A roller coaster for the Ascension?
In any case, directors of amusement parks and thrill seekers cultivate this hope.
Clinging to the recent speech of the President of the Republic (who mentioned "from mid-May, a calendar of gradual reopening for culture, sport, leisure, events and our cafes and restaurants"), they are now betting on a return of the public around May 15.
With the possible exception of Disneyland Paris.
Already, with more or less eagerness, the parks have all upset their calendar which provided for a reopening in early April.
“We are continuing discussions with the Ministry of Tourism, particularly on the health protocols to be put in place, but we have no timetable.
Like everyone else, we listen to what the government is saying and we hope that the contaminations curve will drop ... For April, obviously, it's dead.
The most optimistic date would be early May.
But as the president spoke of the 15th, it is the most realistic ”, estimates Arnaud Bennet, director of the PAL park in Auvergne and president of the union of amusement parks (SNELAC).
Disneyland dormant until June?
Same observation at Parc Astérix (Oise).
“We do not have clear visibility but we are preparing, in particular with the recruitment of 1,000 seasonal positions.
We need a fortnight to get everything back on track.
We remain optimistic ”, details the communication service of the Gauls.
“What we are asking for is to be part of the first wagon of the reopenings.
A start in June, like last year, would be too penalizing economically.
We also want measures adapted to our activity: a gauge no more severe than in 2020, with catering to take away in the park and classic catering in our hotels ... Last year, we proved that our protocols were to the point: there was no cluster with us ”, insists Arnaud Bennet.
Weakened by losses of turnover ranging from 30 to 60%, the parks dream of a season a little longer than last year.
Even if the government has just put in place new aid measures, essential in the eyes of the boss of SNELAC.
“For the tourism sector, the State will take charge of 70% of our fixed costs.
This is very good news that we have been asking for a year.
In a park, you can't put everyone on short-time work.
There needs to be a permanent presence on certain posts, especially in zoos.
At PAL, for example, our turnover fell by 36% last year but our expenses by only 9%… This decision will not stop the bleeding but at least slow it down.
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In the world of parks, a special case remains, and not the least: Disneyland Paris.
Economically, the park depends 50% on foreign customers, who will undoubtedly not be back in France in May.
Moreover, a restart depends in part on decisions taken by headquarters in the United States.
As suggested by the opening of reservations for June only on the website, it is therefore a safe bet that the American giant will remain closed a few weeks longer than its competitors, as was the case in 2020. To the chagrin of His fans.