HalloweenTime at DLR Info and Photo Superthread #3

[Sherry E]

Thank you sherri!
I was hoping you would jump in, and whilst reading your post I just got more and more excited until finally I said to myself ooooh I think I'm going to faint haha !!
While I don't think I can stick around until Nov. 8th and instead was thinking of Mon the 4th, all the changes that will happen before then are more than enough for me ! Just the thought of New Orleans Square getting it's decorations not to mention holiday merchandise and food items, and mabye a tree or two ? Well that'll put me over the moon ! Although I am so very excited for Carsland and Buena Vista Street and the thought of Christmas music playing in Carsland, while I've not been yet it does sound really really magical!!
Thanks for the link to the other thread, I'll give that a peek right now and know that I do believe you've made my day ! Thank you!

Kristina -

You're very, very welcome! I hope all of the info helps. Thank you for the kind words.

As late as you can delay your November day, the better in terms of being able to see more Christmas-y things. If November 4th is the only day available, you'll see some things but I'm just not sure how much.

See, if we knew when the official start date of the holiday season was going to be this year (and we probably won't find out until at least May, and more likely mid-summer), that would dictate how much of the decor would be up and running when you're there.

For example, if we knew that the season was going to begin on 11/8, then chances are that most stuff in the parks would be up by 11/4 -- and IASW Holiday could possibly even be open (maybe).

But if the holiday season is beginning on 11/11 or 11/15 this year (and I am kind of thinking 11/8 is too early of a start date), then there probably will not be as much stuff set up on 11/4.

Also, last year there was an ice rink in Downtown Disney from late October all through the holidays. Seeing as that was in conjunction with the promotion of a movie, I'm not sure if the ice rink will be back again this year or if it was a one-time thing.

So, you will see some things but it won't be the full holiday experience. You have to make a plan to come back at some point down the road when the season is in full swing!

 

[siburdue]

Last year DH & I took DGS to MHP on 10/19. Now my BFF wants to go this year. We would get a 5 day park hopper as well as a MHP ticket. I can't remember when they post the party dates, does anyone remember when Disney officially posted them last year?

Also, I know there are a lot of things going on at Disneyland in October, so not really sure which week would have the lowest attendance, and not sure if there is a calendar of the events (like gay days, etc) where attendance would be higher. Since she wants to stay on site, I would like to figure this out sooner than later and get reservations made, then buy the party tickets later.

Finally, any idea if they will bring the pirates league back? I had a great time doing that last year.

Thanks

Sheri B.

 

[Sherry E]

Last year DH & I took DGS to MHP on 10/19. Now my BFF wants to go this year. We would get a 5 day park hopper as well as a MHP ticket. I can't remember when they post the party dates, does anyone remember when Disney officially posted them last year?

Also, I know there are a lot of things going on at Disneyland in October, so not really sure which week would have the lowest attendance, and not sure if there is a calendar of the events (like gay days, etc) where attendance would be higher. Since she wants to stay on site, I would like to figure this out sooner than later and get reservations made, then buy the party tickets later.

Finally, any idea if they will bring the pirates league back? I had a great time doing that last year.

Thanks

Sheri B.

Welcome, Sheri!

Let's see...I have no idea about the Pirates League. I think it was pretty popular last year so I don't know why it couldn't be brought back. But it was a new thing so we have no previous history to go by.

This is what I usually tell people about the party dates and when they will or could be posted - if Disney is going to do something different with the party this year, or add in a new event to the party that needs to be promoted, it is highly possible that we could see a Disney Parks Blog or a Disneyland News press release about it very early on (soon). If we were to see an early new item about the MHP, the dates would probably be announced in the article.

However, if this year's Halloween parties are going to be business as usual, with no new events or changes, we will probably learn the dates by late May or early June, at the latest. The dates will likely be posted somewhere in the Annual Pass section of the Disneyland website, because the AP holders (as well as Disney Visa holders and Disney Vacation Club members) will be able to pre-purchase the tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

Unless there is a dramatic change in how things take place, the Halloween party should begin on Friday, September 27th or Friday, October 4th. It will most likely take place on Tuesdays and Fridays from that point on, with the possible exception of a random Monday being a party night instead of one of the Tuesdays. The party will also take place on Halloween night. Last year there were 11 party nights. The previous few years had 10 parties.

There appear to be various school breaks and things happening at least into the first couple of weeks of October, and those breaks affect crowds. Crowds also pick up in the week of Halloween.

