Disneyland Paris accused of foreigner price-gouging

Global Business

Are some visitors to Disneyland Paris being taken for a ride they didn’t line up for? The theme park giant is accused of charging some foreign tourists higher prices than French visitors.
CCTV’s business correspondent Rachelle Akuffo filed this report.

Disneyland Paris accused of foreigner price-gouging

Are some visitors to Disneyland Paris being taken for a ride they didn't line up for? The theme park giant is accused of charging some foreign tourists higher prices than French visitors. CCTV's business correspondent Rachelle Akuffo filed this report.

Disneyland is the self-proclaimed “happiest place on earth.” But that good time appears to come at an especially high premium for thousands of visitors to Europe’s biggest theme park: Disneyland Paris.

The European Commission asked France to investigate after it received complaints that foreign tourists – especially those from Britain and Germany – were being charged more than French visitors and that Disney was blocking some consumer’s access to cheaper deals.

The price-rigging probe is part of a broader effort to clamp down on so-called “geoblocking” – that’s when companies base access to products and services on a consumer’s location.

READ MORE: How much does fun cost at world’s top 10 theme parks?

Complaints have been lodged against e-commerce giant Amazon, hotel operators in Spain, and even the public toilet system in Venice.

The European Commission says broader cooperation with national consumer protection agencies is needed to help customers avoid being taken for an unfair ride.

CCTV reached out to a Disneyland spokesperson who wrote:
 
“ When purchased directly with Disneyland Paris, the cost of a basic resort package – without promotional offers – is identical across all markets (give or take exchange rates). Throughout the year, we try to attract guests from different markets by offering market-specific ‘book-by’ promotions that can include discounts.”


Author Sam Gennaway on the state of the Theme Park industry

For more on the theme park industry that attracts millions of visitors every year we’re joined by Senior Associate at Katherine Padilla and Associates Sam Gennawey is the author of ‘The Disneyland Story’ and ‘Universal versus Disney: The Unofficial Guide to American Theme Parks’ Greatest Rivalry.’

Author Sam Gennaway on the state of the Theme Park industry

For more on the theme park industry that attracts millions of visitors every year we're joined by Senior Associate at Katherine Padilla and Associates Sam Gennaway the author of 'The Disneyland Story' and 'Universal versus Disney - The Unofficial Guide to the American Theme Park's Greatest Rivalry.'