Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

There is some value in the plan for those who do a double take at the menu prices. If you don't ordinarily find yourself in places where a $22 burger is Something That Exists, it's hard to swallow some of the WDW prices. (See what I did there?)

For those people the plan is a way to remove the emotion from the equation of ordering. You pay a bit of a premium for that, but it means if you want the beef, you can order it guilt-free without thinking "maybe I should have gotten the chicken instead." Or, worse, ordering the thing you don't really want to save $5.
 
Yeah, I don’t know if the pre-show was running this weekend, but there’s still some decor that may need further refurbishment and there may still be some more work to be done on the ride mechanisms itself after giving it some run time over the weekend with guests.
Pre show was running this weekend and everything looked good.
 

Disneyland Resort Announces Return of Halloween Time and Plaza de la Familia Sept. 1, Plus 2023 Oogie Boogie Bash Dates

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year at Disneyland Resort. The leaves change color, the Halloween spirit creeps in and beloved seasonal celebrations make their return! Beginning Sept. 1, 2023, you’ll discover family-friendly fall fun and fare across the Happiest Place on Earth.

During our Halfway to Halloween celebration last month, we shared that the fan-favorite Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will return this year, and during Halloween Time, Mickey Mouse and some of his pals will debut ghostly new outfits at Disneyland park.

Today, I’ll be treating you to even more sweet details for this year’s fall festivities for all ages, including limited-time offerings, beautiful décor all around the resort and dates for Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party.

Halloween Time across the Disneyland Resort
Halloween Time across the Disneyland Resort

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort​

Halloween Time materializes across the Disneyland Resort from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, 2023. If you’re a big Halloween fan, that means you can get an early start on the festivities!

Spirited seasonal décor and characters dressed in Halloween looks will appear in both theme parks, presenting countless photo opportunities – including the Main Street Pumpkin Festival at Disneyland park and the transformation of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park into Radiator Screams, where the local residents and establishments are decked out in their Haul-O-Ween best.

dlrht2094248428485958.jpg

At Disneyland park, Jack Skellington and his friends from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” will once again wreck the halls of Haunted Mansion Holiday. Another deliciously diabolical gingerbread house, created by the Disneyland Resort culinary team, will be displayed in the transformed attraction’s ballroom. Sandy Claws has kept this year’s design under wraps, but I promise I won’t tell if you take a little peek.

dlrht2891839849284-832x1024.jpg
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Each night through Oct. 31, the “Halloween Screams” nighttime spectacular will summon supernatural projections, special effects and music on Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America and in front of “it’s a small world.” MagicBand+ adds another devious dimension to the show with ominous illuminations and shivering vibrations. On select nights, fireworks will be conjured up in the skies above. To make way for “Halloween Screams,” the nighttime spectacular “Wondrous Journeys” is scheduled to make its last performance of the year on Aug. 31.

dlrht85398524729488924.jpg
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At Disney California Adventure park, three attractions will undergo seasonal transformations with Halloween spins – and drops. The family-friendly Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Cars Land and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters opt for happily hair-raising soundtracks to become Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween. For the first time, resident “car-acter” Guido will sport a ghoulish “car-stume” as he welcomes guests to the Casa Della Tires.

As the afternoon winds down each day, the thrills go up at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! in Avengers Campus. The attraction transforms into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, a scream-worthy adventure to save Groot from creatures running amok in The Collector’s Fortress.

From Sept. 8 through Nov. 1, Disney character-themed pumpkins will be hidden around the Downtown Disney District for Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit; with the purchase of a map from participating locations, you can commemorate your search with a collectible keepsake.* Downtown Disney District will also feature fall décor, entertainment and special offerings from select locations.

dlrht58398294427474.jpg

Treat yourself! This year’s array of Halloween merchandise will include apparel, home décor and collectibles with in-trend designs. Dining locations across the Disneyland Resort will serve up dozens of new and returning bites and beverages featuring fall flavors, like pumpkin fritters and a Halloween cake. Disney Eats will reveal all the fall fare closer to the season.

dlrht59029490249424.jpg
dlrht5829294842457557.jpg

Plaza de la Familia and Tributes to Día de los Muertos​

Honoring the Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the vibrant Plaza de la Familia cultural experience will bring brilliant marigolds, heartwarming entertainment and family crafts to Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure park from Sept. 1 to Nov. 2. At Paradise Garden Grill, you’ll be able to feast on menu items inspired by Mexican cuisine.

