The world is experiencing full Olympics fever right now, and we’ve had a lot of exciting news coming out of Paris. Not to mention everyone is LOVING how Snoop Dog and Flavor Flav have become America’s Olympics Dads.
©Olympics
So here’s the thing — with the Olympics being in Paris this year, you might think that means a lot of extra tourist dollars for the city. You might also think that would mean a lot of extra tourist dollars for Disneyland Paris — after all, so many people are traveling to Paris right now; they might want to hang out at Disneyland, right? Well, it turns out that isn’t really the case.
On August 7th, the Walt Disney Company released its earnings report and held its Q3 2024 earnings call. During that call, the company discussed how the Paris Olympics was affecting attendance at Disneyland Paris. It might seem surprising, but it seems attendance at Disneyland Paris is down during the Olympics. So, why is that?
Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Paris
For starters, it’s likely that people who aren’t attending the Olympics are staying away from Paris to avoid anticipated crowds in and around the area, including at Disneyland Paris. However, people who ARE attending the Olympics are probably only there for a short time. Many may be going to Disneyland Paris for a quick day trip, but not they’re staying in hotels there, which means a loss of revenue for Disney.
Disneyland Paris at night
Note that Disneyland Paris is actually not IN Paris, to begin with. It’s about 45 minutes from the city, which could also be a reason that folks aren’t visiting it during the Olympics — most are in the city for that big event, after all.
©Disney
However, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Hugh Johnston, said, “Disneyland Paris has experienced some challenges due to the Olympics. The good news is the Olympics are over in a couple weeks.”
©Disneyland Paris || Walt Disney Studios Park
However, not EVERYONE is staying away from Disneyland Paris. Several Olympic attendees have visited the theme parks with their families, including track and field star Allyson Felix, artistic gymnast and Dancing with the Stars champion Shawn Johnson East, former American skier and football player Jeremy Bloom, and competing gymnast Jordan Chiles.
©Jordan Chiles via Instagram
So it seems Disney will be glad when the Olympics are over, and Disneyland Paris can return to business as usual.
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I’d also heard on the Disneyland Paris for Brits facebook page that hotel tax had rocketed due to the Olympics. That can’t help.