Halloween at DL

[iKristin]

mmk...DL is starting talks about Christmas already but still nothing about Halloween

 

[Sherry E]

mmk...DL is starting talks about Christmas already but still nothing about Halloween

Where did you hear that, iKristin? Was it on the DLR website? I ask because, even though there is nothing concrete about Halloween yet, I can report on any Christmas info over in the "Disney at Christmas" thread (I am doing double duty with the holiday threads!!)!

Well, it doesn't surprise me, actually, because Christmastime is so much more of an elaborate and detailed park transformation than HalloweenTime is (so far) that they probably have to start talks really early to determine what holiday events and/or attractions will be rolled out for the season, which starts in November, and if they need to do anything differently than they have done previously to plan, or if they require more manpower, etc. They need more time to plan that out.

The HalloweenTime official info/agenda/starting date did not get released from Disney (last year) until mid-July. I actually don't even remember the TOTP tickets going on sale in May last year (thats seems so early to me), but everyone says they were sold in May so I am trusting the reports! (Also, it seems to make sense to let the TOTP tickets go on sale before HalloweenTime info is released because we already basically know the dates that the TOTP will be held this year - might as well put the tickets on sale soon!)

So, with World of Chaos kind of throwing a hurdle up in terms of the TOTP having to move over to DL, and Disney having to reconfigure how they stage the TOTP, if there are going to be any new events there, what exactly they will charge, etc., I will actually be quite pleased if they stay on schedule and release the general HalloweenTime info when I expect them to - in mid-July.

It's almost the end of May, so we only have about 7 weeks to wait for the HalloweenTime info! Stay tuned, everyone!!

 

[Belle Ella]

 

[Sherry E]

 

[All American]

...
The HalloweenTime official info/agenda/starting date did not get released from Disney (last year) until mid-July. I actually don't even remember the TOTP tickets going on sale in May last year (thats seems so early to me), but everyone says they were sold in May so I am trusting the reports! (Also, it seems to make sense to let the TOTP tickets go on sale before HalloweenTime info is released because we already basically know the dates that the TOTP will be held this year - might as well put the tickets on sale soon!)
...
It's almost the end of May, so we only have about 7 weeks to wait for the HalloweenTime info! Stay tuned, everyone!!

Thanks! I was just about to post a question in regards to this issue.

ETA: Oops! Messed up the quote. Sorry about that!

 

[Belle Ella]

Well, I'm feeling more optomistic about our wait for more information today But that's just because another wait I've been anxious about it starting to pay off. 1 night for my dates opened up with the ET at the HoJo. Sure, it's one night, but it feels like a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders. I guess I can hold out longer for Halloween info!

Now ... if only I could remember every time I call to add the DIS discount I might just get up and dance.

 

[Tablefor5]

Well, I'm feeling more optomistic about our wait for more information today But that's just because another wait I've been anxious about it starting to pay off. 1 night for my dates opened up with the ET at the HoJo. Sure, it's one night, but it feels like a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders. I guess I can hold out longer for Halloween info!

Now ... if only I could remember every time I call to add the DIS discount I might just get up and dance.

I don't see any new ent rates for your dates!!?! (since my dates are close to yours) What, where, when? I checked the board and the last update has no Sept dates??

Nevermind, found it. Duh!

 

[AmyPond]

Well, I'm feeling more optomistic about our wait for more information today But that's just because another wait I've been anxious about it starting to pay off. 1 night for my dates opened up with the ET at the HoJo. Sure, it's one night, but it feels like a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders. I guess I can hold out longer for Halloween info!

Now ... if only I could remember every time I call to add the DIS discount I might just get up and dance.

DIS discount? Do any other hotels give discounts like that?!

 

[SandrA9810]

Wow I'm so glad I found this thread.

I'm going out to Cali and making plans for my first Disneyland trip. I know WDW like the palm of my hand, and I know DL is a lot smaller, but I can't wait to see it.

