As a family who has visited Disneyland Paris on 18 occasions at the last count, we’ve explored the park during every season, and experienced its magical events like Halloween and Christmas.
We were also annual pass holders for a period, so we know the perks and challenges that each month can bring.
Disneyland Paris is a special destination all year round, but each month brings unique advantages and some drawbacks.
If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Disneyland Paris in 2025, or which months are best for affordability or avoiding crowds, this guide will help you plan the perfect trip.
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Disneyland Paris operates several seasonal events that add extra magic to your visit. Usually the theming is far more prominent in the Disneyland Park, than the studios. You'll find the majority of the themed meet and greets, shows and parades in the main park. In the Studio's you'll find more subtle decorations and their normal scheduling.
If you only have one day to visit Disneyland during one of the special seasons, it may be worth considering just visiting the Disneyland Park for this reason.
Here’s a breakdown of the key events: that you can usually being celebrated in the Parks.
Halloween Season usually starts around 1st October and lasts until early November. The park transforms with spooky decorations, special parades, and character meet-and-greets in Halloween costumes. This is a popular time to visit, especially on weekends, with crowds peaking closer to Halloween itself.
We usually visit during the first week of the Disney Paris Halloween celebrations for a number of reasons. We find the parks to be relatively quiet, prices are cheaper and so far, on every occasion, the weather has been lovely. It tends to be comfortable 18-21 degrees most days, meaning it's still t-shirt weather, which just requires a sweater at night.
Towards the end of October the temperature drops and crowds grow (plus prices rise!).
The main characters that are out for Halloween are Stitch, Pumpkin Jack, along with the expected classic characters such as Mickey and Goofy all wearing their Halloween attire.
You'll also find lots of villains throughout the parks including Captain Hook, Anastasia and Drizella, Lady Tremaine, The Evil Queen, Maleficent and Dr Facilier to name a few.
Specific characters are not guaranteed but it gives you an idea of who has been out in previous years.
During meet and greets at Halloween, each character usually hands out a packet of small Haribo's to each guest too. It's not like the Trick-or-Treating you see in the American parks but it's a nice touch.
On Halloween itself (31st October), in the past Disneyland Paris has offered special tickets allowing re-entry to the park after closing time for a Halloween party.
For the last two years however, the ticket you purchase for entry on 31st October allows you to experience a full day at Disney with the celebrations now included. Disneyland Paris Park usually extends its opening hours on Halloween itself, and typically closes around 11pm.
Of course, with every main season at Disneyland Paris, there is also themed snacks. These of course, usually change each year but typically Halloween Disneyland Paris snacks consist of pumpkin themed cakes and biscuits, ghoulish toffee apples and unusually coloured burger buns.
In terms of Halloween merchandise at Disneyland Paris, there are usually Halloween inspired ears, Mickey Pumpkin Trick or Treat buckets and specially themed Halloween themed popcorn buckets which are often in demand with collectors.
We've had our buckets now about 8 years and they still come out every Halloween.
Christmas Season at Disneyland Paris starts around the 9th November and ends early January, dates vary each year.
A festive atmosphere fills the park with lights, Christmas parades, themed shows, and a giant Christmas tree on Main Street. The Christmas season is one of the busiest times of the year, with accommodation and ticket prices reflecting the demand.
For the best prices at Christmas, November usually is much lower with weekdays coming out the cheapest.
At Christmas you'll see a range of characters, in their Christmas finery, available to meet and greet.
This year we've seen Winnie the Pooh, Chip & Dale, Goofy all in Christmas outfits. Then Jack Skellington has been available outside of Phantom Manor. Christmas at Disneyland Paris also means that Santa Claus is available to meet- this is located in Videopolis, Discoveryland.
Other non-Christmas themed characters in the main park include Baloo near to the Hakuna Matata resturant and characters from Alice in Wonderland, have been near the Tea Cups in Fantasyland.
You'll also find meet and greets available in the studios for Spiderman and Toy Story favourites.
In the Christmas parade you'll also see more characters and this year they've included Mickey, Pluto, Stitch and Tinkerbell to start the parade. There is a float with various princesses on and others walking behind- it was Snow White, Aurora and Cinderella on the float and Tiana, Rapunzel, Jasmine and Ariel walking behind on our visit. There was also the fairy godmothers from Cinderella and Scrooge with Huey, Dewey and Louie.
Shows at Christmas include Let's Sing Christmas, Princess Aurora's Magical Wish, Holiday Gathering and Let's Sing Christmas.
Included in the scheduling this year is also Mickey and the Magician, Minnie's Musical Moment, Together: A Pixar Musical, Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands.
As with Halloween, Disneyland Paris has special snacks and treats along with themed merch especially for Christmas.
Treats this year include special Gingerbread Men, Minnie and Mickey themed Cookies, Cake Pops and Toffee Apples- it's all about the red and white!
Merchandise at Christmas includes lots of bakeware, food treats and kitchen items. There's also lots of themed Christmas plushes, ears and decorations.
Disneyland Paris actually has a Christmas themed shop that is open all year long too!
Disneyland Paris sometimes hosts special events in the spring, such as “Swing into Spring,” featuring colourful flower displays, spring-themed parades, and character appearances. These are typically between March to May.
