2017 DISNEYLAND RESORT HALLOWEEN TIME / MICKEY'S HALLOWEEN PARTY THREAD!

[figment_jii]

I was thinking/wondering the same thing...

 

[Sherry E]

Yes. Since Erin, specifically, is the one who is behind the MaxPass blog, then we will not see a Halloween Time blog today (she would do the Halloween blog). We can all have our lives back for the rest of the day, with no pointless waiting on the Blog for news.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh, and the July 19th launch date for MaxPass would explain the supposed extended hours for the call center at DLR next week, I guess. They are probably anticipating a lot of calls about it. It could possibly also mean that the MHP tickets are going on sale late next week too -- maybe a combo of both MaxPass calls and MHP calls.

 

[MerMazing]

I'm ready to purchase my tickets already lol

 

[ricardol]

Hey there,


Do anyone remember how much is the AP Savings per Ticket for the MHP? I was planning to buy 5 day tickets and then upgrade to AP, But if the savings are substantial for the MHP I may buy one AP to get the savings..

 

[onlyoneash]

A cast member confirmed there would be a Mickey Halloween Party on Friday Sept 22!!! I called dining to book a restaurant for the week before and casually asked if I could book for Friday the 15th the fantastic package (62 days ahead, so I knew I probably would have to wait a couple days, but I tried) She paused and read the calendar and said that there will be two showings that night (Sept 15th) BUT THE FOLLOWING WEEK (22nd) the fantastic dining package was showing on her calendar blocked due to the MHP!!! Some food for thought for you Halloween planners!

 

[Sherry E]

A cast member confirmed there would be a Mickey Halloween Party on Friday Sept 22!!! I called dining to book a restaurant for the week before and casually asked if I could book for Friday the 15th the fantastic package (62 days ahead, so I knew I probably would have to wait a couple days, but I tried) She paused and read the calendar and said that there will be two showings that night (Sept 15th) BUT THE FOLLOWING WEEK (22nd) the fantastic dining package was showing on her calendar blocked due to the MHP!!! Some food for thought for you Halloween planners!

If that's true (and, believe me, I am not doubting you, personally, but the Cast Members on the phone sometimes give out the wrong info), it would make sense. I couldn't picture Disney cutting a week of parties out this year and starting them on 9/29 instead of 9/22. I would kind of expect a 9/22 start for the parties, even with Halloween Time starting one week later than expected.

I will still feel better when the official announcement comes in from the Parks Blog, though... just because I know that the Cast Members on the phones are usually the last to know what is happening, and they find out after the Parks Blog finds out. One year there was even an incorrect MHP date posted in an official Disney publication (for AP holders) -- so we can never be too sure until the info is announced.

At this rate, since the Parks Blog has already broken tradition and not announced anything on Wednesday this week, they could possibly announce something tomorrow -- I would not have expected a Friday announcement -- if the tickets go on sale in one week.

 

[greewe]

Do Halloween decorations usually go up over night or do they slowly appear over a couple days? Hoping that we might see a few early decorations on the 13th or 14th.

 

[onlyoneash]

If that's true (and, believe me, I am not doubting you, personally, but the Cast Members on the phone sometimes give out the wrong info), it would make sense. I couldn't picture Disney cutting a week of parties out this year and starting them on 9/29 instead of 9/22. I would kind of expect a 9/22 start for the parties, even with Halloween Time starting one week later than expected.

Yes, and even though this cast member did seem like one of the good ones (y'all know what I mean if you have ever got a clueless cast member on the phone) it doesn't mean that her calendar could still change/is tentative. But, those worried about missing the MHP on the 22nd can have a little bit more hope.

I'm just amazed at all my friends who have their WDW vacations planned 180 days in advance and have known about their Halloween parties since August and we're here just prayin' we have news MAYBE within 60 days. Someone is being stingy with the calendar on the west coast. Just saying.

 

[Sherry E]

Do Halloween decorations usually go up over night or do they slowly appear over a couple days? Hoping that we might see a few early decorations on the 13th or 14th.

Depending on what sorts of decorations are in Disneyland this year (the usual pumpkins and what not), you'll see some things. I don't know if the giant Mickey pumpkin will be up in Town Square yet, but you should see the character pumpkins over the Disneyland turnstiles, some window displays, etc.

Honestly, there are really not that many decorations for Halloween Time. No one likes to hear that, but it's true. It's not a situation like with the Holiday season, where the decorations are all over the place, in every land, every hotel, etc. The Halloween decorations are not as extensive in Disneyland, so it doesn't take that long to get them in place. I don't know what's happening with decorations in California Adventure this year, though -- so that could make some sort of difference.

Yes, and even though this cast member did seem like one of the good ones (y'all know what I mean if you have ever got a clueless cast member on the phone) it doesn't mean that her calendar could still change/is tentative. But, those worried about missing the MHP on the 22nd can have a little bit more hope.

I'm just amazed at all my friends who have their WDW vacations planned 180 days in advance and have known about their Halloween parties since August and we're here just prayin' we have news MAYBE within 60 days. Someone is being stingy with the calendar on the west coast. Just saying.

It's always like this every year, though. I mean, this year they are making us wait a few days longer for an official announcement, I guess, but in general there is always a long delay for West Coast news. I think that it is assumed that Disney still looks at DLR as mostly a locals-based resort, with visitors that live nearby -- so, therefore, the logic is that they don't need a lot of notice for planning things like the guests at WDW need.

