Visiting Disneyland Paris During Halloween Season

Visiting Disneyland Paris During Halloween Season

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Last Updated - October 2024 

Halloween is always a magical time, but nothing quite compares to spending the spooky season at Disneyland Paris. Over the years, we’ve made some amazing memories at Disneyland Paris during Halloween, and it’s become a highlight of our travels. There’s something so special about experiencing the park transformed into a festive autumn wonderland. If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland Paris this Halloween season, there are plenty of tricks, treats, and unforgettable experiences waiting for you!

What To Expect During Disneyland Paris Halloween Festival

The Disneyland Paris Halloween Festival is one of the most exciting events of the year, and 2024 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Running from 1st October to 3rd November, the park will be filled with spooky decorations, Halloween-inspired music, and, of course, lots of opportunities to meet your favourite Disney characters, villains included!

Disneyland Park

From the moment you step into Disneyland Park, you’ll find yourself surrounded by pumpkins, ghosts, and ghoulish surprises. The streets come alive with spooky fun, with plenty of photo opportunities around every corner. One of our favourite places to capture the Halloween magic is Main Street, U.S.A., which is always decked out with pumpkins, Mickey-inspired decorations, and festive autumn touches.

For any Disney fan, the attention to detail is incredible. The music changes to a more haunting, whimsical tune, making every step through the park feel like you’ve entered a spooky fairytale. The magical atmosphere adds a whole new level of excitement, and whether you’re a seasoned visitor or it's your first time, Halloween at Disneyland Paris will leave you mesmerised.

What Characters Are In Disneyland Paris For Halloween?

Halloween is a special time at Disneyland Paris, as it’s the only season when you can meet some of Disney’s most notorious villains! This year, the wicked Mother Gothel from Tangled is making her debut appearance. It’s such a rare treat to see her, so make sure you don’t miss out!

Villain fans will also be excited to know that Maleficent can be found lurking near Sleeping Beauty Castle. She’s always ready to strike a dramatic pose, making her one of the most popular characters to meet during Halloween. For those who are brave enough, head over to Adventureland where the mischievous Captain Hook will be ready to greet you near the Jolly Roger.

But it’s not all villains! Keep an eye out for some of Disney’s fun-loving characters who are also getting in on the Halloween fun. Chip, Dale, and Goofy are part of the Mischief Makers, and their antics will have everyone laughing. Whether it’s their playful banter or cheeky pranks, meeting them is sure to put a smile on your face.

Mickey's Halloween Celebration

No trip to Disneyland Paris would be complete without catching a parade, and during Halloween, Mickey’s Halloween Celebration takes centre stage. This lively parade features all your favourite characters dressed in their Halloween best, with the Mischief Makers leading the way.

The floats are beautifully decorated, and the music will have everyone tapping their feet. It’s a family favourite and perfect for capturing the magic of Halloween at Disneyland. Make sure to grab a spot early for the best view of this festive parade!

Nightfall With Disney Villains

As the sun sets and the evening begins, Disneyland Paris takes the spooky atmosphere up a notch with Nightfall with Disney Villains. This special event transforms Sleeping Beauty Castle with projections, music, and fountains for a spectacularly eerie experience. It’s a thrilling part of the Halloween Festival and one of those "must-see" moments if you’re visiting the park during the Halloween season.

Disney Electrical Sky Parade

For 2024, there’s an exclusive Halloween twist to the Disney Electrical Sky Parade. Villains take control of the show, with their own unique projections and drone displays, offering a chilling prelude to the Disney Illuminations. Seeing the sky light up with Disney magic and spooky Halloween elements is the perfect way to end your day at the park.

Hollywood Studios

Over at Walt Disney Studios Park, things get even spookier as evil villains and mischievous characters take over. From 1st October, the Studio Theatre will be the place to be for a spooky encounter with Disney’s most rebellious villains. It’s an experience that’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those who love a good fright, it’s absolutely worth a visit.

The Tower Of Terror

One of the highlights at Walt Disney Studios Park during Halloween is the iconic Tower of Terror. The haunted hotel offers a spine-chilling ride experience that will have your heart racing. The eerie atmosphere, combined with the surprises that await on the upper floors, makes it a Halloween favourite. Just remember, you never know what might happen in that rickety old lift!

As well as all the spooky shenanigans you can enjoy all your favourite rides. 

Tips for Making the Most of Halloween at Disneyland Paris

If you’re planning to visit Disneyland Paris during Halloween, here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of your spooky adventure:

Plan Ahead

Before your visit, make sure to check the Disneyland Paris website for the most up-to-date information on opening times, ride closures, and any special events happening during your stay. This way, you can plan your days and avoid any surprises.

