Eurodisney
When most people think of France, Euro Disney does not often come to mind. The average person may think of fashion, the Eiffel Tower, romance or fine wine. With the theme park in Japan doing quite well, Disney built Euro Disney about 20 miles outside of France. France at the time was vulnerable and recession filled and hoped for a recovery with the help from Disney. But the theme park in France did not do as well as Disney had projected. Many factors contributed to the struggles that Disney encountered.
What is the BRIEF definition of the overall problem in ONE sentence?
The main challenge and overall problem of Euro Disney in France, was that Disney failed to recognize the predominance of cultural differences between the European culture and American.
What do you feel are the 5 KEY facts presented in the case?
Location of Euro Disney was chosen in Marme – la – Vallee about twenty miles outside of Paris. This location was used because of its central location. It is described that 310 million people are less than a two hour plane ride away (Anthony, 1993) and 68 million people are less than four hours by car. Weather temperatures get quite cold, often 23 degrees during the winter, but based on the driving success in Tokyo Disney downplayed the negative effects that it could have.
Cultural Differences were dominant throughout the theme park. Employees were trained based on American service ideals and it was said that visitors were not sure what type of theme park they were going to: American, European, or French. Euro Disney did not represent a variety of cultures and produce one clean image, but conflict among employees. Disney quickly hired thousands of employees, based on the peer interview process and trained them accordingly. Employees not only were hired from France but other countries as well, but suffered a staff housing shortage. Paying only 15% above minimum wage, employees were not paid enough to commute, or find housing elsewhere. Employees were
What is the BRIEF definition of the overall problem in ONE sentence?
The main challenge and overall problem of Euro Disney in France, was that Disney failed to recognize the predominance of cultural differences between the European culture and American.
What do you feel are the 5 KEY facts presented in the case?
Location of Euro Disney was chosen in Marme – la – Vallee about twenty miles outside of Paris. This location was used because of its central location. It is described that 310 million people are less than a two hour plane ride away (Anthony, 1993) and 68 million people are less than four hours by car. Weather temperatures get quite cold, often 23 degrees during the winter, but based on the driving success in Tokyo Disney downplayed the negative effects that it could have.
Cultural Differences were dominant throughout the theme park. Employees were trained based on American service ideals and it was said that visitors were not sure what type of theme park they were going to: American, European, or French. Euro Disney did not represent a variety of cultures and produce one clean image, but conflict among employees. Disney quickly hired thousands of employees, based on the peer interview process and trained them accordingly. Employees not only were hired from France but other countries as well, but suffered a staff housing shortage. Paying only 15% above minimum wage, employees were not paid enough to commute, or find housing elsewhere. Employees were