HalloweenTime at DLR Info and Photo Superthread #3

[we3peas]

Thanks for the feedback. We have such a limited time so we wanted to spend as much as possible in the parks and not get kicked out early.

 

[GrandBob]

GrandBob -

Welcome back, Bob!

Are you making another Halloween (or holiday) trip this year?

Thanks Sherry! Was I really gone that long?

No, unfortunately we have no Disney on the horizon Too many other trips are interfering, including two family reunions, two trips to Vegas, and a long weekend in San Francisco. But I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, I can squeeze in something around my birthday in October again.

I remember that party night you mentioned! I remember watching the MHP calendar as each night sold out, one by one, and that night was the lone hold out night that stayed "open" the longest while the others were selling out. I remember thinking at that point, "I wonder why this specific night is not selling out when all the others have?" But it eventually did, I think -- probably close the very last minute, but I think it did.

IIRC, that Monday party was priced as high as the one on Halloween itself, and had no discounts, AP or otherwise. I think most people figured that if they were going to spend that much money, they preferred to go on Halloween itself. We had to catch a flight out on Halloween day, or else we would have figured the same.

Anyway, good to know it also was a sold-out date. I thought it was fairly busy, though not obnoxiously so.

-Bob

 

[laurasvwee]

Here is my first holiday question( I'm sure that I will many more). Is the Haunted Mansion still dressed up in the Nightmare before Christmas decor. I have been to DL 3 times and all 3 trips where in October so I was wondering what HM would look like.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for the feedback. We have such a limited time so we wanted to spend as much as possible in the parks and not get kicked out early.

You're welcome! I think there should probably just be one party night and the other nights would have regular Fall hours.

Thanks Sherry! Was I really gone that long?

No, unfortunately we have no Disney on the horizon Too many other trips are interfering, including two family reunions, two trips to Vegas, and a long weekend in San Francisco. But I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, I can squeeze in something around my birthday in October again.

IIRC, that Monday party was priced as high as the one on Halloween itself, and had no discounts, AP or otherwise. I think most people figured that if they were going to spend that much money, they preferred to go on Halloween itself. We had to catch a flight out on Halloween day, or else we would have figured the same.

Anyway, good to know it also was a sold-out date. I thought it was fairly busy, though not obnoxiously so.

-Bob

I think you were gone from this thread and the Christmas thread for a while, but maybe not gone from the DIS in general!

Wow! You've got a lot of traveling coming up! Hopefully you can work in a quick October visit to DLR.

That's a good theory about the next-to-last party night of last year. You're right - it was more expensive than the previous parties in the early week. I could be wrong about it selling out, and if it did it was certainly close to the last minute, but I think I recall reading that it eventually did sell out. Either way, you're right -- paying that price for that night, one might as well go on Halloween!

Here is my first holiday question( I'm sure that I will many more). Is the Haunted Mansion still dressed up in the Nightmare before Christmas decor. I have been to DL 3 times and all 3 trips where in October so I was wondering what HM would look like.

laurasvwee -

Haunted Mansion Holiday will be open from 9/13 -- when Halloween Time begins -- all the way to the end of the Christmas/holiday season in early January 2014 (probably January 5th or 6th).

 

[disnanny]

When the tickets become available, does anyone know if DVC members can purchase tickets to the party for others? I called DVC and was told I could purchase up to 6 tickets for others for Mickey's not so scary halloween party, but I didn't ask if this offer would apply to the Disneyland party.

Also, has there been any discounts or advanced sales offered for season pass holders for the party?

Thanks

 

[Sherry E]

When the tickets become available, does anyone know if DVC members can purchase tickets to the party for others? I called DVC and was told I could purchase up to 6 tickets for others for Mickey's not so scary halloween party, but I didn't ask if this offer would apply to the Disneyland party.

Also, has there been any discounts or advanced sales offered for season pass holders for the party?

Thanks

Hello, disnanny! Welcome!

When the tickets go on sale to Annual Passholders, DVC owners and Disney Visa Card holders, the advanced purchase discount will apply to certain party nights. There will be a schedule showing which nights are discounted and which ones are not. AP, DVC and Disney Visa people will get a better price on some of the nights than the general public will get when the tickets go on sale to them a bit later.

Beyond tickets, the usual Annual Pass discounts will apply for food and merchandise during the party.

Yes, you can buy up to 6 tickets for the Disneyland party too, from what I remember reading in the fine print of previous years' parties!

