UPDATE: Travel Plans Resume After 500KG Explosive Cancels Disney Vacations
Disneyland Paris vacationers faced unexpected chaos yesterday after a nearly 500 kg World War II bomb was unearthed in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis. The discovery, made by workers near the train tracks just a mile from Gare du Nord, led to mass travel disruptions, forcing hundreds—if not thousands—of guests to cancel or delay their trips.
“Finding bombs around the railway network is something that happens,” French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot told Reuters (via BBC). “But in proportion, like the one today with a bomb of this size, it’s really quite exceptional.”
While unexploded ordnance from the war occasionally turns up in France and the UK, bombs of this scale remain a rare find.
Disney Travel Plans Axed After Bomb Causes Chaos
The impact on travel was immediate. Eurostar services—still used by many Disneyland Paris visitors, despite direct routes from London being scrapped in 2023—were suspended for the rest of the day.
Even after local Parisian trains resumed once the bomb was defused, the Eurostar cancellations left tens of thousands of passengers stranded on both sides of the Channel. Social media quickly filled with frustrated posts, while reports emerged of families canceling long-awaited Make-A-Wish trips.
This morning brought some relief, as Eurostar confirmed it had resumed services between St Pancras International and Gare du Nord.
The company added two extra trains—one from London to Paris in the morning and another returning to the UK in the afternoon—allowing guests to once again connect to Disneyland Paris via the TGV to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station.
Previous Incidents at Disneyland Paris
Though rare, bomb-related disruptions aren’t entirely new to the resort. In 2017, Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station was evacuated following a bomb scare triggered by a suspicious package.
The station reopened later that afternoon after bomb disposal teams deemed the area safe.
Positive Developments Await at Disneyland Paris
Despite the travel turmoil, Disneyland Paris pushed forward with its latest celebration: the grand opening of La Forêt Secrète par Jean Imbert at Disneyland Hotel.
The Michelin-starred chef’s restaurant offers a three-course discovery menu for €140 ($152) and a five-course tasting menu for €200 ($217), excluding drinks.
Looking ahead, the Disney Music Festival is set to launch in April at Disneyland Park, featuring live concerts, dance performances, and street shows with beloved Disney and Pixar characters.
Meanwhile, Walt Disney Studios Park is gearing up for major expansions, including its own World of Frozen—already a hit at Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea—and the first-ever theme park land inspired by The Lion King (1994).
Have you ever had a Disney vacation unexpectedly derailed?
