2013: A year of pure Disney magic.

It's over, 2013 has left us and we are now in a brand new year. But wow, what a year it was. It was the year that Disneyland Paris told us that they were building a ride, they even named it. It was a year where exceptional events just happened, and as one event ended, an even more magical one began. There wasn't even time to ponder what would happen next.
So, let's take a look back at those past 12 months.

The year began in a reasonably quiet way, February saw the introduction of the Aristocats to the Disneyland Paris character line up with a spectacular unveiling on February 14th in a special cavalcade that ran twice in the day (Rain cancelled one of the scheduled three showings). This was followed by a weekend of character couples in Disneyland Park - but that was not all. That weekend also saw the inaugural LNB (Ligue national du basket) Leaders Cup take place in the Disney Events Arena in Disney Village, the contest which involved a number of the top French basketball teams competing in a series of knock out matches involved a few Disney touches, each match was covered live on French Sport channel Sport+ which was also shown in the Sports Bar, and saw a special celebration seeing Disney Village open until 2am in the morning. This event was hugely popular and 2014 sees a new round of matches taking place.

The end of March 2013 saw the launch of the 20th Anniversary extended celebrations, this involved a fashion show, Light'Ear launch and two new scenes added to Disney Dreams! (The Lion King and Brave replacing The Jungle Book and Mary Poppins). The ears looked beautiful when every member of the audience was wearing them, but the public would need to wait until June in order to try them out for themselves.

Then came along April which was another quiet month. May saw the Disney Dreamers Everywhere event, a series of private meet and greets were held for a special group of guests in all the Disney parks across the world - a special event indeed.  Despite the main attractions being invite only, regular day guests could meet the rare characters during the day at their special photo location. Characters in Disneyland Paris included Clara Cluck, Darkwing Duck and more.

Not too much happened in June other than the Toad Hall restaurant re-opening after a period of refurbishment, the restaurant was immensely improved. The end of the month saw the closure of Hollywood pictures in order to make way for the LEGO store. 

July saw Parcorama publish a blog about the deteriorating state of Disneyland Paris and launched a petition to Bob Iger to improve the state of things at our beloved Parisian resort. The petition reached the required number of signatures and was sent to the Walt Disney Company in Burbank amongst a high level of media attention across Europe. We also began to learn more about the Halloween festival and Christmas.

In August we learnt that the special Disney Dreams of Christmas would be a show in its own right, and would take elements from the new Disney Animation Studios film Frozen. We learnt that we'd be getting a new Christmas tree, and a new lighting ceremony that wouldn't involve characters.

September was perhaps the biggest month of the year for Disneyland Paris in 2013. The 20th Anniversary reached its conclusion, and Disneyland Paris held a What's New, What's Next event in which hotel refurbishments and new merchandising was introduced to a assembled mix of the Disneyland Paris fan websites and blogs. Ratatouille: L'Avenure Totalement Toquée de Rémy was unveiled as the Ratatouille attraction name, as well as a piece of artwork unveiled.

In October, the Halloween season was launched in Disneyland Paris which involved a new cavalcade, some new decorations and new character opportunities, this was widely regarded as a huge success for the resort. The new Disneyland Paris website was launched, which offered a cleaner design, new features and a mobile version of the site.

November was the launch of the most extensive Christmas celebrations to date, decorations from the previous year were extended and new decorations added. A beautiful new Christmas tree was unveiled with a fantastic lighting ceremony which could be viewed as a 360 degree spectacle. The big finish was a new version of Disney Dreams! named Disney Dreams of Christmas featuring Olaf, Frozen, Toy Story and many classic tales.

And that's it for Disneyland Paris 2013, it was a wonderful year, more news than action but this coming year will see many new features heading to our resort - and I for one can't wait.

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DLRP Rewind: Halloween Season

A question that has raged for a number of years between Disney fans is those who prefer Halloween or

Christmas celebrations in the resort. Both have their particular merits, both are exceptional. This year's Halloween celebration has wowed all Disneyland Paris fans, but we've seen some strange and wonderful celebrations in the past.

