Tussauds one of the most popular attraction groups. In the same year,
430-619: 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. In September 2019, Powell exited her post as president of
516-466: A Tussauds attraction after the buyout. This sector expanded quickly throughout the year with the purchase of Warwick Castle . Poor profits at Chessington Zoo led the group to reopen the site as Chessington World of Adventures . This incorporated the animals from the zoo alongside the theme park. This combination enabled visitor figures to triple. In 1989, the Tussauds Group sold Wookey Hole. In
602-425: A construction budget of US$ 2.3 billion. The construction manager was Bovis . 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
688-746: A decrease in revenues by 7% and a net loss of €63 million followed by stable revenues at €1.2 billion in fiscal year 2010. Euro Disney S.C.A. refinanced their debt to Walt Disney Company again for €1.3 billion in September 2012. 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
774-585: A division of The Walt Disney Company . It is the second Disney park outside the United States, following the opening of the Tokyo Disney Resort in 1983, and the largest. Disneyland Paris is also the only Disney resort outside of the United States to be completely owned by the company. Disneyland Park , opened in 1992, is the original theme park of the complex. A second theme park, Walt Disney Studios Park , opened in 2002. The resort
860-401: A group of French farmers blockaded Euro Disney in protest of farm policies supported at the time by the United States. 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." Ariane Mnouchkine , a Parisian stage director, named the concept a "cultural Chernobyl ", a phrase which would be echoed in
946-440: A minority ownership stake in the resort. In early 2017, the company purchased 9% of Euro Disney S.C.A., buying 9% from Kingdom Holding and issued a tender offer of €2 per share for the remaining stock. This brought The Walt Disney Company's total ownership to 85.7%. The Walt Disney company also invested an additional €1.5 billion to strengthen and develop Disneyland Paris. In June 2017, Disney completed its tender offer and at
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#17327723051851032-761: A nightly drone show entitled 'Disney D-Light' in partnership with the Bordeaux-based company Dronisos. The visual spectacle was realized with the use of 200 drones. In fact, Disney D-Light won the Park World Excellence Awards' title of the 'Best Live Entertainment of the Year' in 2022. In the summer of 2022, to mark the park's anniversary in France, Disneyland Paris inaugurated the Marvel Avengers Campus, an area dedicated to
1118-489: 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). Menus and prices were varied with an American flavor predominant and Disney's precedent of not serving alcoholic beverages
1204-454: A region of the United States. At the time of the opening in April 1992, seven hotels collectively housing 5,800 rooms had been built. An entertainment, shopping, and dining complex based on Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney was designed by Frank Gehry. With its towers of oxidised silver and bronze-coloured stainless steel under a canopy of lights, it opened as Festival Disney . For
1290-527: A separate entity ceased to exist. About the merger, the chief executive of Merlin Entertainment , Nick Varney, said that the combination of the two groups, as well as their audiences, would place the new company in the global market. He also believed that both groups expertise in the management business would benefit the company too. Peter Phillipson, the chief executive of the Tussauds group added that
1376-541: 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
1462-462: A statement, the company said that it had offered to buy out the other two shareholders in 2003, and again in 2004, believing that one primary shareholder would be able to negotiate better terms on their debt repayments. In November 2005, the company bought British Airways’ stake in the London Eye for £95 million. The other shareholder, Marks Barfield, also offered to buy British Airways' stake but
1548-601: A subsequent leaseback agreement. Although the attraction sites are owned by Leslau, they are operated by Merlin based on a renewable 35-year lease. On 15 January 2010, Merlin Entertainments bought Cypress Gardens , a defunct theme park in Winter Haven, Florida . It was reopened as Legoland Florida theme park. In 2015, the company opened the Orlando Eye Ferris wheel attraction in Orlando. It then sold
1634-568: A wax figure of the former Prime Minister , Julia Gillard , into a mock queue of the unemployed at a Centrelink office in central Sydney. Deposed by the Australian Labor Party in the evening of 26 June, and replaced by Kevin Rudd , the publicity stunt drew wide attention and international criticism for the blatant disrespect it cast on, specifically, the first female prime minister of Australia. Merlin had planned to go public in
