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Disney Is Revamping Its Festive Season With 4 Big Changes

The holiday season has always been one of Disney’s most anticipated times of the year — a stretch when its theme parks transform into twinkling showcases of seasonal magic.

Guests at Walt Disney World encounter snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., alongside Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, while in California, Disneyland Resort enchants with the icy glow of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the timeless A Christmas Fantasy Parade.

Mickey Mouse in Tokyo Disney Resort's Christmas parade
Credit: othree, Flickr

Across the globe, Disney’s international resorts put their own spin on tradition. Tokyo Disneyland dazzles with illuminations and themed holiday treats, while Hong Kong Disneyland layers Elsa’s ice magic across World of Frozen.

At Disneyland Paris, Disney Enchanted Christmas remains a highlight of the European holiday calendar, drawing fans with Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade!, the “Let’s Sing Christmas!” stage show, and elaborate character encounters.

For years, the Paris resort has leaned into the cultural grandeur of the season, bringing festive overlays and entertainment that rival its American counterparts. Now, 2025 promises to mark one of its most ambitious celebrations yet — with new characters, performances, and technology shaping the winter lineup.

People watch the Christmas parade at Disneyland Paris
Credit: Disneyland Paris

Four Additions Confirmed for 2025

Disneyland Paris has announced four new offerings for its upcoming holiday season. Among the most notable is the arrival of Aurora and Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty (1959), who will greet guests in the Castle Courtyard. Santa Claus will also be joined by Mrs. Claus, marking her first official appearance at the French resort.

Entertainment will expand with a Disney Princesses Holiday Celebration staged directly in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The performance is set to feature Mulan, Cinderella, Belle, Tiana, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Ariel, and Snow White, creating a rare seasonal gathering of beloved heroines in one production.

In a technical upgrade, Main Street, U.S.A., will showcase festive projections across its shopfronts and facades. The system, which debuted earlier this year, previously lit up the street during Halloween, but this winter’s version is expected to run throughout the season rather than on select nights.

Mickey Mouse and Pluto in Disneyland Paris at Christmas
Credit: Disney

Broader Changes Across the Resort

The holiday enhancements are part of a larger wave of transformation sweeping through Disneyland Paris. Earlier this year, Walt Disney Studios Park introduced World Premiere, a redesigned Art Deco entrance plaza with new venues such as Hollywood Gardens Restaurant, Mickey’s of Hollywood Boutique, and the Searchlight snack kiosk. The update forms part of the resort’s broader reimagining of the park into Disney Adventure World.

Construction is advancing on several large-scale projects. World of Frozen, slated for a spring 2026 opening, will bring the Frozen Ever After ride to Europe. Adventure Way is also in development, promising new attractions inspired by Tangled (2010) and Up (2009). Plans are also underway for a Lion King land anchored by a water ride that descends from Pride Rock, with the resort conducting testing on a temoporary ride drop structure in recent weeks.

The entrance to Walt Disney Studios Park features a yellow archway with the park's name, while the iconic water tower adorned with Mickey Mouse ears stands in the background. Amidst a picturesque setting of trees and a brick-paved plaza under a blue sky, whispers about Disneyland Paris castle damage linger.
Credit: Disney

Resort accommodations and dining are not being overlooked. Davy Crockett Ranch has begun rolling out Donald Duck–themed bungalows, Disney Sequoia Lodge will enter refurbishment in 2026, and Disney Village is undergoing modernization with refreshed shops, dining venues, and even a revamped McDonald’s.

The momentum underscores the resort’s strategy to pair holiday traditions with broader, long-term investments. Disneyland Paris has long sought to balance nostalgia with innovation, and its upcoming holiday season — with princesses, projections, and the long-awaited arrival of Mrs. Claus — looks to embody that approach.

Do you plan on visiting Disney over the festive season?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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