Disneyland Paris prepares for possible hostile takeover

[Simon06]

just read this on the link below, I was surprised that disneyland paris isnt fully owned by the walt disney company.

http://www.screamscape.com/html/disneyland_paris.htm

 

[Minniespal]

Interesting

 

[Booknut]

This has been discussed in my office all day, no news as of yet...but i'm sure the takeover will take place soon. Disney only have a 39.8% shareholding.

Another article on this:
http://www.dlrpmagic.com/today/2006/11/euro-disney-bid-mickey-mouse-or-for.html

Hmmm...this will be interesting I think...

 

[pokemon_master]

That's quite interesting. Does this mean that they'll change the name to something-land paris??

 

[Booknut]

I don't think so, they will just push out every manager and get their own management team in there...

 

[Cyrano]

Yes, very interesting

There is a thread in the DLP board regarding a Shareholders announcement.

 

[natalielongstaff]

crikey seems a shame disney dont have a higher stake

 

[KayleeUK]

Interesting

 

[SimonV]

Personally, I don't believe a word of it. It sounds exactly like Michael Knighton claiming he was going to 'buy' Manchester United; then it turned out he didn't have two cents to rub together! Unheard of companies just don't take over international media giants (at least, they don't usually!). I could easily be wrong, but this sounds more like smoke and mirrors than a real takeover bid.

 

[angel659]

Hi

Walt Disney has never fully owned DLRP. First of all Disney had nothing to do with it, the name was bought.

However, I think DLRP needs a good kick up the back end to be honest. Its a pity that Walt Disney does not have bigger stake in the park. It was only a few years ago Walt Disney bought some shares to help the park from going bankrupt. They invested some money for bigger rides and extended the park opening hours/days from seasonal time only. Apparently DLRP was not open in the winter. I dont ever remember this to be honest.

The customer service and the attitude of majority of cast members are poor. Hopefully is more money is invested better training is put into place. I didnt see any organisation or any particular cast member that was good. When characters came out the cast member just walked around or stood still and let the poor character be bombarded with guests. I saw Goofy backed into the corner and people pushing and shuving thier kids to see the character. There did not seem to be any common decency. I saw many mums getting thier little boys to wee anywhere I know its easy for men, but really do I want to be sitting at Adventureland near the pirate ship waiting for my dh and dd to come back from playing in the play area and see a mum pull down her sons shorts and gets him to wee in the plant bed. I dont think so. It was disgusting.

I like DLRP I think its a nice cheap alternative if done right, but it doesnt get me to be honest. Sorry to those who love DLRP. Thier were too many faults to feel magical. It just felt like a shoddy and cheap rip off of WDW. Sorry please dont flame me.

 

[UKDEB]

First of all Disney had nothing to do with it, the name was bought

Disney had everything to do with it. True, the company sought European investors and never intended to be the sole owner, but the concept and implementation were entirely Disney's. It was very much an addition to the Disney empire, not simply a licensing agreement. And, Disney being Disney, made sure that it retained control over its management despite not being the majority shareholder.

 

[angel659]

Hi

I was under the impression that it was bought as a frandchise and disney only bought shares later on. Before Disney bought shares DLRP were struggling and were even bordering bankrupcy

 

[UKDEB]

I was under the impression that it was bought as a frandchise and disney only bought shares later on. Before Disney bought shares DLRP were struggling and were even bordering bankrupcy

No, Disney was always a shareholder and the collapse of Euro Disney would have been a major ego blow for Eisner. At the eleventh hour, Disney 'negotiated' (and I use the term loosely) a deal with Euro Disney's creditors. In very simple terms, the debts were split between the banks and Disney. That agreement resulted in a $750 million investment by Disney.

 

[Cyrano]

Disney had everything to do with it. True, the company sought European investors and never intended to be the sole owner, but the concept and implementation were entirely Disney's. It was very much an addition to the Disney empire, not simply a licensing agreement. And, Disney being Disney, made sure that it retained control over its management despite not being the majority shareholder.

absolutely

I agree with Simon. If a company was serious would they not have retained more that a one man band for legal council... well he is off sick

 

[wideeyes]

I don't think this will happen.

 

[angel659]

No, Disney was always a shareholder and the collapse of Euro Disney would have been a major ego blow for Eisner. At the eleventh hour, Disney 'negotiated' (and I use the term loosely) a deal with Euro Disney's creditors. In very simple terms, the debts were split between the banks and Disney. That agreement resulted in a $750 million investment by Disney.

Interesting. Thats why I love this board you get the correct info and not wrong info from family.

 

[wideeyes]

even if the WDC only have 39% they are still the biggest shareholder are they not? The 51% will be spilt between the public like people on these boards who don't buy to make money? so to get a controling share they would have to buy this 51% share that the public own?