Disney Parks Disney\'s International Theme

Disney Parks

Disney's International Theme Parks: Paris and Tokyo

Though it would not be until 1985 that France and Disney would come to an official agreement on the site a conceived Euro-Disney, there had been consideration of this market roughly since the first successful years of the original American Disney theme parks. The process which began in the early 1970s when the Disney Corporation first seriously entertained the notion of entering the European theme park market would, by 1984, reach a point of serious realization. At this juncture, its key decision-makers were considering as many as 1200 different locations throughout the continent, with a determined vision to replicate the model successfully exercised in the United States, where an ideal plot of land would be acquired and converted into its own town. (DLP, 1)

The Paris-area site was selected, research ultimately demonstrates, due to the circumstantial elimination of most other sites, each of which presented a challenge demonstrative of the complicated process which is invested into an operation of this scale. Paris would present its own challenges though, particularly as Disney's labor orientation would be concerned. The distinctly American company's approach to its internal organizational culture would immediately class with French labor laws, seeming to run aground of the protections to which many had grown accustomed. This would be a major legal stumbling block for Disney, which has historically maintained an explicitly stated 'appearance code' forbidding unshaven faces, long hair, tattoos, piercings or other distinguishing aesthetic features. Accordingly, many opponents "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." (Wikipedia, 1) This sense of hostility would only be further reinforced by the Disney policy of conducting all meetings and business in English, a clear divergence from French linguistic norms.

Another stumbling block would be the less-than-ideal seasonal change in climate in the French site. The climate issue was evaluated according to the previously successful venture abroad for Disney. In 1983, Tokyo Disneyland opened to momentous success in spite of a similar weather conflict in Tokyo. (Plowright, 1) Disney had planned to adapt many of the strategies that it had employed to such positive effect in Japan, including overhanging covers for waiting areas, heating units in outdoor gathering spots and the use of bright colors to contrast the often overcast sky. (Wikipedia, 1) Disney was emboldened in this strategy by the prototype in Japan, though we may now suggest that this effort was significantly aided by the greater interest of the Japanese in Western culture than many in Western Europe. Indeed, the Tokyo site would face few legal barriers, and would succeed momentously with little alteration of its American models required. Here, evidence of a closeness between Japan and the U.S. In terms of modern political and consumer norms suggests little legal obstruction or ethical concern from the Japanese public.