Visiting Disneyland in October 2026: Plaza de la Familia, Halloween, and more!
Cooler temperatures, Halloween festivities, and fall breaks make Disneyland in October a very popular time to visit for vacationers and locals alike. In fact, this month often rivals December in terms of popularity and crowds. That being said, the Disneyland Resort goes all out for Halloween with attraction overlays, festive decor, themed dining, ticketed events, and more. So if you’re a fan of Disney and Halloween, October can be a great time to visit the parks!
*This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Planning a Disneyland vacation in 2026? Be sure to check out our guide to all that the Disneyland Resort has to offer this year, including the Disneyland Half Marathon, special ticketed events, holiday festivities, and more!
October At-a-Glance
- Halloween begins in late August at the Disneyland Resort and continues through October 31st. The Disneyland Resort goes all out for this holiday, making the parks quite busy. But if you love Halloween, you will love all that Disney has to offer parkgoers during this season.
- October will bring cooler fall temperatures. It will still be warm, but it definitely won’t feel as hot as in the summer months. Layers will be important as you plan your days in the parks, especially if staying in the evening for Halloween events and festivities.
- Halloween crowds often rival Christmas crowds. Disney is known for being busy during the holiday season in December, so many are surprised to find that October can be similarly busy. Halloween is very popular, and week-long fall breaks from school make it a great time for many to visit the parks.
October Events
August 21 through Halloween – Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort: During the autumn season, the entire resort at Disneyland undergoes a delightful transformation. Guests are treated to an array of Halloween-themed attractions and decor, along with characters adorned in spooky costumes. Notable highlights at Disneyland include the Haunted Mansion Holiday, Halloween Screams nighttime spectacular, the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, and a variety of festive snacks.
Be amused by the attractions at California Adventure, such as Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, Cars Land showcasing costumed Cars, Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, and don’t miss the highly sought-after ticketed event, Oogie Boogie Bash.
August 21 through November 2 – Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park: Experience a celebration of family and Mexican traditions during Día de los Muertos with the enchanting storytelling and captivating music of Pixar’s “Coco.” Immerse yourself in this cultural event that pays homage to the enduring bonds of family.
August 18 through Halloween – Oogie Boogie Bash Parties at Disney California Adventure: This very popular Halloween party will return to Disney California Adventure on select nights from August 18 through October 31, 2026. This separately ticketed after-hours event invites guests to dress in costume and enjoy a festive evening of trick-or-treating, themed entertainment, and spooky Disney fun throughout the park.
October Refurbishments & Closures
*We’ve included all current refurbishments here on this list… even ones that may be open in time for October 2026. (Please note that this list could change at a moment’s notice.)
Disneyland Park
- Jungle Cruise is currently closed for refurbishment. No opening date has been announced.
- Disneyland Monorail will be temporarily closed beginning March 30, 2026.
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin will be temporarily closed beginning March 30, 2026.
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will be temporarily closed beginning April 13, 2026.
California Adventure Park
- Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! has permanently ended.
- Grizzly River Run is closed for refurbishment. A reopening date has yet to be announced (likely spring as the weather warms up).
- Toy Story Midway Main will be closed beginning April 6, 2026. An opening date has yet to be announced.
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will be permanently closing in 2027 to make room for a new Avatar-themed area.
October Weather
Overall, Disneyland in October will see cooler temperatures. The average high is 76 degrees, and the low is typically around 63 degrees. Layers will be important as you plan your days in the parks, especially if staying in the evening for Halloween events and festivities.
October Disneyland Crowds
Crowd calendars are very popular, but they can also be a bit unpredictable. While they can be a big help in planning your trip, keep in mind that they are predictions at best. When anticipating future crowds, we take a look at events, school calendars, ticket prices, park hours, holidays, and typical monthly patterns. Unfortunately, our estimates cannot predict other things such as weather, travel advisories, pandemics, or last-minute openings or closings of shows and attractions.
Many are surprised to discover that October can be very busy. Halloween in Disneyland is incredibly popular. Also, many schools in California, Utah, and Nevada have week-long fall breaks spread out throughout the month. That being said, prepare for holiday crowds as you enjoy the Halloween festivities!
Ready to Start Planning Your Visit to Disneyland in October?
Here are some resources to help you get started!
Disneyland Dining Guides:
Disneyland Attraction Guides:
Planning your first Disneyland vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to get started!
