Thank you origin.

Paris Eurostar queue was cold but probably not as cold as the one at St Pancras (that station is really cold for some reason). I saw a massive queue when I arrived from Paris after 9pm yesterday. The queue was kept in place with blue 'police' tapes trying to keep people in some kind of order, and it was really cold there. I really felt for those people queuing at St Pancras. I'd really much preferred the 10 hours spent at T5 F lounge compared to the 4-hour queue in the cold though, so now I have more appreciation of T5 F lounge (or T5 generally - at least it's warmer).

At Eurostar check-in in Paris, there was absolutely nowhere to sit in the queue or anywhere close by. Eurostar started giving out tea and coffee free of charge for those in the queue because people were frozen. The worst bit were the cold feet! I also think someone collapsed because I saw ambulance crew walk past, and the men in military uniforms came round to ask the staff if everything was OK, I assume in terms of public order. The pregnant, infirm etc weren't looked after very well though, and the queues were not in good order due to lack of enforcement.

My advice to everyone is to buy Business Premier to avoid the queue if you suspect a disruption in winter! However, it appears that Eurostar service is now even more disrupted and also availability reportedly nil till Christmas so it may be a bit academic.