1720-474: Is located on approximately 2,100 hectares (5,200 acres ) of land which is being developed under a master agreement with French governmental authorities. About half of the land has been developed, including a planned community, Val d'Europe . Disneyland Paris is Europe's most-visited theme park, and the largest single-site employer in France with 17,000 employees. It generated $ 343 million in profit for Disney in 2023. By 2022, 375 million people had visited
1806-1425: The Chadstone Shopping Centre [REDACTED] Beijing [REDACTED] Shanghai [REDACTED] Shenyang [REDACTED] Hong Kong [REDACTED] Osaka [REDACTED] Tokyo [REDACTED] Istanbul [REDACTED] Scheveningen [REDACTED] Brussels [REDACTED] Manchester [REDACTED] London [REDACTED] Scarborough [REDACTED] Weymouth [REDACTED] Loch Lomond [REDACTED] Bray [REDACTED] Blankenberge [REDACTED] Berlin [REDACTED] Hanover [REDACTED] Königswinter [REDACTED] Konstanz [REDACTED] Munich [REDACTED] Oberhausen [REDACTED] Speyer [REDACTED] Timmendorfer Strand [REDACTED] Helsinki [REDACTED] Jesolo [REDACTED] The Hague [REDACTED] Porto [REDACTED] Benalmadena [REDACTED] Istanbul [REDACTED] Paris [REDACTED] Arizona [REDACTED] Orlando [REDACTED] New Jersey [REDACTED] San Antonio [REDACTED] Melbourne [REDACTED] Mooloolaba (Sunshine Coast) [REDACTED] Sydney [REDACTED] Auckland [REDACTED] Shanghai [REDACTED] Nagoya [REDACTED] Iskandar Puteri [REDACTED] Busan [REDACTED] Bangkok In February 2016, Merlin purchased
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#17327723051851892-636: The Great Lakes Crossing Outlets [REDACTED] New Jersey at American Dream Meadowlands [REDACTED] Philadelphia at the Plymouth Meeting Mall [REDACTED] Westchester (New York) at Westchester's Ridge Hill [REDACTED] Washington at Springfield Town Center [REDACTED] San Antonio at the Shops at Rivercenter [REDACTED] Toronto at Vaughan Mills [REDACTED] Melbourne at
1978-524: The Madame Tussauds wax museums, for US$ 1.9 billion. This company was merged with Merlin and has since been managed by Merlin. After the Tussauds acquisition, Dubai International Capital , the previous owner, received a 20% stake in the combined entity as well as £1.03bn in cash. On 17 July 2007, as part of the financing for the Tussauds deal, the freeholds of Alton Towers , Thorpe Park , Warwick Castle and Madame Tussauds were sold to private investor Nick Leslau and his investment firm Prestbury, with
2064-613: The November 2015 Paris attacks . In 2015, Euro Disney announced major renovations for 2015, 2016 and 2017 in preparation for the complex's 25th anniversary. The Themed Entertainment Association considers Disneyland Paris to be the leading European resort in 2016 with a total of 13.37 million visitors. With two amusement parks and 5,800 rooms, it is followed by the Europa-Park resort with 5.6 million visitors and 953 rooms. The Spanish complex PortAventura World completes
2150-536: The Walt Disney World Resort 's Magic Kingdom in 1975) including a "cannon launch" system, inversions, and an on-ride soundtrack, the US$ 100 ;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 million. On 15 November 1995,
2236-542: The British Isles with her work as she was prevented from returning to France due to the war between Britain and France. After travelling with her models, Tussauds bought her first property in London's Baker Street in 1835, for the purpose of displaying her wax figures. The large property allowed her to display the exhibits that she used on tour as well as create new models and exhibitions. Marie Tussaud died in 1850 and
2322-502: The Disney product that people would be expecting." 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
2408-528: The Environment, Disneyland Paris would generate 63,000 jobs by 2022. Overall, in 2022, Disneyland Paris was still Seine-et-Marne's largest employer. 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. On 28 June 1992,
2494-824: The Koala Gallery in Australia, in addition to Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World in New Zealand. On 3 March 2011, the deal was finalised. This was followed by the $ 140 million acquisition of Living and Leisure Australia which owned several attractions in the Asia-Pacific region including UnderWater World , Melbourne Aquarium , Falls Creek Alpine Resort , Hotham Alpine Resort , Otway Fly , Illawarra Fly , Busan Aquarium and Siam Ocean World . On 28 June 2013, Merlin Australia's Madame Tussauds in Sydney placed
2580-407: The London Eye, hoping to buy out British Airways. In 2004, one of the shareholders of the London Eye, Marks Barfield , accused the Tussauds group of purposefully opposing a refinancing offer in order to gain full control of the wheel. The attraction made a trading profit, but the company had 25% interest payments on a debt that arose from a £56 million loan from British Airways in 1999. By this point