If you go to Page 1 of this thread and scroll down to the Mickey's Halloween Party post you will see dates and prices from last year's parties -- that will give you an idea of the kinds of discounts available for Passholders, etc.

 

[briggscreek]

We're thinking about a Halloween-time trip this year. What do you think would be the best week for low crowds? We'd get there on a Sunday afternoon and leave Thursday morning, and it wouldn't matter to us if we did a Halloween party or not.

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

We're going!! We went last year as a hubby and wife trip only and we had an INCREDIBLE time, but this year we are taking all three kiddos too for their first ever Halloween season!! We are thrilled! We will be in cali from October 14th to the 24th. Staying at the Legoland hotel in a Pirate room (yay!!) and doing legoland first, then Seaworld, then Disneyland for a few days and the Halloween party too (we are thinking the party which will probably be on the 18th), and then Universal for a day. We are all sooo excited! Can't wait!!

 

[Sherry E]

We're thinking about a Halloween-time trip this year. What do you think would be the best week for low crowds? We'd get there on a Sunday afternoon and leave Thursday morning, and it wouldn't matter to us if we did a Halloween party or not.

Hello, briggscreek!

Since you don't particularly care about the actual parties, are you open to going in September too? My first thought was that if you wanted to skip the parties but still wanted to enjoy some Halloween Time festivities in Disneyland, you could go after the season begins and before the party begins -- so, basically, somewhere after Friday, 9/13 and before Mon., 9/30. I think crowds could be a little lighter.

If you go in October, I would not go the week of Halloween -- apparently that week is more crowded -- but I might go the week before it, maybe from Sun., 10/20 on.

I think those would be good windows of time to get in trips with possibly slightly lower crowds. That season -- as popular as it is -- is not as busy as Summer or the Holidays. It is still considered to be off-peak by Disney's standards, even though Halloween Time is a big draw. It's definitely more crowded than it used to be during Halloween Time, but it's not unbearably so, I don't think.

We're going!! We went last year as a hubby and wife trip only and we had an INCREDIBLE time, but this year we are taking all three kiddos too for their first ever Halloween season!! We are thrilled! We will be in cali from October 14th to the 24th. Staying at the Legoland hotel in a Pirate room (yay!!) and doing legoland first, then Seaworld, then Disneyland for a few days and the Halloween party too (we are thinking the party which will probably be on the 18th), and then Universal for a day. We are all sooo excited! Can't wait!!

Here4mydisneyfix --

Welcome back! So did you guys decide to scrap the idea of a Christmas/holiday trip (I remember that idea was on the table for a while, after last year's Halloween trip)? The Cars Land & Buena Vista Street Christmas decorations are definitely something to see!

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Ok folks............can someone help this Aussie out?!

I was at Disneyland last year for Halloween and loved every minute of it. I was also there for Christmas in 2010 and again, loved every minute of it. If I travel anywhere in the world it is always to my beloved park that I first went to way back in 1998! And, we are very lucky to be coming back again in September this year to get some more use from our annual passes!!!

Now, I am going to have my DD with me and what I want to show her is the park in it's original state....................no decorations, just it's beautiful original self, especially the Haunted Mansion. It may even work out that we will be lucky enough to see both as at this stage our dates are September 5th through to September 19th depending on how long it takes to decorate!

So, my question is this.....................I can see now the dates for Halloween start on Friday the 13th. So, how long before that date does the Haunted Mansion close to hve the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay added? ( I do love me my Jack ( him and Minnie are my 2 absolute faves ) and I do love it when he takes over the Mansion, but on this trip I want to come so I can see it in it's original state if at all possible.

I have a general idea how long it's closed for, but thought someone who is a regular at that time of year would be able to give me a more accurate idea!


Thanks so much

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Ok folks............can someone help this Aussie out?!

I was at Disneyland last year for Halloween and loved every minute of it. I was also there for Christmas in 2010 and again, loved every minute of it. If I travel anywhere in the world it is always to my beloved park that I first went to way back in 1998! And, we are very lucky to be coming back again in September this year to get some more use from our annual passes!!!

Now, I am going to have my DD with me and what I want to show her is the park in it's original state....................no decorations, just it's beautiful original self, especially the Haunted Mansion. It may even work out that we will be lucky enough to see both as at this stage our dates are September 5th through to September 19th depending on how long it takes to decorate!

