Non-Essential Travel Restricted for British Travelers Entering France Could Impact Some Disneyland Paris Guests

Due to increasing cases of COVID-19 and surges of the Omicron variant, the French government has restricted non-essential travel between the United Kingdom and France. The restrictions began today, December 17, 2021, and will be in place until further notice pending lower case counts and new data on COVID-19 in Europe.

Similar restrictions were enacted in France during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, however they had since been lifted and were only brought back now due to the rising cases of the Omicron variant in the UK. Under the restrictions, all nonessential travel to France from the UK is banned. To take a flight into France from the UK, travelers must have a “compelling reason to travel,” which the French government’s international travel website explicitly states may not be business or tourism reasons.

If a traveler does have a reason for travel which is considered essential and is cleared by the French government, they must take a PCR or TAG COVID-19 test within 24 hours of travel and present the negative results, regardless of one’s vaccination status. Prior to departure, travelers from the UK will also be required to fill out a registration form online to enter their address where they will be staying in France, as well as their reason for travel. The address given on the form is where travelers will agree to isolate for up to 48 hours “subject to the presentation of a negative test result.”

For British Guests with holiday plans of visiting Disneyland Paris, the restrictions certainly come as unwelcome news. While Disneyland Paris will offer refunds due to COVID-19 related cancellations for British travelers, many Guests stay outside of Disney resorts, and will need to confirm cancellation details and refund policies with outside hotels and airlines.

It is estimated that nearly a third or a fourth of the Guests visiting Disneyland Paris at any given time are travelers from the UK, so the restrictions could have quite the impact on the theme parks and resorts. Additionally, France’s ski industry is struggling to cope with the news given that ski resorts are popular destinations for British travelers during this time of the year.

If you are an international visitor who is able to enter France at this time, there are additional restrictions still in place for entering Disneyland Paris. Once in France, Guests ages 12 and over must register for a Health Pass that will track their vaccination requirements and show information for nearby testing sites. Masks are also required to be worn at all times in all areas of Disneyland Paris, and may only be removed while dining and taking outdoor photos.

We will keep you updated as restrictions change, and we learn more about any policies that may impact visits to Disney theme parks around the world.