Discover Disneyland Paris History | From 1992 to Today

A European Disneyland: The Genesis

1972-1988

• 1972: Plans to build a European theme park after the success of Walt Disney World in Florida.
• 1983: Tokyo Disneyland's success strengthens the European theme park plan.
• 1984: Disney's theme park division presents a list of 1,200 potential locations in Europe.
• 1985: Four locations were shortlisted, two in Spain and two in France (Marne-la-Vallée and Toulon). Marne-la-Vallée was chosen due to its proximity to Paris.
• 18 December 1985: Michael Eisner, Disney's CEO, signs the first agreement with the French government.
• 1986: First financial contracts are drawn up.
• 24 March 1987: The final contract is signed.
• August 1988: Construction of Euro Disney begins.

Euro Disneyland: The Opening

1992

• March 1992: Euro Disney opens for employee preview, allowing park employees and their families to test facilities.
• 12 April 1992: Official opening of Euro Disney Resort and Euro Disneyland.
• The park expected huge crowds but only saw around 25,000 visitors on the opening day, far below the anticipated half a million.
• Speculation that people heeded the warning to avoid the area due to traffic and a one-day strike disrupted the direct RER railway connection from Paris to Euro Disney, making the park less accessible.
• The European recession in August worsened the park's financial situation.
• The initial failure of Euro Disney resulted in the cancellation of several projects, including WestCOT, Disney's America, Tomorrowland 2055 at Disneyland, and the Beastly Kingdom at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Euro Disneyland: Era of Bankruptcy & Recovery

1992-1995

• 1992: Disneyland Paris opens on April 12, 1992. The park is initially met with high attendance, but it soon becomes clear that the resort is not generating enough revenue to cover its costs.
• 1993: Disneyland Paris's financial problems worsen in 1993. The park loses $1.4 billion, and its parent company, Euro Disney S.C.A., is forced to file for bankruptcy.
• 1994: Euro Disney S.C.A. emerges from bankruptcy in 1994. The company is restructured, and new management is brought in to turn the resort around.
• 1995: Disneyland Paris begins to turn a profit in 1995. The park's attendance increases, and new attractions are added.

Disneyland Paris Flourishes

21st Century

• 2002: Disneyland Paris changed its name to Disneyland Resort Paris and opened a second theme park, Walt Disney Studios Park.
• 2004: the Walt Disney Company wrote off all debt that Euro Disney S.C.A. owed them.
• 2004: Disneyland Paris became the number one tourist destination in Europe.
• 2008: Disneyland Resort Paris welcomed its 200 millionth visitor.
• Over 20 years, Disneyland Resort Paris has generated 37 billion euros in tourism-related revenues and has created an average of 55,000 jobs in France annually.