Halloween at DL

[AmyPond]

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.

I've never heard of that. Weird.

I don't think I'd want to do it. I'd rather just pay for a normal ticket. LOL.

 

[tdashgirl]

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

Really? That's cool I haven't been to WDW since the opening of Epcot. Yeah, loooooong time

 

[MattsPrincess]

OOoooo I'm so excited! Dh and I officially picked our dates and booked our trip today. We're gonna be in the parks from the 4th to the 7th of October. This will be our second trip to DLR, first during a "special" time. I've been looking thru this thread all morning ampring myself up, lol. I'm slightly worried about crowds, but we are going all weekdays, and have 4 days in the parks, so i'm hoping that will help us out. We plan to do a ToTP, probably the one on the 5th if the rumored dates turn out to be correct. I do have a few questions tho.

What kinds of special food can we expect to see? I've seen the pics of the pumpkin cupcakes (getting one!) and the cute decorated apples. Anything else? I think I remember reading something about caramel apple cider?! I hope that's true, because it sounds soooo yummy.

The photo spots...are those just during the ToTP or all day?

If we decide to dress up for the ToTP should we bring our costumes with us and change in a bathroom? Or would it be better to go back to the hotel (camelot) change and come back?

Sorry this is turning into a novel, i'm just so excited! lol. I can't wait to see all the decorations and special merchandise and the villains! Not to mention regular things like our fave rides. October cannot come fast enough!!!

 

[Sherry E]

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.

I would guess that you're correct - the TOTP in DL couldn't possibly be more $$$ than what WDW charges for MNSSHP, because, from what I have heard the MNSSHP is a more elaborate event than our TOTP. I hope they release the prices to the TOTP soon (and put the tickets on sale). I know a lot of folks want to hear exactly what it will cost before making the decision on whether or not to go.

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?

Hey there, Hockey Mom! Good to see you over in this Halloween at DL super thread. You are one of a handful of us who hang out on this thread and also the ever-popular Disney at Christmas thread, sharing photos and info!!

I think you will be very pleased with the Christmas trip that you make later this year, but Halloweentime is rapidly increasing in popularity, so I definitely think it's worth trying at least once.

That's so interesting to hear that the Halloween decorations in DLR are better than the ones in WDW!! That's a big surprise to me. I would have expected that, because WDW is so much larger in scale, the Halloween decorations would be grander and more elaborate as well.

Do they decorate the hotels at WDW for Halloween? That's one thing that our DLR hotels seem to be lacking - Halloween decorations throughout the season. It's just not as immersive and all-encompassing as Christmastime is, but it seems like Halloweentime is becoming a bigger and better deal each year at DLR so, hopefully, eventually it will be a really well-rounded, thorough experience.

 

[hockey mom]

The Wl had some bales of hay and a few pumpkins but I think that was the only one. I was so disappointed my first trip for Halloween because I was looking forward to so many decorations and there are so few. They do up the window fronts and lamp posts but nothing as grand as DL.

The MNSSHP brings out a few more things but overall there are places that you would not even know Halloween was around the corner.

 

[Sherry E]

OOoooo I'm so excited! Dh and I officially picked our dates and booked our trip today. We're gonna be in the parks from the 4th to the 7th of October. This will be our second trip to DLR, first during a "special" time. I've been looking thru this thread all morning ampring myself up, lol. I'm slightly worried about crowds, but we are going all weekdays, and have 4 days in the parks, so i'm hoping that will help us out. We plan to do a ToTP, probably the one on the 5th if the rumored dates turn out to be correct. I do have a few questions tho.

What kinds of special food can we expect to see? I've seen the pics of the pumpkin cupcakes (getting one!) and the cute decorated apples. Anything else? I think I remember reading something about caramel apple cider?! I hope that's true, because it sounds soooo yummy.

The photo spots...are those just during the ToTP or all day?

If we decide to dress up for the ToTP should we bring our costumes with us and change in a bathroom? Or would it be better to go back to the hotel (camelot) change and come back?

Sorry this is turning into a novel, i'm just so excited! lol. I can't wait to see all the decorations and special merchandise and the villains! Not to mention regular things like our fave rides. October cannot come fast enough!!!

MattsPrincess -

Novels are welcome!! But your post was far from novel-size!

Okay, let's see....Food. I think there is caramel apple cider during Halloweentime. There are pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin muffins, the cute apples, pumpkin fudge, Halloween cookies, a pumpkin mousse dessert thingy, I think there are pumpkin lattes and other pumpkin-spiced drinks. There is pumpkin-shaped bread. There is pumpkin pie at certain places (probably Plaza Inn and Carnation Cafe). The chubby gingerbread men with Mouse ears cookies are sold at all of the candy stores and most baked goods shops. I am trying to recall what else...there may have been pumpkin ice cream at Gibson Girl on Main Street. GG gets all its ice cream from Dreyer's, and Dreyer's does have a Pumpkin-y ice cream during Halloweentime, so I think they brought it to DLR in the past.