Get Your Spot for the Parade Early

Mickey’s Halloween Celebration is incredibly popular, so find a good viewing spot along the parade route well before it starts to ensure you don’t miss any of the magic.

Dress for the Occasion

While it’s not mandatory, wearing Halloween-themed outfits or costumes (in line with park guidelines) can make your experience even more fun. Plus, it’s a great way to get into the spirit of the season!

Capture the Magic

Halloween at Disneyland Paris is a photographer’s dream. With so many unique decorations and character meet-and-greets, make sure your camera or phone is fully charged so you can capture all the memories.

There’s something truly magical about Disneyland Paris during Halloween. Whether it’s the eerie decorations, the chance to meet your favourite Disney villains, or the spectacular shows, every part of the park is filled with spooky fun and Disney magic. If you’re looking for a Halloween getaway that combines fun, excitement, and a little bit of fright, Disneyland Paris is the place to be this spooky season. It’s the perfect family-friendly destination, offering memories that will last long after the Halloween decorations come down.

Have you visited Disneyland Paris during Halloween? We’d love to hear about your experience, so feel free to share your favourite moments in the comments!

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Disneyland Paris At Christmas - Ten Things I Missed in 2020

Disneyland Paris At Christmas - Ten Things I Missed in 2020

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This time last year Disneyland Paris announced they were to remain closed over the Christmas period. When I read Disney's announcement of the closure it brought tears to my eyes as this time of year is usually when we are preparing to head to Paris for a Disney break and it's sad that last year we couldn't go. Disneyland Paris at Christmas time has become a little bit of a tradition and I then got more upset thinking of all the things I will miss because we were unable to go. 

Watching Big and Little J's face when we tell them we are going to Disney that night

John and I are very good at keeping secrets and we manage to make it right up till before the journey to the airport before we tell the boys we are going. We usually get an early evening flight so we always have the suitcases packed and in the car, pick them up from school for a quick change of clothes and head to the airport. Their faces are priceless even though we usually go every year they never know when so are always surprised. 

Arriving At The Hotel

Again we usually keep the hotel a secret until we are almost there. We have stayed in all the hotels over the years and I love watching them guess which one we are staying in based on little clues we give them. I love walking through the hotel doors knowing we all wake up in Disney the next day.

Walking down Main Street from the Christmas tree to the Castle. 

The Tree and Castle take my breath away every year. Seeing the tree as you enter the Disneyland Park never gets old, it's my favourite. I love walking down Main Street with the castle in the distance, Christmas decorations all around and the Christmas songs playing. It's just the best feeling ever. 

Planning Our Days

Christmas time at Disneyland Paris is fairly quiet compared to other times of the year so we usually head there for 3 full days and that is more than enough time to do everything we want to. I don't usually plan the days beforehand however we usually spend a day in each park and then do half a day in each park on the last day. I love watching little J as he gets out the park maps and starts planning where we are heading to first and what rides to go on. 

Our Little Thrillseeker

Although he is only eight little J has been riding some of the bigger rides in theme parks for a few years now as he is very tall for his age so is over the minimum height required. Every year he chooses a new ride and is more than happy to push himself out of his comfort zone. Although a family ride his first thrill coaster at Disneyland Paris was Big Thunder Mountain, then he moved on to Crushes Coaster and last year it was RC. I think last year he would have chose Indiana Jones Coaster or Tower of Terror. 

Big Thunder Mountain In The Dark

This has been one of our favourite things to do at Disneyland Paris for as long as I can remember. There comes a time in the late evening where Frontierland goes completely quiet. Big Thunder has almost no queue so we keep going round and round riding again and again and it's just one of those small things that we do and it makes us happy.

Meeting the Characters in their Christmas clothes

Like all the other seasons the Characters dress in their best for the Christmas season and we love meeting Christmas Winnie, Christmas Stitch and a personal favourite Christmas Jack Skellington. Again the queues are always pretty quiet so we never have a problem meeting them and I find they spend lots of time with the boys than they do at other times in the year. 

Choosing A Christmas Decoration

Our Christmas tree is filled with Disneyland Paris decorations that we have bought over the years. Some have the year on, others don't. It will be really sad not adding a Disneyland Paris Christmas decoration to the tree this year. 

Watching The Tree Lighting Ceremony

Every evening Mickey and Friends gather at the bottom of the huge Christmas tree and put on a show for everyone which ends in the whole of Main Street going dark whilst we then watch the tree light up as Christmas carols play in the background

Spending Time Together

Although over the past two years we have spent more time together as a family than usual it is always nice to spend quality time together especially on holiday away from screens and distractions. It's nice to chat, laugh and watch the boys enjoy the magic of Disney together.