So, my question is this.....................I can see now the dates for Halloween start on Friday the 13th. So, how long before that date does the Haunted Mansion close to hve the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay added? ( I do love me my Jack ( him and Minnie are my 2 absolute faves ) and I do love it when he takes over the Mansion, but on this trip I want to come so I can see it in it's original state if at all possible.

I have a general idea how long it's closed for, but thought someone who is a regular at that time of year would be able to give me a more accurate idea!


Thanks so much

I think the ghosts shut the doors on the HM after Labor Day.

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

Hello, briggscreek!

Welcome back! So did you guys decide to scrap the idea of a Christmas/holiday trip (I remember that idea was on the table for a while, after last year's Halloween trip)? The Cars Land & Buena Vista Street Christmas decorations are definitely something to see!

You have some memory Sherry!! Impressive! lol Yea, we had to scrap the Christmas time idea. Unfortunately it just won't work with the hubby's work schedule. I can't wait to get to see it someday! I am very grateful to get to go with the kiddos for Halloween though! They are going to think it is incredible!

 

[briggscreek]

Hello, briggscreek!

Since you don't particularly care about the actual parties, are you open to going in September too? My first thought was that if you wanted to skip the parties but still wanted to enjoy some Halloween Time festivities in Disneyland, you could go after the season begins and before the party begins -- so, basically, somewhere after Friday, 9/13 and before Mon., 9/30. I think crowds could be a little lighter.

If you go in October, I would not go the week of Halloween -- apparently that week is more crowded -- but I might go the week before it, maybe from Sun., 10/20 on.

I think those would be good windows of time to get in trips with possibly slightly lower crowds. That season -- as popular as it is -- is not as busy as Summer or the Holidays. It is still considered to be off-peak by Disney's standards, even though Halloween Time is a big draw. It's definitely more crowded than it used to be during Halloween Time, but it's not unbearably so, I don't think.

I'm thinking about the 15th or 22nd of September. But now I can't decide between Halloween and Christmas time. We have gone a few times the week after Thanksgiving and it's wonderful, and we haven't seen Carsland decorated for Christmas yet. On the other hand, we've never been there for Halloween time, and that's my favorite holiday. I'm going to have to think about this one LOL.

 

[kelmac284]

Sherry I looked at the front page but unless I missed it do we know approx when the tix will go on sale for AP's? I know it is usually in the summer some time and just wanted to get an idea since we are going to go the weekend before Halloween and I know that will be a popular time. And I am assuming that fri or sat before halloween (not sure which days they do the parties as I haven't been since 09) but I am sure that won't be a discounted night right.

 

[Sherry E]

Ok folks............can someone help this Aussie out?!

I was at Disneyland last year for Halloween and loved every minute of it. I was also there for Christmas in 2010 and again, loved every minute of it. If I travel anywhere in the world it is always to my beloved park that I first went to way back in 1998! And, we are very lucky to be coming back again in September this year to get some more use from our annual passes!!!

Now, I am going to have my DD with me and what I want to show her is the park in it's original state....................no decorations, just it's beautiful original self, especially the Haunted Mansion. It may even work out that we will be lucky enough to see both as at this stage our dates are September 5th through to September 19th depending on how long it takes to decorate!

So, my question is this.....................I can see now the dates for Halloween start on Friday the 13th. So, how long before that date does the Haunted Mansion close to hve the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay added? ( I do love me my Jack ( him and Minnie are my 2 absolute faves ) and I do love it when he takes over the Mansion, but on this trip I want to come so I can see it in it's original state if at all possible.

I have a general idea how long it's closed for, but thought someone who is a regular at that time of year would be able to give me a more accurate idea!


Thanks so much

Welcome back, Minnie Sue Oz!

You know, I think that Haunted Mansion will go down for the overlay right before Labor Day (which is on September 2nd this year). It used to be (back when Halloween Time started a wee bit later in September) that Disney would wait until after our Labor Day holiday to close it. However, for at least the last couple of years they have closed Haunted Mansion before Labor Day -- which is actually quite startling, as that's a holiday weekend.

So I would not be at all shocked if Haunted Mansion closes somewhere by or between Friday, August 30th and Sunday, September 1st. It will stay in Haunted Mansion Holiday form from September 13th until early January 2014.

You have some memory Sherry!! Impressive! lol Yea, we had to scrap the Christmas time idea. Unfortunately it just won't work with the hubby's work schedule. I can't wait to get to see it someday! I am very grateful to get to go with the kiddos for Halloween though! They are going to think it is incredible!

