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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Halloween in Disneyland

It’s Halloween time in Disneyland, one of our favourite times to visit the park. There is extra excitement in the air mixed with a little bit of spooky: Main Street is full of pumpkin decorations, the flowers and banners around the park add a vibrant fall hue and delicious surprises fill the shops that can only be found during the Halloween season.


Halloween Decorations

Halloween Decorations

Halloween Decorations

Halloween isn’t just one day in Disneyland; decorations start appearing early September and by mid-September the park is ready for the Halloween celebrations. Every Monday, Tuesday and Friday beginning mid-September until Halloween day, guests can purchase tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party. This event is a separate cost and can sell out.

TIP: Tickets to Mickey's Halloween Party sell for $64 compared to a daily park pass at $87. This is a real savings for guests who do not have an annual pass, especially because it allows guests to enter the park up to 3 hours before the party begins. Annual pass members get a deal too: a discounted advanced ticket rate is available online. Check the Disneyland's website for future dates and ticket details.

Mickey’s Halloween Party is a great family event. Unlike other Halloween events that take place in the surrounding area, Disneyland has made this a family friendly event. There is nothing overly scary or spooky that even the youngest child can’t handle.








The Ray Bradbury Halloween Tree











Cadaver Dan's float along the Rivers of America while singing spooky songs

Guests who attend Mickey’s Halloween Party will enter the park through a designated entrance, typically the side gates of the main entrance. Once through the gates, guests are given a special wristband that will identify them as Mickey’s guests. It is important that this wristband is kept on at all times and remains visible as the wristband will permit guests to enter restricted areas and rides once the party begins. Guests who do not have a wristband will be advised by a cast member that the Halloween party has begun and it is time for them to leave the park if they have not purchased a ticket. TIP: Ask the cast member to put the wristband over the sleeve of your costume. This will save you time and make it easier for the cast members.


Disneyland

So what happens during Mickey’s Halloween Party?
  • Exclusive Halloween Screams fireworks show featuring Jack Skellington and other famous villains
  • Several special character meet & greet and interactions throughout the park
  • You get to dress up! Big kids too! Little kids can get away with wearing any Disney character outfit throughout the year. But during Mickey’s Halloween party, everyone gets to dress up! One of our favourite things to do is to sit at Jolly Holiday Bakery CafĂ© on Main Street and look at all the costumes as people walk by. We love the creative and humorous costumes people come up with!
And...

Trick or Treat Stations

Guests are given a trick or treat bag when they enter the park. Feel free to bring your own bag though as cast members will fill them as well. Big kids (aka adults) are allowed to trick or treat too! When was the last time you got to do that?

TIP: There are more Trick or Treat stations than indicated on the special Halloween map provided at the gate. Make sure to walk around and see what you can find! Also, this year the added some Trick or Treat stations inside some buildings. These were our favourite stations to visit as they were really well decorated and created a great mood


Disneyland
Look for these signs for Trick or Treat stations
Disneyland
Trick or Treat Station in the Golden Horseshoe
Disneyland

Disneyland

Disneyland

Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade

special Halloween parade featuring all your favourite Disney characters. Can you guess what types of characters each pumpkin introduces?


Disneyland

Disneyland

Disneyland


Disneyland

Disneyland
If you haven't met him yet, this is Duffy - the Disney bear! 
Disneyland

Disneyland

Disneyland

Disneyland
Miss Piggy makes a guest appearance at the end of the parade!
Is it worth the money? Yes! Yes! And Yes! Even as annual pass holders, the extra cost is worth the extra fun. The crowd size is controlled so wait times tend to be smaller but still expect to wait a long time for Ghost Galaxy. Plus, you will go home with a bag full of candy!

If you are unable to attend Mickey’s Halloween party, don’t fear. There are several other ways for you to participate in the Halloween fun:

Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy

Cosmic creatures have invaded Space Mountain! During the Halloween season Space Mountain gets a creepy overlay featuring creepy projections throughout the ride. This is the only attraction that parents should be leery about bringing their kids on. Even if your child has been on Space Mountain before, they may not like the spooky changes during the Halloween season. A lot of the images can be upsetting for the younger kids. Know your child and do not force them to go on if they don’t want to.




Haunted Mansion Holiday

Jack Skellington, from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas", has taken over the Haunted mansion! A combination of Halloween and Christmas, the decorations stick around for the entire holiday season. Make sure to look at the special gingerbread house in the dining room scene; every year Imagineers create a new one and this year they have really outdone themselves. If you want a sneak peek, Disney Parks Blog has a behind the scene video about this year’s gingerbread house.







Sparky's Grave - a tribute to Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie"


Big Thunder's Halloween Carnival

A fantastic new addition to the Halloween season, Big Thunder Ranch is full of decorations and a ton of Halloween entertainment. Guests can enjoy old-fashioned carnival games, creative Disney-inspired pumpkin carvings, a villain meet & greet tent and much more. The carnival is also the place to see Mickey & friends in their Halloween costumes. Be sure to check the time guide for the show “Billy Hill & the Haunted Hillbillies” – one of our favourite musical acts in Disneyland.

























And of course it wouldn't be Halloween without treats. Special treats are available throughout the park during the Halloween season.







Candy Corn Cotton Candy - available at Big Thunder's Halloween Carnival
For more pictures, visit our Facebook page. Happy Halloween!