As a celebration in France, Halloween is still reasonably unknown, until the mid 1980's, the only way French people really heard of Halloween was through foreign tourists passing through. This however changed when an American bar in Paris began to celebrate the festival, following on from that in 1992 the mask museum in a town called Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent opened and also played a roll in spreading the festival to a new French audience. In 1996, the town Saint-Germain-En-Laye (Just outside of Paris) held a daytime Halloween party to give a taster of what the celebration was all about. It is however, thanks to American influences on French culture such as Disney, McDonalds, Coca-Cola amongst others, this had two effects on French people: The first was educating French people into an American holiday, the second was imposing yet another aspect of American life onto the culture of France (do not forget this was one of the criticisms of the Euro Disneyland development).

1997
The first Halloween celebrated in Disneyland Paris (and in any theme park in France!) took place in 1997, although a relatively small affair at the time, it is clear that many of the original plans have become more permanent fixtures of what we expect from a Disneyland Paris Halloween today. The season consisted of pumpkin decorations in Frontierland and the addition of the 'Mummy cruise line' and a small parade on Main Street USA.
The humble beginning of the Halloween Soirée was nothing more than a special night of entertainment inside Frontierland,with just 5000 guests in attendance. Critter Coral was where children of all ages could participate in various activities as well as meeting Disney Villains. Dress up was naturally encouraged, and those that did dress up could enter the Hurricanes night club in Disney Village for free!

New Features: Halloween, Halloween Soirée, Mummy Cruise Line, Halloween Parade

1998 & 1999
This party continued in 1998 and 1999 and even extended to taking place across two nights, these two years the park managed to reach capacity reasonably early in the day forcing the police to block off the motorway leading upto the park as it was blocking through traffic.


2000

Image: Disney

The Halloween Soirée extended in 2000 to yet another night making it a total of 3 nights of Halloween celebrations (27,28,31 October); Frontierland once again became 'Halloweenland' and the night now covered Main Street USA, Halloweenland and Discoveryland from 21h00 until 2h00. During the season new decorations were being introduced into the park. Imagine entering Halloweenland through Fort Comstock only to see a giant spider overhead. Other than the 'Mummy Cruise Line', another big new
addition included the 'Spider Web Stage' where guests could learn a new dance in the 'Zombie Mania' show, hosted by our undead friends. The Halloween parade was followed by a show named 'Halloween Castle Spectacular'.
The 2000 Halloween Soirée was priced at 149 FF (Which equates to about £20) offering the following special shows:
Main Street USA: Hocus Pocas Concert, Disney Villains Parade, Halloween Castle Spectacular
Discoveryland: Monster Mash DJ Party (Videopolis), Sarruga (Giant insects by Star Tours)
Halloweenland: Sorcerers Apprentice (Arts & Crafts), Halloween Scarecrow Party, Zombie Mania

That's not all, Disney Village also proposed a special Halloween offering with events such as 'The Cabaret of Horror', 'Infernal Dances', 'Diabolical Karaoke'.

New Features: Mummy Cruise Line, Spider Web Stage

2001
As per the previous few years, the Halloween season at Disneyland Paris was still growing in 2001, the usual Halloween Happening parade was still happening on Main Street USA, and Halloweenland was still decorated in it's Halloween best. Phantom Manor's grounds also received some Halloween decorations this year, as guests approached the Pocahontas Village at the back of Halloweenland, they will have encountered the Trick or Treat Labyrinth, as you go through the maze, guests would knock at a series of doors in which they would encounter a cackle of laughter or a Disney Villain. Cottonwood Creek ranch was awash with fantastic decorations such as pumpkins in water and giant hands pulling dead bodies out of a boat. Disneyland Paris was becoming a real place to go after the Summer season during the October break period.
New Features: Phantom Manor grounds decorations, Trick or Treat Labyrinth

2002
The sixth Halloween season in Disneyland Resort Paris in 2002 extended the season once again towards Fantasyland, but this however would not be accessible on the Halloween Soirée nights which this year took place on the 31st October and the 1st November incorporating Main Street USA, Discoveryland, Halloweenland and Indiana Jones and the temple of doom backwards!
The Disney Villains had moved from Frontierland to Fantasyland (where they remain to this very day), pumpkins had begun to climb up Sleeping Beauty Castle. Halloween themed menus were added to the Cowboy Cookout, Funente del Oro and Lucky Nugget restaurants.
For the Soirée, a giant pumpkin was placed on the castle stage (much like recent years) for a special concert that entertained guests throughout the night. Other highlights included Dumbo the Flying Elephant manned by the Big Bad Wolf as well as shows on the Fantasy Festival stage.

