Despite a confirmed case amongst its Cast Members and a slew of other confirmed cases throughout France and the rest of Europe, Disneyland Paris remains open throughout the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, attempting to keep guests (and investors) happy while keeping the park as clean as possible.
According to the Le Parisien, the park is adapting its health and safety protocols in order to reduce the possibility of transmission.
Internally, Cast Members now have a dedicated phone line that can be accessed Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Management released the following statement in a new internal note to employees:
“We understand that the Coronavirus and the constantly evolving situation raise many questions. Please note that we will follow up daily and take the necessary preventive measures to guarantee your safety and that of visitors.”
Changes for visitors include some obvious measures, like cleaning and disinfecting high-traffic target areas as well as making hand sanitizer stations widely available in all guest areas.
Earlier this morning, it was announced that various changes in entertainment would take place, such as the closure of the Princess Pavilion, to limit interactions between Cast Members and guests. Even interactions amongst guests are being scaled back, with Single Rider queues closed for the time being, so as to limit exposure between groups of people, and avoid enclosed ride vehicles packed with too many people. Concerts and dancing at Billy Bob’s in Disney Village have also been suspended.
In restaurants and hotels, they’re swapping regular cutlery for disposable cutlery. Stroller handles and wheelchairs are also being wiped down continuously.
A Disney representative told Le Parisien:
“To date, no closure is planned, and if there is a closure, it will be by decision of the regional prefect.”
If Disneyland Paris were to close, it would join Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Resort in Coronavirus-related closures. An official statement by the park’s Chief Medical Doctors can be found here.
We’ll keep our eyes on developments here in Paris as well as in Tokyo, Shanghai,and Hong Kong regarding the COVID-19 outbreak’s effect on Disney Parks operations.