|
Bon anniversaire, Mickey! |
|
|
|
Wednesday, 14 March 2007 |
Disneyland is celebrating
15 years in Paris with a
yearlong party
beginning April 1.
EuroDisney Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer,
Karl L Holz, said in a
statement, “For 15 years,
Disneyland Resort Paris has
been making dreams come
true for guests of many
cultures, countries and ages.
The celebrations has
something new for everyone –
and festivities every single day
for 12 magical months.”
The park at Marne-la-
Vallée, 32km east of Paris,
opened in April 1992. With its
40 attractions and shows, it
has become the number-one
tourist site in Europe,
attracting 160 million visitors
since it opened.
Yet it hasn’t all been a
smooth ride. First, there was
controversy over the site.
Critics felt it should have been
built further south in Europe,
where the weather is more
reliable. Not long ago, a
dispute over staff conditions
attracted negative attention.
Recently, there was the
embarrassing episode of the
‘porno’ video broadcast over
the net, featuring costumed
staff. It allegedly showed
Mickey simulating sex with a
snowman and Minnie
struggling against Goofy’s
clumsy clutches.
For Mickey’s birthday, the
12,000 cast members are
preparing a host of
unforgettable events, including
a new spectacular parade.
“Most of the floats have two
themes, one on the front and
one on the back. Our guests
will see more of their favourite
dreams coming to life, such as
‘Alice in Wonderland’ and
‘Pinocchio’ representing
‘Dreams of Laughter and
Fun’,” explained Françoise
Leroux, vice-president of
entertainment. “And for the
first time ever, to excite every
sense, we’ve added fragrances
that will fill the air, matching
the theme of each float.”
That’s not all. More
Disney characters than ever
before will be on hand for
children to meet. Sleeping
Beauty’s Castle will come to
life after dark, with 15
twinkling candles on the
turrets.
Two new family
rides are opening in June:
‘Crush’s Coaster’, plunging
visitors into the world of
Nemo, and ‘Cars Race Rally’
taking guests on a hair-raising
spin along Route 66.
Scheduled for early 2008,
the ‘Twilight Zone Tower
of Terror’ will dare thrillseekers
to “board a decrepit
hotel freight elevator that
hurtles them through the
fourth dimension in a pitchblack
shaft, plummeting from
the 13th floor.” Bet you can’t
wait.
In the meantime, don’t
miss any of the magic. Go
along and help Mickey blow
out his candles.
|