New Features: Villains in Fantasyland, Halloween Menus, Special shows and character appearances.

2003

Did you ever think Zorbing and Halloween could ever mix? Well, in 2003 at Disneyland Paris they did, Main Street USA became a pumpkin paradise as the pumpkin men took over the Town Square's bandstand, and even appeared in front of Phantom Manor in Frontierland.
Cast Members working in Disneyland Paris also saw their nametag replaced by something a little bit more spooky.
Disney Villains invaded the Princess Parade to make the event more spooky



Finally, one of biggest ever Halloween additions made an appearance this year as a ghost was attached to the Mark Twain who would pull in around the Rivers of the Far West.

New Features: Pumpkin Men, Ghost Cruise Line (Version 2)

2004
2004 was the year in which Main Street became the rather unfortunately named 'Spooky Street' which was similar to the previous years. The Pumpkin men made their successful return, as well as a bit of a back story being created for them in 'PumpkinWood', HalloweenLand. The special villains parade and Phantom Cruise Line returned for a second successful run. Perhaps the most memorable thing about this edition of Halloween in Disneyland Paris was a spectacular projection show onto Phantom Manor during the Halloween Soirée.

The story of the attraction was told through projecting onto a sheet which covered the attraction, as well as using lights to enhance the effects. The result is a thrilling one off display which Disneyland Paris fans still mention to this day.
  
2005
In 2005, Disneyland Paris guests had a choice to make. Pumpkin Men or Pink Witches? The Halloween Witch had disappeared, the pink witches wanted to take over Halloween, but the Pumpkin men still wanted to paint the park Orange. Guests decided their camp. These new 'pink witch' characters joined in the Halloween parade which was invaded once again by villains and pumpkin men.  A giant zip wire was built by the pumpkin men across the rivers of the far west connecting Thunder Mesa to Big Thunder Mountain.

New Features: Pink Witches

2006
The pumpkin men returned to Main Street and HalloweenLand, Stitch became the main character of the Halloween season featuring on all the promotional material and was generally more present in the park. Stitch also appeared through the day on the FantaStitch stage in Halloweenland, where three different shows took place: Stitch and the Steals, Donald and the Bat and Goofy and the Magic Pot.

New Features: Stitch as the leading character

2007

The 15th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris saw the pumpkin men invading the park once again (but perhaps to a lesser extent than in previous years). Stitch once again took a prominent role and 'took over' the Once Upon a Dream Parade in the form of a short pre-parade. The pink witches had taken to the streets as giant versions of them roamed the park (as well as the face characters from previous years). Disney Villains' Showtime spectacular also got introduced onto the central plaza stage in front of the castle.

New Features: Halloween Pre-Parade, Roaming giant Pink Witches, Disney Villains' Showtime Spectacular.

2008

Source: Radio Disney Club

As the 15th Anniversary got extended for 12 months, Disneyland Paris launched into their (mostly unchanged) Halloween season. Central Plaza hosted a show hosted by Minnie named 'Disney Villains' Showtime Spectacular', the Once Upon A Dream parade saw the addition of Jack and Sally during the pre-parade. The pumpkin men return for another year, but without the pink witches accompanying them, Stitch was also removed as the leading character of the season. For the first time Jack and Sally could be met on Boot Hill, the characters express would also get a Halloween themed make over.
Following the massive success in the United States of the 'Not So Scary Halloween Party', the parties finally made in to the European resort, these 4 nights of entertainment saw Fantasyland given a new decor for the evening and some special Disney streetmosphere added with a finale in the castle courtyard.
For a more 'adult' spook during this Halloween season, French retailer FNAC organised the inaugural Terrorific Night in the Walt Disney Studios park, this adult orientated event scarred guests with attraction make overs, and creepy cast member actors.

New Features: Jack and Sally arrived at Disneyland Paris, Halloween Themed Character Train, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Terrorific Night.