2666-807: The Parks West division, with the division dissolving, and Disneyland Paris transferred to Disney Parks International, while the East region reverted to its prior name. On 1 June 2019, Disneyland Paris sponsored the Magical Pride Party , an LGBTQ celebration. Previous similar events have taken place at the park since 2014, but were not officially sponsored by Disney. Natacha Rafalski was promoted from chief financial officer to president for Disneyland Paris in December 2018. On 15 March 2020, in line with other Disney parks and resorts, Disneyland Paris
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2752-497: The Walt Disney Company announced another annual profit for Disneyland Paris. However, it then incurred a net loss in the three years following. 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. 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
2838-635: The attraction sites are owned by Prestbury, they continue to be operated by Merlin based on a renewable 35-year lease. Merlin Entertainments Merlin Entertainments Limited is a British entertainment company based at Poole in Dorset , England, which operates a number of theme parks and other tourist attractions. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange until November 2019, when it
2924-488: The banks so that they could get some help for their debt. As a last resort, the Walt Disney Company threatened to close the Disneyland Paris park, leaving the banks with the land. 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
3010-539: The business was left to her two sons. Her grandchildren then moved the business to a permanent residence in Marylebone Road . In 1926, Madame Tussauds became a limited company. In the 1960s, Tussauds was looking to expand beyond the United Kingdom and opened their first international exhibition in Amsterdam. This exhibition featured different wax figures to those on show in London. The Dutch exhibition moved to
3096-459: The company in 2004 to another financial investor, Hermes Private Equity. In May 2005, the company was acquired from Hermes by a division of The Blackstone Group , which later started a major expansion. Over the years, Merlin acquired Gardaland , an Italian theme park, and The Tussauds Group . The company was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2013. When the Legoland theme park
3182-479: The company in 2007, thus becoming the world's second largest leisure group after Disney . The physician, Philippe Curtius began to create organs and biological structures from wax. After creating organs, Curtius went on to recreate notable people in society out of the medium too. Curtius put these models on display to the public in Berne, Switzerland where they caught the attention of the French royal family. In 1765,
3268-569: The company liked Hong Kong's location and established a permanent exhibition in the Peak Tower. The Tussauds group moved into the European market in 1995, with a 40% stake in a new £300 million theme park, Port Aventura in Spain . Tussauds was in charge of the development as they were the primary shareholder. The new development quickly bought in 2.7 million new visitors annually. The 40% stake
3354-669: The company shut down the Rock Circus exhibition in the London Pavilion because of falling visitor figures. Charterhouse Development Capital allowed the company to invest £300 million into its attractions which helped increase profits by £185 million as of 2002. The Tussauds group launched a new £100 million investment plan which led to the development of a new £40 million themed hotel, at Alton Towers. The themed hotel, Splash Landings, opened in 2003. Tussauds and Charterhouse Development Capital then looked to increase its stake in
3440-532: The company to look for another exhibition location in the United States. In 2000, the company opened a site in New York on 42nd Street. In 1999, after being part of Pearson for twenty years, Charterhouse Development Capital acquired the group. The new company bought in new management and sought to increase profits whilst continuing the company's growth. In 2000, the London Eye launched, in which Tussauds had
3526-679: The company's Sea Life aquariums worldwide starting in February 2020. Further tying into the collaboration between Merlin and eOne, select episodes of PJ Masks season 4 will feature underwater adventures. Due to eOne being sold to Lionsgate (later Lionsgate Studios ) in 2023, Hasbro (eOne's former parent company) retained the partnership with Merlin. [REDACTED] Chicago at The Streets of Woodfield [REDACTED] Columbus at Easton Town Center [REDACTED] Dallas Fort Worth at Grapevine Mills [REDACTED] Kansas City at Crown Center [REDACTED] Michigan at
