Disneyland Paris to Re-open – But No Hugs!

There is good news for parents of cooped-up kids, with Disneyland Paris – closed since mid-March – announcing that the theme park is set to gradually reopen from July 15. However, due to Covid-19 safety measures, visitors will not be permitted to give their favourite characters a hug.

There will be strict sanitary measures in place, including mandatory mask wearing for those over 11 years of age and social distancing being encouraged. There will also be limits on attendance numbers and increased cleaning protocols.

The park will provide over 2,000 sanitising and hand-washing stations throughout the site, located near entrances and exits to attractions, shops and restaurants.

Staff and cast members will undertake health and safety training and will encourage physical distancing as well as the use of contactless payments.

Visitors will be able to have their photo taken with some of the popular characters from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel will sadly hugs will not be permitted. However, Disneyland Paris said that characters will be on hand “in new ways to entertain and delight guests”.

The park also announced that the usual parades and firework displays will not take place.

Some tickets will be available each day during the initial phase of the gradual re-opening of the site, with a new online reservation system going live in early July.

First to open will be Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney’s Newport Bay Club Hotel and Disney Village.

“All of us at Disneyland Paris are excited to be on the path to reopening over the next few weeks,” said Disneyland Paris President, Natacha Rafalski. “Making magic means even more as we reflect on the resilience of our cast members and community, the enthusiasm of our guests and fans, and the positive momentum of many re-openings in the tourism industry across Europe.”

Among new rides for later this year is Cars Route 66 Road Trip, which will take visitors on a behind-the-scenes look at the animated film by Pixar, Cars.