Heartbreak After Dream Disneyland Trip Canceled Due to Eurostar Disruptions

A mother's plans for a Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland Paris for her terminally ill daughter were shattered after Eurostar services were disrupted. The bomb found near Gare du Nord forced cancellations, leaving families in distress as they sought alternate arrangements.

Toni Mannion's heart sank when she learned that the Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland Paris for her five-year-old daughter, Daisy, had been cancelled. The family was unable to travel due to Eurostar service disruptions triggered by the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb near Gare du Nord station in Paris.

Describing herself as “gutted,” Mannion, a 38-year-old mother from Birmingham, had been eagerly anticipating creating cherished memories with Daisy, who has complex health needs. Daisy suffers from Nonketotic hyperglycinemia, a rare metabolic disorder that leaves her non-verbal, wheelchair-bound, and severely affected by epilepsy.

Mannion and her family had traveled from Birmingham to London in preparation for their trip to Disneyland Paris. They were excited to embark on a journey that the Make-A-Wish charity had generously funded. “We were really looking forward to making some special memories with the girls,” Mannion lamented, noting her daughter’s limited time and the precious nature of their opportunity.

The bomb, which was successfully defused on Friday afternoon, left many travellers stranded. Eurostar's chief safety and stations officer Simon Lejeune expressed his deep apologies for the disruptions that affected so many. As travel began to resume, many Britons found themselves separated from their intended destinations, with altered plans causing concern.

Some travellers, facing delays, chose to be adaptable. Vicky, a traveller, shared how she and her mother decided to extend their stay in Paris despite initial worries about getting home, taking the opportunity to explore more of the city. Others reported frustration over the Eurostar app crashing repeatedly, which hindered their ability to rebook travel.

For Mannion and families like hers, the situation stirs feelings of sadness and disappointment as they cope with the stress of elusive travel plans in the face of life-altering circumstances. The Make-A-Wish charity has indicated they will attempt to re-schedule the dream trip for Daisy and her family, but the emotional toll of the cancellations remains palpable.