[Chapter 488: You Should See for Yourself]
After having breakfast, Eric t with guests attending the opening ceremony, as arranged by the staff.
At nine o'clock, the opening ceremony officially began. Eric, along with Jeffrey Katzenberg and the managent team of the new park, took to the makeshift stage, interacting briefly with the dia present for the event. As the CEO of Disney, Katzenberg stepped up to the microphone to deliver his customary speech.
"Ladies and gentlen, welco to Euro Disneyland. This is an exhilarating mont..."
Eric kept smiling as he observed everything around him. In addition to the guests and nurous reporters, a sea of visitors had already gathered in the park's square. He knew that various performances inside the park had also been prepared, and everything seed to be unfolding as many expected.
With loud applause ringing out, Katzenberg concluded his speech and officially announced the opening of Euro Disneyland. Amidst the music and the sound of fireworks, countless visitors began rushing toward the gates.
Eric joined Katzenberg and the other guests as they entered Disneyland.
After socializing for over an hour, and since it was the park's opening day, the managent team, including Katzenberg, had to remain vigilant about operations to handle any unforeseen circumstances. Soon, they dispersed to their respective posts.
...
As Eric was about to say goodbye to Katzenberg and head back to the hotel to catch up on sleep after last night's all-nighter, he heard Patrick Schneider's voice behind him. "Mr. Williams, please hold on a mont."
"Pat, what's the matter?" Eric asked, stepping aside to pause.
Patrick Schneider pulled a floppy disk from his pocket. "Well, Mr. Williams, concerning the visitor survey you ntioned, I don't think it's necessary. We've already conducted extensive research. Besides, today is just the opening day. From what I see now, we're definitely going to exceed 100,000 visitors. Everyone will be swamped and won't have ti..."
Eric took the floppy disk, noting Patrick's dismissive expression. However, he didn't feel too concerned. The current situation at Euro Disneyland wasn't solely the fault of Disney's managent. Everyone involved in the project had been overly optimistic and blind, leading to the current circumstances. Many believed that Euro Disneyland couldn't fail, so it was understandable if they overlooked so minor details.
"Well, if you're too busy, then forget it," Eric said, fiddling with the floppy disk. "But I happen to be available. Just assign fifty people to , and I'll handle it personally. With thousands of employees at the park, fifty people shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Patrick Schneider's deanor, which had just relaxed, tensed up again. Although Eric was twenty years younger than him, everyone knew who he was. Eric spoke casually, but Patrick couldn't allow the big boss to handle a survey himself.
Being middle-aged and having risen to a top position at Disney, Patrick was savvy enough. He quickly realized that Eric wanting to do the survey was simply a way of asserting his authority. The refusal Patrick had just given had likely triggered the boss's pushback.
"Mr. Williams," Patrick hesitated for a few seconds before making a decision. He reached out to Eric, seemingly wanting to take the floppy disk back. "Perhaps I should handle this. I'll submit the results to you within a week."
Eric smiled. Facing this rather oblivious executive, his earlier annoyance faded sowhat. His age had always been a vulnerability, and it wasn't the first ti he had been underestimated. "Pat, you should just take care of your own responsibilities. Just give fifty people. I'll make sure my assistant handles it."
Realizing Eric was giving him an out, Patrick nodded eagerly.
Eric handed the floppy disk back to him. Just as Patrick was about to leave, Eric couldn't help but stop him. "Pat, do you honestly believe there are no issues with Euro Disneyland?"
Of course, Patrick wouldn't make sweeping statents. After thinking for a mont, he replied, "Mr. Williams, there will definitely be so issues. However, this new park was built to the sa specifications as our dostic Disney parks. Even if there are so flaws, there certainly won't be major problems."
Eric felt an impulse to rub his forehead. He was starting to realize that building the park strictly to Arican Disney specifications was the biggest problem with Euro Disneyland! "Alright, you go ahead and be busy, and I'll have Allen contact you."
Patrick sensed so uncertainty in Eric's expression but didn't probe further. He agreed and left.
...
Eric had initially planned to attend the opening ceremony, rest briefly, and then return to Los Angeles. After all, post-production for Jurassic Park was in full swing, and staying away for too long was unwise. However, upon realizing the issues with Euro Disneyland, he had to extend his stay.
For the next week, while awaiting the survey results, Eric spent his ti mingling at various parties. Besides the official party hosted by the French governnt to celebrate the opening of Euro Disneyland, he also received nurous invitations to private parties.
After another night of socializing, Eric stumbled out of a mansion in the 16th arrondissent of Paris, slightly tipsy, and bid farewell to the host.
This was a family party held by Nicolas Seydoux, the chairman of Gaumont. The guests included many renowned French filmmakers. Eric had never been particularly fond of French cinema, but he was intrigued by Gaumont, which had erged alongside the film industry. Many French filmmakers Eric was interested in had collaborated with Gaumont, so he was happy to attend the party. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side; he didn't find any familiar faces among the attendees.
The driver pulled up the car, and Eric shook Seydoux's hand one last ti. "Mr. Seydoux, thank you for the invitation. If you co to Los Angeles next ti, be sure to visit at the Liberty City Estate."
Nicolas Seydoux smiled and nodded. "I certainly will, Eric."
As Eric returned to the Disney hotel in the suburbs, he walked into the lobby and saw Allen waiting for him, seemingly for quite so ti.
"Eric, the survey results have all been compiled. A total of 10,700 responses," Allen said
briskly, though finally, he looked serious as he handed Eric a thick envelope. "I think you should see this for yourself."
*****
spatreon/Sayonara816.
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