Photo spots - the PhotoPass spots/pictures that you probably saw earlier in this thread, by the giant Mickey pumpkin and the giant Candy Corn in DCA, are available all day and night. The Villains were hanging out in DCA in 2008 (in the daytime), but they moved over to DL in 2009, and they were located by IASW.

The pictures with Jack Sparrow and Mickey and Minnie in their Halloween garb were only at the TOTP. Other Villains come out for the TOTP too. Basically, DLR does a great job of making enough characters available during the daytime for photos just in case people are not attending the TOTP, I suppose. Goofy is usually roaming around in his skeleton outfit in the daytime, as are the other characters in their costumes.

I'm trying to think of what you should do in terms of your costumes. I suppose you could stash everything in a locker at DLR and then maybe, when DL closes early to bring out the 'special, TOTP-only' decorations before the TOTP starts, you can take your costumes over to the bathrooms in the GCH, perhaps, and change there? That is, unless you want to go all the way back to the Camelot. That's probably what I would do - just head over to the GCH and put on my stuff in their bathroom.

 

[Belle Ella]

Photo spots - the PhotoPass spots/pictures that you probably saw earlier in this thread, by the giant Mickey pumpkin and the giant Candy Corn in DCA, are available all day and night. The Villains were hanging out in DCA in 2008 (in the daytime), but they moved over to DL in 2009, and they were located by IASW.

The pictures with Jack Sparrow and Mickey and Minnie in their Halloween garb were only at the TOTP. Other Villains come out for the TOTP too. Basically, DLR does a great job of making enough characters available during the daytime for photos just in case people are not attending the TOTP, I suppose. Goofy is usually roaming around in his skeleton outfit in the daytime, as are the other characters in their costumes.

There's something I have been meaning to ask about! So would that also include the villains and everyone available for that first weekend or would they wait until October 1st to come out. I get so nervous/anxious bout everything working out this year how I imagine them in my head.

 

[SandrA9810]

Fort Wilderness is about the "resort" that goes to the Halloween extreme... thanks to all the campers. I've spent the last 4-5yrs at the Fort for Halloween. The only time I'm willing to pay full price for a site.

They do a haunted carriage ride all month long, a special campfire where chip and dale pass out candy, a pumpkin carving contest, golf cart parade/contest, a doggie costume contest... And the 300 loop decorates to the hilt, along with several other loops, but 300 seems to top it off. And kids go trick or treating from site to site.

DTD also offers music and a dance party on marketplace side, and trick or treating all along the shops.

The characters have different costumes at WDW than DL.
Mickey used to be a scarecrow... but i don't quite know what his outfit is now. it's purple with a cap and tall hat.
Minnie is a witch
Goofy is in his Candy Co
Donald is a knight
Daisy is a princess

Now at Animal Kingdom, the week leading up to Halloween, they decorate camp minnie mickey and the boat landing.
Mickey is a scarecrow
Minnie is a cowgirl
Goofy is a cowboy... he's got a cute butt when he's wearing chaps
donald is davy crockett

Pooh is now super sleuth, but I can't think of what he was before
Eeyore is a mummy
Piglet is a flower now, used to be a bug or something
Tigger was in a skeleton outfit

Here's some DAK pics

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

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!

Thank you so much Sherry for answering my question and all the work that you and many others have done to make this Halloween thread so great. We booked our airfare yesterday so the trip seems more real to me now.

So do you experts recommend Tuesday or Sunday for the party? Also do you think there is a chance they might add a Wednesday or Thursday night party since it is the week of Halloween? We are staying until Wednesday at the Sheraton Park Hotel and then will move to GCH so I was hoping to go to the party on a night we would be at GCH, but I don't want to go on a Friday for sure.

 

[stitch4336]

Hi! Just found this thread and can't wait for out trip in October now!!! I'm still reading the thread - on page 14 now and LOVE the pictures! Way too excited to work now Just wanted to say hi and post so I could subscribe to the thread

 

[lampardcl]

Just wanted to subscribe to this thread , coming from Australia arriving on the 30th october and really hoping to get tickets to TOTP. So hoping i will get the heads up here when they go on sale. Have loved reading the halloween thread THANKS!

