Lhe Christmas season began on Saturday November 9 at Disneyland Paris. The first visitors were able to discover something new that they were not expecting: the best places from which to view the parade are now paying, reports The Voice of the North.
It’s a decision that obviously provokes reactions… Disneyland Paris park launched its Christmas season on Saturday, November 9. On the program, sparkling paths, the majestic fir tree at the entrance and, of course, the great Christmas parade through the park and at the foot of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Usually, the best places to see Mickey and his friends parade are at the enormous roundabout located in front of the castle. Until now, to benefit, it was “first come first served”. Not this year… “Disneyland Paris makes a controversial choice for the Christmas parade! This year, half of the Central Plaza hub is privatized and accessible only for €21 per person! », Notes the Dlp Pass Infinity Tours Facebook page.
This option, which therefore guarantees visitors a breathtaking view of this very popular parade, is available on the Disneyland Paris mobile application. “It constitutes an additional option for visitors wishing to further personalize their experience within the destination. The parade remains freely accessible with your Disneyland Park entrance ticket. The price starts from €21 per person (no reduction available),” specifies the park.
“This disrupts the habits of visitors who are used to sitting freely to admire Christmas shows. Is magic becoming divided between those who can pay and those who cannot? », asks Dlp Pass Infinity Tours. She’s not the only one. Disney Notre Passion, another Facebook page, wonders if one day we will not have to “pay for each attraction”.
If we understand that Disneyland sees this as an opportunity to increase its margins and bring a little order to the happy mess that precedes the parade, this novelty is causing a lot of reaction from fans of the park. “He should remove Mickey as the main mascot and put Scrooge in there,” Laura wrote on Facebook. “Is this really a big joke? Pay to be in front of the castle? It’s really shameful,” Lily gets annoyed.
“Soon we will have to pay for the toilets too,” adds Mégane. “At the same time, if there are some who pay, why would they stop? No one goes into the VIP areas and they will remove them but when you see the number of people who are there, why would they deprive themselves of it? », asks Marie.
These protest messages come after years of rising prices for access to Disneyland Paris. In 2019, the Discovery Annual Pass cost €179 for unlimited access to both parks 150 days a year. In 2024, the cheapest Pass, the Bronze, now costs €289 for access to the two parks 170 days/year.
“Money pump. It’s distressing. Because of all this, my children will never have the chance to enjoy Disney like me and my husband did for years, regrets Aya. It’s a sadness. Disneyland is beautiful, it’s magical but it’s in no way worth the prices they charge from parking to restaurants to souvenir shops. »
More than 10 million visitors walked the aisles of Disneyland Paris in 2023, an increase of 4.7% in one year. The magic of Christmas continues until January 6, 2025.
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