A trip to Disneyland Paris in October promises spooky parades, elaborate seasonal décor, and character meet-and-greets dressed in festive costumes. Yet for some travelers, simply reaching the gates may prove more daunting than usual.
Theme park vacations are often shaped by factors outside the control of Disney itself. From hurricanes shuttering Walt Disney World to technical ride breakdowns or even labor strikes within the parks, disruptions have a long history of colliding with Disney’s carefully crafted magic. Now, European visitors may soon encounter a different kind of obstacle before even setting foot inside the resort.
The looming issue isn’t weather or broken attractions — it’s the skies above.
Air Traffic Controllers Push Strike Action Into October
The French air traffic controllers’ union, the SNCTA, has announced new strike dates after canceling a planned walkout on September 18. Instead, its members will stage action from October 7 through October 9, raising the prospect of significant travel headaches for anyone flying to or from French airports.
“The date of September 18 is no longer compatible with the possibility of bringing our demands to a successful conclusion, due to a lack of interlocutors and the necessary time devoted to them,” the SNCTA said in a statement.
This move directly affects Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport, the primary hub for international tourists bound for Disneyland Paris. Should the strike proceed, passengers may face widespread delays, last-minute cancellations, or limited flight availability. Other unions, including UNSA and CGT, could also decide to follow suit, adding further uncertainty to the October travel window.
For Disney fans, the timing couldn’t be more disruptive. October is Halloween season at the French resort, with Mickey’s Halloween Celebration parade, themed meet-and-greets with Jack Skellington (plus Sally) and other favorites, and a brand-new treasure hunt trail sponsored by M&M’s. Main Street, U.S.A. will also feature Halloween-themed projections on select evenings, adding to the draw for seasonal visitors.
A History of Strikes in France and at Disney
Strikes are nothing new in France, where air traffic control walkouts are among the most frequent in Europe. Between 2005 and 2025, French air traffic controllers accumulated at least 249 days of strikes, according to Le News — more than eight months in total. By comparison, the European Union average was roughly 10 days.
Disneyland Paris itself has also seen strike action closer to home. In 2023, cast members staged multiple protests to demand higher wages and double pay for Sunday shifts. While these actions impacted shows and parades, rides such as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tower of Terror, and Crush’s Coaster largely remained open.
For the current round of strikes, the unions cite wage concerns, governance issues at the DGAC, and frustrations with the rollout of a new biometric badge system in air traffic control centers. Though such disputes are far removed from the fairytale setting of Disneyland Paris, they can ripple into the guest experience by disrupting travel plans.
With Halloween now one of the resort’s most popular seasons — second only to Christmas in terms of attendance — any large-scale flight cancellations could derail carefully planned vacations. Guests flying in from the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and beyond may find themselves stranded or forced to rearrange itineraries at the last minute.
For now, the scheduled strike dates remain on the calendar, and travelers heading to Disneyland Paris in early October are left to watch the skies as closely as the parade schedule.
Have strikes ever impacted your vacation, Disney or not?