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3612-455: The debt had accumulated to be around £130 million. David Marks, the director at Marks Barfield , said that British Airways supported the idea of refinancing the London Eye but the Tussauds group blocked the deal at every opportunity. Marks went on to comment that without a refinancing deal the London Eye would not have long-term financial security in the future as it would not be able to develop as an attraction. The company also went on to say that
3698-518: The direct RER railway connection to Euro Disney from the centre of Paris made the park inaccessible. 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. 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 . A new Indiana Jones roller coaster ride
3784-453: The early 2000s, but market turbulence postponed those plans. Instead, Blackstone sold 20% of the company to the private equity firm CVC Capital Partners , reducing Blackstone's holding to 34%. CVC acquired another 8% from the Dubai investment fund which is no longer involved with the company, giving it 28% in all. Kirkbi, a Danish family trust that owns LEGO, also increased its stake, emerging as
3870-700: 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 francs . During Euro Disney's first winter, hotel occupancy
3956-472: The largest shareholder, with 36%. CVC paid a price that valued Merlin at £2.25 billion – more than six times what Merlin and Legoland together were worth when Blackstone acquired them five years earlier. Blackstone's investment was by that point worth more than three and a half times what it had paid. On 8 November 2013, Merlin floated 30% of the company on the London Stock Exchange, valuing
4042-652: The latter chose the Tussauds group as they felt that their offer was more beneficial for the company's shareholders. In February 2006, the group began negotiations to buy the final 33% of the attraction from Marks Barfield for up to £80 million. In 2005, the Tussauds group was sold to Dubai International Capital , a branch of the government that deals with investment, for £800 million ($ 1.5 billion). In May 2007, The Blackstone Group purchased The Tussauds Group for US$ 1.9 billion and merged it into Merlin Entertainments with management by Merlin. Dubai International Capital then held 20% of Merlin Entertainment. The Tussauds Group as
4128-520: The leaders of the Walt Disney Company and the French government and territorial collectivities on 24 March 1987. 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, Disney-MGM Studios Europe , quickly went into development, scheduled to open in 1995 with
4214-464: 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
4300-589: 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
4386-438: The local French labour market". 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. In 2011, the park provided 55,643 direct and indirect jobs in France. According to Damien Audric, Director of Development and
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#17327723051854472-609: 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 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." 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
4558-529: The more central location of Dam Square in 1991. The company made its first acquisition with Wookey Hole Caves and Mill in Somerset and in 1976 bought Tolgus tin plant in Cornwall . In 1978, Madame Tussauds was acquired by S. Pearson and Son, now Pearson PLC . The company had been seeking to expand beyond their own attractions before acquiring the group. Chessington Zoo was already owned by Pearson and became
4644-449: The new group would be able to help the developments of Tussauds theme parks and attractions as well as increase the number of Madame Tussauds around the world. On 17 July 2007, Madame Tussauds was sold to private investor Nick Leslau and his investment firm Prestbury under a sale and leaseback agreement. It is said that the company would be using the money from the sale for investment purposes and to pay off some outstanding debts. Although
4730-478: The nineties, with renovations costing £1 million. The increase in the group's attractions as well as management portfolio meant that in 1992 the company moved to larger headquarters. In 1997, Madame Tussauds reintroduced travelling exhibitions. The tour started in Melbourne, Australia, before moving on to Sydney. After touring Australia, the site travelled to Singapore in 1999 then on to Hong Kong in 2000. However,
4816-466: The opening of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue – a new version of Star Tours – marked the start of Disneyland Paris' 25th anniversary. On 31 March 2017, forums announced plans for Marvel attractions at Disney Adventure World as well as renovations to the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hotel New York in the next ten years. On 14 May 2017, to celebrate Disneyland Paris' 25th anniversary,
