Families left 'heartbroken' as French transport strikes ruin dream Disneyland trips
5 December 2019, 19:05
British tourists heading on their "dream" trip to Disneyland Paris say they are "heartbroken" as the French General Strike threatens to ruin their holiday.
Travel to and from France has been severely disrupted after large-scale strikes broke out in protest at President Emmanuel Macron's plans to overhaul the country's retirement system.
The walkout has affected most of the Paris underground system, as well as EuroStar journeys and flights to France.
Daryl Moran, an electrical engineer from Merseyside, wrote on social media that his family would be missing "a full day" at Disneyland due to the strikes.
He said: "It was a surprise for my eldest daughter, who is eight next week. She is absolutely heartbroken that we are missing a full day there now."
"We should have arrived at Paris 9.30am local time, we will arrive in Paris now at 5pm local time. We have been at the airport since 4am.
He continued: "We had no idea of the strike, we've received no emails off our airline Flybe nor the travel agent Hays Travel."
"We are really upset as it has spoilt our surprise for our daughter and are a little annoyed that we're losing a full day."
Would happen to me. Should be on an aeroplane now going to Disneyland Paris with the family but due to a strike over in France we've now got to wait til 12:30 to get a flight to Southampton to get a connecting flight to Paris so losing a full day! Any help @HaysTravel ???
— Daryl Moran (@daryljmoran) December 5, 2019
Should be on our way to Disneyland Paris with my daughters no email from @HaysTravel even though the strike has been known for over 24 hours and Flybe customers were emailed loosing a whole day đ
— Sophia Massey (@Sophiamoran84) December 5, 2019
Another parent supposed to be heading for Disneyland said her daughter is in "floods of tears" after her birthday plans were ruined by the strikes.
Sophia Massey said: "It's a nightmare, I booked with Hays Travel for my daughter's birthday and now we have to fly to Southampton and then connect to Paris from there, we are losing a day in Disneyland Paris.
"We booked this as a surprise."
Other disappointed holidaymakers took to social media to express their frustrations.
One user wrote: "I am so disappointed with Disneyland Paris -booked a holiday to fly 5/12 through travel agent who booked on official Disney website & despite AirFrance advising we can change flight to avoid strike as booked as package Disney wonât let us.
"Feel very let down."
Another said: "Thanks AirFrance for ruining our trip to Disneyland Paris, flight cancelled due to strike action.
"Couldnât even notify us, I only found out when I went to check in online!"
@DisneyParis_EN I am so disappointed with Disneyland Paris -booked a holiday to fly 5/12 through travel agent who booked on official Disney website&dispite Airfrance advising we can change flight to avoid strike as booked as package Disney wonât let usđĄ feel very let down
— Teresa Sevar (@TSevar) December 3, 2019
Thanks @airfrance for ruining our trip to Disneyland Paris, flight cancelled due to strike action đđ»Couldnât even notify us, I only found out when I went to check in online!
— gareth elliott (@gelliott3081) April 3, 2018
The strikes are the largest in recent French history.
They are in retaliation to President Macron's plans to streamline the country's 42 state pension systems, as workers fear it will lead to them working longer and earning less upon retirement.
On Thursday, Air France said about 30% of its domestic flights would be cancelled, with Easyjet, British Airways and Ryanair also cancelling many of their flights to and from France.
No tickets are available on Eurostar trains until Tuesday, with the company saying it had cancelled almost 100 services between now and then.