I was planning on a July trip, but if I'm not going to be in Orlando for MNSSHP, I have to do Halloween at Disney some how. It's gonna drive me nuts being so close to DL and waiting months to finally go. And there will be a trip into Sea World too since I'm getting a platinum pass.

There's a close cousin that works at the marriot chain, so hopefully we can snag up a nice cheap room close by.

Does DL do the same as WDW as far as starting the parties and decorations in September or should I plan on an October trip?? Either month is fine... it just means I have to wait longer.
And how much do the tickets go for for the Parties?

 

[Sherry E]

Well, I'm feeling more optomistic about our wait for more information today But that's just because another wait I've been anxious about it starting to pay off. 1 night for my dates opened up with the ET at the HoJo. Sure, it's one night, but it feels like a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders. I guess I can hold out longer for Halloween info!

Now ... if only I could remember every time I call to add the DIS discount I might just get up and dance.

Yay! One night with an Entertainment Rate is better than no nights with an Entertainment Rate!! Hopefully, more nights will open up with that rate for you!!

Wow I'm so glad I found this thread.

I'm going out to Cali and making plans for my first Disneyland trip. I know WDW like the palm of my hand, and I know DL is a lot smaller, but I can't wait to see it.

I was planning on a July trip, but if I'm not going to be in Orlando for MNSSHP, I have to do Halloween at Disney some how. It's gonna drive me nuts being so close to DL and waiting months to finally go. And there will be a trip into Sea World too since I'm getting a platinum pass.

There's a close cousin that works at the marriot chain, so hopefully we can snag up a nice cheap room close by.

Does DL do the same as WDW as far as starting the parties and decorations in September or should I plan on an October trip?? Either month is fine... it just means I have to wait longer.
And how much do the tickets go for for the Parties?

SandrA9810 - Welcome! We're glad you joined us! I hope you have had a chance to kind of scroll through the thread and see all the wonderful DLR Halloweentime photos everyone has been kind enough to share.

First of all, about the Trick or Treat Party - here is a link to some info on what the prices and dates for the TOTP were last year -

http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dca/mht.htm.

But, I must point out that this year, the TOTP will not be held in DCA as it has been in the past. It is going to be held in DL instead, and this inevitably means a price hike for the tickets. The price of the TOTP is one of the things we are all eagerly awaiting information on! The TOTP will be held on every Friday, Sunday and Tuesday of October - we know that much with almost 100% certainty.

Now, the catch is - even though the Trick or Treat Party will begin on Friday, October 1st, the actual Halloweentime season at DLR usually begins in September. The last 2 years it began on the last Friday in September. In 2007, Halloweentime began on the next to last Friday in September. And the TOTP always begins one week after Halloweentime starts. So we can only assume that this year, Halloweentime will likely begin on Friday, September 24th. We won't know the official word from DLR on that until July, but it seems like a reasonable assumption. However, it is entirely possible that the TOTP tickets will go on sale very soon - like in the next week or two.

When Halloweentime begins, everything Halloween-related will be up and out and in full swing, except for the TOTP. Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, the Halloween Round-Up, the Halloween fireworks, all the Halloween food and merchandise and the wonderful decorations will be out on 9/24 (or whenever the start date turns out to be).

 

[tallpkb]

We're close to booking, and because of our schedules, along with wanting to get the Summer Savings at DLH, we're looking at 9/22-9/25. My question is, am I correct in assuming the attractions that get a Halloween make over will probably be closed on 9/22 and 9/23. Do you 'experts' agree? We're not so bummed about HM, but I'll be really disappointed if Space Mountain was done! Do the decorations just "magically appear" one day, when there were none the day before???