Disneyland Paris is so magical especially at Christmas time and there are so many more things that I missed last year but I know it's was best to stay safe. This year we are hoping to visit at Christmas time for the first time in two years and I cannot 

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Michelle

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Exploring France: Top 5 Family-Friendly Destinations for a Memorable Holiday

Exploring France: Top 5 Family-Friendly Destinations for a Memorable Holiday

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Disclosure - This is a collaborative post

When you first decide to plan a holiday in France with the family you need to decide what type of holiday you're looking for. France has so much to offer and we are really keen to explore as much as we can. France is such as beautiful country and it can offer a variety of family-friendly holidays that cater to all ages. Whether your children are thrill-seekers and would enjoy a trip to Disneyland Paris, a holiday at La Pointe du Médoc campsite : A relaxing break in the Médoc region, a historical visit to Bordeaux, a city break to Nice or even a skiing adventure in the French Alps, France has you covered. Here are our top five different destinations in France that promise an unforgettable adventure for you and your kids.

You can read our full blog post or click one of the links below to jump to that section

A Thrilling Trip To Disneyland Paris

A City Break to Nice

A Relaxing Holiday at La Pointe du Mérdoc Campsite

An Adventerous Skiing Holiday In The French Alps

A Historical Visit To Bordeaux

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Visiting Disneyland Paris After July 21st 2021

Visiting Disneyland Paris After July 21st 2021

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Travel is so uncertain at the moment. There is so much information to read and rules to follow. I'm sure this won't put most people off but if you have a trip to Disneyland Paris booked or looking to book one this Summer then there are new guidelines to follow after July 21st 2021. The France government have confirmed that everyone who enters Disneyland Paris after this date must have a health pass. 

What Is A Health Pass?

A Health Pass must be presented in either digital or paper form confirming one of the following...

- You are fully vaccinated

- You can confirm a negative PCR result within the last 48 hours

- You have had COVID-19 and the result of a positive RT-PCR or Antigen test confirms you had Covid and that a period of time of at least 11 days and less than 6 months has passed since the test result was obtained (considered as a recovery certificate).

If you are fully vaccinated I would recommend downloading the NHS app which once registered will update your Covid Passport.

Who Needs To Show A Health Pass?

Every adult over the age of 18 will need to show their health pass. This will change after the 30th August when everyone over the age of 12 will be required to show a valid health pass before entry is permitted.

I assume this means that the focus will shift over the next 6 weeks to ensure all those 12 and over will be offered a vaccine. 

Keeping Your Health Pass Up To Date If Staying Longer Than 48hrs.

If you are not fully vaccinated you will need to prove a negative PCR to gain entry in to the resort. A negative result is only valid for 48hrs so if your stay is longer then you will need to retake a PCR test. 

Where Can I Get A PCR Test At Disneyland Paris?

A testing centre is in operation within the Disney Village and is open 8am-8pm.

What List Is France On?

France is currently on the Amber list for those returning to the UK. However the Amber rules for France are different. You must quarantine for 10 days after you arrive back to the UK either in your home or other accommodation. 

Safety Measures Within Disneyland Paris

The rules for wearing face masks are unchanged in France. Face masks are to be worn by all guests aged 6 and over. They must be worn at all times except when eating. 

Downloading the official Disneyland Paris mobile app is a must for your stay. Guests will need to reserve a Standby Pass via the app in order to be able to join the queue for some of the most popular attractions during a specific allocated time slot.​ This will be available during certain times of the day. This will be to ensure waiting lines do not get overcrowded. 

Clear ground markings are in place within the waiting lines at all of attractions within the park to help maintain the correct social distancing. Please do remember that social distancing is still in force in France. 

Hand sanitisers are available at the entrance and exit of each attraction. 

Children's playgrounds and traditional meet and greets are temporarily unavailable. There will be chances to capture photo memories with some of your favourite Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel characters using the designated selfie spots. Unfortunately close interactions including hugs are suspended. I am sure Disney have done their best to try and make the experience as magical as possible. 

Unfortunately things can change at a moments notice with regards to travel and safety measures so it is important to make sure that before you travel you check the government website for up to date information as well as Disneyland Paris. 

