Disneyland Paris announced today that it will be joining several other Disney theme parks around the globe in reopening. This comes on the heels of Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland Reopening as Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts are gearing up to reopening in July. The news came via a letter from Disneyland Paris president Natacha Rafalski. Starting on July 15th with Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney’s Newport Bay Club hotel, and the Disney Village will all begin a phased reopening.
Health and Safety
As with the reopening of the other Disney theme parks, there will be health and safety protocols in place when Disneyland Paris reopens. This will include safety and cleanliness training for Cast Members, social distancing, and other safety guidelines. As with other Disney theme parks that are reopening, face masks will be required to be worn by all.
To control capacity, an online reservation system will be utilized for guests wishing to visit. With it, guests will be able to register for the date and park that they want to visit. Guests will be able to register in July for their visits. Travel reservations will also be flexible for those who wish to cancel their trips seven days prior to their trip with the changes or cancellations not incurring a fee (except transport fees). There will also be flexible payment options available that can be attained through a Disneyland Paris travel agent.
Entertainment
Entertainment at Disneyland Paris will be modified upon its phased reopening, much like is being seen at other Disney parks around the globe. The Disney Stars on Parade and Disney Illuminations night time spectacular will not return with the reopening of Disneyland Paris. Instead, they will return at a later date. The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands will reopen during summer 2020. Theaters will adopt a new seating configuration to promote physical distancing. Some other shows and events will not be available upon the reopening but will return as health and safety conditions allow.
Character meet and greets will be suspended for the time being as well. The same will go for the kid’s playgrounds. Instead, characters will appear for special photo opportunities. There will also be new Selfie Spots for guests to take some memorable photos at. However, there will not be close interactions or hugs with characters.
Attractions
The attractions at Disneyland Paris will be configured to comply with physical distancing between different groups or families. During this time, Fastpass and Single Rider options will be suspended. Cleaning protocols will also be in place.
Hotels & Resorts
Extra Magic Hours WILL be available for hotel and resort guests at Disneyland Paris. This will allow hotel and resort guests some extra time to enjoy the parks ahead of the regular day guests. There will also be safety and health protocols in place to give guests a comfortable experience. This will include physical distancing, one family per elevator ride, cleaning protocols, accelerated check-in protocols, and physical distancing room service options.
Restaurants
Restaurants will be operating at a reduced capacity when they reopen. They will also now offer a new Take Away offer for guests to enjoy eating their food in an outdoor location. Buffets will no longer be available. Instead, they will become all-you-can-eat table service experiences. It is suggested to get reservations ahead of visiting Disneyland Paris restaurants.
Boutiques
Boutiques at Disneyland Paris will be reopening with the phased reopening. They will be reconfigured though to create physical distancing and larger circulation space. Cast Members will be on hand to also encourage physical distancing. There will be a specific entrance and exit to the boutiques as well. Cashless payments will be available along with protective barriers at registers.
Disneyland Paris Opening Announcement Letter
At Disneyland Paris, we have been celebrating our Disney Parks family from around the world. From our colleagues at Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland who have reopened their gates, to Walt Disney World and Disneyland who announced their plans to reopen next month – we are inspired by their resilience and proud of what they’ve accomplished to once again welcome guests back to experience the magic of our resorts.
As President of Disneyland Paris, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside our team of dedicated cast members who have demonstrated tremendous commitment to preserving the magic for our guests and fans during our unprecedented closure. The last several months have tested us and our community – both personally and professionally – but together we have persevered with optimism and determination. We are grateful for the resilience of our cast members and local community, the enthusiasm of our guests and fans, and the positive momentum of the many reopenings in the tourism industry throughout Europe. We’ve been so touched by our guests around the world who’ve found creative ways to maintain their connection to Disneyland Paris from home.
Now, as our community begins to recover, I’m thrilled to share that our iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle will once again welcome guests to its towering spires and sprawling vistas when the resort begins its phased reopening on July 15. Since its temporary closure in March of this year, guests of all ages have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of our premiere European destination. Come July 15, Disneyland Paris will begin a phased reopening with visitors able to return to Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney’s Newport Bay Club hotel, and Disney Village. We look forward to the return of our cast members and reopening our gates so that our guests may once again enjoy our resort.
As we approach this day, we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our cast members and guests. In line with French government and health authorities’ recommendations, the phased reopening of Disneyland Paris will present a deliberate approach with enhanced health and safety measures tailored to our specific environment. This will include limits on attendance and require advanced ticketing and reservations to accommodate controlled guest density that aligns with government guidance on physical distancing.