So I'm not sure if it is safe to say that mid-October would be less crowded than any other time. It's hard to predict. Also, if Disney adds in anything new to its overall roster of Halloween season highlights this year (outside of the party itself), that could impact crowds too. For example, if California Adventure suddenly gets involved in Halloween Time again (like it used to be a few years ago), more people will be curious to come out and see what's new.

 

[sweethannah]

Last year DH & I took DGS to MHP on 10/19. Now my BFF wants to go this year. We would get a 5 day park hopper as well as a MHP ticket. I can't remember when they post the party dates, does anyone remember when Disney officially posted them last year?

Also, I know there are a lot of things going on at Disneyland in October, so not really sure which week would have the lowest attendance, and not sure if there is a calendar of the events (like gay days, etc) where attendance would be higher. Since she wants to stay on site, I would like to figure this out sooner than later and get reservations made, then buy the party tickets later.

Finally, any idea if they will bring the pirates league back? I had a great time doing that last year.

Thanks

Sheri B.

Last year we were in the Parks from the 26 Sept -03 October.

It was HOT HOT HOT

We did the Halloween party on the 02 October, a Tuesday and the 2nd Halloween party of the season.

We specifically booked that week because the Halloween decor would be up, parties would be going on and it would be before Gay days and Utah/Fall breaks.

Overall we found it a good time to go, no real closures other than Indy's extended one and the crowds were fine.

The Party seemed crowded but it's because I found it hard to find my way around as I'm not super familiar with it and it was dark
It was a cool atmosphere, we got tons of candy, and we got to ride lots of favourite rides with little to no wait as people seemed to be focused on candy and character greets to start. The fireworks were a big crush though but it would be a great time to ride or collect more treats.

One morning we headed straight to NOS it was so quiet I wasn't sure if things we even open, lo and behold Jack was standing there all by himself so we snagged a couple of shots and walked right into HM... where nothing happened while we waited for more people to show up lol

With that said, given how good the rates are for Gay Days I would be ever so tempted to tweak my dates to coincide with those since I haven't heard it affects crowds that much.

 

[Sherry E]

...With that said, given how good the rates are for Gay Days I would be ever so tempted to tweak my dates to coincide with those since I haven't heard it affects crowds that much.

sweethannah -

I was there during the specific Gay Days time frame, though it was in 2008 (when the party was still held in DCA, and when DCA was much more involved in Halloween Time in general). I went to the first party of the season. It was also the weekend when Miley Cyrus' 16th birthday party was happening, and that attracted a lot of people. And it was HOT HOT HOT then too - I was miserable in the heat!

Things have changed a lot since then, so I can't really use my specific 2008 Gay Days experience as an indicator of what Gay Days crowds would be like now. But other people still seem to think that Gay Days are a very crowded time. However, I always find it so interesting how folks interpret crowds in different ways. What one group or one person thinks is manageable and tolerable, another group or person will think was terribly crowded and unbearable.

I didn't find the 2008 Gay Days attendees to substantially impact crowds in the parks in a really noticeable way until maybe Saturday afternoon/early evening. Sunday was the day of Miley's party so a lot of the Sunday crowds were there for her.

Again, a lot has changed since my last Gay Days weekend experience so it really doesn't even count. I wouldn't personally be worried about going during that time because I like to go to either the first or second night of the party. But other people will avoid Gay Days and the whole first half of October if they can help it!

I went to the second Halloween party of the season (on a Monday night) in 2011, and I honestly cannot recall if that was during Gay Days or not?? The party was pretty crowded, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it was due to Gay Days. It could have just been a crowded party.

 

[sweethannah]

I know the Gay Day rates are for a while before and after the actual Gay Days in the Parks so maybe I've misinterpreted when the 'not so busy' actually *is*. I can see the weekend of Gay Days as being busy but perhaps not the days leading up or immediately thereafter?

Or maybe I'm just hoping it's not busy so I can take advantage of those ridiculous rates

 

[DisSmis]

I am so excited that we got our contract to rent points for a GCH villa from 10/27-10/31 and are hoping to do the Halloween party Tuesday 10/29 if they offer it that day. I am a little bummed that it sounds like IASW will be closed as that is my 4 and 2 year olds' favorite ride but I think they will get over it, lol. I will be following along for more advice from the gurus and more 2013 specific info as it comes out.

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

I have a dilemma and this is where I needed to come!!!!!

I am coming over from Australia for a quick trip at the beginning of September. Our actual dates are the 5th through to the 17th so 12 glorious nights! We are staying at the Disneyland hotel ( first time ever on property ) and are just soooooooo excited to be getting back so soon as we only visited for Halloween just last year!

