Who can dress up and when?
It depends on your age and the date. Kids under 12 can dress up all year round, on any day. The Halloween season is simply a time when a costume fits the atmosphere particularly well.
From age 12 (teens and adults), costumes are only allowed on certain special days. For Halloween, that’s 31 October: on that day, everyone can come in costume. Disney also holds other costume days during the year, such as Star Wars Day on 4 May.
To prepare for this rather special day, you can read my guide to 31 October. And to see how it all fits together, have a look at the Halloween season guide.
Good to know about 31 October
The costume rules to follow
Disney has an official costume policy. It’s simple: keep the atmosphere family-friendly and festive, never frightening, so the youngest can enjoy the celebrations without being scared.
These rules are also there for safety on the rides and to avoid any confusion with the park’s real characters. Be aware that the park can also refuse entry or ask you to change if a costume is considered offensive or frightening.
Nothing complicated once you know them: here are the details in the table below, with what’s allowed on one side and what’s banned on the other.
Allowed or banned: the table
| Allowed | Banned |
|---|---|
| Costumes for kids under 12 all year round (and everyone on 31 October) | Dressing up from age 12 outside the scheduled costume days (31 October, Star Wars Day on 4 May, etc.) |
| Face uncovered and clearly visible | Costumes that fully cover the face and head (except for medical reasons) |
| Short, light accessories that are easy to wear on rides | Fake weapons (guns, even water or toy ones), pointed or sharp objects, sticks and spears |
| Short capes that don’t drag on the ground | Long capes and long or bulky accessories, clothing that drags on the ground |
| Costumes suitable for families and young children | Shocking, offensive, violent, frightening or inappropriate costumes (the park can refuse entry or ask you to change) |
| Fictional characters and everyday costumes | Posing as a member of staff. Police officer and firefighter costumes |
Halloween costume rules at Disneyland Paris, with what’s allowed on one side and what’s banned on the other.
The rule that surprises people most
Costume ideas
For kids, there’s plenty of choice: Disney characters, princesses, heroes and the Villains for older ones. The best choice is still a comfortable costume that follows the rules (face uncovered, no fake weapons, no bulky cape).
If you like group or family ideas, here are a few I particularly like:
- Captain Hook’s crew: the whole family as pirates, from the captain to the deckhand. Easy to put together and always great in photos.
- The card soldiers of the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland): easy to recognise and perfect for a group.
- Disney villains’ sidekicks rather than the main villain, for something more original: Flotsam and Jetsam, Ursula’s eels (The Little Mermaid), Scar’s hyenas (The Lion King) or Pain and Panic, Hades’ henchmen (Hercules).
You can also come up with other themed groups: a gang of Villains, or a family of characters from the same film.
On 31 October, it’s the turn of adults and teens. The Disney Villains are a perfect nod to the season. Take a look at who the Halloween Villains are to choose yours.
Julie’s tip for choosing your costume
What about face painting?
Getting your face painted as a character is a separate service, not covered by the costume rules. If you fancy it, I explain everything in my guide to the face painting stands.
My tips for a great costume
Finally, a few practical tips that make all the difference on the day:
- Comfort first
- a day at the park means hours of walking. A light costume and comfortable shoes are better than a perfect but uncomfortable outfit.
- Autumn weather
- the season is chilly and often rainy. Bring a warm layer and a waterproof jacket to slip over your costume or keep in your bag. Your costume will thank you.
- Photos
- for great shots, look out for the Halloween decorations on Main Street and in Frontierland, perfect for capturing your costumes.
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Frequently asked questions
01 Can adults dress up for Halloween at Disneyland Paris?
For Halloween, yes: on 31 October. It’s the one day of the season when adults and teens can come in costume. Disney also holds other costume days during the year, like Star Wars Day on 4 May. The rest of the time, dressing up is for children under 12 only.
02 Up to what age can a child dress up?
Children under 12 can dress up all year round, on any day. From age 12, costumes are only allowed on special days, including 31 October for Halloween.
03 Are masks allowed?
No. Costumes that fully cover the face and head are not allowed (except for medical reasons). Your face must stay uncovered and clearly visible.
04 Can you dress up as an official Disney character?
Yes, that’s allowed. However, you must not pose for photos or sign autographs for other visitors, to avoid any confusion with the park’s real characters.
05 Where can you get character face painting?
Character make-up is a separate service. You’ll find all the details in my guide to the make-up stands.
06 Do you need a special ticket or pay extra to enjoy a season (Halloween, Christmas)?
No. The seasons and their entertainment (decorations, parades, shows, meet and greets) are included in the standard admission ticket, with no extra paid evening event. Two dates are the exception: 31 October and 31 December. On those days, you need a dated ticket for that day, among the most expensive of the year. Only the usual services remain optional, like Premier Access (a paid fast track) or the premium viewing area for the parade. That said, tickets are often more expensive during high-demand periods like Halloween, Christmas and the French school holidays.
