While the ongoing extended closure of all Disney Parks, while necessary, is undoubtedly depressing, these closures have had the far biggest impact on those responsible for making magic for us every day: Cast Members. With the Disneyland Paris closure extended through at least April 15 due to nationwide lockdowns, new details have been released regarding payment for Cast Members during the closure.

The CFDT, Disneyland Paris’ first trade union, has issued a press release detailing how payment for Cast Members will work out throughout the closure, at least for now:

You can view the full press release here.

According to the press release, Cast Members will be on partial unemployment until May 31 or whenever the parks otherwise open, whichever happens first. During this time, Cast Members will receive unemployment funds. Disneyland Paris will then pay out the equivalent of the rest of their wages/salaries through April 19 (a salary supplement in conjunction with unemployment funds.) Starting on April 20, however, Cast Members will have to subsist off unemployment funds alone, or the equivalent to minimum wage.

Here at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort, Cast Member unions pushed for a continuation of paid wages and benefits. Disney Parks has agreed to pay their US-based hourly parks and resorts Cast Members through April 18.