Halloween 2011

[Pooh's Bear]

My husband & I are going to LA in October and we are visiting Disneyland & California Adventure. We are staying in central Hollywood so we are having to book transport with Starline Tours out to Anaheim as we aren't driving.

When we went for Honeymoon, we booked the whole tour with them (tickets, etc) but as we want to do Mickey's Halloween party, it looks like we can only book the transport so that we can get the later bus back.

My question is - is it worth it? If we stay until 10pm and do the Halloween party, is it worth the extra money and extra time? Or if we book the usual tour and have a normal day and leave at 7pm, will we still experience all that Halloween at Disneyland has to offer?

Thanks

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Oh, my favorite subject!

I guess this depends on how you enjoy Halloween time. Do you like the concentration on the harvest? Then daytime touring is perfect. There are tons of pumpkins, fall flowers, and autumn decorations that can be enjoyed. You can ride the two rides with the holiday overlays...Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain for a more intense experience.

But I'm a big advocate for the Halloween party. The atmosphere can't be beat! Plus I think you have the advantage of low ride times. We went on a busy Friday last October and even though some of the trick or treat stations were packed, the ride lines never got to be more than 20 minutes. There is all the exclusive Halloween activities like dance parties, special meet and greets, parade, and fireworks.

We filled a suitcase full of candy too! We had a blast! I especially love a night time event...a great atmosphere for a Halloween party!



How late does the bus run?

 

[Sherry E]

My husband & I are going to LA in October and we are visiting Disneyland & California Adventure. We are staying in central Hollywood so we are having to book transport with Starline Tours out to Anaheim as we aren't driving.

When we went for Honeymoon, we booked the whole tour with them (tickets, etc) but as we want to do Mickey's Halloween party, it looks like we can only book the transport so that we can get the later bus back.

My question is - is it worth it? If we stay until 10pm and do the Halloween party, is it worth the extra money and extra time? Or if we book the usual tour and have a normal day and leave at 7pm, will we still experience all that Halloween at Disneyland has to offer?

Thanks

Here's our Halloween at DLR Superthread - I can't recall if you've already visited that thread or not, but feel free to jump in and ask a question. Everyone is very helpful. You may find lots of valuable information there about all aspects of the season, as well as lots of links and photos to help you make your decision. There's lots of people in that thread who have gone to the party. The first page, in particular, is chock full o' info.

I, personally, think that Halloween Time at DLR, while extremely festive and fun, is lacking a little bit. There just needs to be 'more' to it, in my opinion - more decorations all over the Resort, more Halloween touches, more Halloween-related music, etc. The hotels have no decor. DCA had no decor last year. All of the 'celebration,' as it were, was focused in Disneyland itself. It is nowhere near the grand scale of the DLR holiday/Christmas season's immersive decor and all-out sensory assault!

So, because of the rather limited offerings of the season, I think the party is a good investment because it enhances and expands the experience a bit. I think it's worth it. I've done Halloween Time trips with and without the party involved, and the party definitely added to my overall enjoyment.

Plus, Halloween Screams fireworks are exclusive to the party, and I feel those are a must-see if you can swing it.

When you say "book the usual tour," do you mean the Happiest Haunts tour? Or another tour?

 

[Pooh's Bear]

Thanks so much for the feedback - and the link. I'm going to enjoy reading through it and checking out all the pictures

For me, I love the idea of seeing all the pumpkins, decorations and taking in the general atmosphere. I didn't realise there was exclusive fireworks....an added bonus!

Sorry, by 'usual tour' I just meant the tour we've done before run by Starline Tours....transport to & from the hotel with park tickets included, pick up at 9am and return transport at 7pm.

If we book just transport with them, we can stay until 10pm and take in the Halloween Party....which I am now thinking I really want to do!

Thanks again for the replies

 

[Halloweenqueen]

A 10pm pick up might be cutting close if you want to see the fireworks. Have you thought of an alternative transporation option? Maybe a car service? Then you could stay to park close.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks so much for the feedback - and the link. I'm going to enjoy reading through it and checking out all the pictures

For me, I love the idea of seeing all the pumpkins, decorations and taking in the general atmosphere. I didn't realise there was exclusive fireworks....an added bonus!

Sorry, by 'usual tour' I just meant the tour we've done before run by Starline Tours....transport to & from the hotel with park tickets included, pick up at 9am and return transport at 7pm.

If we book just transport with them, we can stay until 10pm and take in the Halloween Party....which I am now thinking I really want to do!

Thanks again for the replies

Oh! When I read "usual tour," for some reason, my mind automatically jumped to the Happiest Haunts tour (which I think I have a link or two pertaining to in the Halloween thread, first post, possibly). I didn't even think about the Starline tour that you had mentioned!! I need more coffee this morning, clearly!!

Yes, the Halloween Screams fireworks became exclusive to Mickey's Halloween Party just last year. In 2009, they were showing all Halloween season long to the general public. There is also a mini-parade, or a character cavalcade, that happens at the party. Plus, there are special PhotoPass character locations, and fog pumped into the Rivers of America. It's fun!

Prior to last year, the party was held in California Adventure, and there were decorations in California Adventure such as Candy Corn Acres, and even candy corn CALIFORNIA letters at the entrance for a couple of years. When they started doing all the intensive work on that park (to be concluded next year), they scaled down the Halloween stuff and got rid of Candy Corn Acres, sadly. I hope they they will build up Halloween Tiime again when all the construction is finished!

 

[Pooh's Bear]

Okay, now I am starting to get so excited about Halloween!

It sounds fantastic - plus I looked through the thread (followed the link) and was amazed by the photos and how great everything looks.

Halloween Queen - thanks for the tip. I thought 10pm would give us plenty of time but if not, then might be time for a re-think!

Sherry - now that I've read about the Happiest Haunts tour, I want to do that too!!