2009
After the success of adding Jack and Sally to the parks during the 2008 Halloween season (albeit moved to Cottonwood Creek Ranch), they would be returning for the 2009 Halloween season (and every subsequent season since). The Pumpkin men returned to turn Frontierland orange. The year celebration that was being celebrated in 2009 was 'Mickey's Magical Party', to celebrate this the character express had turned into 'Minnie's Party Train', which received a Halloween makeover (much like the previous year). The show 'It's Party Time, with Mickey and Friends' on the central plaza stage got a villain invasion. Last year's Not So Scary parties return, with the addition of Frontierland to entertain guests throughout the evening.

New Features: It's Party time, with Mickey and Friends, and Disney Villains,

2010
The Terrorific Night in Walt Disney Studios returns for a second year after it's first year hiatus, as well as the return of the Not So Scary party in Disneyland Park. This year saw the addition of the 'Dreams of Trick or Treat' float in the Once upon a dream parade in Disneyland Park, which featured Jack, Sally, Pumpkin Men, and the Disney Villains. Pride of place was given to the new arrival for the season, who was given a float to himself. 
After introducing Jack and Sally two years prior to 2010, the New Generation Festival saw a new character premiere, that of Doctor Facilier who took part in Disney Villains' Showtime - Featuring Doctor Facilier.
The pumpkin men return to decorate the park in their favourite colour, orange.


New Features: 'Dreams of Trick or Treat': Pre-Parade float, Doctor Facilier.

2011

Image: Disney

This year saw the addition of Mickey's Trick or Treat in the Street show which took place of the Castle stage. This show was a blend of singing, dancing and games involving the audience which ran in both 2011 and 2012 Halloween seasons.
HalloweenLand was finally removed from the Halloween festival leaving us with the simple Frontierland we know and love year round. Instead, Halloween was taken back to basics, pumpkins instead of pumpkin men. A new show was added onto the Central Plaza Stage (in the final months of it's existence) 'Malificent's Halloween Party' featuring all the Disney Villains

New Features: Mickey's Trick or Treat in the Street,  Malificent's Halloween Party

2012

After the previous year's back to basics approach, it was time to start on rebuilding Halloween in Disneyland Paris. The addition of the Main Street ghosts was universally applauded by Disneyland Paris fans for it's tasteful design, Main Street was littered by the previous residents and shop keepers, who had come out to greet guests. Pumpkin head versions of the Disney characters (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy) were added to the central plaza area.
Goofy Bonbons was a new goofy meet and greet located in Town Square where Goofy would meet friends next to his candy machine, and new cackling sound effects could be heard throughout the street.
Mickey's Halloween Trick or Treat in the Street show remained on the Castle Stage. On a slightly less happy note, the Halloween Soirée this year featured the final ever appearance of Disney's Fantillusion Parade.
To date, this was also the final running of Disney's Terrorific Night in the Walt Disney Studios Park

New Features: Main Street Decorations, Goofy Bonbons.

2013

As Halloween continues to be rebuilt at Disneyland Paris, this year featured a substantial new addition in Mickey's Halloween Celebration; a three time daily parade taking the traditional spooky Halloween celebration in a new Harvest themed direction with it's beautiful floats and country soundtrack. Numerous new Disney characters made an appearance, general improvements in decorations were also seen.
A new Minnie Mouse photo location was added, and Duffy made an appearance in his Halloween costume.

New Features: Mickey's Halloween Celebration, Clarabelle Cow, Minnie's Costume Couture, Duffy in a Halloween costume.

Disneyland Paris has seen something new and exciting added to the Halloween season each year, whilst the smaller details change from year to year, the overarching themes remain the same, with the Disney Villains taking centre stage. 2013 saw a new style of celebration, which will be exciting to see how it is developed in the years ahead. One thing is certain, Halloween is much better known in France because of this American influence.

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Coup de Cœur: Disney's Halloween Festival

The word 'Festival' in the official Halloween celebration title 'Disney's Halloween Festival' is not coincidental. For 2013 is the year where 'spooktacular' Halloween is replaced by a more humble harvest theme. It all begins as we enter Disneyland Park and we meet the friendly Main Street USA residents who have been replaced by ghosts for one month only.

