Euro Disney: Why France Over Spain?
The decision to build Euro Disney in France, rather than Spain, was a controversial one. Many believed that Spain, with its warmer climate and established tourism industry, would have been a more suitable location. Roy Disney himself reportedly felt that Spain would have been a better choice for the European park.
According to Roy Disney, the Imagineers had selected a site in Spain with superior weather and an existing tourism infrastructure. This area also boasted a robust rail system, making it easily accessible for potential visitors. However, the French government offered more attractive financial incentives and tax breaks to Disney, ultimately swaying the decision in favor of France. This decision, attributed to Michael Eisner, prioritized financial gains over the long-term vision for the park.
This “scheme over dream” mentality, as Roy Disney described it, reportedly led to several issues for the company, particularly in the later years of Eisner’s leadership. Cost-cutting measures during the initial phases of projects like Disney’s California Adventure and Hong Kong Disneyland resulted in subpar experiences, requiring substantial investments to bring them up to Disney standards.
The contrast between this approach and Walt Disney’s original vision, which emphasized storytelling and guest experience, is evident. Figures like John Lasseter, known for prioritizing the “dream,” are credited with shifting the company back towards this core philosophy. Lasseter reportedly championed guest experience over budget constraints, emphasizing the importance of creating high-quality attractions.
Beyond financial considerations, a more humorous anecdote suggests a strategic reason for the French government’s eagerness to secure the Euro Disney project. The Marne-la-Vallée location, once flat sugar beet fields, was historically a route used by German tanks during wartime invasions. Building Euro Disney on this site, some jokingly suggested, offered a strategic “speed bump” for future invasions.
The decision to build Euro Disney in France, while financially advantageous in the short term, may have been a missed opportunity to capitalize on Spain’s established tourism infrastructure and favorable climate. This decision highlights the tension between financial considerations and the pursuit of a long-term vision in large-scale projects like theme park development.
Beyond the strategic and financial reasoning, the location of Euro Disney in France also presented logistical challenges. The construction of a massive theme park and resort required significant infrastructure development in a relatively undeveloped area.