European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 29, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A hot air balloon shaped like Mickey mouse s head prepares to lift off Over the site of euro Disneyland during the Early stages of  rising near Paris by Mizelle Demeis United press International in some of Fiance s richest Farmland just East of Paris a huge Asphalt parking lot appears to stretch forever. A two Story inflatable head representing the world s most famous mouse flies overhead. Not far away Cinderella s Castle is rising above the dirt filled site while nearby an empty Man made River winds around several unfinished hotels. Behind Cinderella s future Home a Hole resembling a giant Moon Crater is becoming the pirates of the Carrilean ride. A Welcome to euro Disneyland the $3.8 billion theme Park being built by the Disney co. Its first phase will open to the Public april 12, 1992. By the time the project is finished in 2017, euro Disneyland will have become a City in itself with housing commercial centers and hotel and business facilities. It was Only a few years ago that the future Home of Mickey mouse goofy and Donald Duck in Marne la Vallee was an area of Rich Flat Farmland punctuated by tranquil villages with Central squares and centuries old Stone churches. The first phase of euro Disneyland includes plans for a new metro Stop and a station for the Tiv High Speed train six hotels that will each symbolize a geographic area of the United states As Well As the Disney theme Park. The project is Europe s second largest financial investment surpassed Only by the underwater Tunnel being built to link England and France. Quot people think this is a one time shot but it really in to Quot a spokesman for euro Disneyland said. Quot it s a $14 billion investment Over 30  construction on the theme Park began in 1988, and when it is finally completed 26 years from now the 5,000-acre Complex will include 18,000 hotel rooms permanent housing for 20,000 people an Mem studios Park where visitors will be Able to see famous movie scenes and the commercial and business areas. Euro Disneyland executives have also hinted at constructing an Epcot Center such As the one in Florida but say a final decision has yet to be made. Officials estimate that 11 million people will visit the Park during the first year alone with the majority of visitors coming from France Germany and Britain. Tourists will see and experience Many of the same exhibits americans have loved in Disney s California and Florida Parks. Visitors will be Able to stroll Down main Street Usa experience a runaway train in the Oki West and tour Cinderella s Castle. Although the Park will be easily reached from Paris by subway train or automobile visitors will not have to spend the night in bustling expensive Paris. One of the six hotels Disney s Newport Bay club modelled after new England clapboard houses will be the largest hotel in Europe with 1,100 rooms. Other accommodations will include a National Parks hotel for which the Disney co. Plans to import More than 500 Sequoias from North America and a series of Adobe style buildings that Are intended to give guests the feeling of living in the old american West. Lodging will Range Between $89 a night for the Park s. Cheaper accommodations to about $429 for the luxury hotels. Although several amusement Parks have gone bankrupt in France in recent years Disney officials insist. Euro Disneyland will succeed. Quot it s really different than any other Park because we Are a destination resort Quot one official said. Quot we Are hotels a Campground and a theme Park so people will come for whole holidays not just one Day  euro Disneyland officials say that by 1992 they will have hired More than 12,000 people 70 percent of them French. An official said employees will come from 28 countries. Each employee who will be in Contact with the Public however must speak both French and English in addition to his or her native Tongue. All signs will be in both French and English. While Disney officials have gone to great lengths to create a truly International amusement Park Mickey s arrival in France has hardly been greeted with unanimous approval. When Disney Stock was introduced on the Paris stoc k Market in october 1989, demonstrators Deno Umed Disney for trying to impregnate France with Quot the idiotic subculture of Dallas Quot and greeted euro Disneyland president Robert Fitzpatrick with eggs and flour. Since then Fitzpatrick has run into trouble with a local French Union that has accused the company of violating the labor Laws by requiring prospective workers to answer a series of personal questions such As Why they left their former jobs. Other personal restrictions on employees such As the prohibition against moustaches have also Mist d eyebrows in Liberal franc e. Moreover in a country where wine is drunk like water euro Disneyland is prohibiting the  of alcohol within the Park. Perhaps Mickey has never tasted .1 Good Bordeaux. Commemorative tickets providing unlimited Access to the Park on opening Day or on any Day thereafter Are on Salo. The Cost is $37 Tor adults and $28 Tor children. Those Are also expected to to the regular admission charges although regular buyers will not got the special souvenir tickets. Tickets can be ordered from ticket mail order. Walt Disney world p o Box 10030, Lake Buena Vista Fla 32830-1000 add $2 Lor postage and handling. Delivery should Tako about Throo weeks. A amps map August 29, 1991 stripes Magazine