We quickly learn that these ghosts aren't here to terrorise us, but instead to socialise with us and welcome us to their favourite season. Everything about the decorations on Main Street Station reassures guests that a Disney Halloween is different. As we move through the station, we see more friendly ghosts on Main Street

USA who've decorated their street in the Halloween colours. The lampposts have been turned green and a witches hat placed upon them. As we walk through Town Square we hear more of a playful cackle than the usual jolly loop we are familiar with, the sounds of Halloween fill the air, pumpkins are placed on the lush green grass and the colours of Autumn surround us. This isn't the usual 'ghost and ghoul' style Halloween, this is something different. In one corner of Town Square, we see Goofy taking Halloween incredibly seriously; he is making all the candy for his friends who come and see him for a trick or treat. In another corner, Duffy is also enjoying Halloween by putting on his best Halloween outfit as he prepares to go trick or treating.

It's not just in Town Square where friendly ghosts come out to meet their guests. As we wander further down Main Street USA we meet ghosts from all sorts of different walks of life, ever wondered who really fixed the vehicles of Main Street USA? Who really cooks your food in Walts? The residents of the town, for one month only, have arrived to meet their favourite clients, you!

Three times a day on the parade route through Disneyland Park, the ghostly atmosphere is interrupted by Mickey and Friends who have come along to celebrate a more traditional harvest festival (To read more, check out this article by our friend at Dedicated to DLP). The parade soundtrack alludes to the more playful side of this harvest festival by referencing things such as 'climbing trees'. The floats themselves bring the image of harvest through the country crop themeing along with the characters you know and love in their farmyard outfits. Character hunters will be pleased to see Clarabelle making her Disneyland Paris debut along with all the Ducks. What is particularly well done with this parade is the sheer number of performers involved, for a short two float parade this achieves the same satisfaction as a twenty minute parade. The gaps before, after and in between floats are littered with dancers in beautiful costumes and with beautiful props. From the moment the parade reaches you, to the moment it has finished passing by, there are plenty of things to see and enjoy, which is it's charm. This is a parade worthy of the Disney name, and will only grow in the future. We're excited to see it's evolution.

As we continue walking down Main Street we hit Casey's Corner, and Minnie's Costume Couture where we see her outdoor fashion house. We all know that Minnie is a fashionable mouse, but we've never before been allowed so close to her workspace. And, if you are lucky you might even get a photo with the designer herself, who is happy to pose for photos with her friends!

We move closer and closer to the Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant, and as we arrive in Central Plaza, we begin to notice some familiar faces in a rather unfamiliar form. We all know that Halloween has become synonymous with pumpkins. What perhaps we did not expect was that we would see Mickey and friends in pumpkin form; providing guests with a perfect photo opportunity.

Frontierland is the home of Halloween spooks, with pumpkin men welcoming you to their home in Thunder Mesa, as well as the ever spooky Phantom Manor attraction which takes on a particular thrill at this time of year. But, just outside Phantom Manor why not take time to visit Jack Skellington at his spooky cemetery.

As we stroll throughout the enchanting Disneyland Park, our ears are filled with the music of bands playing Disney Halloween favourites. We reach our final destination of our walk through Disneyland Park this Halloween, and we receive a less than warm reception from the Disney Villains who have gathered close to the Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant, ready to spook us.

Halloween 2013 is one of the best seasonal line ups we have seen in recent years, and just thinking that Christmas is usually taken even more seriously and that every year Halloween will get bigger sends a shiver down our spine. We look forward to finding out just what Christmas is like next month.

Coup de Cœur is a monthly feature on DLP Town Square celebrating what we love about Disneyland Paris and the details that make the resort so unique.
Disney's Halloween Festival runs from the 5th - 31st October 2013

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Spectacular Halloween begins at Disneyland Paris

As the calendar turns to October, Halloween begins to register on every bodies radar across the world. The same is true for Disneyland Paris. Two years ago, Disneyland Paris essentially took everything we knew about Halloween as it was celebrated in the resorts, and rebuilt from the ground up. Last year, we had a very successful Christmas reboot, this year it was Halloweens turn. Let's start by saying: It sure does look spectacular and builds very well on the foundations we saw last year.