Throughout the experience, characters and music from Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning “Coco” highlight eternal love and the everlasting bonds of family. Several times per day, “A Musical Celebration of Coco” will present a talented company of Folklórico dancers, plus Mariachi singers and musicians, that recount Miguel’s adventure to the Land of the Dead. You can also meet Miguel, dance along to Mariachi music, add remembrance notes to the Memory Wall, and more.

Over in Cars Land, Ramone will honor Día de los Muertos at his detailing shop with an “ofrenda” celebrating the town’s good friend, Doc Hudson.

dlrht48583982475754848322.jpg

Disneyland park will pay tribute to Día de los Muertos with its traditional, vibrant display in Frontierland, adorned with marigolds and banners of papel picado.

dlrht85872048487472422.jpg
dlrht58592828492485.jpg

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party​

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party** will take over Disney California Adventure park for more nights than ever before, bringing rare characters, villains and spellbinding experiences on 25 select evenings between Sept. 5 and Oct. 31, 2023. Kids and trick-or-treaters of all ages are invited to wear their Halloween costumes for a wickedly fun evening of attractions (some of which have shorter wait times!), themed food and beverages, and more. Admission to the after-hours event also includes entrance to Disney California Adventure park three hours before the party begins and unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party.

With treat trails and characters throughout the park, you may encounter new and familiar friends! Partygoers of all ages can also delight in special offerings just for Oogie Boogie Bash, such as “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” show, the “Frightfully Fun Parade” led by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, and the immersive Villains Grove.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 29 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT). On June 27 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), a limited amount of Oogie Boogie Bash tickets go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders at Disneyland.com/OogieBoogieBash. Tickets are limited and guests may check out the website for important details and availability for the 25 nights: Tuesday, Sept. 5; Thursday, Sept. 7; Sunday, Sept. 10; Tuesday, Sept. 12; Thursday, Sept. 14; Sunday, Sept. 17; Tuesday, Sept. 19; Thursday, Sept. 21; Sunday, Sept. 24; Tuesday, Sept. 26; Thursday, Sept. 28; Sunday, Oct. 1; Tuesday, Oct. 3; Thursday, Oct. 5; Sunday, Oct. 8; Tuesday, Oct. 10; Thursday, Oct. 12; Sunday, Oct. 15; Tuesday, Oct 17; Thursday, Oct. 19; Sunday, Oct. 22; Tuesday, Oct. 24; Thursday, Oct. 26; Sunday, Oct. 29; and Tuesday, Oct. 31, Halloween night.
 
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Disneyland Resort Announces Return of Halloween Time and Plaza de la Familia Sept. 1, Plus 2023 Oogie Boogie Bash Dates

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year at Disneyland Resort. The leaves change color, the Halloween spirit creeps in and beloved seasonal celebrations make their return! Beginning Sept. 1, 2023, you’ll discover family-friendly fall fun and fare across the Happiest Place on Earth.

During our Halfway to Halloween celebration last month, we shared that the fan-favorite Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will return this year, and during Halloween Time, Mickey Mouse and some of his pals will debut ghostly new outfits at Disneyland park.

Today, I’ll be treating you to even more sweet details for this year’s fall festivities for all ages, including limited-time offerings, beautiful décor all around the resort and dates for Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party.

Halloween Time across the Disneyland Resort
Halloween Time across the Disneyland Resort

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort​

Halloween Time materializes across the Disneyland Resort from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, 2023. If you’re a big Halloween fan, that means you can get an early start on the festivities!

Spirited seasonal décor and characters dressed in Halloween looks will appear in both theme parks, presenting countless photo opportunities – including the Main Street Pumpkin Festival at Disneyland park and the transformation of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park into Radiator Screams, where the local residents and establishments are decked out in their Haul-O-Ween best.

dlrht2094248428485958.jpg

At Disneyland park, Jack Skellington and his friends from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” will once again wreck the halls of Haunted Mansion Holiday. Another deliciously diabolical gingerbread house, created by the Disneyland Resort culinary team, will be displayed in the transformed attraction’s ballroom. Sandy Claws has kept this year’s design under wraps, but I promise I won’t tell if you take a little peek.

dlrht2891839849284-832x1024.jpg
dlrht88181123738490-832x1024.jpg

Each night through Oct. 31, the “Halloween Screams” nighttime spectacular will summon supernatural projections, special effects and music on Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America and in front of “it’s a small world.” MagicBand+ adds another devious dimension to the show with ominous illuminations and shivering vibrations. On select nights, fireworks will be conjured up in the skies above. To make way for “Halloween Screams,” the nighttime spectacular “Wondrous Journeys” is scheduled to make its last performance of the year on Aug. 31.

dlrht85398524729488924.jpg
dlrht584298858373733.jpg

At Disney California Adventure park, three attractions will undergo seasonal transformations with Halloween spins – and drops. The family-friendly Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Cars Land and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters opt for happily hair-raising soundtracks to become Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween. For the first time, resident “car-acter” Guido will sport a ghoulish “car-stume” as he welcomes guests to the Casa Della Tires.