Here4mydisneyfix -

I do have a good memory (though it is dimming with age)! Often times I freak people out because I remember things that most people wouldn't remember!

It sticks out in my mind that you were thinking about a holiday trip because I vividly recall that I was giving you a rundown on the holiday season dates and details after your Halloween trip passed. Since I am so firmly involved in tracking both the Halloween Time and Holiday seasons at DLR -- and helping people plan their trips during those times -- I tend to remember when someone says they are considering a trip during one of those periods.

Another Halloween trip for you will be wonderful! It should be exciting to see if Disney decides to add anything Halloween-ish to California Adventure this year. I would assume that the Frankenweenie stuff will not return, but it would be nice to have some traces of Halloween in DCA!

I'm thinking about the 15th or 22nd of September. But now I can't decide between Halloween and Christmas time. We have gone a few times the week after Thanksgiving and it's wonderful, and we haven't seen Carsland decorated for Christmas yet. On the other hand, we've never been there for Halloween time, and that's my favorite holiday. I'm going to have to think about this one LOL.

briggscreek --

It's a tough choice, deciding between seasons!

If Halloween is your favorite holiday I am surprised that you're not that interested in going to the Halloween party! I would think you'd want to go, because the Halloween Screams fireworks are so great.

Because you love Halloween you should definitely experience Halloween Time at least once -- although, keep in mind that Disney tends to "skimp" on Halloween Time in many ways. They don't do as much for it as they do for the holiday season -- not even close. So if you are thinking that you're going to arrive at DLR and see the Halloween equivalent of the holiday season in terms of decor and overall merriment, you won't find it. But you will enjoy what is there. Main Street and Frontierland are particularly special during Halloween Time and, of course, there are some little Halloween touches around NOS too.

Basically, the bulk of Halloween Time is focused in Disneyland. DCA is sorely lacking in Halloween-ness (unless that changes this year), with the exception of Duffy's photo spot. The hotels don't get into the Halloween spirit at all, except for on Halloween (the actual holiday) when they hand out candy.

Even in Disneyland, the Villains were made less available and less accessible last year so that they could be used as big selling points for the Halloween party. You could "conjure up a Villain" at the Carnival/Round-Up in the daytime, but it was only one Villain at a time. There were lots of Villains out and about at the party. This year, after the Villains dance party thing on 9/13, who knows whether they will be out and about in the daytime or not?

As for the holiday season, it's not just Cars Land but Buena Vista Street too. There are gingerbread "houses" (sculptures) in all of the restaurants in both BVS and CL. The gingerbread Mater in Flo's was one of my favorites, but the gingerbread Cozy Cone model was fantastic! The retro decor, the retro holiday music, the Bell Ringers and the "department store Santa" on BVS are just wonderful! Meanwhile, over in CL you will find more themed holiday music, all kinds of crazy themed Christmas trees and decorations, as well as Snowy the Snow Car and the "Santa Stanley" statue/fountain, which displays Santa Stanley wearing a Santa hat and carrying a sack of goodies.

DCA finally feels more involved in the holiday season.

Sherry I looked at the front page but unless I missed it do we know approx when the tix will go on sale for AP's? I know it is usually in the summer some time and just wanted to get an idea since we are going to go the weekend before Halloween and I know that will be a popular time. And I am assuming that fri or sat before halloween (not sure which days they do the parties as I haven't been since 09) but I am sure that won't be a discounted night right.

kelmac284 --

Hi, Kelly!

I have not updated the first page with 2013 party info because -- when last I checked -- there was nothing new yet. All we know (or knew) so far is that the party begins on Monday, 9/30. Maybe something new came in and I haven't seen it yet? It seems that whenever I check various Disney websites for new updates I find nothing -- and then, 2 hours later, someone else will come to this thread saying that they just found new info! My timing seems to be the worst!

I would think that the tickets for AP holders, Disney Visa card holders and DVC owners would go on sale in June -- but we should have heard or read an announcement of when they would go on sale by now and I don't think we have? The general public tickets should go on sale in July.

I would also assume that the party will again take place on Friday nights and one early weeknight each week -- like Mondays or Tuesdays -- as well as on Halloween night. There should be 2 parties each week, for a total of at least 10 parties. (Last year there were 11 parties.)

You're right -- whichever party is right before Halloween (whether it's Mon., 10/28 or Tues., 10/29) probably will not be discounted in any way.

