Disneyland Paris took the lead on Friday noon: the Seine-et-Marne park will not reopen, as planned, on April 2.
Even if "Mickey" remains a case apart, the Futuroscope, the Parc Astérix, and the Puy du Fou, which also counted on a reception of the public at the beginning of April, could soon do the same.
Because a little more than two weeks from the deadline, the prospect of a return to normal seems to move away a little more each day.
Due to the health situation and in the absence of ministerial announcements, no one really believes in it.
Except for Disneyland and Futuroscope, which had hoped to launch in February, the other seasonal parks have stuck to their “usual” reopening schedule, the one before the crisis.
“This winter, April seemed a reasonable date.
But today ... ”, we see at Futuroscope.
Since then, variants of the virus have arrived and the third wave seems to be on the rise.
“Frankly, given the situation, we no longer really believe in it,” sighs at Parc Astérix.
READ ALSO>
Futuroscope is investing heavily despite the crisis
Puy du Fou still wants to cling to a slim hope, counting on the after "four to six difficult weeks" announced by Emmanuel Macron.
“But it is sure that if there is no decision before the end of this week, it will be very complicated to open at the beginning of April.
"And Arnaud Bennet, president of the union of amusement parks (SNELAC) and director of PAL (Auvergne), to summarize the general feeling:" Unless a miracle, I think it's dead.
"
May or June?
All are waiting to see a scheduled meeting a little clearer, after being postponed by a week, Tuesday March 16 at the Ministry of Tourism.
Laconic, the services of the latter explain "not being able to move forward on any date.
We continue to work with the sector to be ready when the time comes ”.
As everywhere, it is the Elysée and / or Matignon which must give the the.
“Frankly, we're not even waiting for a schedule.
They just tell us their awareness of the urgency of opening parks, for businesses and for the local economy, ”admits Arnaud Bennet.
The only certainty: the equipment is ready.
“We have been working for a month, as for a normal opening.
We have launched the seasonal recruiting campaign, the attractions are starting to turn ... We have a press release already written.
There is only the date which is in white ”, explains one to the service communication of the Gallic park.
For what deadline?
There, you have to get into the game of predictions.
Optimists hope for mid-April.
But it is rumored that at Disney, employees would rather prepare for June.
READ ALSO>
Disneyland Paris opens the door to the departure of 1,000 employees
The boss of SNELAC cultivates hope.
" The earliest would be best.
Our health protocols, which have been proven, are up to date.
Honestly, if I am told May 1, I sign right away.
One month of closure is still playable.
But not later, not in June like last year.
We cannot relive a season like this.
Otherwise, I think some will have a hard time getting over it ”.
Newsletter The list of our desires
Our favorites for fun and culture.
Subscribe to the newsletterAll newsletters
Especially since, as explained at Futuroscope, visitors are starting to get impatient: “Over the past two weeks, we have had more and more calls from people who want to know when we are opening.
They say they miss us ... "