Disneyland Paris reopens, but Mickey won’t hug

THE Disneyland Paris theme park opened to visitors yesterday with Disney characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy on hand as usual for selfies with visitors but safety measures were in force to stop Covid19 spreading.

The park opened after being shuttered for nearly eight months during the pandemic.

While cast members dressed as favourite Disney characters can greet visitors, according to the park’s revised rules, “close interactions, including hugs, will be temporarily suspended”. Visitors over the age of 6 are also required to wear masks.

Nevertheless, visitors streaming through the gates at opening time were ecstatic to be there. Émeline N’Zalakanda, a 22-year-old student, said she visited several times a week before lockdown and has missed it.

“There’s so much emotion, seeing all these people again.”