How Disney flips its parks between Halloween and winter break

It's time for the Disney parks to replace pumpkins with poinsettias.

At the peak of its busiest season, Disney Local theme parks have already begun transitioning from Halloween decorations to Christmas colors. The transformation begins to take shape overnight, with warm fall signs replaced by festive green wreaths. Complete transformation takes about six weeks.

About two weeks before Halloween, Disney crews begin installing “blind” items for the holiday season, such as lighting devices. The effort has been planned over 12 months and involves a number of different departments, from horticultural staff, technical services, crane operators, truck drivers, aerial lift drivers to culinary experts.

Most installation work is completed during the overnight hours when the park is closed.

“While every day is special at a Disney theme park, Halloween and the holidays are two absolutely magical seasons, and our guests continue to return year after year to enjoy ongoing traditions and new surprises,” said Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland Resort. “These experiences that Disney can only do happen thanks to our passionate cast members, who create magic while most of us are asleep – and deliver seamless, highly innovative transformations to our parks year-round.”

Starting November 8 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and November 15 at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, Disney's slate of winter holiday specials will be in full swing – from sparkling decorated trees and eye-catching character costumes to limited-time offers. Exclusive food and beverage options and merchandise.

For Disney, these vacations are big business, generating significant revenue and traffic.

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

“Traditionally, it would have been the summer, but actually it's evolved into these two months where there are extra layers of offerings and it's something unique on top of that,” Doyle said. “It kind of fits into that Disney vault strategy. … This is something that comes out, and then people get really excited about it for a limited time.”

Disney's Experiences division — which consists of parks, cruises, hotels and consumer products — generated revenue of $9.13 billion from October through December 2023. In the other quarters of 2023 and 2024, the division generated between $7 billion and $8.3 billion.

This year, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicked off Aug. 9 in Florida, and Oogie Boogie Bash, a large trick-or-treat event, kicked off Aug. 25 in California — expanding Halloween crowds into the company's summer quarter. Both events ran until October 31.

The end of the year also brings a lot of repeat visits, especially from local park-goers, he added. By building the infrastructure to accommodate these limited-time decorations and specials, Disney has created a tradition for its guests, who include it in their annual plans.

Annual changes to character costumes, food and beverage options, merchandise, and other ambiance updates give attendees something new to explore.

With Halloween over, Disney has turned its attention to the winter holiday season. This includes holiday-specific changes to rides and attractions as well as Christmas displays and fireworks.

At Disneyland, holiday overlays for Sleeping Beauty's Castle, It's a Small World and Haunted Mansion will debut on November 15. Seasonal parades, fireworks and festivals will also take place, and Santa Claus will be staying at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

At Walt Disney World Resort, Mickey's Christmas Eve Party begins on November 8, and Jollywood Nights begins on November 9. Meanwhile, the Florida park will set off Christmas time fireworks, parades, and themed character encounters. Space Mountain will get a holiday overlay, as will the Jungle Cruise, which will temporarily become the Jingle Cruise, and other attractions.