 

[Sherry E]

We're close to booking, and because of our schedules, along with wanting to get the Summer Savings at DLH, we're looking at 9/22-9/25. My question is, am I correct in assuming the attractions that get a Halloween make over will probably be closed on 9/22 and 9/23. Do you 'experts' agree? We're not so bummed about HM, but I'll be really disappointed if Space Mountain was done! Do the decorations just "magically appear" one day, when there were none the day before???

With any luck, hopefully they will start Halloweentime earlier this year - as Belle Ella said, to kind of offset the madness of World of Chaos and the fact that DL has to close very early on TOTP nights. BUT, assuming that Halloweentime begins on September 24th, it's always possible they may do soft openings and unveil SMGG and/or HMH a day or two before the 24th. That wouldn't be unheard of. It seems like the reports from last year did not indicate there were any soft openings, though.

What will be out pre-9/24 (or whatever the start date is) are the Halloweentime food items and merchandise. I think the store and window displays will also be up well in advance. But as far as I know, they don't roll out the 'big ticket decorations' like the giant Mickey pumpkin and all the other carved pumpkins around DLR until overnight the night before Halloweentime begins. (If anyone knows differently, please let us know.)

With Christmastime, the whole decorating process is so immersive and detailed all around DLR that they are forced to start rolling out Christmas stuff immediately after Halloweentime is over, and maybe even slightly before, and there is a gradual build-up to Christmas season as more things go up each day.

However, Halloweentime, while fun and awesome, is not nearly as all-encompassing and Resort-wide as the holiday season is, so it literally does not take them as much time to put everything up and those things I mentioned can probably be done overnight or in a couple of nights.

 

[SandrA9810]

It's so different from Halloween at WDW. Which is all rolled out the beginning of Sept, including all the parties.
August is when they actually put up the castle lights for christmas, and you don't even notice them there unless you're right next to the castle. Because of the giant crane involved in putting it up, it doesn't interfere with the holiday decorations, and it takes like 2 weeks. There's only about 5 days from the last Halloween Party to the first Christmas Party. So it's a major overhaul in just a few nights. The Christmas tree is the last to go up in the Rose Garden, and then after the parade taping and moved to Town Square, the garland across the buildings is put up.

I'm so disappointed I left a couple weeks too early to see WDW Nightastic and the Electrical Parade. I saw it in 99 when it came back for a couple of years. But I don't remember it that well.

I've been watching the "testings" of the fire and lights show, and it looks totally amazing so I can't wait to see that.

How do you go about getting the free parade taping ticket?? I did it last year at WDW, and I'd love to do it for DL. Any excuse to get there, and for free is well worth it in my books.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Please excuse my redundancy and laziness because I know I have seen the answer to my question somewhere in this thread before, but what are the expected dates the party will be during our stay of 10/23- 10/31?

Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

Please excuse my redundancy and laziness because I know I have seen the answer to my question somewhere in this thread before, but what are the expected dates the party will be during our stay of 10/23- 10/31?

Thanks!

Yes, it's been answered and discussed a lot - even just on the previous page! It's okay - we'll forgive you!

The TOTP dates are supposed to be every Friday, Sunday and Tuesday of October. Looking at the calendar for your trip dates, it would be the 24th, the 26th, the 29th and the 31st, I suppose, unless we hear anything different when the TOTP tickets go on sale - which should be very soon!

 

[Sherry E]

It's so different from Halloween at WDW. Which is all rolled out the beginning of Sept, including all the parties.
August is when they actually put up the castle lights for christmas, and you don't even notice them there unless you're right next to the castle. Because of the giant crane involved in putting it up, it doesn't interfere with the holiday decorations, and it takes like 2 weeks. There's only about 5 days from the last Halloween Party to the first Christmas Party. So it's a major overhaul in just a few nights. The Christmas tree is the last to go up in the Rose Garden, and then after the parade taping and moved to Town Square, the garland across the buildings is put up.

I'm so disappointed I left a couple weeks too early to see WDW Nightastic and the Electrical Parade. I saw it in 99 when it came back for a couple of years. But I don't remember it that well.

