Disney Facts: Disneyland Paris by the Numbers

In 1992, Disneyland Paris opened and 10 years later Walt Disney Studios Park opened next to door.

Here's a quick look at the resort, by the numbers:

Disneyland Paris publicity photo

580,000: Bricks along Main Street, U.S.A., laid out in a pattern similar to New York City at the turn of the 20th Century.

225,000: Light bulbs illuminate the Main Street, U.S.A., facades.

15,000: The approximate number of cast members working at Disneyland Paris.

5,800: Hotel rooms offered.

1,243: Miles a day the cars in Autopia in Discoveryland travel.

281: The number of Audio-Animatronics figures in "it's a small world."

58: Attractions at the resort.

35: Minutes away the resort is from Paris.

2: Theme parks making up the resort, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.

1: Animatronic dragon beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle. The 79 feet long, 5,500 pound dragon was designed to resemble the "real" dragons of European folklore.

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Disneyland Paris fans sign petition against the park demanding higher standards

Broken rides, poor food and a lack of stage shows are part of petition seeking higher standards at Disneyland Parks, according to The Independent.

More than 5,000 park fans signed the petition, which as sent to Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger. Disney owns 39.8 percent of Disneyland Paris.

Guillaume Gallant , a Belgian theme park enthusiast started the petition after a recent visit where he says "that four of the shows had been cancelled, two attractions were closed and food in one of the most expensive restaurants appeared to have been re-heated," according to The Independent.

A spokesperson for Disneyland Paris says that “both The Walt Disney Company and the management of Disneyland Paris are dedicated to ensuring that our resort offers each of its guests a magical experience, according to the The Express.

Even before its opening in 1992 Disneyland Paris has had problems. At first, the construction of the park was controversial with critics calling the park "cultural imperialism" from America.

Financially the park did not see a quarterly profit until 1995 and has suffered from financial hardships since then. The park is owned partially by the Walt Disney Company and Euro Disney S.C.A. In 2002,  The Walt Disney Company agreed to write off the $100 million Euro debt that Euro Disney S.C.A. owed to The Walt Disney Company.

Last year the staff went on strike seeking a 4 percent pay increase compare to the 1.5 percent being offered.

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Dapper Day dresses up Disney parks

The best-dressed people at Disney parks usually are the ones topping off their shorts and t-shirts with sequined Minnie Mouse ears.

DapperDay.com

But a couple of times a year, a group of sartorially minded Disney fans try to dress up the joint by promoting Dapper Days. The group, which is not affiliated with Disney, encourages park-goers to don their favorite "sophisticated fashions" for an evening at the park.

Past events have drawn thousands of guests sporting pinstripe suits and vintage dresses. Some even bring their kids all dolled up.

This year's fall gatherings are coming up soon:

• Friday, Sept. 6: Disneyland
• Saturday, Sept. 13: Disneyland Paris
• Saturday, Sept. 21: Walt Disney World

The events typically include a couple of meet-ups inside the parks where you can meet other stylish guests, but there's no requirement to mingle.

"People are looking for an excuse to dress up," Justin Jorgensen, 38, who started Dapper Day in 2011, told the Los Angeles Times. "Everything, including the workplace, pushes this idea of being casual. When do I get to wear my great stuff?"

We'd like to propose a real-world corollary: When it's Dapper Day at a Disney park, it should be Disney Day back in the real world, when we can be free to wear our Disney World gear to the office.

Visit DapperDay.com for more details, lots of photos from past gatherings and cut-rate tickets to the parks for Dapper Days.

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Saudi prince spent $20 million on 3-day party at Disneyland Paris

Talk about a graduation party.

Disneyland Paris publicity photo

A Saudi prince dropped 15 million euros ($20 million) for a three-day celebration at Disneyland Paris for him and 60 friends, according to the Telegraph.

Prince Fahd Al Saud celebrated his college graduation from May 22-24 by taking over portions of the park from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day with appearances from some special guests, including Roger and Jessica Rabbit, the Aristocats and the cast of Up and Atlantis, the Lost Empire.

Prince Fahd is the son of the late Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz al Saud and his third wife, Maha bint Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Sudairi.

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Minnie Mouse gets new designer dress for Disneyland Paris events

Minnie Mouse is adding a new dress to her closet.

Disney photo from YouTube video

For the first time a major designer has made a dress for Minnie Mouse which she will wear during special events at Disneyland Paris, according to the Associated Press.

Lanvin's designer Alber Elbaz designed a smaller-sized red tiara alongside a thick, bejeweled blue hourglass gown with padded shoulders. It was unveiled on catwalk presentation.

"Walt Disney was the one that actually designed Minnie. It's the first time an actual designer has come into the picture and designed a dress for her," Lanvin's designer Alber Elbaz told The Associated Press following the show.

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