New trouble for Disneyland Paris comes in the shape of an investigative probe looking at how the resort’s pricing policies discriminate against some members of the European Union.
Under European law, companies cannot offer one price to one country and then prevent a citizen of another country from taking advantage of that day. UK and German customers have been filing a number of complaints that Disneyland Paris is doing just that.
For instance, a UK traveler would order their vacation from a UK version of the Disneyland Paris’ website and be charged one amount, while the same package is available on the French version of the same website for 15% lower. However, the French website requires a credit card that is billed in France, so the UK resident can’t get the lower price.
Disneyland Paris Resort officials say the price of a standard ticket is the same for all nations of the European Union market and that the resort offers different promotions based on seasonal events and holidays, not on country of origin. The requirement to have a credit card that bills to the country of the website is an anti-fraud measure according to resort officials.
If you ask me, Disneyland Paris has enough problems getting in the black each year. It doesn’t need another scandal. On the other hand, Disneyland Paris just released this handy infographic highlighting just how big an impact it has on the French economy. So obviously, they feel like they need to be on the offensive:
I know the Euro-Government wants equality across borders, but they also should know not to mess with a good thing. Geographic restrictions on ticket prices aren’t that unsual in the theme park industry. Take for example, Florida Resident discounts. Those who are geographically closer to the park might need some extra price incentive to visit, but they’re also the most likely to repeat visit. So giving them a discount makes sense.
What do you think? Is the European Union going too far with this investigation?
(via the BBC)
Previously: Disneyland in California shares economic benefits study showing more than $5.7 Billion in influence.
There is no Euro-Government. You probably mean the EU-Commision but its not a government , The Euro Zone (subset of the EU with only the countries who share the EURO as a currency) does not have a government. The EU has a rather big problem with fragmentation on many levels. I live in Austria and have a Netflix subscription but when I go to the Czech Republic I can’t use it because Netflix does not operate there. Why? Because rights holders decided long ago that you need a separate contract for every country. A Netflix account works in the hole USoA regardless of the state you are currently in. One of the really important goals of the European Commission is that all EU Citizens are equal. You are not allowed to discriminate due of origin, but the restriction to French Credit cards is just that. There is no real problem for me to get a French Credit card, but it is a unnecessary hurdle wicht adds cost for me. I already have a Credit Card, why should I need another just for buying something in France or in Ireland, Slovakia, Hungary….. there are 28 Countries in the EU. Would you like to carry 50 Credit Cards just to be able to buy in the hole USA? (I’ve been told that the Credit Card System EU/USA are different, but her in Austria at least its common to only have one card)
Thanks for your comment. I was talking descriptively and have seen that term used before.
Sorry for sounding so harsch, I actually read this blog for many years now an enjoy it very much. Keep up the good work.
On a recent trip, I discovered that they charge a higher price for tickets to Americans. When you go to the Disneyland Paris website, it asks where you are coming from. If you say U.S., they quote ticket prices in dollars. If you say you are coming from Canada, for example, the ticket price is quoted in euros. The euro price was about $20 less than the dollar price. I was surprised that an American company would try to cheat unsuspecting Americans in this way.
Odd – I noticed the different pricing when I was checking from the US. But I used the French site and my US credit card for the French rate. No problem! Also saved a little more by purchasing early, printing online, and going on their “slow” days which turned out to be entirely too busy (oh well). My problems with DLP lie in their lack of maintenance in regards to aesthetics, safety, and rides. In WDS at one point between renovations and rides breaking down during the day the park was down about 25% of their attractions.
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