I've been watching the "testings" of the fire and lights show, and it looks totally amazing so I can't wait to see that.

How do you go about getting the free parade taping ticket?? I did it last year at WDW, and I'd love to do it for DL. Any excuse to get there, and for free is well worth it in my books.

SandrA9810 - Oh good! I'm glad you came back! I had answered your first post in detail, but the pages are moving so fast and furiously on this thread (which is great - we want people to join in with us!) that a new page started right away and I was hoping you saw my answer. I think that happens in various threads a lot - people get answers to their posts but the pages turn so fast that if they don't see the answer on the new page, they don't realize it's on the last page.

Anyway, it sounds like you have the info you wanted. So if you go to DLR in that last week of September (still waiting for the official word from DLR on when Halloweentime begins this year, but it will probably be 9/24), you should definitely be able to see all the Halloween decorations and everything else in full swing, but the TOTP will begin on October 1st. The TOTP tickets are not on sale yet, but when they do go on sale, the price will likely be higher than previous years, as the TOTP is in DL this year.

 

[AmyPond]

It's so different from Halloween at WDW. Which is all rolled out the beginning of Sept, including all the parties.
August is when they actually put up the castle lights for christmas, and you don't even notice them there unless you're right next to the castle. Because of the giant crane involved in putting it up, it doesn't interfere with the holiday decorations, and it takes like 2 weeks. There's only about 5 days from the last Halloween Party to the first Christmas Party. So it's a major overhaul in just a few nights. The Christmas tree is the last to go up in the Rose Garden, and then after the parade taping and moved to Town Square, the garland across the buildings is put up.

I'm so disappointed I left a couple weeks too early to see WDW Nightastic and the Electrical Parade. I saw it in 99 when it came back for a couple of years. But I don't remember it that well.

I've been watching the "testings" of the fire and lights show, and it looks totally amazing so I can't wait to see that.

How do you go about getting the free parade taping ticket?? I did it last year at WDW, and I'd love to do it for DL. Any excuse to get there, and for free is well worth it in my books.

What is a free parade taping ticket?

 

[SandrA9810]

For the Christmas Parade that is taped the first weekend in December. They give out free tickets to be part of the "audience". You have to sit through 4hrs of taping and then you get to stay in the park. You don't get any advantages like fastpasses. But sometimes you get to see celebs. Last year at WDW, Celine Dion was there and preformed at the Grand. I went to Sunday morning's taping and did the whole intro dance thing with the Jonas Brothers. And a couple years ago, Miley Cirus performed at DL, Selena Gomez (i think) performed at DL last year.
And taping starts at like 7am. So if you're not in the gates by that time, you don't get to go in with your ticket.

While it sounds great to have a free day... it doesn't work out well for many families with children and such because like with the dance routine... it was practice, practice, practice, followed by taping taping taping taping and about a million "CUT"... And if they're pyro involved like there was, they have to do a special taping for that too. There's usually only one or two chances at that.

It's really funny to see the parade come down the street live.... then watch how it comes down on TV. And like last year with the horrible rain and cloudy weather, you could see from screen shot to screen shot what was taped on sunny Thursday and taped on cloudy Sunday.

And you just have to pay close attention to the budget board/community board on when to sign up for the free tickets. It's some where on Disney's site... but not directly from the home page.

 

[SandrA9810]

Yeah, I did read your answer. So it looks like an early October trip.

Prices can't be much worse than the 45$ (pre purchase price) for the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party right?? I'm gonna miss that parade so much, it's my absolute favorite... boo to you, and you and you and you, Happy Halloween.

 

[hockey mom]

Wow- awesome pictures

I have been to 3 MNSSHP and i can tell you that DL decorates far better at Halloween than DW does.

Going for my first Christmas trip this year but I just might have to go for Halloween next year.

Some one posted a pic of a Jack Skellington popcorn bucket. I so need need one Are they a yearly thing?