4902-489: The park welcomed actors from Pirates of the Caribbean ;: Dead Men Tell No Tales , for the film's European premiere. On 27 February 2018, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger announced that company would invest €2 billion into the Disneyland Paris resort. The Disney Adventure World will be expanded with three new areas between 2021 and 2025, based upon Marvel , Frozen and Star Wars . In March 2018,
4988-494: The park's attendance was far behind expectations. The disappointing attendance can be at least partly explained by the 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. Euro Disney S.C.A. responded in an interview with The Wall Street Journal , in which Robert Fitzpatrick claimed only 1,000 people had left their jobs. In response to
5074-490: The park. The Walt Disney Company announced a € 1 billion plan (equivalent to US$ 1.25 billion at the time) to rescue the financially struggling Disneyland Paris resort, the Financial Times reported on 6 October 2014. The park was burdened by its debt, which at the time was calculated at about €1.75 billion ( US$ 2.2 billion ), roughly 15 times its gross average earnings. Up to that point, Disney only held
5160-514: The previous 40 years, which proved a complicated endeavour as none of the records were computerised. 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. Disney had also shown interest in
5246-531: The private equity-backed company at almost £3.4bn. In June 2019, the company's board agreed to recommend a takeover offer of £4.8 billion from a consortium consisting of Kirkbi A/S, CPP Investment Board and The Blackstone Group . The takeover was approved by the high court in November 2019. On 5 December 2019, Entertainment One announced a new multi-territory partnership with Merlin that would open an interactive PJ Masks nautical-themed trail throughout
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#17327723051855332-405: The rank top three in Europe. It features three themed-parks as well as 2,100 rooms. On 19 June 2017, the resort's operating company, 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. On 1 September 2017 the resort's second nature resort opened as Les Villages Nature Paris. On 26 March 2017,
5418-508: The resort's 200 millionth visitor, and made for the third consecutive year of growth in revenues for the resort as well as a record 15.3 million visitors in attendance. In 2009, the resort demonstrated dedication to the recruitment of new employment positions, especially for the Christmas and summer seasons, which continued in 2010 and 2011 when 2,000 and 3,000 employment contracts being offered, respectively. The 2009 fiscal year saw
5504-520: The resort's financial hardships, it had generated "37 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. For the first time in the resort's history, both the Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World closed from 14 to 17 November 2015, as part of France's national days of mourning following
5590-475: The resort. 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. Shortly after announcing a 12% increase in revenues for the fiscal year of 2007, Euro Disney S.C.A. implemented a "reverse split" consolidation of shares of 100 to 1. August 2008 brought
5676-424: 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
5762-463: 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 million to 10.7 million, an increase of 21%. Hotel occupancy had also climbed from 60 to 68.5%. After debt payments, Disneyland Paris ended the year with a net profit of US$ 22.8 million. In March 2002, Disneyland Paris underwent a second name change to Disneyland Resort Paris. In 2002, Euro Disney S.C.A. and
5848-420: 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
5934-473: The royal family invited Curtius to display his exhibits in Paris. When moving to Paris, Curtius bought with him a housekeeper and her daughter, Marie Grosholtz , who Curtius then took on as an apprentice of his work. Under Curtius’ teaching, Marie became renowned for her modelling, completing portraits of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire. This led to Marie being invited to the royal court at Versailles where she
6020-429: The running costs of the London Eye and the large debt repayments prevented the company from making developments at the attraction that would cost £4 million. The company had hoped to redevelop a gift shop and the ticketing system at the London Eye but without refinancing it would not be able to complete them. The Tussauds group denied blocking any deals, in turn suggesting that no alternative methods had been put forward. In
6106-464: The same year, they opened the Rock Circus in the London Pavilion which focused on a rock and roll theme. Several other small acquisitions were made before 1990. In 1990, the company bought Alton Towers for £60 million. The park had initially been developed as an American style amusement park but was in need of renovation by the end of the eighties. After Tussauds took over Alton Towers, it
