A Spooktacular Disneyland Paris Getaway: Halloween Magic in 4 Days

From October 14 to 17, 2025, my friend and I finally made our long-planned dream trip to Disneyland Paris come true. After years of postponing, we packed our bags, hopped in the car, and took a road trip from the Ruhr region through Belgium and France. Around 570 km and a handful of toll roads later, we arrived in Marne-la-Vallée—ready for four magical, festive days in Disney’s Halloween wonderland.

🏨 Where We Stayed: Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne

We booked our package through the official Disneyland Paris website, which includes hotel and park hopper tickets. It’s the best option if you want perks like Extra Magic Time and flexible cancellation.

Our choice: Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne — a 2-star resort with a fun Wild West theme. The buildings, rooms, and overall decor made it feel like stepping into an old Western town. Plus, the location is fantastic: only a 15-minute walk to both parks along a scenic path by the river and Lake Buena Vista.

🎃 Day 1: Halloween Vibes & Classic Rides

We arrived bright and early for Rope Drop at the main park. Hotel guests can enter the park one hour before general opening—and it’s worth it. Early entry = shorter queues and more magic!

Disney tunes floated through the crisp air as we stepped onto Main Street, where Mickey and Minnie waved from the station balcony like old friends welcoming us home. It was one of those moments you wish you could bottle up and keep forever.

Our plan was to start with Star Tours, but despite what the app promised, it (and Hyperspace Mountain) was still closed – classic Disney plot twist. So we detoured to Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast. Cute for kids, sure, but if you’ve ever dreamed of epic space battles, this one might leave you a little underwhelmed.

From there, it was a whirlwind of favourites: we sang along on Pirates of the Caribbean, soared above London on Peter Pan’s Flight, floated through colour and song on It’s a Small World, and screamed our lungs out on Big Thunder Mountain.

By the time we left, our step counters were pushing 30,000, our feet were tired, and our hearts were overflowing with nostalgia – the best kind of Disney magic.

🎥 Day 2: Studios, Shows & A Magical Night

Day two was all about the Walt Disney Studios Park – though at the moment, it’s a bit of a construction zone. Huge cranes tower over the park as Frozen Land slowly takes shape, set to open in 2026. Exciting for the future, but for now, it means the park’s atmosphere feels a little stripped back.

🌿 Attraction Highlights

We kicked things off with Crush’s Coaster – a fan favourite, and for good reason. Imagine diving head-first into the world of Finding Nemo on a ride that’s part dark coaster, part wild spin. You climb into a turtle-shell car, disappear into the darkness, and suddenly you’re swirling, dropping, and accelerating through the Great Barrier Reef. Even hitting it early in the day, we still queued for a good hour – but every twist and spin was worth the wait.

From there, we headed to Ratatouille, where you quite literally see the world through Remy’s eyes. This 4D adventure whisks you through the bustling kitchen of Chez Remi, complete with sizzling pans, the scent of freshly baked bread, splashes of water, and Pixar’s signature charm. It’s the kind of ride where you step off grinning – and slightly hungry.

🎭 Must-See Shows

And then came the shows – the absolute highlight of our day.

Mickey and the Magician was pure Disney enchantment. In his role as a bumbling but determined apprentice, Mickey learns the art of magic with help from some very famous friends – think Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Frozen and more. The sets and effects were so spectacular that kids sat wide-eyed, while the adults were just as mesmerised.

Together – A Pixar Musical Adventure was equally unforgettable. This high-energy journey through Pixar’s greatest hits – from Toy Story to Coco – mixed vibrant visuals, live vocals, and clever stagecraft that had the whole audience clapping and tapping along.

Sadly, The Lion King: Rhythm of the Pride Lands was on a break during our visit – but if it’s showing when you go, it’s a must-see.

🌈 Halloween Parade & Night Spectacle

By late afternoon, with our heads still full of Pixar tunes and magical moments, we left the Studios and made our way back to the main park. The timing couldn’t have been better – the Halloween parade was just about to start. The streets were lined with excited families, floats rolled by in a burst of autumn colours, and Disney villains waved from their perches, all set to upbeat spooky tunes. It was festive, fun, and just the right amount of eerie – Disney-style.

After the parade, we strolled into Disney Village. Yes, parts of it are under construction, but it’s still buzzing with life – a great place to shop for souvenirs or grab a pre-show snack. From Disney-themed stores to lively restaurants, it’s the perfect bridge between the daytime fun and the evening’s magic.

And then came the grand finale: the drone, fireworks & projection show in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. As the park lights dimmed, the crowd’s chatter faded into anticipation. Drones painted glowing patterns in the night sky, fireworks bloomed overhead, and the castle came alive with stunning projections, all perfectly choreographed to the soundtrack. It was the kind of Disney magic that makes you forget about sore feet and long queues.

Yes, it gets crowded. Yes, leaving afterward is a bit of a shuffle. But YES – it’s absolutely worth it. A perfect ending to a day packed with thrills, laughter, and just the right dose of pixie dust.

🌌 Day 3: Fantasyland Nostalgia & Hidden Corners

Day 3 – Fantasyland Nostalgia & Hidden Corners

Our third day was all about diving back into the magic of the main park – and this time, we were determined to explore every nook and cranny we had missed before. Wandering through the different lands felt like flipping through the pages of a well-loved storybook, with surprises waiting around every corner.

We started in Fantasyland, paying a visit to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle – and yes, we went down into the shadowy lair beneath to meet the impressive dragon guarding the dungeons. Over in Frontierland, Phantom Manor gave us the perfect mix of atmosphere and chills, with a ride so long and detailed that we wanted to go again immediately.

In between the thrills, we enjoyed pure, carefree fun with Lancelot’s Carousel, the Mad Hatter’s Spinning Teacups, and the charming Dumbo the Flying Elephant. And, of course, we couldn’t resist another wild ride on Big Thunder Mountain – because some rides are just too good for only one round.

✨ Day 4: Encore & Goodbye

Our last morning was all about reliving the magic. We hopped back over to the Studios for Crush’s Coaster, caught both of our favourite shows (Mickey and the Magician and Together – A Pixar Musical Adventure) one last time, and then returned to the main park for a slow, sweet farewell stroll down Main Street, U.S.A.

By early afternoon, it was time to say goodbye. We left with tired feet, heavy hearts, and that unmistakable post-Disney glow – our minds buzzing with scenes of glittering parades, breathtaking shows, and the crisp, cozy charm of Halloween at Disneyland Paris.

🍽️ Food & Dining Tips

We decided not to book the breakfast or half-board package but preferred to make individual dining choices. It was perfect to arm ourselves with baguettes, sandwiches, and coffee at the nearby Marne-la-Vallée train station in the morning. Pret a Manger, for example, offered great options, even if you wanted porridge. So we deliberately avoided the table-service restaurants to not waste our valuable time on site. The quick dining places offer your regular fast food options: Burgers, Pizza and the like. The quality is what you would expect from an amusement park: Okay, but nothing to write home about.

📚 Conclusion: Worth Every Step

Four days. Countless smiles. Hundreds of magical memories.

Visiting Disneyland Paris in October turned out to be pure seasonal perfection – the autumn colours, festive Halloween décor, and a line-up of shows and attractions that kept us smiling from morning to night. It was the perfect mix of adventure, nostalgia, and a touch of spooky fun.

Was it worth the steps? Absolutely. And yes – we’re already planning our next trip.