The big addition this year is the brand new Halloween cavalcade entitled 'Mickey's Halloween Celebration', this fall themed parade features a mix of harvest Halloween fun and the Disney characters we know and love. The Pumpkin men return, Huey, Dewey and Louie make their Disneyland Paris debut as does Clarabelle. The country soundtrack fills the air creating a fun and party atmosphere rather than a scary ambiance. In short, this parade screams fun and will certainly put a huge grin on your face, despite the fact that it does to seem confirm Fantillusion won't come back as these floats are redesigned floats from that parade.

 

Video: DLRP Express

The characters, performers and cast members seem to be enjoying this new parade and it really shows, this has been a finely crafted parade. Bravo Disneyland Paris!

There is also a new addition close to Casey's Corner as Minnie's Costume Couture has arrived, every day Minnie will meet guests in her beautifully designed fashion workshop featuring all sorts of props for guests to have their photo taken with as well as themed sewing equipment and mirrors. Also of note are the Halloween themed parasols, it suits the season much better than the ordinary green parasols and look beautiful.

Fans of Jack and Sally's Cemetery close to Phantom Manor will be delighted to learn that it returns for the new Halloween season, but with the addition of Jack's water feature. Other returning features include Goofy's Sweet Corner in Main Street USA as a photo location including one or two treats for Goofy's friends (don't worry, there are no tricks!). The Disney Villains will mix and mingle in the castle courtyard (all tricks and no treats!). Disneyland Paris have always managed to provide excellent character meets for the Halloween season and provide pleasing moments for all guests.

Finally, Main Street USA has been decorated extremely well with this Main Street Ghosts making their welcome return for another season, but with the addition of even more decorations such as orange banners and a new Halloween banner on Main Street Station (replacing the previous 20th Anniversary logo).

But, all this is just a start, Disneyland Paris promise us that each year will see a growth in the season, the fantastic looking season so far has already lead to Disneyland Paris fans proclaiming it the best Halloween the resort has ever seen, this just leaves the thought that the future of Halloween at Disneyland Paris is very bright, and will offer us many treats, and luckily no treats.

Bravo Disneyland Paris, you've made fans and guests of your resort very happy. 

Disney's Halloween Season runs from the 5th October until the 31st October 2013.

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20th Highlights: Seasons!

If a company could own Christmas and Halloween, Disney would be the one that would want to have it. The 20th Anniversary brought a renewed focus on the two end of year seasons and the St. David's and Patrick's day celebrations, the magic of the 20th Anniversary increased for guests during these special times of year.

As guests walked onto Main Street USA during October 2012, they will have noticed that ghosts have invaded the street, not scary ghosts but friendly ghosts. Main Street USA had become a turn of the century ghost town, gone was the 'in your face' orange, in came a more classic Halloween for all the family. Our friendly ghosts had tried their hand at being a band, guides, being a mechanic and even baseball. Witches had invaded lamp posts and turned them green. Life on Main Street carried on as normal, with the slight addition of cackled laughter every so often. Main Street Station's 20th banner was joined by silhouettes of Disney characters in their best Halloween outfits going trick or treating. Central Plaza saw our Disney pals appear in giant Pumpkin form. Frontierland wasn't missed out either! The former 'Halloweenland' concept was scrapped for 2011, but the pumpkin men had still invaded the Lucky Nugget and the Fort. The restaurant offered a special meal featuring a specially designed burger and a ghostly cupcake for desert.
Entertainment wise, Mickey's Trick or Treat returned, as did the Villains and Jack Skellington. The Walt Disney Studios saw no new decorations, but had host two nights of horror in their 'Terrorific Night' joined by Disneyland Park's yearly tradition 'Halloween Soirée'. Disneyland Paris continues to build on last years successful decorations this year by modifying a few features, as well as the exciting addition of a Halloween Cavalcade.