We’ve been looking forward to the day we are all able to return to Disneyland Paris, and upon reopening, guests will be able to experience the guest service we are known for, our iconic attractions and entertainment, heart-warming new character moments, and even a few surprises along the way. As we are taking a phased approach, some experiences will change and others will return at a later date, but the magic that our cast is world renowned for will remain. We know it will take all of us working together, both cast members and guests, in this shared responsibility to promote a healthy and safe environment. More information on the enhanced health and safety measures are available on www.disneylandparis.com.
Over the next few weeks, our teams will be taking steps to prepare Disneyland Paris for a successful reopening, from visible changes to accommodate physical distancing, to new training for all of our cast members. We know that reopening is just the beginning, and we will continually adjust our plans as appropriate in this evolving situation with input from safety and health authorities.
As we reflect on the last several months, the magic of being able to enjoy a Disney experience means so much more. I’m very much looking forward to the day when our guests and cast members can celebrate being together again. Until then, stay safe, keep dreaming, and see you soon at Disneyland Paris! After all, there is no magic without YOU!
Disneyland Paris Press Release
Theme Park opens with controlled capacity, enhanced health and safety protocols and will manage attendance through a new online reservation system
Today, Disneyland Paris announced a phased reopening of the resort starting with the Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney’s Newport Bay Club Hotel and Disney Village as of 15 July 2020. The reopening is in line with guidance from French government and health authorities and has been discussed with Union Representatives from the Comité Social et Economique (CSE).
In addition, and subject to the continued evolution of the situation, Disneyland Paris also announced the scheduled phased reopening of several other Disney hotels including Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne on 20 July, Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe on 3 August and the Disneyland Hotel on 7 September. Disney’s Sequoia Lodge Hotel and Disney’s Davy Crocket Ranch will remain closed during the summer with reopening dates announced at a later time.
“All of us at Disneyland Paris are excited to be on the path to reopening over the next few weeks,” said Natacha Rafalski, President of Disneyland Paris. “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 reopenings in the tourism industry across Europe. We are looking forward to the return of our cast members and reopening our gates for guests to once again enjoy.”
“We are thrilled to see one of the main tourism destinations in Europe and largest single site employer in France reopen to guests and its employees,” said Sophie Huberson, Executive Director of Le Syndicat National des Espaces de Loisirs, d’Attractions et Culturels (SNELAC). “This is an important milestone for the tourism and leisure industry in France and will be a critical step in our industry’s recovery.” SNELAC is the organization representing theme parks, leisure and cultural areas in France.
Safety Measures and Experience
The phased reopening will incorporate a deliberate approach, with enhanced health and safety measures implemented for both cast members and guests. This will include limits on attendance and require advanced ticketing and reservations to accommodate controlled guest density that supports government guidance on physical distancing. As a result, some experiences, shows or events will not be available or may be modified upon reopening depending on the evolution of the safety and sanitary measures and recommendations from public authorities. This includes offerings such as Disney Stars on Parade and Disney Illuminations night time spectacular which will return at a later date.
The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands and Jungle Book Jive—two top-rated entertainment spectaculars—will return later in the summer. While character meet and greets will be temporarily unavailable, characters will be in the parks in new ways to entertain and delight guests. Other experiences such as playgrounds and makeover experiences will remain temporarily unavailable. Additionally, FastPass services will be suspended in order to allow for the necessary queue management on attractions. Cast members and guests ages 11 and older will also be required to wear face coverings while at the resort. More information on specific measures are available on www.disneylandparis.com.
Ticketing and Reservation System
As Disneyland Paris welcomes guests back to the magic with a limited number of tickets available each day during the initial reopening, a new online reservation system will be available in early July. To ensure admission, guests in possession of or buying non-dated tickets, and Annual Pass holders, will need to register on this new online reservation system to obtain a reservation for park entry prior to their arrival. Guests who already have a dated ticket, do not need to register and reserve a date. Likewise, guests with packages that include park admittance will receive admission for the duration of their stay and do not need to use the new online reservation system.
Tickets and packages are now on sale on the resort’s website, Disneyland Paris call center and official travel partner channels, with a limited number of tickets available each day during the initial reopening phase. Ticket sales will not be available on site.
To provide guests with maximum flexibility, new booking conditions are now available to include cancellations and modifications without fees (excluding transport) on stays in the Disney Hotels anytime up to seven days before the arrival date. Specific details are available on www.disneylandparis.com.
As Disneyland Paris readies for reopening, guests are invited to check www.disneylandparis.com for the latest information. Fans and guests can continue to experience the magic of Disneyland Paris through athome.DisneylandParis.com, and use #DisneyMagicMoments on social media to share their stories.
When Disneyland Paris begins its phased reopening on July 15th, it will have many policies that are similar to those seen at other Disney theme parks around the world. There will be some differences as well. DAPS MAGIC will continue to cover this developing story and provide updates as they become available.
What do you think of Disneyland Paris’ opening plan? Share your thoughts in the comments below or with DAPS MAGIC on Facebook or Twitter!
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