 

[iKristin]

Last year regular TOTP tickets (non AP) went on sale in August ) But just by following this post you'll definitely know when that time comes

 

[tdashgirl]

Thanks SandrA9810 for WDW info and photos

 

[Sherry E]

The Wl had some bales of hay and a few pumpkins but I think that was the only one. I was so disappointed my first trip for Halloween because I was looking forward to so many decorations and there are so few. They do up the window fronts and lamp posts but nothing as grand as DL.

The MNSSHP brings out a few more things but overall there are places that you would not even know Halloween was around the corner.

Hockey Mom - See, that's the one and only complaint I have about HalloweenTime at DLR. Exactly what you said about WDW - you could go for long stretches of space in certain lands and not know that Halloween was coming at all, because there are no Halloween touches. At Christmastime, it's a whole different story. Everywhere you go, you can see, hear and smell traces of the holiday season. Halloweentime has not reached that full immersion level yet (I am holding out hope for it, though!). And this year, because of World of Chaos throwing everything off course, we really have no clue if any traces of Halloweentime will be seen in DCA at all, or it's all going to be over in DL. I would assume they'll still put up Candy Corn Acres in DCA, but that might be it.

So, because of that, it's interesting to hear that WDW has even fewer Halloween decorations than DLR!

There's something I have been meaning to ask about! So would that also include the villains and everyone available for that first weekend or would they wait until October 1st to come out. I get so nervous/anxious bout everything working out this year how I imagine them in my head.

Jazz - Of course, we don't know yet which Halloween stuff will be in DL vs. DCA (or if anything will be in DCA at all), but from what I recall, last year everything Halloweentime-related (included the daytime Villains photo ops by IASW) started in both parks on the last Friday in September, except for the TOTP. So if there are Villains out and about in the daytime at DL or DCA, they will certainly be back for the TOTP too, along with others. But they should most definitely be out on September 24th (or whatever the opening day is). Hopefully, Disney won't do anything sneaky this year where they hold back some of the attractions/events/activities that would normally be running every day during the season and only put them up during the TOTP. There are special photo ops and things JUST for the TOTP, and that's fine, but don't take anything away that would normally be accessible to everyone all season long to stick it in the TOTP!

Fort Wilderness is about the "resort" that goes to the Halloween extreme... thanks to all the campers. I've spent the last 4-5yrs at the Fort for Halloween. The only time I'm willing to pay full price for a site.

They do a haunted carriage ride all month long, a special campfire where chip and dale pass out candy, a pumpkin carving contest, golf cart parade/contest, a doggie costume contest... And the 300 loop decorates to the hilt, along with several other loops, but 300 seems to top it off. And kids go trick or treating from site to site.

DTD also offers music and a dance party on marketplace side, and trick or treating all along the shops.

The characters have different costumes at WDW than DL.
Mickey used to be a scarecrow... but i don't quite know what his outfit is now. it's purple with a cap and tall hat.
Minnie is a witch
Goofy is in his Candy Co
Donald is a knight
Daisy is a princess

Now at Animal Kingdom, the week leading up to Halloween, they decorate camp minnie mickey and the boat landing.
Mickey is a scarecrow
Minnie is a cowgirl
Goofy is a cowboy... he's got a cute butt when he's wearing chaps
donald is davy crockett

Pooh is now super sleuth, but I can't think of what he was before
Eeyore is a mummy
Piglet is a flower now, used to be a bug or something
Tigger was in a skeleton outfit

Thanks for the info and adorable photos, SandrA9810!

The campers at FW also go all out for Christmastime too, don't they? It seems like I remember seeing that on a Samantha Brown special.

Thank you so much Sherry for answering my question and all the work that you and many others have done to make this Halloween thread so great. We booked our airfare yesterday so the trip seems more real to me now.

So do you experts recommend Tuesday or Sunday for the party? Also do you think there is a chance they might add a Wednesday or Thursday night party since it is the week of Halloween? We are staying until Wednesday at the Sheraton Park Hotel and then will move to GCH so I was hoping to go to the party on a night we would be at GCH, but I don't want to go on a Friday for sure.

Smilling Cheshire Cat - You're very welcome! You know, you raise a good point about exactly which day would be the best to do the TOTP. Up until now, I had only thought about finding out the prices and exactly what activities are happening this year at the TOTP. I have a hunch that Tuesday night would be less crowded than Sunday. Just a feeling. Of course, when World of Color finally starts, we will hear reports of exactly what the crowds are like and if all bets are off, but I am guessing Tuesday would be a better day.

I also wondered if a Wednesday or Thursday will be added. Last year, when the TOTP was at DCA, there was a Wednesday and a Thursday or two thrown in somewhere closer to Halloween. But, that may have been easier to pull off because it was in DCA, and DCA would have been closing earlier than DL anyway. However, being in DL this year, it may be tough to finagle closing DL early on extra nights beyond those planned 3 nights a week for the TOTP. But you never know what they will do. I would just think it would be more of an inconvenience to close DL early than it was when they closed DCA early.