So, this all sounds good, yes?! Why the dilemma then I hear you ask

I am a HUGE Haunted Mansion fan. I mean, it's not just a ride to me, it's a whole experience. I know all about it, can sing you both songs, holiday and regular and just love everything about it. I was reading the DIS this morning and to my shock, I have seen mentioned that Halloween this year is expected to start on the 13the or 14th of September. This will mean that the Mansion will be closed to do the Holiday overlay before that time. Ok, so I will have a couple of days at the end of our trip if those dates are right so I could live with that.

BUT, if they decide to do the first party around the 20th, then the Mansion will be closed for the overlay addition the whole time we are there!!!

I was hoping there may be someone out there, Sherry?, that can possibly shed some light on this for me. I really don't know how long they close it for to add the overlay so I may be just getting worried over nothing.
The whole point of us choosing the dates we did was so I could show my DD the Mansion in it's original form.

Any help/thoughts/suggestions will be most welcome!!!

Thanks in advance

 

[kmedina]

Great thread, Sherry. I plan on reading as much of this as I can. We are beyond excited to FINALLY go to a party. Hopefully, they stick with Friday for a party day.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I have a dilemma and this is where I needed to come!!!!!

I am coming over from Australia for a quick trip at the beginning of September. Our actual dates are the 5th through to the 17th so 12 glorious nights! We are staying at the Disneyland hotel ( first time ever on property ) and are just soooooooo excited to be getting back so soon as we only visited for Halloween just last year!

So, this all sounds good, yes?! Why the dilemma then I hear you ask

I am a HUGE Haunted Mansion fan. I mean, it's not just a ride to me, it's a whole experience. I know all about it, can sing you both songs, holiday and regular and just love everything about it. I was reading the DIS this morning and to my shock, I have seen mentioned that Halloween this year is expected to start on the 13the or 14th of September. This will mean that the Mansion will be closed to do the Holiday overlay before that time. Ok, so I will have a couple of days at the end of our trip if those dates are right so I could live with that.

BUT, if they decide to do the first party around the 20th, then the Mansion will be closed for the overlay addition the whole time we are there!!!

I was hoping there may be someone out there, Sherry?, that can possibly shed some light on this for me. I really don't know how long they close it for to add the overlay so I may be just getting worried over nothing.
The whole point of us choosing the dates we did was so I could show my DD the Mansion in it's original form.

Any help/thoughts/suggestions will be most welcome!!!

Thanks in advance

I think you'll be okay. I seem to recall that the HMH opened before the first Halloween party last year.

 

[Sherry E]

I have a dilemma and this is where I needed to come!!!!!

I am coming over from Australia for a quick trip at the beginning of September. Our actual dates are the 5th through to the 17th so 12 glorious nights! We are staying at the Disneyland hotel ( first time ever on property ) and are just soooooooo excited to be getting back so soon as we only visited for Halloween just last year!

So, this all sounds good, yes?! Why the dilemma then I hear you ask

I am a HUGE Haunted Mansion fan. I mean, it's not just a ride to me, it's a whole experience. I know all about it, can sing you both songs, holiday and regular and just love everything about it. I was reading the DIS this morning and to my shock, I have seen mentioned that Halloween this year is expected to start on the 13the or 14th of September. This will mean that the Mansion will be closed to do the Holiday overlay before that time. Ok, so I will have a couple of days at the end of our trip if those dates are right so I could live with that.

BUT, if they decide to do the first party around the 20th, then the Mansion will be closed for the overlay addition the whole time we are there!!!

I was hoping there may be someone out there, Sherry?, that can possibly shed some light on this for me. I really don't know how long they close it for to add the overlay so I may be just getting worried over nothing.
The whole point of us choosing the dates we did was so I could show my DD the Mansion in it's original form.

Any help/thoughts/suggestions will be most welcome!!!

Thanks in advance

Minnie Sue Oz -

First of all, I'm so, so sorry that your post went unanswered in this thread for so long! I didn't receive any e-mail notifications that you had posted, and I thought the thread was sort of quiet for a while as we all await any news of this year's Halloween Time festivities! I just happened to notice that Kim/kmedina posted today and was coming over here to greet her when I saw that you posted last month!

If ever you need info about something in this thread and no one else answers your post, please feel free to PM me (a couple of Christmas thread lurkers have done that here and there)! Of course, we always hope that others will jump in and answer questions (and they usually will) but sometimes there is no one available.