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Marvel Avengers Campus at Disneyland Paris

Marvel Avengers Campus at Disneyland Paris

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Disneyland Paris have finally announced the opening date for the new Marvel Avengers Campus. Guests visiting Disneyland Paris can enjoy all the new attractions at the Campus from 20th July 2022. If you are familiar with Disneyland Paris then you will know that the backlot in Walt Disney Studios has been closed and has been under refurbishment. When entering Walt Disney Studios the back lot was in the far left hand corner and was home to Aerosmith Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Armageddon. The area also featured a meet and greet with Spiderman. The refurbishment is now complete and the backlot will be transformed in to the new Avengers Campus. 

So What Can We Expect?

Marvel Avengers Campus first appeared in Disneyland, California and I think Disneyland Paris' version will be very similar with the back lot having a Marvel makeover. 

Avengers Assemble: Flight Force

Team up with Iron Man and Captain Marvel to help them save the world from an intergalactic threat. Earth is counting on you.

Minimum height: 1.20 m

Although this has not been confirmed I think this may be a rebrand of the Aerosmith Rock 'n' Rollercoaster. 

Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure

Unleash your inner hero in an action-packed mission alongside Spidey himself, and use your innovative new tech to sling your own web and catch all the Spider-Bots before they wreak total techno-havoc across the Campus.

No minimum height

From images provided by Disneyland Paris this looks very similar to the LEGO Ninjago ride at Legoland Windsor

Meet The Avengers

Anything can happen at Marvel Avengers Campus so make sure you are on the look out as you may just find Black Panther, Thor and their fellow Avengers roaming the campus looking for new recruits. 

Stark Factory

Stark Factory is a quick service diner offering pizza, pasta and salads.

PYM Kitchen

Using Ant Man and The Wasps PYM shrinking and growing technology, chefs have created an all you can eat buffet with a variety of unusually sized mains and desserts to enjoy. 

At the end of a Marvel filled day the fun doesn't have to stop as you can head to Disney Hotel New York  - The Art of Marvel. 

Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel 

The hotel is the first of its kind at Disneyland Paris offering guests a unique experience. The hotel is the only hotel were you can meet Marvel Super Heroes and admire over 300 pieces of Marvel artwork by more than 50 international artists.

There are a wide selection of rooms available at The Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel ranging from Superior rooms to Empire State Club Rooms and Suites. Choosing a room will depend on how many guests you are travelling with, your budget and also whether you wish to have breakfast at the hotel included. If you are staying room only, breakfast is only available to those staying in the Empire State Club Rooms and Suites.

As a huge Disney and Marvel fan I think the additional of Marvel Avengers Campus is fantastic for fans of the movies and superheroes. It will fit right in with the theming of Walt Disney Studios and I cannot wait to visit. We are already booked in to visit the campus and I cannot wait to share our experience with you all. 

Have you been looking forward to Marvel Avengers Campus? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you are looking forward to. Also if you are looking for more posts about Disneyland Paris you can check them out visiting our All Things Disney page. You can always keep up to date with us on our socials, give us a like on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or if this post has helped you you can Buy Us A Virtual Coffee to say thanks.

Michelle

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Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel

Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel

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As a family we have always loved Disney and have visited the parks at least once a year for over 10 years. Over this time we have seen more and more Marvel creeping into the parks and until last year it didn't really interest us until we decided to watch all the Marvel movies in chronological order. We finished with Avengers End Game at the cinema and that night we booked a trip to Disneyland Paris for the Season of The Super Heroes. This week we should have been enjoying a trip to Disneyland Paris celebrating the opening of Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel. Unfortunately due to the closure of the park we haven't been able to visit and also the opening of the new hotel has been postponed. 

We have stayed in Hotel New York a few times and were a little gutted when they said it would be closing for refurbishment and turning into a Marvel hotel, however after seeing images online we can't wait to go.

What Can We Expect?

Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel is located just a 10 minute walk from the entrances to the Disneyland Parks. You can head out of the back entrance of the hotel and within a minute or two you are in Disney Village. Disney Village is home to lots of restaurants including Cafe Mickey,  The Rainforest Cafe, Earl of Sandwich and McDonalds. You will also find lots of Walt Disney Shops and a LEGO Shop. If you would rather take the free shuttle to the Disneyland Parks you can head out the front entrance and catch the shuttle which takes 8 minutes approx.

Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel is the first of its kind at Disneyland Paris offering guests a unique experience. The hotel is the only hotel were you can meet Marvel Super Heroes and admire over 300 pieces of Marvel artwork by more than 50 international artists.

There are a wide selection of rooms available at The Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel ranging from Superior rooms to Empire State Club Rooms and Suites. Choosing a room will depend on how many guests you are travelling with, your budget and also whether you wish to have breakfast at the hotel included. If you are staying room only, breakfast is only available to those staying in the Empire State Club Rooms and Suites.