 

[dion1159]

Hi! Great Thread! When can we purchase tickets? My daughter and I have our flights, room and general DL tickets, but need the Halloween Special event. We are so excited coming from Florida to see where it all started!!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Hi! Great Thread! When can we purchase tickets? My daughter and I have our flights, room and general DL tickets, but need the Halloween Special event. We are so excited coming from Florida to see where it all started!!!!

Hello, dion1159! Welcome!

We can't be 100% sure, but using previous years as a guideline we can assume that the tickets to Mickey's Halloween Party will probably go on sale to the general public sometime in July. The latest I have ever seen party tickets go on sale was in August, but that was when the party was still held in California Adventure (pre-2010).

Tickets should be available for advance purchase (with discounts on certain nights) to Annual Pass holders, Disney Visa Card holders and Disney Vacation Club owners sometime soon -- probably in June.

The Halloween Time season, of course, will start on 9/13 with some sort of Villains "dance party" -- this Villains dance party thing is new to all of us, and it is part of the Limited Time Magic events taking place all throughout 2013.

Mickey's Halloween Party starts on Monday, 9/30, according to the Annual Pass "Backstage Pass" magazine.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

hello -

We are WDW vets and finally went to DL for the first time last year and loved it. We will be in LA again in September and I want to take my youngest son to the Mickey's Halloween party. I have been to the WDW MNSSHP, but it looks as if this is different? I'm confused because it looks like the first tix are for September 13 (the only day we can do it, BTW, so definitely plan on doing that night) but that the "party" doesn't start until September 30?? Are there 2 different events?

Also, I see that the event takes place at DL, but can you use your ticket to go to CAP during those first few hours (from 4pm to 7pm)?

TIA for any help!

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

To PP, Halloween season starts Sept 13, meaning decorations and such. The first party is on Sept 30, meaning a Mickey's Halloween Party that can only be attended by people who have purchased the extra ticket to be there, where there is the small parade and the villains are out in full force and Trick or Treat trails.

Hello, briggscreek!

Since you don't particularly care about the actual parties, are you open to going in September too? My first thought was that if you wanted to skip the parties but still wanted to enjoy some Halloween Time festivities in Disneyland, you could go after the season begins and before the party begins -- so, basically, somewhere after Friday, 9/13 and before Mon., 9/30. I think crowds could be a little lighter.

If you go in October, I would not go the week of Halloween -- apparently that week is more crowded -- but I might go the week before it, maybe from Sun., 10/20 on.

I think those would be good windows of time to get in trips with possibly slightly lower crowds. That season -- as popular as it is -- is not as busy as Summer or the Holidays. It is still considered to be off-peak by Disney's standards, even though Halloween Time is a big draw. It's definitely more crowded than it used to be during Halloween Time, but it's not unbearably so, I don't think.

I think the "more crowded" part for Oct 31 gets overstated. It is more crowded compared to other parts of that low season, but it was not that bad even at the MHP on Oct 31 we attended last year, except for the kinds of rides and villains (read: Storm Troopers) that appeal to 14-30yo who have no serious interest in the candy or meeting Phineas & Ferb. As a family there with young kids (2, 5, and 7yo), it was so FUN. The MHP was so great that my DH almost broke his oath to not take the kids out of school for another trip, because *he* wants to do another MHP. There was such a level of excitement being there on the actual Oct 31, and, judging by others' comments about other MHP dates, I think more people were in costume, adding to the fun.
Now surely some of the reasonable crowd level was because H'ween fell on a Wednesday in 2012, but I think any Tuesday MHP or even this year's Thursday H'ween should be fine. We were at the parks Oct 30 to Nov 15, and the weekends were the crazy-crowd times, ESP our last weekend with Veterans' Day giving people a three-day weekend AND the start of the holiday season at DLR. Now that was something I would avoid if we ever go for another holiday visit (although I know from experience that the week between Christmas and New Year's is 10x worse for crushing crowds).

Enjoy Halloween-time! I'm envious of all of you who get to be there at such a great time of year with low crowds and cooler temps. I have to "settle" for an August trip before the kids return to school.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

To PP, Halloween season starts Sept 13, meaning decorations and such. The first party is on Sept 30, meaning a Mickey's Halloween Party that can only be attended by people who have purchased the extra ticket to be there, where there is the small parade and the villains are out in full force and Trick or Treat trails.

Thanks for the reply. So the $54 admission for MHP on 9/13, that is just to get me in the park in the evening, but there is no candy, no parade, etc? That's a bummer...