By now I'm sure you've already gotten the info that you needed, but I'll add my 2 cents.

The last I heard - unless something has popped up that I haven't read yet - we don't know for sure when Halloween Time will begin. I have not been keeping up with the Parks Blog or Disneyland News in the last month or two because I knew it was too early to get any solid Halloween or holiday info, so have I missed something?

For the last few years Halloween Time has begun in mid-September, always on a Friday. I think it began a bit later in September in 2007 or 2008 (as did the holiday season in 2008), but ever since then it's been mid-month, and the date changes.

So the likely assumption for this year would be that Halloween Time would begin somewhere between 9/13 and 9/20. Since Friday, 9/13 is the special Villains event in the Limited Time Magic series of events, it is possible that this Villains thing could kick off the Halloween Season. Or, another possibility is that Disney will let that event stand on its own and begin Halloween Time somewhere before/by Friday, 9/20. I highly doubt it would begin on 9/14, as that's a Saturday and that never happens. I could see a Monday, 9/16 start date happening before a Saturday, 9/14 date.

The actual Halloween party (Mickey's Halloween Party or whatever it will be called this year) will have a different start date, which I am guessing will be somewhere between 9/27 and 10/4. The party generally begins 2 weeks after the Halloween Time season begins.

Haunted Mansion will be down for the overlay all the way up until Halloween Time, so if the season begins on 9/13 it will open then. If the season were to begin on 9/20 (which I kind of doubt), HMH would open then.

Again, unless I have missed some kind of "official" announcement on the dates (which seems like it would have been discussed here), that's all I know so far!

I hope that is gives some clarification! My guess is that you will at least get a few days of Haunted Mansion Holiday in before your trip ends. I don't think you'll miss it entirely because I don't think Halloween Time will start on 9/20.

Great thread, Sherry. I plan on reading as much of this as I can. We are beyond excited to FINALLY go to a party. Hopefully, they stick with Friday for a party day.

Hi, Kim!

Welcome! I'm glad you joined in. I have to do some tweaking in the first post on page 1 when we begin to get info in for 2013, but the info on page 1 and throughout the thread will still give you a great sense of what to expect from Halloween Time on your trip this year! Unless there are drastic changes made to the seasonal offerings, things should probably be pretty similar to last year's Halloween season.

 

[SueTGGR]

I am back again this year! We always talk about not going but then we look at our DVC points and just check to see if we can get a studio and POOF we decide to go. It will be a good one as my little sis has NEVER been and we are dragging her along She isn't quite as bad as DH and I but she is picking up speed and I think a Halloween Party will do the trick!
Since they have announced the WDW Halloween AND Christmas Party dates, I was hoping they would do the same for us lowly California folk.
I don't know how often I will pop over here over the next few months but I will get my 2 cents in now and then.
Later,
Sue

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

170 days until Halloween:

 

[Jmaddog]

Also, I know there are a lot of things going on at Disneyland in October, so not really sure which week would have the lowest attendance, and not sure if there is a calendar of the events (like gay days, etc) where attendance would be higher. Since she wants to stay on site, I would like to figure this out sooner than later and get reservations made, then buy the party tickets later.


Thanks

Sheri B.

We are planning to attend from October 13-18th. We are coming from Reno (Washoe County School District) which is going to a new school year calendar next year and schools are out for us for a Fall break that week. It also happens to be Columbus day that Monday. So much has been said about Utah's break affecting crowds. Since Washoe County School Dist. is the 8th largest in the country, I wonder if other Nevada families are planning to attend that week as well.

 

[kmedina]

We are planning to attend from October 13-18th. We are coming from Reno (Washoe County School District) which is going to a new school year calendar next year and schools are out for us for a Fall break that week. It also happens to be Columbus day that Monday. So much has been said about Utah's break affecting crowds. Since Washoe County School Dist. is the 8th largest in the country, I wonder if other Nevada families are planning to attend that week as well.

We are in Clark County (fifth largest) and only get the Friday before Nevada Day off. We are traveling down there that day.

 

[Sherry E]

I am back again this year! We always talk about not going but then we look at our DVC points and just check to see if we can get a studio and POOF we decide to go. It will be a good one as my little sis has NEVER been and we are dragging her along She isn't quite as bad as DH and I but she is picking up speed and I think a Halloween Party will do the trick!
Since they have announced the WDW Halloween AND Christmas Party dates, I was hoping they would do the same for us lowly California folk.
I don't know how often I will pop over here over the next few months but I will get my 2 cents in now and then.
Later,
Sue

Sue -

As much as the powers that be at DLR are trying to emulate WDW in many ways (and trying to be thought of as more of a vacation destination), the one thing they sure don't do is release DLR's Halloween Time or holiday-specific dates at the same time they release WDW's info! DLR takes its sweet time in releasing seasonal event dates and info, for some bizarre reason.

