Disney parks are known for turning holidays into full-scale productions — from pastel-hued Easter parades to elaborate Christmas festivals. Halloween is no exception, and across the globe, Disney locations compete to see who can conjure the most atmosphere with pumpkins, villains, and parades.
The seasonal celebrations start earlier in some resorts than others. In Florida, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs from mid-August, stretching Magic Kingdom into one of the longest Halloween events in the industry. California’s Oogie Boogie Bash remains a fan-favorite, selling out year after year at Disney California Adventure Park.
Even Tokyo Disney Resort has earned a reputation for going all out, layering on attraction overlays like Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare and selling themed merchandise that becomes highly collectible. Adults are even free to wear costumes — a rarity in most Disney destinations.
A Spooky Season in France
In France, Disneyland Paris kicks off its Disney Halloween Festival in October, highlighting villains like Maleficent and Captain Hook during the parade. The festivities also include a reimagined restaurant — The Lucky Nugget is temporarily renamed The Unlucky Nugget — along with a new treasure hunt presented by M&M’s.
This year, Disneyland Paris has invested in new technology to enhance the experience. After installing super bright HD LED video projectors along Main Street, U.S.A. for January’s debut of Disney Tales of Magic, the park is applying the upgrade to its Halloween season. Freshly designed projections will cast spooky scenes down the iconic thoroughfare once night falls.
The move represents a significant visual expansion for a park that has often been criticized for not matching the scale of its American or Japanese counterparts. Fans had expected the upgrade to be available throughout the season. Instead, the news sparked frustration.
Only on Select Nights
Disneyland Paris will reportedly feature the Halloween projections on a limited run of dates: October 4, 5, and 11, then nightly from October 19 through November 2. That means many visitors attending earlier in the month may miss out.
Reaction online was swift. As one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “The whole season but actually just half. What’s the point of not offering the same experience to everyone ??”
This is not the first time Disneyland Paris has faced pushback for its seasonal strategies. Guests previously bristled when attractions like Autopia and Cars ROAD TRIP opened later than usual during the winter season, citing what appeared to be cost-cutting measures. Similarly, replacing Disney Junior Dream Factory with a smaller-scale “character moment” titled Minnie’s Musical Moment prompted one fan to write, “Is this a theme park or a cruise?”
Beyond the temporary frustrations, critics also point to longer-term concerns. Disneyland Park — the original castle park at the resort — has not received a new attraction in more than a decade. That reality stands in contrast to the major expansions planned for Walt Disney Studios Park, which will soon be rebranded as Disney Adventure World.
Coming additions include World of Frozen in 2026, a Lion King–inspired land with a water ride descending from Pride Rock, and attractions based on Tangled and Up. For now, though, visitors hoping for the full Halloween atmosphere in Paris will need to time their visits carefully.
Are you planning to visit Disney for Halloween this year?