6192-469: The summer of 1994, Euro Disney was burdened with $ 3 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 overleveraged 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 million for
6278-535: The time owned over 97% of Euro Disney. It then implemented a full buyout of the shares they did not already own. In 2018, after taking full control of Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney reported its plans to invest €2 billion ( US$ 2.47 billion ) into the Disneyland Paris 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. Under
6364-461: The time people kept telling us, 'Do your own thing. Do what's American'." Unlike Disney's American 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
6450-405: 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
6536-571: The wheel in 2018 and repurchased it in 2024. Reports in early October 2017 indicated that Merlin Entertainments was considering a takeover of Sea World in Orlando , but on 11 October, the company said it was no longer involved in such discussions. In late 2010, it was announced that Merlin would purchase approximately A$ 116 million worth of entertainment attractions located in Australia and New Zealand from Village Roadshow Theme Parks and Attractions . The sale would include Sydney Aquarium , Sydney Wildlife World , Oceanworld Manly , Sydney Tower and
6622-548: Was acquired by a consortium that includes Kirkbi A/S (the investment arm of the Kristiansen family, which controls The Lego Group ). In December 1998, Nick Varney , Andrew Carr and the senior management team of Vardon Attractions (Vardon plc) completed a management buyout of the company to form Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd., with the backing of the private equity firm Apax Partners . Apax sold
6708-436: 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 kitchens 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
6794-518: Was employed as a teacher. In 1795, Marie married François Tussaud with whom she had two sons. After the French Revolution in 1789, Marie continued her modelling and made death masks of her deceased ex-employers. Upon the death of Curtius in 1794, Marie inherited his estate, including his properties and his workshop. Overseas interest in the French Revolution led Marie Tussaud to travel to England and display her work there. Tussaud travelled
6880-453: 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 million. Michael Eisner signed the first letter of agreement with the French government for the 20-square-kilometre (4,940-acre) site on 18 December 1985, and the first financial contracts were drawn up during the following spring. The final contract was signed by
6966-459: 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. 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
7052-399: Was redeveloped into a theme park that intended to challenge the opening of Disneyland Paris . During the mid-nineties, the group continued to expand its theme parks with new attractions at both Warwick Castle and Alton Towers. The Alton Towers expansion included the introduction of the £20 million Alton Towers Hotel in 1996. The Madame Tussauds site in London also underwent development during
7138-590: Was shut down due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic . Disneyland Park and 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. Disneyland Paris reopened on 17 June 2021. In 2022, Disney's shares in Villages Nature Paris were sold. In 2022, Disneyland Paris celebrated its 30th anniversary. In March 2022, in celebration of its 30th anniversary, Disneyland Paris marked its 30 years with
7224-487: Was so low that it was decided to close the 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. 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. By
7310-595: Was sold in 1998 as the company looked to increase its portfolio in the United Kingdom. Tussauds’ management of Port Aventura ceased with the sale of the property. The money from the sale allowed the company to purchase Thorpe Park , in south-east England. In 1998, the group looked to open a Tussauds site in Las Vegas, with plans to open the exhibition in the Venetian Hotel and Casino complex. The Las Vegas site eventually opened in 1999 to large success, which led
7396-497: Was up for sale, Varney wanted to buy it, but Hermes did not want to tie up more capital. After the sale of Merlin to Blackstone Group, the company negotiated to buy control of Legoland in 2005 for about £250 million, then merged it with Merlin. As part of the deal, Kirkbi A/S, the investment arm of LEGO's owners, took a share in Merlin Entertainments. In May 2007, Blackstone purchased The Tussauds Group , owner of
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