What is the 2025 Christmas season at Disneyland Paris worth?

A failed season launch and a lackluster season? That’s the question we ask ourselves when we look back on the 2025 Christmas season at Disneyland Paris.

By Angie et Manuella

Fasten your seatbelts, Christmas is coming!

Fasten your seatbelts, keep your feet, hands, legs, and brains inside the vehicle, because we are about to enter an area of turbulence.

First of all, a little warning for the more sensitive among you: you can stop here. If you continue, we accept no responsibility.

Another warning: I am passionate about Disney and its history, not just Disneyland Paris. But I don’t have blinders on either. You can love something passionately without always saying that everything is beautiful and rosy. I appreciate it when my friends or family tell me that I’m not going in the right direction or that I was wrong about something. It’s the same with Disneyland Paris. I will never love it blindly, just to say that everything is perfect.

If hors catégorie climbs belong to cycling, the Christmas season at Disneyland Paris is also hors catégorie compared to other seasons. My favorite season is Halloween. Christmas doesn’t fit into any category; for me, Christmas is above all other seasons, a season that by definition must destroy everything in its path, whether in terms of entertainment, decorations, etc.

A little background information for those who will say, “Yes, she’s jaded, she should stop going there every day, blah blah blah…”

First of all, I do what I want! And above all, I come from the south of France. Even though I’m lucky enough to go there several times a year, I’m not a regular guest.

So, here I am, off on my 1.5-hour TER train ride and 4-hour (if all goes well) TGV ride. Suffice to say, I have high expectations for a season that costs more than others.

Ask for the Christmas program

Let’s start with the content. There’s very little new, but with Disneyland Paris, we’re used to that, and then it’s Christmas, with all the magic of the holidays and the atmosphere, which always has an effect.

Le Partage Gourmand de la Mère Noël :

So, I’m still looking for the gourmet side! Probably because you can’t hear a word she’s saying. The gazebo isn’t the best place for a happening (I won’t say a show), at least not for me.

Mrs. Claus speaks, but we can’t hear her for about ten minutes. She walks around the square in selfie mode, clearly indicating that there’s nothing to see here. On the other hand, the Lavazza partnership is clearly visible, and there’s no need for microphones or loudspeakers—it’s visible, far too visible even.

“Let’s Sing Christmas!” musical show

The show does the job; it gets you in the Christmas carol mood. We know it, and it always works.

Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade!

There, same thing, it’s the same! But we still see it with the same wonder. I prefer the night version.

Selfie Spot

For the lucky ones, only Beauty in her winter outfit. Sorry, but it’s a bit of a letdown. Her winter outfit isn’t just a red cape, you know… But those who aren’t too picky will be happy.

Come back later…

The problem (and it’s infuriating for visitors) is that the shows don’t start on November 8 as announced by DLP. I can already hear you saying: yes, but people have been warned! Not quite! When Disneyland Paris announces the dates for the season (in the spring, more or less), there is no program. It’s about two months before the Christmas season, once everyone has made their reservations, that we find out what the festivities will entail…

“Join Princess Aurora and Prince Philip in the courtyard of Sleeping Beauty’s castle for a royal moment.” Well, you’ll have to come back for that, and not before November 15!

Magical Christmas Tree Lighting​ Missed it again! You’ll have to come back here starting November 21!

And never two without three (but even I think that’s normal). Tinker Bell’s Enchanted Calendar starts on December 1.
Donc, lorsque nous disons à nos membres qu’ils peuvent venir dès le 8 novembre, c’est faux ! Maintenant, on devra leur dire : venez en décembre ! au moins, vous serez sûrs d’avoir tout le programme.

Let’s move on to Christmas decorations.

On Friday, when I arrived, I also visited the Disneyland Hotel, Disney Newport Bay Club, and Disney Sequoia Lodge, which were decorated.

So, on the morning of my departure, before my high-speed train, I finished my tour of the hotels and, unfortunately, at the Hotel New York Disney – Art of Marvel, Disney Hotel Cheyenne, and Disney Hotel Santa Fe, there was nothing or almost nothing, even though the season had started on Saturday. Once again, this is very misleading, especially for visitors who want to extend the holiday atmosphere to their hotel, but it’s a failure.

A few years ago, the season started after November 15. It’s clear that Disneyland Paris can’t get everything ready in just a few days. That’s understandable, but shouldn’t they start later? Oh yes, I forgot, November 11, a public holiday, would be without a season! Oops! Having spoken to a few guests at the hotels, they were simply disappointed.

Conclusion

I love Christmas, but in this case, I think we need to address some issues! Even on Saturday, the launch day, finding ourselves with nothing to cover at 11 a.m. and having to go get the cottage maps to say there was something to do is not acceptable!

The next event to cover was the parade… almost five hours later, around 4 p.m.! It’s a bit strange, really.

Even visitors were wondering where this season was!

The Christmas season in a few questions:

How would you describe the overall atmosphere in the park during this year’s Christmas season?

Apart from Main Street USA, where the Christmas spirit is very much alive, the other lands do not immerse us in the magic of Christmas. Worse still, Frontierland is still in Halloween mode during the first weekend of the season’s launch.

What are the major new features on offer this season, in terms of shows, sets, and immersive experiences?

– The choir for the tree lighting ceremony does not start until the 21st.

– The projections on the facades of Main Street (a low-cost novelty, you have to get your money’s worth out of the projectors!) create a very nice effect.

– Belle in her Christmas outfit at the selfie spot.

– The Mrs. Claus show (surely sponsored by Lavazza 😂) is unfortunately not very well put together and difficult to understand because you can’t hear much; the only positive thing is the photos taken primarily for the children, which for me makes it more of a selfie spot than a show!

The lighting of the Christmas tree is an unmissable event. Are there any changes this year?

– Read the answer above!

What decorative element did you particularly appreciate this year?

– Christmas tree.

Disney characters dressed in Christmas outfits are always eagerly awaited. Are there any new costumes, or new characters appearing at the meet-and-greets you enjoyed?

– Beauty.

Finally, if you had to sum up the 2025 (or current) Christmas season in a single emotion, which one would you choose, and why?

– A somewhat sluggish start to one of the most eagerly awaited seasons.