Halloween at DL

[haley's mom]

WDW only opens certain table service and counter service during the parties. All parties in WDW require a special wristbands. CM's check for bands at all character greets, all rides, and all shops! Also special party merchandise is available during the parties. Wonder if DL will do the same?

 

[Sherry E]

ARGH! The most amazing fireworks are only going to be shown during the party???? Do they realize this puts a very big thorn in my side and requires me to throw all previous planning out the window????? We had decided to skip the party this year because my girls didn't really take to it last year...but now I have to go rework the budget because there is no way we're missing Jack and his friends!!

I have never done the WDW MNSSHP, so I have no clue how that is run, but I must admit that I was surprised to hear that DLR is working out the fireworks this way, and making them party-exclusive - and basically only showing them on 9 nights in October - this year (four Tuesdays, four Fridays and one Sunday). Last year, they showed them every single night.

I think it's going to tick a lot of people off, and I am guessing Disney assumes this is going to be a way to sort of lure people into MHP -because they will want to see those fantastic fireworks (anyone who saw them last year knows how amazing they are).

So, the folks who attend DLR to soak in the HalloweenTime atmosphere starting September 17th will be getting to see all the decorations and things 2 weeks before MHP starts, but they will be missing out on the fireworks!

 

[Sherry E]

WDW only opens certain table service and counter service during the parties. All parties in WDW require a special wristbands. CM's check for bands at all character greets, all rides, and all shops! Also special party merchandise is available during the parties. Wonder if DL will do the same?

There is special party-only merchandise available (at least there was when it was the TOTP). I would guess they will do the wristband thing like you described (to held determine who is a party guest and who is not during those overlapping hours in the late afternoon/early evening) and then keep open places like Cafe Orleans and Blue Bayou. Carnation Cafe will probably be open for a while but not for the whole night. That would be my guess, but at this rate, anything can happen!

 

[AmyPond]

Will non-party people be able to ride Space Mountain with the Halloween overlay?

We most likely will NOT be doing the party on the 1st, since we have to get up super early on the 2nd to leave town.

Do you think the party on the 1st will make the morning/afternoon Disneyland crowds heavier or lighter? In my dream world, it would make them lighter because so many non-party locals would skip the park that day. And party locals may only show up in the evening for the party.

 

[Sherry E]

Will non-party people be able to ride Space Mountain with the Halloween overlay?

We most likely will NOT be doing the party on the 1st, since we have to get up super early on the 2nd to leave town.

Do you think the party on the 1st will make the morning/afternoon Disneyland crowds heavier or lighter? In my dream world, it would make them lighter because so many non-party locals would skip the park that day. And party locals may only show up in the evening for the party.

According to what Heather from Disney is saying on the Parks Blog, everything that people had access to during Halloweentime last year will still be available this year - even for non-party guests - except the fireworks (which are a BIG part of the Halloweentime events). In the text, it only addresses the fireworks as being exclusive to party guests, but SMGG and HMH are mentioned as part of the regular HalloweenTime events.

My personal guess is that the crowds will be heavier on that Friday, 10/1. Of course, we have no real way of knowing yet. But it's a Friday, which would mean a more crowded day anyway, and there inevitably have got to be some folks who want to use what limited time DL is open that day to enjoy the park if they are not attending the party. They will have all the way until 6 p.m. to enjoy it, so that's a good chunk of time for the park to get packed. It's not like they would only have 2 hours to play and then have to leave. They will have all day, up until party time.

We don't know for sure that it will be like this, but this would be my guess.

But I don't think it will be so horrible that you can't move around or get anything done, by any means. I think it would be like any other really crowded day.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

WE are in for the party on the 22nd too!!! I can't wait!

 

[Tablefor5]

Your boogie worked! Maybe it just needed a Memorial Day twist!! We got information!

LOL...it must have been the rock band and sunshine!
I am sooo excited for the news!!! I cannot wait and I think I may have to buy the MHP tixs, especiallly if that is only when the Screams will play!
Gosh...now I need to know if there will be regular fireworks during the weekend and which ones??? Gee, each new information gets me excited but then more options and possiblities begin zooming around my head.
And I guess it doesn't help that I have a flexible schedule for that week so I am trying to figure out the best travel dates for the most stuff not to miss!!!
Yippee!!!!!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

That's an excellent question! I don't remember if, for example, WCT was open in DCA while the TOTP was happening. Do you know if it was?

