Today I visited DLP for the first time in 15 or more years. Wow. The WDI group gave me a heroes welcome and was so kind and hospitable. They have great respect for the effort 20 years ago and want to uphold the original design intent where possible. Was able to see some improvements they had made, like the Candy Palace. Well done. Had a chance to say hello to many dear ones that have been with WDI Paris since the construction so the park is personal to them. It was truly like an extended family reunion. I was touched by their outpouring of kindness. Most would be happy to get rid of the old guard, but they made me and my family feel welcome.
Shared a slide show with about 45 people from different divisions, sharing home video of the construction of the park and some fun war stories. The team they have in place is sincerely wonderful, battle tested and tough in the trenches. They have been able to deal with some of the tremendous fiscal and operational challenges that most would shrink from. They have done an amazing job in spite of these problems and know there is still a long way to go. I know how hard all of this is because my job after Paris was doing this job with the Disneyland team during the Pressler years. It was tough then too. Are they dedicated to getting everything they can to the best it can be? Absolutely. Is the park in poor repair? Yes, sadly it is and they know that. You don't want to stare at anything too long. There are bright spots and sore ones. Overall the park from a distance is so rich, it still blows me away 20 years later. I still feel the magic and marvel at the detail in all the lands. Some of the close ups are a bit more painful. Still the most visited tourist attraction in all of Europe. In France, most monuments at one time fell into disrepair before they are embraced and restored to be loved all over again. Maybe that is happening at DLP? The passion is there already and they are moving one step at a time,
The designers and I walked Main Street together and they really want to understand the "why". So fun to answer the really inside questions! A great group walk.
The management prioritized some of the areas that they could pull off for the 20th (the weather creates a smaller maintenance window) and the Castle is awe inspiring. Several shades of pink were carefully chosen to force the perspective skyward. Well done. My son loved the Dragon.
Evidently, the banks that own the park all have to agree on spending for anything and everything. Like having to apply for a home refi loan to go to the supermarket every week. Insanely hard for them to solve things on the spot. Everything is a long drawn out process. But they do it because they love what the park represents. These folks are proud of the park and love it like we all do. I applaud their efforts and hope they hang in there and turn a corner or two. I'm thankful someone is in there slugging for the show. A great day with some great people.
I'm not sure I'd compare DLP to historical monuments there, Eddie. But I'll give you a caught up in the moment moment!
I do think it is sad the shape the resort has fallen into and how even when they 'fix' things, they don't give it their all (if you dined at the lovely restaurant you designed, Walt's, you likely saw that).
Ultimately, it isn't the fault of the banks. It's the fault of TWDC and Euro Disney SCA for getting into debt, never figuring a way out and letting the resort rot for most of its existence. Nothing 500 million euros or so wouldn't fix.
I am sure the cast largely is as you say because I've always had those experiences. They DO care. I've never gotten the idea that they didn't (I do think that point gets skewed by unhappy/French-hating UKers, who'd really rather be baking in the O-Town sun anyway!) ... well, except for management. I don't believe for a second that guys like Rasulo, Holz, and Gas gave/give a damn about much beyond their compensation packages. Georgie K (a perfect example of failing forward, I wish I had his quote to the LA Times in 2001 about how huge a success DCA was going to be and how late-arriving guests would have to settle for DL handy!) leaves the mess of DLP behind and takes over a DLR that has had close to $2 billion infused into it over the past five-six years. Sure makes you look better to have money poured into the product.
Back to your oberservations, I certainly agree that when you look at much of DLP from a distance, it still amazes with its sheer beauty and grandeur. But you REALLY don't want any close-ups beyond a few attractions/facilities that have just been rehabbed.
Oh, did you pick up that 20th Anniversary book? I really am enjoying it a lot (not quite as much as the 10th, but I hadn't been there yet when I picked that up) ... it really shows how BIG Disney went on so many things ... especially in the early days in the beet fields. I did wonder why DLP could put out such a wonderful tome (one that I got numerous requests for on my visit last month!), but no such one came out for DL's 50th and certainly not WDW's 40th or EPCOT's 25th.
Anyway, would love to read more in depth thoughts on what you are seeing and experiencing when you return and compare notes. ... I do think this is all coming to a head this fall and TWDC will have to step in or risk someone else doing so. Maybe Iger could get rid of his million a year bodyguards and donate that to the fund!