However, the dates are really not that big of a mystery. We can pretty much do some deductive reasoning based on past seasons and narrow down the date possibilities. We wouldn't be too far off base -- it's not like the Halloween season or the Halloween party is going to suddenly begin in July or something.

The real mysteries are really, will this be another 11-party season, or will DL go back to having 10 parties? Will there be anything different added into the party? Will there be anything Halloween-ish added to DCA this year?

There should be something popping up on the AP section of the DLR site within the next few weeks about party tickets and dates, if history repeats.

170 days until Halloween:

Thank you, Chris, for posting that wonderful photo from the Carnival/Round-Up at DL!

...And there are only 4 months until the Halloween Time season begins at DLR (on whichever date in September)! The time will fly by but it's already way too hot in SoCal for my taste (and it's only May), so I know that within a couple of months -- when Summer is in full swing -- I will be miserable and praying for the first signs of Fall. Summer is about to rear its head, but the sweet mercy of Autumn is just on the other side! I can't wait to see piles of leaves on the ground and pumpkins galore! Summer is merely the vessel that brings me to Fall!

 

[redheadtove]

We are going to DLR form October 6 - October 12 and I could not be more excited. This will be our first trip there during the Halloween Season and it will also be the first time my mom has EVER been to DLR. My daughters are 14 and 9 and was curious as to the Halloween Party. Is this something that my daughters would enjoy?

Also do they show Fantasmic during the Halloween Season and do they do Fireworks at night.

Thanks for all your info in advance!!!

 

[Sherry E]

We are going to DLR form October 6 - October 12 and I could not be more excited. This will be our first trip there during the Halloween Season and it will also be the first time my mom has EVER been to DLR. My daughters are 14 and 9 and was curious as to the Halloween Party. Is this something that my daughters would enjoy?

Also do they show Fantasmic during the Halloween Season and do they do Fireworks at night.

Thanks for all your info in advance!!!

Hello there, redheadtove!

You'll have a great trip. Halloween Time is a fun time to be there!

Let's see...first of all, here is a link to the park hours and entertainment schedule for October 2012, so you can get an idea of when Fantasmic and fireworks may run this year: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/park-hours.cfm?month=10&year=2012. (Note that Columbus Day is on a different date this year than it was in 2012.)

In general -- although Halloween Time is very popular at DLR -- that post-Summer/pre-Holiday period of time is considered off-peak season for Disneyland Resort, so the weekday hours might be shorter and the entertainment schedule is a little more limited.

Fantasmic should run on weekends, but probably not on Friday nights because the Halloween parties usually take place on Fridays. Fantasmic may run on Columbus Day (a Monday) too.

As for fireworks, the actual Mickey's Halloween party (a hard ticket event) offers the wonderful Halloween Screams fireworks, with Jack Skellington as the Master of Scare-a-monies and a Villains theme (fun music too). Halloween Screams only happens on party nights (including whatever early weeknight is on the party roster too, like Tuesday, and Halloween night). On Saturdays and Sundays (and probably Columbus Day) there should be regular, non-Halloween fireworks (weather permitting - it can get a bit windy in the Fall out here in California and the fireworks will be canceled if it's windy).

I think that your daughters would enjoy the party -- especially the 9-year-old. If the 14-year-old is at a stage where she is picky about what she likes then I can't say whether she would like the party or think it was silly (I remember what it was like to be 14!!), but the 9-year-old would probably enjoy it a lot, especially since she can trick or treat at the party and collect lots of candy at the various treat stations around the park.

There are a lot of character photo spots around the party, and some of them include characters that may not be out in the parks in the daytime. Anyone can dress up in costume if they choose (but you don't have to). There are cool effects like talking scarecrows, images projected on the Castle and ground (spider webs, skulls, etc.) and a mini-parade (the "Cavalcade").

I hope that helps somewhat!

 

[redheadtove]

Thank you so much for the info... This helps a lot.. I can't wait to buy my Halloween Party Tickets now!!!

 

[awdsmama]

Every time I get an alert to a new message on this thread I think "ooohhh is this it, are the dates/tickets announced" LOL