Disney's Parks: Transitioning from Halloween to Holidays

• Disney's theme parks have started switching from Halloween to Christmas decorations.
• The project, which spans 12 months, will require the collaboration of various departments, including horticulture, tech services, crane operators, truck drivers, aerial lift drivers, and culinary experts.
• According to Gavin Doyle, founder of MickeyVisit.com, October and December are the company's peak travel months for the parks.

It's time for Disney parks to swap pumpkins for poinsettias.

During its busiest time of year, domestic theme parks are already switching from Halloween decorations to Christmas colors. The transformation happens quickly, with warm autumn banners being replaced by festive green garlands. It takes approximately six weeks for the full metamorphosis to occur.

Disney's crew starts installing "invisible" holiday decorations two weeks before Halloween, which is part of a 12-month plan that involves multiple departments, including horticulture, tech services, crane operators, truck drivers, aerial lift drivers, and culinary experts.

During the night, when the park is closed, most of the installation is completed.

"Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock stated that both Halloween and the holidays are incredibly magical seasons at the theme park, with guests returning year after year for both traditional and new experiences. The only-Disney-can-do experiences are made possible by the passionate cast members who create magic while most of us are sleeping, delivering seamless and wildly creative transformations of the parks throughout the year."

From Nov. 8 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, to Nov. 15 at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, Disney's winter holiday offerings will be in full swing, featuring sparkling ornamented trees, glitzy character costumes, limited-time food and beverage options, and exclusive merchandise.

These holidays are significant for Disney, generating substantial revenue and traffic.

According to Gavin Doyle, founder of MickeyVisit.com, October and December are the company's peak travel months for the parks.

""Summer has traditionally been the time for additional offerings, but now it's evolved into two unique months with something special on top. This aligns with the Disney vault strategy, where limited-time releases generate excitement," Doyle explained."

During the last quarter of 2023, Disney's experiences division, which includes parks, cruises, hotels, and consumer products, generated $9.13 billion in revenue. In other quarters of 2023 and 2024, the division generated between $7 billion and $8.3 billion.

Both Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party in Florida and Oogie Boogie Bash in California started in August and ran through October 31, extending the Halloween crowds into the company's summer quarter.

Disney has established a tradition for its guests by creating infrastructure for decorations and limited-time specials, which attracts repeat visitation, especially from local parkgoers, at the end of the year.

Attendees can discover new things to explore at the annual updates to character costumes, food and drink options, merchandise, and ambiance.

Disney has shifted its focus from Halloween to the winter holiday season, with modifications to rides and attractions, as well as Christmas parades and fireworks.

Disneyland will introduce holiday overlays for Sleeping Beauty's Castle, It's a Small World and Haunted Mansion on November 15. Additionally, seasonal parades, fireworks, and festivals will commence, with Santa Claus residing at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

The Walt Disney World resort will launch Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on Nov. 8 and Jollywood Nights on Nov. 9. At the same time, the Florida park will debut its Christmastime fireworks, parade, and themed character meet-and-greets. Space Mountain and Jungle Cruise will receive holiday overlays, with Jungle Cruise temporarily becoming Jingle Cruise. Other attractions will also be transformed for the holiday season.