According to media sources, it seems one of our favourite holiday destinations has been overcharging British and German visitors based solely on their country of residence.
For instance, for the same package that French guests pay €1,346 for British visitors are being charged €1,870 while Germans have to pay €2,447.
There have been numerous complaints from customers who have accused the theme park of illegally blocking access to deals that are available to visitors from France or Belgium. According to the EU commissioner for the single market, Elzbieta Bienkowska, a number of the complaints “were very significant, particularly in one or two instances”.
The EU services directive bans charging customers more for the same services because of where they live. And based on this, on Tuesday, the European Commission told French authorities to investigate whether Disneyland Paris were unfairly charging foreign customers more than their French guests.
Talking to RTÉ News at One today, Director General of the European Consumer Organisation, Monique Goyens, said: "This is just not understandable, it has no explanation and no legitimation, there is no good reason for the same package to impose such different prices on consumers for different countries.There can sometimes be price differences between different packages or there can be promotional prices but the fact that those good deals are only for consumers from certain countries - this is something that is acceptable."
However, Vice President of Disneyland Paris, Julien Kauffmann, denied claims that they were overcharging. Talking to AFP, he said: "Our prices are strictly the same everywhere in the European Union, apart from exchange rates. The only difference at any given time is linked to the fact we make special offers that are not necessarily the same, and not available at the same time in all European countries."
"Needs are not fundamentally the same in all countries. In Italy or Spain, we'll more likely offer packages including meals or free transport, while in France -- where people often arrive in their own cars -- we will offer the same discount applicable to a hotel room," he added.
If you are planning on booking a trip to Disneyland Paris, MummyPages believe clicking on this link is one of the best ways to get a cheaper deal, although you will have to dust off your French lessons!
