Halloween Is The Best Time To Visit The Disney Parks & Cruises

Even though summer is winding down and cozy season is here, Disney still has plenty of exciting 2026 additions lined up across all of its global destinations. From the OG Disneyland Resort in California to the Disney Cruise Line on the seas, and from Walt Disney World to the international parks, each experience is getting an upgrade.

Not only have some of the visions that then-Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro first teased back at 2024's D23 Expo officially come to life — like the highly anticipated Mandalorian and Grogu addition to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge — but so many other surprises have rolled out all year long. And that’s not even including the confirmed returning events, festivals, and celebrations like Oogie Boogie Bash that are taking over your feed right now.

To make your vacay planning a total breeze, here is a roundup of everything that has already arrived and what is still coming to your favorite Disney spots for the remainder of the year.

Disneyland Has Some Legendary Events

Spring Highlights

At Disneyland, the adorable pups from Bluey arrived March 22 for the Bluey’s Best Day Ever! show running through 2026. Troubadour Tavern offers themed items like the white chocolate-covered Magic “Asparagus” Pretzel and the top-rated Mud Cake Cold Brew.

To tie in with The Mandalorian and Grogu hitting theaters back on May 22, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run added a new mission allowing teams to visit Bespin, Coruscant, and Endor (make sure to sit in the left engineer seat to choose where you go).

A secret “Grogu Mode” can also be activated via the Falcon's control buttons before takeoff. Themed treats like blue macaron cookies and the returning Outpost Popcorn Mix round out the experience.

Summer Highlights

Soarin’ at Disney California Adventure Park got a makeover earlier this season with Soarin’ Across America for the U.S. 250th anniversary.

Additionally, D23 Expo 2026 brought major park updates and new Disney Legends, including the Jonas Brothers, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

This Fall

Disneyland started celebrating Halloween Time on Aug. 21 with seasonal menu items, character costumes, and attraction overlays. The spooktacular festivities run through Oct. 31, and include the return of Oogie Boogie Bash, California Adventure’s after-hours party, on select nights.

Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove is the latest villain to join the event. There’s also an all-new Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Street Party, inspired by the attraction with 999 happy haunts. It’s the perfect event to dress up as your favorite Disney character, go trick-or-treating for candy, and go on your favorite ride with a shorter wait time.

At California Adventure, Plaza de la Familia also returned on Aug. 21 to help celebrate the spirit of Día De Los Muertos through Nov. 2. The merch this year includes a limited-time Coco lantern sipper that fans online are completely obsessed with, plus the Cutie Ghost Collection, which features pastel shades and adorable Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse spirits. Even though some items have sold out in the parks, a cast member tells Elite Daily that Disney will be restocking everything throughout the season.

Halloween Time really is when Disneyland comes to life with Mickey-shaped pumpkins, delicious fall flavors, and the return of the Nightmare Before Christmas-themed Haunted Mansion Holiday. Plus, this year, Mickey and his friends are in all-new Halloween outfits that are too cute not to see IRL.

This Winter

The holidays will arrive early at Disneyland on Nov. 18, and run through the new year. The most wonderful time at the happiest place on Earth will include festive food, jolly decor, and limited-time entertainment. Mickey and his friends will also be sporting new red and green ‘fits at Disneyland, because, well, of course they will.

Walt Disney World Is Celebrating All Year Long

Spring Highlights

Spring was an absolute whirlswing at Disney World with the opening of updated vehicles and new handheld blasters at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, along with a refurbished Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Summer Highlights

The momentum kept going right into the summer when Bluey and her sister Bingo made their debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Plus, right around the corner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can now meet Rapunzel and Mulan at the all-new The Magic of Disney Animation, which features a Drawn To Wonderland playground made from iconic Mary Blair concept art.

The biggest summer drop was the reimagined Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, which opened May 26 at Hollywood Studios. The Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem soundtrack for the ride includes some seriously unskippable cover songs like:

• Blur’s “Song 2”
• Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” featuring Camilla the Chicken
• Ohio Player’s “Love Rollercoaster” featuring Jennifer Hudson & Questlove
• Def Leppard’s “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)”
• Katrina And The Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine” featuring Kelly Clarkson

Just days before the Muppets took over, The Mandalorian and Grogu mission made its way to Disney World’s version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Galaxy’s Edge on May 22.

If you're planning a trip right now, EPCOT is the ultimate destination with Soarin’ Across America and the legendary International Food & Wine Festival. The foodie fest returned on Aug. 27, and will run through Nov. 21 with delicious bites and performances from Smash Mouth, The Fray, and Yellowcard at the Eat to the Beat concert series.

This Fall

Halloween at Disney World has creeped back into the parks with the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, which kicked off way back on Aug. 7. The iconic after-hours event runs through Oct. 31, meaning you still have plenty of time to catch the Boo-To-You parade, go trick-or-treating for the good candy, and watch the ultimate Hocus Pocus show in front of the castle.

This Winter

Once Halloween is over, it’ll be time to celebrate the holidays. Disney has confirmed that Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, and the International Festival of the Holidays will return to EPCOT in November. Those tickets are on sale now, with Jollywood Nights starting at $169, and Mickey’s Very Merry at $189.

So, if you want to celebrate the Muppets dominating the 2026 Emmy Awards with their historic wins, you can find Miss Piggy and Kermit slaying the stage at the Disney Holidays in Hollywood show at Jollywood Nights.

Disney Cruise Line Set A New Adventure

The Destiny may have just set sail last year, but Disney Cruise Line has expanded its fleet once again. The Disney Adventure set forth on its maiden voyage back on March 10. As DCL’s largest ship, it features seven themed areas, including a vibrant San Fransokyo Street from Big Hero 6 and Marvel Landing with three epic attractions.

One must-do ride onboard is Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever roller coaster, the Ironcycle Test Run, which literally lets you speed all around the top deck.

The Adventure — which casually boasts Robert Downey Jr. as its godparent — sails for three- and four-night itineraries with a Marvel-themed Avengers Assemble! show, starring Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, and Loki.

If you’re bummed to be missing Bluey at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, the adorable pup and her sister, Bingo, are bringing their viral dance parties and character meet-and-greets to the ocean this year. Plus, you can look forward to celebrating the seasons with Halloween and holiday-themed sailings taking over the itinerary for the rest of the fall and winter.

Disneyland Paris Had A Magical Transformation

It’s been a big year for Disneyland Paris. On March 29, Walt Disney Studios Park officially transformed into Disney Adventure World with the grand opening of the highly anticipated World of Frozen land. The park also features a gorgeous new Adventure Way promenade that is a dream for foodies, complete with a picturesque new table-service restaurant.

The garden-filled area also boasts the whimsical Raiponce Tangled Spin attraction and a breathtaking nighttime show, Disney Cascade of Lights, that will completely elevate your travel vlogs.