We have stayed at Disneyland Paris having breakfast at the hotel and also just room only. Personally having breakfast at the hotel always seems the better option for us. It's the perfect way to start the day, plenty of choice on offer for all guests even little fussy eaters and it means when you head to the parks you can just get on with your day.

Staying in the Empire State Club Rooms and Suites does have other benefits such as fast passes.

Dining at The Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel will be a must with two restaurants to choose from.

The Manhattan Restaurant will offer you a fine dining experience with locally sourced homemade dishes and The Downtown Restaurant will offer a range of Chinese, Italian and American favourites. Both restaurants will accept reservations and I can only assume these will be very popular especially if character dining experiences are announced.

What else can we expect from The Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel?

Super Hero Station - you will be able to meet and greet Marvel Super Heroes at the hotel. This will be very popular especially for those who do not visit during the Season of the Super Heroes.

Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre - including a Sauna and Steam Room, 24 hour Metro Health Club and an Outdoor Fitness Park.

There will also be a Marvel Design Studio - your little heroes can unleash their inner creative genius and learn how to be a Marvel comic-book artist. With a bright interior space influenced by the Marvel Animators Ballpen - where the artists draw, ink and colour the comic books - we're sure they'll feel inspired.

Unfortunately I do not know when The Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel will open it's doors but I definitely know it will be worth the wait.

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August 2021 | Looking Back

August 2021 | Looking Back

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I said last month that August will fly by and before we know it the kids will be back at school and yes, I was right. Days, weeks and even months can drag sometimes when you are in work however as soon as you are off they whizz past. I really can't complain as we had an absolutely brilliant Summer and it has probably been my favourite Summer for a long time. 

One of my favourite memories from this Summer was booking a very last minute to Disneyland Paris. It had been about 18 months since we visited a Disney park and as soon as they announced that France had been removed from amber plus we booked. It was the best Disneyland Paris holiday I think we have ever had. Everything went so smoothly and although we had to wear masks and the castle is under refurbishment it was every bit as magical as I remembered

We tend to visit Disneyland Paris around Christmas time so it was nice to enjoy the parks in just t-shirts rather than jumpers, coats, hats and scarves. We stayed in Hotel Cheyenne which is the only Disney hotel we hadn't stayed in before so it was a nice experience.

This visit was the first time that little J went on every ride we did except for Indiana Jones. He was so brave and went on Hyper Space Mountain and The Tower of Terror.

We had a truly amazing time and it was just what we needed. 

We visited quite a few indoor play centres this month including Flip Out, Kick Air and our local soft play. We love visiting indoor play centres, they are perfect for wet days, to burn off any extra energy and to spend time with friends. 

John and big J were in and out of work all month so I had planned a few days out just for little J and I. We went to the Legoland Discovery Centre in Manchester followed by a visit to Sealife which is just next door.

As Merlin Pass holders we can visit the attractions throughout the year as and when we want however I still prebook our tickets as they can sell out very quickly. 

John and I enjoyed just one date day this month but it was a good one. We headed to Breakout which is our favourite escape room. We chose Detectives Office and we did manage to escape with just over a minute to go. 

We then hopped aboard The Floating Grace for afternoon tea and a cruise around the docks in Liverpool. I love afternoon tea and John had found this unique experience and it was a lovely way to spend a few hours. The food was delicious and the sights were stunning. 

A few years ago we did a trail around Blackburn looking for Lego Paw Patrol models and it was one of our favourite days out that Summer. This year it was back so we headed back to Blackburn but this time we enjoyed the Brickosaurs Brick Trail looking for huge dinosaurs. It was lots of fun. 

We headed outside quite a few times this month however a highlight was Pennington Flash. It's advertised as a 2 mile walk around the flash (like a large lake) however it was about 7km for us but I think we may have took a few wrong turns. We reached the Liverpool Leeds Canal which was lovely to walk along. We actually saw a boat going past which little J loved as the captain waved at him. 

The walk itself wasn't tough however there were parts were we had to improvise as the path was muddy or blocked off completely but it all adds to the fun I suppose. 

In Other News

I was really stressing about back to school shopping however it went really well and we got everything in just one trip. 

I've started planning our days out for Halloween and Christmas. Things sell out so fast so you have to be very early. 

Big J headed to Creamfields for the weekend. It's his first festival but he was very excited as well as nervous but had an amazing time. 

Our paddling pool didn't really get much use this year compared to last year. It's not been that warm at all however we managed to get it out over the bank holiday weekend which was fun. 

How was your Summer?

Michelle

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