Guests expecting a first glimpse of Halloween festivities at one Disney park were met with frustration this week, as soaring temperatures and safety concerns forced last-minute cancellations.
The preview, scheduled for Tokyo Disney Resort on September 16, was meant to set the stage for the season beginning officially on September 17. Instead, major entertainment offerings disappeared from the lineup, leaving visitors disappointed.
Safety Comes First at Disney Parks
The most visible loss came when Tokyo Disneyland canceled “The Villains’ Halloween ‘Into the Frenzy,’” a daytime parade designed to highlight classic Disney villains. Temperatures exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the park called off the performance to protect cast members inside layered costumes, wigs, and masks.
The move follows heightened scrutiny around performer safety. At Shanghai Disneyland earlier this summer, a character performer dressed as Tigger collapsed mid-performance in the heat. That incident underscored how weather conditions can create immediate risks for costumed staff, particularly during elaborate seasonal shows.
Guests at Tokyo Disneyland had already filled the central plaza near World Bazaar — the park’s version of Main Street, U.S.A. — waiting for the parade to begin.
10 o’clockThe plaza is already filled to the front. Please stay safe…
10時
プラザ既に最前埋まりました
どうかご無事で… pic.twitter.com/kmCI2nvF2q— しろちゃん (@bonocyan) September 17, 2025
Later in the evening, the cancellations continued. Tokyo Disney Resort — owned and operated by The Oriental Land Company — scrapped “Night High Halloween,” a fireworks performance that would have marked the resort’s first pyrotechnic display since the summer’s Sky Full of Colors. The official website did not specify a reason but does warn, “depending on the wind conditions, the performance may be canceled.”
Local news outlets reported that fans were especially disappointed by the loss of the parade, long considered the highlight of Tokyo Disneyland’s Halloween season. The unexpected cancellations meant visitors who had waited since morning left without experiencing the main attractions of the preview.
What Remains of the Season
Weather forecasts suggest more turbulence. Unstable conditions threaten further interruptions to shows and parades. Cooler weather is forecast beginning September 19, offering some relief to guests and cast members alike.
Despite the rocky start, the wider Halloween program at Tokyo Disney Resort remains intact. Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare — a seasonal overlay inspired by “The Nightmare Before Christmas” — continues through Christmas. At Tokyo DisneySea, the Disney Halloween Greeting adds character-driven entertainment to the lineup.
Fans also look forward to one of the resort’s most unique traditions: full costume days. From September 16–30 and October 16–31, guests can enter Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in complete character costumes, turning the parks into a stage for fan creativity and social media content.
Tokyo Disney Resort has long been praised for the scale and detail of its Halloween offerings, and many visitors plan their trips around the event. This week’s cancellations, however, highlight the unpredictability of outdoor entertainment.
The resort has previously attributed its dwindling attendance at least partially to high temperatures. OLC has confirmed that it has considered lowering ticket prices to bring in more guests to the Japanese theme park resort.
Have you ever experienced Halloween at Tokyo Disney Resort?