The Cast Members don't even have to sound clueless to be wrong about info. There have been CMs who authoritatively gave out information and sounded very credible, only to turn out to not have any clue what they were talking about. Sometimes they are working with a database that has not been updated, and it is just carrying over info from the previous year and bringing the dates ahead one day. One time a CM on the phone lines gave out some dates/prices for a holiday tour from 2 years prior, because that's what happened to be at her disposal at that moment!

That's not to say that it is happening this time -- the first MHP could very well be on 9/22 and it would make complete sense to me -- but I always take anything said by a CM on the phone lines with a grain of salt, unless it is very basic info extending out a couple of weeks.

When the official announcement comes in, we can all then know that it is completely accurate and current.

 

[mummabear]

A cast member confirmed there would be a Mickey Halloween Party on Friday Sept 22!!! I called dining to book a restaurant for the week before and casually asked if I could book for Friday the 15th the fantastic package (62 days ahead, so I knew I probably would have to wait a couple days, but I tried) She paused and read the calendar and said that there will be two showings that night (Sept 15th) BUT THE FOLLOWING WEEK (22nd) the fantastic dining package was showing on her calendar blocked due to the MHP!!! Some food for thought for you Halloween planners!

I am hopeful but until there is an offical announcement I won't feel too secure yet.

Yes, and even though this cast member did seem like one of the good ones (y'all know what I mean if you have ever got a clueless cast member on the phone) it doesn't mean that her calendar could still change/is tentative. But, those worried about missing the MHP on the 22nd can have a little bit more hope.

I'm just amazed at all my friends who have their WDW vacations planned 180 days in advance and have known about their Halloween parties since August and we're here just prayin' we have news MAYBE within 60 days. Someone is being stingy with the calendar on the west coast. Just saying.

I know it drives me nuts!
But what really gets me is that I can make my dining bookings before the park hours are out!

 

[bigb83]

A good friend of mine and a reliable source in the past has informed me the first party will be Sept 20th and will follow the Wed, Fri ,Mon format like usual. Which is good because we booked for the night of the 23rd til the 27th. Now give me a on sale date please.

 

[Sherry E]

A good friend of mine and a reliable source in the past has informed me the first party will be Sept 20th and will follow the Wed, Fri ,Mon format like usual. Which is good because we booked for the night of the 23rd til the 27th. Now give me a on sale date please.

Well, that will be interesting if they start the parties on a Wednesday. That would be the first Wednesday start date for the party in the last 10 years, if not ever!

Edited to add: The parties started on a Tuesday and Thursday in 1995 and 1996, respectively, and on Friday nights ever since 2005.

 

[mummabear]

A good friend of mine and a reliable source in the past has informed me the first party will be Sept 20th and will follow the Wed, Fri ,Mon format like usual. Which is good because we booked for the night of the 23rd til the 27th. Now give me a on sale date please.

Interesting to start even earlier!
God help me now I might have a chance for 2 parties, DH will not take this news well...

 

[bigb83]

Well, that will be interesting if they start the parties on a Wednesday. That would be the first Wednesday start date for the party in the last 10 years, if not ever!

Edited to add: The parties started on a Tuesday and Thursday in 1995 and 1996, respectively, and on Friday nights ever since 2005.

This is what I said as well. But with no announcement yet and all the rumors surrounding overlays and later start dates I have no idea anymore lol

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Are Fastpasses available during the parties?

 

[Linkura]

A good friend of mine and a reliable source in the past has informed me the first party will be Sept 20th and will follow the Wed, Fri ,Mon format like usual. Which is good because we booked for the night of the 23rd til the 27th. Now give me a on sale date please.

Oooh, if that's the case, the 20th is the last night of our trip. That would be a BIG pleasant surprise if true! Definitely wasn't expecting to get a Halloween Party!

 

[Frozen2014]

A good friend of mine and a reliable source in the past has informed me the first party will be Sept 20th and will follow the Wed, Fri ,Mon format like usual. Which is good because we booked for the night of the 23rd til the 27th. Now give me a on sale date please.

If that's the case, any estimate of when Haunted Mansion would go down?

 

[Sherry E]

If that's the case, any estimate of when Haunted Mansion would go down?

Keep in mind, as I said above, the Halloween Party has not started on a day other than Friday since the '90s. The Halloween Time season has never started on any day other than a Friday at all. (All of the former start dates for the season and start dates for the party are in my Halloween Time Superthread from last year, on the first page.)

So, IF that's true -- about the Halloween Party starting on 9/20, a Wednesday -- it has no bearing on the down dates of Haunted Mansion.

When Haunted Mansion is down for an overlay is more about the Halloween Time season, but not the party. It's the season that starts on 9/15 (a Friday), and that's when Haunted Mansion Holiday should open. It should probably go down for overlay installation on August 28th, or before the end of August.

The Halloween Party is an event that is part of the season, and it doesn't impact Haunted Mansion's overlay installation.

 

[Abbey1]

Are Fastpasses available during the parties?

FastPasses aren't available during the parties, but you can get them for the three hours leading up to the party. A lot of the attractions have very short waits during the parties, particularly toward the end of the night.