Hi! Just found this thread and can't wait for out trip in October now!!! I'm still reading the thread - on page 14 now and LOVE the pictures! Way too excited to work now Just wanted to say hi and post so I could subscribe to the thread

Stitch4336 - Welcome to the thread!! It's addictive!

Just wanted to subscribe to this thread , coming from Australia arriving on the 30th october and really hoping to get tickets to TOTP. So hoping i will get the heads up here when they go on sale. Have loved reading the halloween thread THANKS!

Lampardcl - Welcome!!


I hope everyone is prepared to do a little Halloweentime Information Boogie!

 

[Belle Ella]

Hockey Mom - See, that's the one and only complaint I have about HalloweenTime at DLR. Exactly what you said about WDW - you could go for long stretches of space in certain lands and not know that Halloween was coming at all, because there are no Halloween touches. At Christmastime, it's a whole different story. Everywhere you go, you can see, hear and smell traces of the holiday season. Halloweentime has not reached that full immersion level yet (I am holding out hope for it, though!). And this year, because of World of Chaos throwing everything off course, we really have no clue if any traces of Halloweentime will be seen in DCA at all, or it's all going to be over in DL. I would assume they'll still put up Candy Corn Acres in DCA, but that might be it.

So, because of that, it's interesting to hear that WDW has even fewer Halloween decorations than DLR!

Hmm, where is Candy Corn Acres usually at? I thought it was in Sunshine Plaza, and isn't that where they are supposed to put their little holding area for WOC or something along those lines? My brain is soooo not working this morning so forgive me if I'm a little nuts (I blame the yucky rain).

Jazz - Of course, we don't know yet which Halloween stuff will be in DL vs. DCA (or if anything will be in DCA at all), but from what I recall, last year everything Halloweentime-related (included the daytime Villains photo ops by IASW) started in both parks on the last Friday in September, except for the TOTP. So if there are Villains out and about in the daytime at DL or DCA, they will certainly be back for the TOTP too, along with others. But they should most definitely be out on September 24th (or whatever the opening day is). Hopefully, Disney won't do anything sneaky this year where they hold back some of the attractions/events/activities that would normally be running every day during the season and only put them up during the TOTP. There are special photo ops and things JUST for the TOTP, and that's fine, but don't take anything away that would normally be accessible to everyone all season long to stick it in the TOTP!

I think that right there is my biggest concern. After never being too interested in finding characters, I had so, so, so much fun with it in 2009 and I desperately want to find me some villains and whoever else will be out stalking the dayside. Come on Disney, no pulling any other fast ones on us this year!!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Here's to the Holloweentime Information Boogie...hopefully we will start seeing the results of it soon!

 

[Tablefor5]

Memorial Weekend HIB (Halloween Information Boogie)

 

[tdashgirl]

From Mouse Planet! Link

I just received a few more details about the Halloween event at Disneyland. As always, you should confirm these details with Disney before making any non-refundable travel arrangements.

The event has had a name change, and is now Mickey's Halloween Party. As we posted earlier this month, the event will be held at Disneyland every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday night in October. Event dates are: October 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 and 31.

Tickets will go on sale to Disney Visa card holders, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members and Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders on Friday, June 4th. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 16th.

Pricing is not yet available - I hope it's released before the tickets go on sale.

AVP

 

[MattsPrincess]

New info just released on the party-
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/05/mickey-moves-his-halloween-party-across-the-esplanade/

Mickey’s Halloween Party will debut at Disneyland park this Halloween season. The private, costumed trick-or-treat party that guests enjoyed at Disney’s California Adventure park and was formerly known as Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party has moved to Disneyland park. The new event has some new, really cool benefits:

Access to Disneyland park – With a ticket to Mickey’s Halloween Party, you’ll get access to nearly all the attractions Disneyland park has to offer—from the classic attractions in Fantasyland to the Halloween-themed attractions like Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Earlier access – We’re starting the party early at Disneyland park at 4:00 p.m (we used to start 6 p.m. or even 7 p.m.).
Tons of treats – We’re adding even more trick-or-treat locations – more treats!
Exclusive access to Halloween Screams – Mickey’s Halloween Party guests will have exclusive access to one of the most popular fireworks spectaculars ever – Halloween Screams!
Mickey’s Halloween Party will be offered on Halloween night and every Tuesday and Friday in October. Annual Passholders can purchase tickets starting June 4, at www.disneyland.com/APParty. General sales will begin July 16 at www.disneyland.com/Party.

 

[iKristin]

YAY!! http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/05/mickey-moves-his-halloween-party-across-the-esplanade/