These aren't as big as Halloween and Christmas, but you'll still find some special theming around the parks.
In the past, there has been lots of flower displays around the parks, Spring themed parades and unique meet and greets that don't happen at other times of year.
Characters in Spring have included Thumper and Miss Bunny, Marie and the Aristocats and Mary Poppins with Bert and the penguins.
As more information is released, we will update this section with what is on offer, at Disneyland Paris in Spring 2025.
At the moment Disneyland Paris' first music festival is scheduled to run between 19th April to 7th September 2025. Disney and Pixar characters will take to the stage for live concerts and dance shows, celebrating Disney's Greatest Hits.
To stay updated on what's new at Disneyland Paris, check out our Disney News blog below.
Summer at Disneyland Paris, typically has no real theming despite it being the busiest time for the parks. In the past they have done Frozen Summer- which included a special Frozen show and Frozen themed slushes and cake lollies.
Summer is a fantastic time to visit, as you're more-or-less guaranteed great weather. However, in the past we have been during heat waves and it's been unbearable for the kids. I think our 'hottest' visit was around 34 degrees celcius. Spring and September/October can be more pleasant.
You'll also find that Summer is the most expensive season and the busiest, with longer ride wait times.
As mentioned above Disneyland Paris' first music festival is scheduled to run between 19th April to 7th September 2025, so there should be lots of new shows and theming around the parks for this.
If you’re looking for the cheapest time to visit Disneyland Paris, avoid school holidays and peak seasons. Here are the months that typically offer the best deals:
January (after the holidays) to Mid-February: Once children go back to school after the Christmas break, ticket prices and accommodation rates drop significantly until the February half-term. This is one of the quietest times to visit.
October (early in the month): Before the Halloween crowds fully arrive, early October can offer good value and relatively lower crowd levels.
June: While still in the summer period, June offers lower prices compared to July and August, which are peak holiday months.
Most of November: After Halloween but before the Christmas season kicks in, November sees lower prices, except for weekends when some early Christmas events may draw more visitors.
Early December: Before the holiday rush intensifies, the start of December can be a nice window for lower prices and fewer crowds, while still enjoying some festive decorations.
Ticket prices and accommodation rates vary greatly depending on the time of year. Off-peak times, such as January, early October, and mid-week in November, will give you the best prices. You can often save even more by booking packages that include hotel stays and park tickets, especially if you book in advance.
Staying in an official Disney hotel comes with perks like early park access, but if you’re on a budget, consider off-site hotels, which often provide free shuttles to the parks and can be much cheaper. Comparing different travel dates and being flexible with your plans will help you save significantly.
Weather can be a significant factor when planning your trip so it’s important to know how the seasons affect your experience:
Winter (November to February): The coldest months, with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 10°C (36°F to 50°F). Rainfall is common, so pack for wet and chilly conditions, especially if you’re visiting during the Christmas season. While the park looks magical during the holidays, keep in mind that some outdoor rides may be less enjoyable in cold, rainy weather.
Spring (March to May): Temperatures range from 8°C to 16°C (46°F to 60°F), and while rain is still possible, this is a more pleasant time to visit, especially as flowers bloom and outdoor areas come to life.
Summer (June to August): Warmer months with temperatures from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Rain is less frequent, but the crowds increase significantly, especially during French school holidays in July and August.
Autumn (September to October): Temperatures cool down to 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F), with a chance of rain, but early autumn can still be quite pleasant for outdoor activities.
What happens if it's raining at Disneyland Paris?
It is very rare that rides close during wet weather. The parks tend to continue as normal. It needs to be pretty extreme to effect the scheduling.
At writing, this week Disneyland Paris has closed some rides and attractions due to the snow- I can't tell you how pleased I was that we went last week instead!
Are there still fireworks at Disneyland Paris if it rains?
On a whole yes there are! As above it has to be pretty extreme weather for them to be cancelled.
Which Park at Disneyland Paris is better when it rains?
Personally, I'd say Disneyland Studios due to the amount of shows available in this park, giving you the opportunity to shelter inside. The Studios is also smaller, with rides and attractions located closer together.
If you prefer avoiding crowds, steer clear of these busy periods:
School Holidays (French, UK, and other European countries): These are the most crowded times, especially during summer (July-August), Easter, and Christmas/New Year.
Halloween (Late October) and Christmas (December weekends): These are peak times with high demand for tickets and accommodation. The parks can become quite crowded, particularly during special event days.
National Holidays and Bank Holidays: Be mindful of both French and neighbouring countries’ public holidays, as they can cause a surge in visitors.
The least busy days at Disneyland Paris are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. With the quietest months to go to Disneyland Paris being mid Jan to mid march.
So, when is the best time to visit Disneyland Paris? It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re aiming for lower prices and fewer crowds, January to mid-February and early October are excellent choices.
If you’re after special seasonal events, you can’t beat the magic of Halloween or Christmas, though be prepared for larger crowds and higher costs.
If you prefer milder weather and a less crowded experience, March, April (excluding Easter), and June are your best bet.
Ultimately, each month brings its own set of advantages and challenges, but with some planning, you can make the most of your Disneyland Paris adventure!
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