Halloween has started creeping into the Disneyland Resort earlier than ever feels possible, and Disney California Adventure already looks ready for the spooky season.
Although official Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort begins August 21, 2026, guests can already spot Halloween decorations appearing around Disney California Adventure. Disney has also started removing some of the final pieces of the Disneyland 70th Anniversary celebration while crews continue several construction and refurbishment projects around both parks.
Here is the latest Disneyland Resort update, organized in the order these changes have appeared.
August 8: Haunted Mansion Closes for Its Holiday Transformation
One of the biggest signs that Halloween season has arrived came on August 8, when Disneyland closed the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square.
Disney plans to transform the attraction into Haunted Mansion Holiday, the popular seasonal overlay inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The attraction will reopen to guests on August 21, 2026, the official opening day for Halloween Time.
August 8: Halloween Starts Taking Over Disney California Adventure
While Disneyland prepares for the official Halloween Time kickoff, Disney California Adventure has already started showing plenty of spooky details.
The biggest changes appear around Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle.
Guests can spot bats flying around the Carthay Circle area, creating one of the most recognizable Halloween looks at DCA. Disney’s official Halloween information confirms that the park will feature a swarm of bats around the Carthay Circle tower.
The spooky atmosphere continues around Five & Dime, where Halloween displays and eerie lighting have started appearing.
The lighting becomes especially noticeable after dark. Purple and other Halloween-themed colors help change the mood of Buena Vista Street and make the area feel dramatically different from the summer season.
Disney also continues adding spooky details near the Disney California Adventure entrance. Disney has again incorporated eerie lighting and Halloween theming around the entrance.
These early decorations give guests a preview of what DCA will look like once Halloween Time officially begins.
The Headless Horseman on His Way
Another major Halloween landmark involves the Headless Horseman.
With the 70th Anniversary sculpture removed on August 8, Disney California Adventure is now preparing for the return of the Headless Horseman.
Cars Land Starts Preparing for Halloween Posters
The Halloween transition also reaches Cars Land.
Some existing posters and seasonal promotional graphics have started coming down, creating space for Halloween-themed graphics and decorations.
Guests should expect Disney to continue replacing summer and regular promotional materials with Halloween artwork as the season approaches.
That transformation should continue as Disney moves toward the August 21 Halloween Time opening.
August 8: The Little Mermaid Exterior Gets Construction Walls
Another noticeable change appeared at The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in Disney California Adventure.
On August 8, crews added construction walls, scaffolding, and black scrim around portions of the attraction’s exterior. The work affects the building facade, especially along the right side of the attraction.
The good news for guests: The Little Mermaid attraction remains open.
Current reports point to an exterior refurbishment and repainting project. The construction walls cover portions of the building while crews work on the facade.
A City of Anaheim permit also lists a July 2026 project for a confidential Little Mermaid-related job, although the public permit does not provide enough detail to confirm every element of the current work.
For guests visiting Paradise Gardens Park, the construction creates a noticeable change around the attraction, but visitors can still enter and ride Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.
Adventureland Bazaar Joins the Construction List
Over at Disneyland Park, Adventureland Bazaar has also started exterior work.
Recent Disneyland Resort observations show tan refurbishment scrims and construction activity around portions of the Bazaar’s exterior. The shop remains open while crews work around the building.
The current work appears to focus on exterior refurbishment rather than a major transformation of the store.
That means guests can still shop inside while Disney works on the outside of the building.
Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree Gets More Construction
Disneyland’s Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree also continues to see construction activity.
Construction walls appeared near the restaurant earlier this year, and the restaurant continues operating while crews work nearby.
Public permit information provides more clues about the project.
The current permit calls for a new electrical closet, updates to show-lighting infrastructure, an expanded outdoor dining and seating area, and a new fabric cover for the existing second-floor canopy. The project also includes mechanical and electrical work.
So, while guests may see construction walls and workers around Hungry Bear, the project does not simply represent routine maintenance. Disney plans to improve the restaurant’s outdoor guest area and update parts of its infrastructure.
What’s Coming Next at Disneyland Resort?
The next few days should bring even more Halloween decorations across both parks.
Disney has confirmed that Halloween Time will run from August 21 through October 31, 2026. Oogie Boogie Bash will run on select nights from August 18 through October 31, while Plaza de la Familia will run from August 21 through November 2.