I can't imagine Disney would want to potentially lose business by making some of its restaurants inaccessible (they are lacking in dining options as is). What do they do in WDW for MNSSHP? Do they keep restaurants open? Does anyone know?

I honestly don't remember... we went the 1st year of the ToTP, and it was from like 7-midnight... I think we only made it to about 9:30 with my (then) 3 y.o. dd. Seems to me we were content eating the dried apple snacks and carrot sticks from the trick-or-treat stations... mostly because we had already eaten dinner.

 

[Sherry E]

Where is Belle Ella as all this exciting news is coming in? We suddenly got an influx of major info all at one time - all because Tablefor5 did a special Memorial Day Halloweentime Information Boogie!!!

And...I think the "official" agenda and info for the overall HalloweenTime season will be released on July 16th (that's the day the rest of the MHP tickets go on sale to the general public, and the HalloweenTime agenda is usually released in mid-July). So we still have more to look forward to!!!

 

[iKristin]

When I saw the news on Twitter and on Facebook I seriously jumped up and down in my living room hahaha. Now if only they'd release prices.

 

[Tablefor5]

Where is Belle Ella as all this exciting news is coming in? We suddenly got an influx of major info all at one time - all because Tablefor5 did a special Memorial Day Halloweentime Information Boogie!!!

And...I think the "official" agenda and info for the overall HalloweenTime season will be released on July 16th (that's the day the rest of the MHP tickets go on sale to the general public, and the HalloweenTime agenda is usually released in mid-July). So we still have more to look forward to!!!

I was thinking the same thing...She is going to be blown away when she has to catch-up on the news

 

[Sherry E]

I was thinking the same thing...She is going to be blown away when she has to catch-up on the news

I know she has been over on her TR...hopefully she will join us soon! Jazz will be so excited that her entire DLR trip will be full of HalloweenTime-y goodness...except for the fireworks and the MHP!

 

[AmyPond]

According to what Heather from Disney is saying on the Parks Blog, everything that people had access to during Halloweentime last year will still be available this year - even for non-party guests - except the fireworks (which are a BIG part of the Halloweentime events). In the text, it only addresses the fireworks as being exclusive to party guests, but SMGG and HMH are mentioned as part of the regular HalloweenTime events.

My personal guess is that the crowds will be heavier on that Friday, 10/1. Of course, we have no real way of knowing yet. But it's a Friday, which would mean a more crowded day anyway, and there inevitably have got to be some folks who want to use what limited time DL is open that day to enjoy the park if they are not attending the party. They will have all the way until 6 p.m. to enjoy it, so that's a good chunk of time for the park to get packed. It's not like they would only have 2 hours to play and then have to leave. They will have all day, up until party time.

We don't know for sure that it will be like this, but this would be my guess.

But I don't think it will be so horrible that you can't move around or get anything done, by any means. I think it would be like any other really crowded day.

I'm a little sad that the party is at DL this year. On the 1st, we'll probably spend some time during the day with friends and family. But since we'll probably have the 5-day tickets (for the three day price) I was hoping to at least go to the park for a couple hours in the evening before bed. But it will be closed to non-party people. So we probably won't end up using the 5th day of our tickets.

 

[Belle Ella]

I know she has been over on her TR...hopefully she will join us soon! Jazz will be so excited that her entire DLR trip will be full of HalloweenTime-y goodness...except for the fireworks and the MHP!

Jazz just got home from work Figures the one day this week I'm not home is when we get info. OK, BRB, got some reading to do!

 

[Sherry E]

So, let’s recap the main things we have learned today in case anyone is just now tuning in for the first time:

• HalloweenTime at Disneyland Resort will begin on Friday, September 17, 2010.

• Mickey’s Halloween Party (formerly called Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party) will, indeed, be moving over to Disneyland.

• Mickey’s Halloween Party will be held every Tuesday and Friday night in October, and on Halloween night, for a total of 10 nights. The dates of the party will be:

Fri., Oct. 1
Tues., Oct. 5
Fri., Oct. 8
Tues., Oct. 12
Fri.; Oct. 15
Tues., Oct. 19
Fri., Oct. 22
Tues., