HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[figment_jii]

Maybe others will chime in with specific recommendations on how to go "against the flow". The trip seems to be more and more planning and stress than it should be.

The closer we get to our travel dates, the worse things seem to get. Touring plans just now went from 3,2,2 on three of our travel dates to 6,5,4. Perhaps it's due to the fact they begin using "Crowd Calendar 4" today, whatever that is (would have been nice to get an email or posting to the dashboard of paying subscribers that this was happening don't you think?) Between the increasing crowd levels (I'm beginning to wonder if I need to ask for a refund from TP if they can't predict crowds any better than this, in fact Labor Day is listed as lower crowds), 3 parties with early park close over our travel dates when last year there would have only been two, etc. is making it nearly impossible to plan which days we should go to parks and which to other sites in the area.

I've gone back and forth and have multiple lunch reservations that I need to let go so someone else can have them, and the planning of trying to do what's best is worse than planning for WDW! So much for the "Oh it's DL, just go with the flow" attitude! Being from the East Coast, and with airfare, rental car expenses,I don't have the luxury of just enjoying Halloween time and then "dropping back by" later to enjoy attractions if it's too busy. I was much more excited for the trip several weeks ago.

I agree with Sherry that October isn't really a "slow" period anymore. The first two wekends are busy, but I do think the weekdays and later part of the month might be more manageable. I would opt to make dining reservations if you know you want to eat at a specific TS location, but I wouldn't stress about it as much as one tends to need to plan WDW trips (ADRs, FP+). I went the week of CHOC walk last year and the weekend was busy, but the weekdays were generally manageable. I would make every effort to get there at rope drop and use FP wisely.

What do you MHP-experience people recommend for dinner plans? Would it be a good idea to make reservations for somewhere in Disneyland during the 3-hour overlap window before the MHP starts? Or what is the best thing to do during those 3 hours? We will be there for 5 days, so we won't want to be battling insane crowds to do rides we can do at other times. Thanks!

If you want to eat at a TS location prior to the start of the start of the party, then I would make an ADR to avoid having to wait long or being told they are not taking walk-ups. There are also several very good QS options (I like French Market because you can see/hear HMH from the dining area).

Thanks so much! I don't think we want to take much time out of the actual party time for a long meal. Are the special things they offer general counter service items?

I think there was only one party specific items in the past year. For the most part, the options are the same during the day and the party.

Is anything special going on during the 3 hours where people with MHP tickets can come in, but MHP hasn't started yet? I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to make reservations for the 4-5 range, using that overlapping time (which I'm guessing is kind of crazy busy in the park?) to eat.

I would opt to eat during the overlap. Aside from the Toontown pre-party (which hasn't been confirmed for this year), there aren't any special activities prior to the start of the party. You can watch some of the decor go up, but that's about it that I remember.

And when should we make sure to enter if we don't want an insane line to get back into Disneyland? We'll have AP's and PH's, so we'll go in the morning, probably run back to the room for a bit to get some warmer clothes for the evening and maybe rest a bit, but we will want to get back in before a huge amount of people are at the turnstiles and on Main Street.

There is always a long line when the party goers are first allowed in (3pm or 4 pm). I'd probably wait until about 5 pm or so, but either way, it's probably not super bad.

I think some of the resturants started closing at 4pm last year for the 6pm party. We ate dinner really early and when we were sitting there, they were tearing down all the outdoor sitting. We were the last ones served. This was at Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland.

Some of the TS locations stop seating guests about an hour before the party starts. Likewise, a few of the QSDP locations that will not be open for the party will also close early to get set-up for the party (Rancho del Zocalo is used as a dance party area for MHP). Things like Jolly Holiday and Redd Rockett are both open during the party (I've eaten at both just before and during the party).

 

[sgrap]

Thank you for the help! I made 4:00 Cafe Orleans res's for 10/22 and 5:00 BTRBBQ res's for 10/24. Hopefully those will work well with the party start times 2 hours after.

 

[figment_jii]

Thank you for the help! I made 4:00 Cafe Orleans res's for 10/22 and 5:00 BTRBBQ res's for 10/24. Hopefully those will work well with the party start times 2 hours after.

Great choices! I really like both of those.

No problem, figment_jii! I doubt that a whole slew of MHPs are going to sell out right away.

You're in New York? Hershey World is clearly more advanced than my stores out here if they are already at the stage where they have large inflatable pumpkins in the store! I have seen no traces of pumpkins or Halloween candy when I have looked, but I think that things must be sneaking into stores after I stop looking!

I was in New York on vacation for about a week (seeing lots of Broadway shows!) and Hershey World had some signs of Halloween. The candy and inflatable decoration was right in the entrance, so you couldn't miss them! M&Ms Store didn't really have any Halloween decor or candy (yet).

 

[figment_jii]

One MHP has already sold out! This post will track the online sell out dates for the 2014 MHPs.

Disclaimer: Even if the date is listed as sold out online, it is possible that tickets may still be available via the phone or in person at the ticket booths. A limited number of tickets may also be available for "day of" purchase for onsite hotel guests, but it is not known if that will be the case again this year.

• Friday, September 26 (Sold Out: Thursday, August 28, 2014)
• Tuesday, September 30
• Friday, October 3 (Sold Out: Friday, August 22, 2014)
• Monday, October 6 (Sold Out: Tuesday, September 30, 2014)
• Wednesday, October 8 (Sold Out: Monday, September 29, 2014)
• Friday, October 10 (Sold Out: Thursday, September 18, 2014)
• Tuesday, October 14 (Sold Out: Friday, September 26, 2014)
• Friday, October 17 (Sold Out: Monday, September 22, 2014)
• Monday, October 20 (Sold Out: Tuesday, September 30, 2014)
• Wednesday, October 22 (Sold Out: Friday, October 3, 2014)
• Friday, October 24 (Sold Out: Monday, September 22, 2014)
• Monday, October 27 (Sold Out: Friday, October 3, 2014)
• Wednesday, October 29 (Sold Out: Wednesday, October 8, 2014)
• Friday, October 31 (Sold Out: Thursday, September 11, 2014)

 

[Imdboss]

Park hours are now posted through 10/8! Getting so excited for our trip, especially now that the hours for our first day are available. Even though it's what I figured it would be it's just nice to see it on the website calendar.

Angela

 

[Vintage Mouseketeer]

I was in New York on vacation for about a week (seeing lots of Broadway shows!) and Hershey World had some signs of Halloween. The candy and inflatable decoration was right in the entrance, so you couldn't miss them! M&Ms Store didn't really have any Halloween decor or candy (yet). [/QUOTE


That is pretty neat!!! I really can't afford a last minute trip to New York right now, but a road trip to see their store in Las Vegas maybe possible. Thanks for sharing :-D

 

[Sherry E]

Little Debbie Brownie Pumpkins -- HERE. Enough Said.

 

[Kilala]

WOW!!! WOW!! You guys are making soooo excited about Halloween Time and MHP. I will have update pictures of my Autumn Mist costume. I have to redo the wig. The red came out way to dark.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Park hours are now posted through 10/8! Getting so excited for our trip, especially now that the hours for our first day are available. Even though it's what I figured it would be it's just nice to see it on the website calendar.

I figured they would post them when I got too busy to stalk them every hour...lol! Thanks for the heads up.

Does anyone know the specific reason why DL is closing early on October 1st? It is fine and we will be happy to work around it, just curious. TIA

 

[Sherry E]

My "Pumpkin Watch" is yielding many discoveries this year!

As I mentioned a day or two ago, the Halloween/Fall food angels are really stepping it up now! New seasonal items are being spotted every day, such as the aforementioned Little Debbie Brownie Pumpkins and the Wrigley's Pumpkin Spice Gum I referenced a while back.

Behold, Welch's Sparkling Juice Cocktails' seasonal flavors -- Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Apple (mercifully, no candy corn "juice"). Could these drinks possibly be any good at all? In any way? Sparkling Caramel Apple juice might be okay, but Sparkling Pumpkin Spice Juice? Hmmm...

In any case, I am love, love, loving that the Fall/Halloween stuff is taking over and quickly booting the summer stuff out on its behind, and the next time I am at CVS I intend to grab one of the Twix Ghosts that has been spotted.




Thank you, figment_jii, for sharing the photos of the fun Halloween stuff from New York, and for starting the MHP sellout list!

I figured they would post them when I got too busy to stalk them every hour...lol! Thanks for the heads up.

Does anyone know the specific reason why DL is closing early on October 1st? It is fine and we will be happy to work around it, just curious. TIA

2tinkerbell --

It could be another private event that DL is having. Because Disney sees September and October as the off-peak season (despite the popularity of Halloween Time), they will do things like that -- private events. It could be an exclusive CM event of some kind, too. There are fewer private after-hours events during the peak seasons.

 

[Kilala]

What is the best time see Jack Skellington? If tickets don't sell out for the 26th. I want to line up to see Jack. I plan on getting there no later than 5pm. Should I go see Jack first? One other thing will we see the map to MHP before the 26th?

 

[figment_jii]

What is the best time see Jack Skellington? If tickets don't sell out for the 26th. I want to line up to see Jack. I plan on getting there no later than 5pm. Should I go see Jack first? One other thing will we see the map to MHP before the 26th?

In the past, Jack Skellington was not a MHP exclusive character, so he should be out during the non-party hours. I would head over there as soon as you arrive and try to see him before the party so you don't have to spend party time seeing him.

Last year, they did post the MHP map before the first party. Hopefully they will do that again on the Disney Parks Blog. I don't think it'll show up until mid-to-late September (close to the date of the first party).

 

[Nimbusteach]

Hello everyone! My boyfriend and I just booked our Oct 22-26 trip!! We have recently moved to CA from NY and will be making our first trip to Disneyland It is also our first Halloween party.

This thread is amazing and packed with information. Thanks Sherry for putting in so much work. I have read the first page and skimming my way through the rest of the thread as well as Hyrdroguy's (thanks to him too) super thread information. Any tips are welcomed!

We will be doing the MHP the 24th, and now trying to figure out our costumes. BF is not thrilled with that part so I am trying for something low keyed.

 

[figment_jii]

We will be doing the MHP the 24th, and now trying to figure out our costumes. BF is not thrilled with that part so I am trying for something low keyed.

You'll see everything from professional looking costumes to t-shirt costumes to regular clothing. They do sell t-shirt "costumes" which are pretty low-key (here is an example from the DisneyStore.com).

 

[KOUKLI]

Wow I just saw a video for Villains Unleashed. I've never seen even close to that many villains at MHP, that's a shame

 

[Sherry E]

Halloween TV alert!!!

For those of you are fans of the popular series on Food Network, Halloween Wars -- in which cake artists/bakers, sugar artists/confectioners and pumpkin carvers team up to make really elaborate Halloween creations -- you will be pleased to know that it is coming back for a 4th season this year, starting on Sunday, October 5th!! HERE is the press release.

October 5th features a "Haunted Farm" episode.

October 12th is "Don't Go Into the Forest."

October 19th is "Mummies vs. Werewolves."

October 26th has a "Haunted Carnival" theme!

 

[figment_jii]

Wow I just saw a video for Villains Unleashed. I've never seen even close to that many villains at MHP, that's a shame

You have to remember that Villians Unleashed was a hard ticket, one-evening (5 hours) only event at DHS. It comparable in price to MHP/MNSSHP, but it was it's own event.

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

Not sure if this has been mentioned in the thread before (apologies if it has) but I discovered a little tidbit when I bought my MHP ticket today that I wanted to flag for those few people who, like me, are addicted to Mr. Camel:

No Smoking at Mickey’s Halloween Party: Mickey’s Halloween Party is a completely non-smoking event, and there will be no designated smoking areas within the Park. Exit and re-entry is permitted to designated smoking areas in the Esplanade outside the Disneyland Main Entrance.

Not noting this to open debate (personally even though I smoke I don't mind it, I really hate smoking around people, even in designated areas, especially kids) but just as a FYI and planning point for those, like me, who may need to take a short break from the park from time to time to smoke during the party

 

[figment_jii]

As mentioned by ClosetDisneyJunkie, for those that are interested, they also updated the Smoking section of the Gust Services FAQ to include the information about MHP being a smoke free event.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/smoking/

 

[Dot2Vegas]

Not sure if this has been mentioned in the thread before (apologies if it has) but I discovered a little tidbit when I bought my MHP ticket today that I wanted to flag for those few people who, like me, are addicted to Mr. Camel:

No Smoking at Mickey’s Halloween Party: Mickey’s Halloween Party is a completely non-smoking event, and there will be no designated smoking areas within the Park. Exit and re-entry is permitted to designated smoking areas in the Esplanade outside the Disneyland Main Entrance.

Not noting this to open debate (personally even though I smoke I don't mind it, I really hate smoking around people, even in designated areas, especially kids) but just as a FYI and planning point for those, like me, who may need to take a short break from the park from time to time to smoke during the party

I haven't smoked regularly in a few years and can not remember if the Halloween party was always non smoking or if this is new? Just curious!
And I was the same type of smoker as you and hated smoking around others. I always felt rude. We occasionally will hit the strip casinos and clubs and I will have one or two cigarettes with my drinks. Even then, in a crowd full of smokers, I feel weird doing it!