Credit: Tokyo Disney ResortOne Disney resort is cracking down on who can buy merchandise as the Halloween season approaches.
In terms of theming and vibes, all diehard Disney fans know that the best time to visit the parks is fall and winter. Every year, Disney’s theme parks go all out for Halloween and the holiday season, decking out everywhere from Disneyland Park to Shanghai Disneyland with elaborate decorations to mark the occasions.
Disney being Disney, decorations are only the beginning of each year’s celebrations. Halloween comes with two ticketed events – Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure Park and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park – as well as themed dining options and a seemingly endless array of limited merchandise.
This year’s spooky season is no exception. Fans have hailed some of 2025’s product releases as up there with Disney’s best Halloween collections, with one pair of knitted, pastel Mickey and Minnie Mouse ghost ears sparking particular praise. Not only did the initial release rapidly sell out, but Disney has since resorted to locking away subsequent restocks, with a cast member’s assistance required to retrieve your purchase.
While this may seem extreme, reseller culture has reached a point where these precautions are necessary. Disney parks worldwide are plagued with guests who purchase in-demand or limited-edition items in bulk with the goal of reselling them online for a profit. This is the case for the ghost ears (which have resold for more than $10 above their RRP) and plenty of other releases in recent years.
Disney’s theme parks in Asia often face the brunt of reseller culture. For example, Shanghai Disneyland has fielded queues that stretched as long as eight hours in the past, with security even called in to manage the situation. These queues often correlate with the launch of new Duffy and Friends merchandise.
Disney Parks Take Action Over Halloween Merchandise
Tokyo Disney Resort obviously expects similar demand for this year’s Halloween collection.
The theme park resort – which is operated by The Oriental Land Company under a licensing deal with Disney – has confirmed that its 2025 spooky season will enforce standby passes when it begins on September 17.
These passes will be required to visit select stores across Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, including Disney & Company, Gag Factory/Five and Dime, Emporio, and Sleepy Whale Shop. Meanwhile, Bon Voyage – the shop located at the Tokyo Disney Resort entrance – will require an advanced reservation between September 16 and September 18. Reservations open on September 11.
This isn’t the first time Tokyo Disney Resort has introduced standby passes for select gift shops. With Duffy and Friends commanding such a large fanbase, several merch launches have necessitated standby passes in the past.
Theoretically, this move will mitigate the risk of repeating the situation that unfolded at Tokyo Disney Resort last winter. As the parks released their Christmas collection, some fans who pre-ordered festive Disney goods were told that they would be delivered in May 2025 – a whole five months after the holiday season came to an end.
Beyond merchandise, this Halloween will see Tokyo Disney Resort restore its Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare layover. Just like the version of Haunted Mansion Holiday found at Disneyland Park, this runs through the holidays and will wrap up in January.
Daytime entertainment includes the parade The Villains’ Halloween: Into the Frenzy, the “coolest and most gorgeous Halloween party ever,” featuring both villains and classic Disney characters such as Chip and Dale in their Halloween best . Guests can watch the parade from designated viewing areas with Disney Premier Access. Come nightfall, guests in both parks will be able to witness the themed fireworks display Night High Halloween.
On select dates, guests can wear costumes to get into the spooky spirit. Both parks will forgo the usual Disney ban on adults dressing as their favorite characters from September 16 to September 30, and from October 16 to October 31. Parkgoers who don’t feel like spending the entire day in a princess gown or full Jedi robes can utilize the onsite changing spaces for a fee.
Do you plan on visiting Disney this Halloween?