BBC News Online: Business

Strike at Disneyland Paris

However, their action caused little disruption and the park's attractions are running normally.

The protesters greeted visitors with banderoles that read "we want money".

Their action was not expected to be followed by the majority of the park's 10,000 employees, only about 10% of whom are union members.

Unions at the "magic kingdom" called for strike action after talks over pay broke down earlier this week.

They said it would last at least Thursday morning, and they hoped by then management would have agreed to re-open negotiations.

If it did not, the effect on the coming festivities could be "disastrous," warned Daniel Rovedo, a delegate at the CFDT union.

Euro Disney is expecting up to 45,000 visitors on millennium night, for celebrations including open air discos, illuminated parades and fireworks.

Union demands

Five of the seven unions at the theme park have issued the strike call over pay.

Staff have been offered a bonus of 700 French francs each for working millennium night.

They say it falls within the upper bracket of what the tourism sector is offering.

But unions are calling for a payment of between 2,000 and 4,000 francs and three days off for those working 31 December and 1 January.

They also want 2000 pay negotiations to be concluded before 28 December rather than waiting until the middle of January as the managers have proposed. They say the increases would be retrospective.

Disneyland Paris said in a statement that normal services would be maintained.

"The management would like to reassure the public that the park will continue to open and operate as normal and that the quality of services provided to all guests who have chosen Disneyland Paris as their year-end destination will be a top priority," it said.

The theme park, which is just over 30 kilometres (20 miles) east of Paris, has seen 1999 profits fall by almost 50% and is struggling with high levels of debt.