Disneyland Paris reopens after four-month shutdown

The hugely popular tourist attraction closed in March along with all other tourist sites in France and since then bosses have been working on revised health protocols that will allow them to safely reopen.

The Magic Kingdom opened its doors on Wednesday morning with a reduced visitor capacity and strict health rules in place.

Masks are compulsory for anyone over the age of 11, physical distancing of more than 1m is enforced and hand gel dispensers on site.

 

Advance booking online is now compulsory and for the time being the afternoon parade and the fireworks show in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle will not be happening.

Hugs with the Disney characters will not be allowed although the park has created new 'selfie spots' for photos with Mickey et al and a new range of Disney masks are going on sale (with profits going to the Red Cross).

Visitors in masks on the first day of reopening at Disneyland Paris. Photo: AFP

Daniel Delcourt, second in command of operations at the park, told France Inter: "In less than a fortnight, 20 kilometres of signage on the ground have been installed to encourage visitors to respect safety distances.

"In front of the attractions, no less than three kilometres of special barriers and large Plexiglas fences have been installed to prevent visitors from coming into contact with each other while waiting to board the mine train or the Tower of Terror.

"Finally, 2,000 automatic hydroalcoholic gel dispensers have been installed, which should represent a gel consumption of 21,000 litres per month."

Unions representing staff at the park estimate that only around 12,000 visitors per day will be allowed (against the usual capacity of 40,000).