Eurostar, which acts only as a “customer” to the Eurotunnel tracks and tunnels, has this morning released an official statement regarding services this weekend, for the first time mentioning the daily direct service to Disneyland Resort Paris:

EUROSTAR PRESS STATEMENT – RESTRICTED SERVICES ON SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER AND SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

Eurostar is operating a restricted, temporary timetable through the Channel Tunnel, using the single tunnel that is unaffected by fire. Travellers should check in as normal for the train times given on their tickets, and we will seek to carry them on the first available train.

However, travellers should expect significant delays before boarding their trains, and crowded departure lounges. Journey times will also be longer than normal.

Tomorrow (Sun 14 September) Eurostar expects to run up to 10 trains each way on London-Paris, up to five trains each way on London-Brussels, and the daily service each way between London and Disneyland Resort Paris. Trains will also call at Ashford International, Ebbsfleet International, Lille and Calais.

Travellers holding tickets for travel between 13 and 16 September who have non-essential journeys are able to exchange their tickets for a later date, or get a full refund.

There will be continuing alterations to the timetable, as Eurostar adjusts its services to manage high levels of demand and the reduced tunnel capacity. In the meantime, Eurostar thanks travellers for their continuing patience and understanding.

The morning (~8.53am) outbound service to Disneyland Resort Paris and the evening (~19.37pm) return service to London will therefore resume from tomorrow, Sunday 14th September 2008. In total, only two outbound trains and three return trains to the resort have been cancelled as a result of the serious fire in the South Running Tunnel.

The daily service from London to Marne-la-Vallée is one of Eurostar’s most popular trains. Over Summer 2008, the rail operator trialled a new, later departure and earlier return service to allow visitors from beyond the London region to use the daily route.