As the afternoon winds down each day, the thrills go up at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! in Avengers Campus. The attraction transforms into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, a scream-worthy adventure to save Groot from creatures running amok in The Collector’s Fortress.

From Sept. 8 through Nov. 1, Disney character-themed pumpkins will be hidden around the Downtown Disney District for Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit; with the purchase of a map from participating locations, you can commemorate your search with a collectible keepsake.* Downtown Disney District will also feature fall décor, entertainment and special offerings from select locations.

dlrht58398294427474.jpg

Treat yourself! This year’s array of Halloween merchandise will include apparel, home décor and collectibles with in-trend designs. Dining locations across the Disneyland Resort will serve up dozens of new and returning bites and beverages featuring fall flavors, like pumpkin fritters and a Halloween cake. Disney Eats will reveal all the fall fare closer to the season.

dlrht59029490249424.jpg
dlrht5829294842457557.jpg

Plaza de la Familia and Tributes to Día de los Muertos​

Honoring the Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the vibrant Plaza de la Familia cultural experience will bring brilliant marigolds, heartwarming entertainment and family crafts to Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure park from Sept. 1 to Nov. 2. At Paradise Garden Grill, you’ll be able to feast on menu items inspired by Mexican cuisine.

Throughout the experience, characters and music from Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning “Coco” highlight eternal love and the everlasting bonds of family. Several times per day, “A Musical Celebration of Coco” will present a talented company of Folklórico dancers, plus Mariachi singers and musicians, that recount Miguel’s adventure to the Land of the Dead. You can also meet Miguel, dance along to Mariachi music, add remembrance notes to the Memory Wall, and more.

Over in Cars Land, Ramone will honor Día de los Muertos at his detailing shop with an “ofrenda” celebrating the town’s good friend, Doc Hudson.

dlrht48583982475754848322.jpg

Disneyland park will pay tribute to Día de los Muertos with its traditional, vibrant display in Frontierland, adorned with marigolds and banners of papel picado.

dlrht85872048487472422.jpg
dlrht58592828492485.jpg

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party​

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party** will take over Disney California Adventure park for more nights than ever before, bringing rare characters, villains and spellbinding experiences on 25 select evenings between Sept. 5 and Oct. 31, 2023. Kids and trick-or-treaters of all ages are invited to wear their Halloween costumes for a wickedly fun evening of attractions (some of which have shorter wait times!), themed food and beverages, and more. Admission to the after-hours event also includes entrance to Disney California Adventure park three hours before the party begins and unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party.

With treat trails and characters throughout the park, you may encounter new and familiar friends! Partygoers of all ages can also delight in special offerings just for Oogie Boogie Bash, such as “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” show, the “Frightfully Fun Parade” led by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, and the immersive Villains Grove.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 29 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT). On June 27 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), a limited amount of Oogie Boogie Bash tickets go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders at Disneyland.com/OogieBoogieBash. Tickets are limited and guests may check out the website for important details and availability for the 25 nights: Tuesday, Sept. 5; Thursday, Sept. 7; Sunday, Sept. 10; Tuesday, Sept. 12; Thursday, Sept. 14; Sunday, Sept. 17; Tuesday, Sept. 19; Thursday, Sept. 21; Sunday, Sept. 24; Tuesday, Sept. 26; Thursday, Sept. 28; Sunday, Oct. 1; Tuesday, Oct. 3; Thursday, Oct. 5; Sunday, Oct. 8; Tuesday, Oct. 10; Thursday, Oct. 12; Sunday, Oct. 15; Tuesday, Oct 17; Thursday, Oct. 19; Sunday, Oct. 22; Tuesday, Oct. 24; Thursday, Oct. 26; Sunday, Oct. 29; and Tuesday, Oct. 31, Halloween night.
Disneyland looks so amazing during Halloween time. Significantly better decorations than WDW. I can't go to Oogie Boogie this year but hopefully someday I'll make the trip out there.
 