As Halloween ended on November 4th, the Disneyland Paris overnight workers set to work to transform the park in under one week from a spook paradise, to an enchanting winter wonderland. Gone were the spooky new ghosts, and in came Mickey shaped garlands across Main Street, the erection of the well loved Christmas tree, the snowmen invaded Central Plaza and the joy of Christmas both filled the air, and entered the ears as Magic Everywhere! got a festive overhaul, the biggest news of the 2012 Christmas season was the addition of the Christmas Cavalcade. A classy new parade which instead of being character heavy, aired on the side of the classic image of Christmas with the Toy Soliders, Elves, Plane Toys and our favourite
characters all wrapped up warm in the best Christmas clothing. The floats are fantastic, and the music is delightful and warm. Disney's 20th Anniversary Enchanted Christmas had the bases built for future years growth and filled Disneyland Paris fans with promise for what the season could be in just a few years. This year Christmas grows even further with a new Dreams! show and new floats in the Christmas Cavalcade featuring our new Frozen friends!

In March, Disneyland Paris usually celebrates St. Davids and St. Patricks day, this year the video mapping technology used for Disney Dreams was applied to the castle to create an even more unforgettable fireworks spectacular.   Videos:   St. Davids Day Video (DLRP Welcome) // St. Patricks Day Video (DLRP Fans)

Whilst the 20th Anniversary and these improvements may have been just a happy coincidence, there is little doubt that the future of special seasonal celebrations in Disneyland Paris are going from strength to strength and that last year was just the start of a beautiful future. Some may complain that features have been removed, but those being added last year and this year more than make up for that. We cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Our 20th Anniversary highlights week runs from 23rd September until the 30th September 2013 and celebrates the best moments of the anniversary year, from special events to new attractions. Check back everyday for a new article. 
1: Meet Mickey Mouse
2: Disney's 20th Anniversary Celebration Train 
3: Disney Magic on Parade! 
5: Disney Dreams!
6: 12th April 2012 
7: Light'Ears 
8: Memories  

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Halloween Festival starts to become unveiled.

Over at Disney Central Plaza forum, they've been discussing Halloween festival for a while now, today a press release has been posted that originates from ameworld.net. Here is the exciting news we've been waiting for, some details on Halloween 2013 at Disneyland Paris!

Hewie, Dewey and Louie will be arriving at Disneyland Paris from October 5th to celebrate Halloween, and their Uncle Scrooge will be joining them! The amazing Halloween decorations from last year will return as Main Street is transformed into a place where you can meet those friendly ghosts.

A new three float Halloween cavalcade will be presented by Mickey and Friends called 'Mickey's Halloween Celebration' featuring Disneyland Paris's newest arrivals (Hewie, Dewie, Louie and Uncle Scrooge as well as Clarabelle!).

Goofy will return with his sweet machine on Main Street USA, and we can, for the first time, visit Minnie's studio where she will be creating some Halloween fashion creations.
Other returning features are the villains in the Castle Courtyard and Jack and Sally will return to their photo location outside Phantom Manor.
Characters will be present in Halloween dress (probably making up for the confirmed cancellation of Mickey's Trick or Treat in the Street show)

Disney Dreams returns for the season where we can get 'haunted' by our favourite Disney Villains, Doctor Facilier, Ursula and Captain Hook.

Don't forget Disneyland Park's Halloween Soirée from 20:30 - 01:00 on the 31st October, and tickets are on sale now!

Below is the first visual from the Season, credit goes to Ameworld

Big thanks to Ameworld for posting this exciting press release. We think the 2013 Halloween season will be exciting, and we really cannot wait to see that Halloween cavalcade.

Will any of our readers be visiting the Halloween season? We'd love to know what you think of these proposed plans, comment below or tweet us @dlptownsquare

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Halloween soirée tickets on sale!

Tickets to one of the most special evenings on every Disney fans calendar, the Halloween Soirée, are now on sale at the Disneyland Park ticket offices at the entrance of the park.

Tickets cost €37 per person with reductions for annual passholders (-20% Fantasy Passeport Annuel, -30% Dream Passeport Annuel). The evening is from 20h30 until 01h00 with park access starting at 17h00 for those with tickets. (Tickets for the rest of the day at standard rate).
As per usual costumes are encouraged, but no covering of the face.

Expect wonderful one off shows and a brilliant atmosphere for one of the best evenings of the Disneyland Paris year!

Image copyright Disney.

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