Halloween at Disneyland Paris with kids fun, never frightening

No, Halloween at Disneyland Paris isn’t scary for kids. The atmosphere stays festive and fun from start to finish. The decorations are all about smiles: grinning pumpkins, funny little ghosts, cheeky skeletons. Nothing is designed to frighten. Everything is meant to entertain families, from toddlers to older kids.

For kids under 6 and toddlers, the fun comes mainly from the decorations, the parade and the characters in costume. They love spotting Mickey and his friends in their seasonal outfits and wandering among the pumpkins. Older kids can add a few thrill rides, if they feel like it.

To be honest, a few rides are darker, such as Phantom Manor or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. But nothing is forced on you. You choose what you do and what you skip. The rest of the park looks the way it always does, simply dressed up for the season. To find out everything about this time of year, here’s my complete guide to the Halloween season.

During Halloween, the park fills up with activities kids love. Here’s an overview of what you’ll find, covered section by section further down:

The seasonal decorations

fun pumpkins, ghosts and skeletons all over the park.

Rides with a Halloween feel

from the gentlest to the most intense, to choose according to age.

The Halloween parade

the big moment to watch as a family.

Meet and greets with characters in costume

Mickey and his friends in costume and the Disney Villains at the photo spots.

The sweet hunt

a free treasure hunt by M&M’s.

Seasonal treats

colourful snacks and sweet treats as you go round.

Seasonal merchandise

a Halloween collection to take home as a souvenir.

Dressing up

allowed for kids throughout the season.

Each of these highlights has its place in the day. I go through them just below.

These rides are open all year round, but their atmosphere suits the season particularly well. It’s up to you to choose them according to your kids’ age and sensitivity. And don’t worry: the rest of the park looks the way it always does, nothing forces you to go from one thrill ride to the next. Here are four classics to help you find your way, from the gentlest to the most intense.

A simple rule of thumb I often use: if your child wasn’t scared on Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains or Pirates, they’re probably ready to try Phantom Manor. On the other hand, if they were rattled by Snow White’s witch, it’s better to wait a little longer.

For the full list of rides, each with its thrill, fear and emotion level, have a look at my ride pages. You’ll find everything you need to plan a day perfectly suited to your kids’ age.

The Halloween parade is often the kids’ favourite moment. Mickey and his friends parade by in costume for the occasion, to catchy music, in a cheerful atmosphere that scares no one. Kids love spotting the characters and waving to them as they go by.

A few tips on where to stand with little ones: get there a little early, pick a spot at child height along the route and keep the pushchair close for the youngest, who tire quickly. For everything about how it works, see my Halloween parade guide.

During the season, the classic characters put on their Halloween best. You might bump into Goofy as a skeleton, Chip ’n’ Dale as little ghosts, Mickey in his seasonal outfit and sometimes Jack Skellington, depending on the year. Kids recognise their heroes at first glance and leave delighted with a photo.

You’ll also see Disney Villains such as Maleficent, Cruella or the Queen of Hearts. They look striking and can be a little intimidating, but the atmosphere stays festive: lots of kids actually love spotting the baddies. They stand at dedicated photo spots, and nothing forces you to go up to them if your child would rather admire them from a distance. To find out more, see my article on the season’s Villains and my character meet and greets.

For Halloween, kids can take part in a free treasure hunt by M&M’s, an official partner of Disneyland Paris. Running all season and only in Disneyland Park, it delights little ones and older kids alike.

Here’s how it works: kids search the different lands for doors belonging to mystical beings. Each door they find is marked on a map using the stickers provided, until the quest is complete. It’s a game of discovery that gets them exploring the park in a new way, with nothing scary about it.

To pick up the entry map, go to the counter at the Boardwalk Candy Palace shop, on Main Street U.S.A. Once the map is complete, go back there to collect the reward: a pack of M&M’s Minis and a 15% discount when you spend €20 or more at Boardwalk Candy Palace. A lovely surprise to round off the adventure.

The season comes with colourful snacks and treats to try as you go round: something to keep the kids happy between rides. As for restaurants, two of them get into the Halloween spirit.

The Lucky Nugget Saloon, in Frontierland, turns into the Unlucky Nugget Saloon for the festival. It serves a themed meal inspired by Phantom Manor, festive and not the least bit scary. At the Last Chance Café, you’ll find vanilla eclairs inspired by the ghosts of Phantom Manor: a sweet treat for the whole family.

The menus change every year, so it’s best to check what’s on offer at the time rather than rely on old prices. See the season’s programme and my restaurants to plan your food breaks.

Every year, the park’s shops bring out a special Halloween collection, and kids love having a look round. You’ll find products celebrating the season: ear headbands in Halloween colours, soft toys, mugs, decorations such as light-up pumpkins and lanterns, not forgetting the little sweet bags that are perfect for the youngest.

Part of the collection features Disney characters in Halloween outfits, led by Mickey and Minnie, in costume for the occasion. Some items are dedicated to the Disney Villains, for kids (and parents) who love the baddies: a way to keep the season’s atmosphere going once you’re back home.

The collection changes every year and the new items are different from one year to the next, so it’s best to discover what’s on offer on the spot. To find the park’s shops, see my shops.

Dressing up is part of the fun of Halloween. Kids under 12 can come in costume throughout the season. And on 31 October, everyone can dress up, adults included: it’s the day the park shows off its best costumes.

For kids who don’t want a full costume, a face painting stand offers Disney designs from age 3 (paid): a festive, gentle alternative, quick to do and always popular. For the full rules and ideas, see all the costume rules.

Here’s a flexible outline so you don’t miss a thing, to adapt to your pace and your kids’ ages. It isn’t a timed schedule, just the logical order of the highlights of a visit.

For the details of a day and how to organise a trip, see my guides to planning your day and preparing your trip. That’s what they cover, and you’ll find everything you need there to sort out times and logistics.