DISNEYLAND Paris is linking up with specialist golf operators to raise awareness of the theme park’s golf course and increase the number of players from the UK.
The course, which opened in October 1992, six months after the theme park, averages 250 players in a day. Most of these arefrom the Paris region. It has handled 318 in one day and could easily take more.
Golf course manager Mark Lewis said the major problem is that few people in the UK even know there is a course at Disneyland Paris. “This year we are going to specialist golf tour companies to put together packages rather than Disneyland Paris operators, as they do not know about golf,”said Lewis.
“Specialists know what they are talking about when clients ring up and they will also do a lot of promotion for us.”
The park has signed a deal with Driveline Golf Holidays and Lewis said talks are also planned with Cresta, which operates French golf breaks, and Longshot Holidays.
He would also like to see packages that combine golfing with the theme park, giving a keen golfer the chance to play while the rest of the family enjoys Disneyland.
“At the moment clients can book a package to the park and simply add time on the golf course,” he said.
The 222-acre site contains three nine-hole courses which each starts and finishes at the club house, so they can be combined to make three 18-hole courses. Lewis estimated players need 4hrs 30mins to play 18 holes. Green fees range from around £17 midweek to £30 at weekends.
Each nine-hole green is named in Disney style – 100-Acre Wood, Neverland and Wonderland – and each hole is named after a Disney character, including Peter Pan, Alice and Christopher Robin.
“The courses were designed to suit all levels of play, so they are challenging but fair,” said Lewis.
Several tournaments have been held at the course with top players including John Daly and Phil Mickleson. The European Challenge Tournament will be held there from October 14-17.
“Disneyland Paris is ideal for these events as it has the park’s hotel infrastructure so nearby,” said Lewis. The park is about eight mins’ drive away.