There is some value in the plan for those who do a double take at the menu prices. If you don't ordinarily find yourself in places where a $22 burger is Something That Exists, it's hard to swallow some of the WDW prices. (See what I did there?)

For those people the plan is a way to remove the emotion from the equation of ordering. You pay a bit of a premium for that, but it means if you want the beef, you can order it guilt-free without thinking "maybe I should have gotten the chicken instead." Or, worse, ordering the thing you don't really want to save $5.

But only if you can block out knowing you just over paid for the most part. Its too stressful to try and maximize it and then in the end it is rarely a saving and at best a break even.

But alot of people don't see the actual cost of the dining plan they just look at the bottom line of their trip and if it fits budge or not. Only those who break it down and do the math.
 
Nope. In rare instances, maybe. We're a quick service family, and $57 a day is a lot. Most meals are generally like $20 with a drink, so that's only $40 for two meals. A snack is like $6-8, so even then I'm not even at $50. But let's say I did hit $50, what am I paying an extra $7 for?

Even the one time we went and had the free dining, I feel like I spent more time figuring out how it worked that it was just a huge headache at every meal. And it made food lines ridiculous because nobody understood it so things had to be explained to every person in line - "You can get this, but not this." "But what about this?".... 😵‍💫

The alcoholic beverage would be the extra $10 but that only works if you drink.

The plans aren’t valuable for us if we pay OOP. They could work if they still offer free dining in a value or moderate, especially as a family of 4. There’s no room discount that would be enough of a discount to feed all 4 of us.

We’ve paid OOP for food our last 3 or so trips and I prefer it. We eat how and when we want.

I know people like getting it for convenience factors but you also need to take into account if someone gets sick and can’t use credits for several days. What would you do with all of those TS credits that go unused?
 
In general, TA's love the dining plan because they get commission on it when booking packages. But when I was a TA, I let my clients know that it rarely made sense from a value perspective, unless booking a ton of character meals.

Yet some people booked it, anyway, because of the psychological relief that came with everything being paid for up front. Which is fine! Just know that a lot of TAs will nudge you towards a dining plan because it pays off for them, too.
 
Disneyland looks so amazing during Halloween time. Significantly better decorations than WDW. I can't go to Oogie Boogie this year but hopefully someday I'll make the trip out there.
I know at WDW everything halloween is paywalled unless you count the fall decor on mainstreet
 
I know at WDW everything halloween is paywalled unless you count the fall decor on mainstreet
The fall decor on Main Street feels so limited to me. Would love some elaborate theming akin to Cars Land (I love how the cars have costumes!)

Meanwhile, the Halloween festivities at Tokyo Disney are included with your park ticket (been doing research for my future trip)
 
Wondrous Journey’s At Disneyland will have final performance of the year on August 31

Whoa, I thought this fireworks show would last through the year. Makes me really glad DH and I made a special trip in March to see this and the other Disney100 stuff.

As big fans of Disney Animation, Wondrous Journeys really hit the spot and I'm sad it's ending so soon! WDW had their 50th stuff for way longer and this was way better than MK's Enchantment.
 
Whoa, I thought this fireworks show would last through the year. Makes me really glad DH and I made a special trip in March to see this and the other Disney100 stuff.

As big fans of Disney Animation, Wondrous Journeys really hit the spot and I'm sad it's ending so soon! WDW had their 50th stuff for way longer and this was way better than MK's Enchantment.
Disneyland will have holiday fireworks shows for the remainder of the year and Wondrous Journeys should return after that.
 
Whoa, I thought this fireworks show would last through the year. Makes me really glad DH and I made a special trip in March to see this and the other Disney100 stuff.

As big fans of Disney Animation, Wondrous Journeys really hit the spot and I'm sad it's ending so soon! WDW had their 50th stuff for way longer and this was way better than MK's Enchantment.
It said for year not for good should be back in January when the seasonal stuff is over
 
Whoa, I thought this fireworks show would last through the year. Makes me really glad DH and I made a special trip in March to see this and the other Disney100 stuff.

As big fans of Disney Animation, Wondrous Journeys really hit the spot and I'm sad it's ending so soon! WDW had their 50th stuff for way longer and this was way better than MK's Enchantment.
Was thinking the same thing, especially as the actual 100th will be when the fireworks show is in hiatus
 





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