European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 12, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sleeping Beauty s Castle Centrepiece of euro Disney awaits the grand opening. By Gary Pomeroy staff writer one month from today a at 9 01 . A the Walt Disney co. Swings open the Gates to its newest magic kingdom a the $4.4 billion euro Disney. Then on a 5,000-acre plot of former beet Fields 20 Miles East of Paris in Marne la Vallee France Disney begins its bid for a piece of the european tourism Market. If Disney executives assumptions Are Correct 11 million visitors will pay to see the five themed lands a and ensure a profit a during the first year of business. Those assumptions Are based on grandiose numbers about 20 million people visit Paris each year 18 million live within a two hour drive and 100 million live within a six hour drive. To set its goals Disney Drew from 37 years of experience building and managing theme Parks in California Florida and Japan. For those who make the trip to Marne-ia-vall6e, there will be plenty to see. Attractions include 29 shows rides and ride through adventures 36 souvenir and clothing shops and 30 themed restaurants and snack facilities. Also included is an entertainment Center convention Center and an 18-Hole Golf c Ourse. Guests who stay for More than a Day will be Able to choose from six themed hotels a 5,200 rooms ranging from luxury to Economy 414 log Cabin style rental trailers and a Campground. When the final phase of construction is completed in 201 7, euro Disney will a contain 19,000 hotel rooms three championship Golf courses and two additional theme Parks. The first of the two Disney Mem studios Europe is slated to open in 1995. Getting to the april 1 2 opening however has not been without difficulties. The primary problems have entered around the Disney dress code contractors claims and cries of Quot american cultural imperialism some French have complained that the conservative dress standards infringe on individual liberties. The code forbids facial euro Desnoy eur sees lots of Good times ahead hair Long hair and jewelry on men. Women must not Wear Short skirts or use Mascara. Additionally Quot appropriate undergarments of a natural. Color should be worn under a dress Quot according to the code. A French labor Union took Disney to court recently complaining that such restrictions contravene the 1789 rights of Man a one of the most hallowed legacies of the French revolution. Disney has Long maintained that All employees must be considered actors who form part of an ensemble. Quot we have established a consistent code that s compatible with the costume Quot said euro Disney president Robert Fitzpatrick at a press conference during a recent tour of euro Disney. The company explains the dress code to each of the 12,000 permanent Quot cast members Quot or employees a being hired to operate euro Disney. A ruling on the dress Rode Issue is expected soon. More trouble developed when 16 of euro Disney s 1,700 contractors filed claims demanding $157 million for change orders and Cost overruns. French construction firms were not prepared for Disney s exacting standards which have included experiments with More than two dozen shades of paint to find the proper Pink tone for sleeping Beauty s Castle. Three firms have filed for bankruptcy after claiming that Disney s refusal to pay the additional invoices left them broke. The contractors have threatened to Robert Fitzpatrick downplays problems with French contractors and protesters. Disrupt the grand opening if the disputes Are not settled but Fitzpatrick expects All the claims to be resolved by then and downplayed their Impact on the project. Quot we think the number of disputes and claims has been remarkably Small for a project of this magnitude Quot he said. Disney has countered charges of Quot american cultural imperialism Quot a a War cry popularized by French culture minister Jack Lang a by emphasizing the european origins of Many of its characters such As Peter pan pinocchio and Snow White. Fitzpatrick pointed out that discover land will feature Jules Verne and other european thinkers and the Castle is based on illustrations from a Book on French Royalty. Quot if we have american themes such is we do in the Santa be and our other hotels and on main Street . It s not american with a capital letter and it s not the Star spangled Banner. It s the America of myth of movies a certain innocence brashness  these distractions have been offset by Quot extraordinarily supportive Quot French officials Fitzpatrick said. Disney has signed two agreements and two amendments with four French premiers dating to 1985. The French government undertook the responsibility for major Public works including a Highway interchange sewage systems and rail service Fitzpatrick said. A Tram station on the grounds makes euro a Disney a 40-minute ride from Paris on the suburban rail system. By 1994, France s High Speed Tiv a trains grand Vit Esso will carry visitors directly to the Park from ill Over Western Europe. Despite the hubbub surrounding the opening of Mickey mouse s new digs tin Overall goals of euro Disney Are Quot modest Quot Fitzpatrick said. Quot it s a company that Hopes to give several hours or several Days of pleasure to families and individuals Quot he said. Quot our goal is to entertain to amuse to give  contributing to this Aranjo Tho Washington Post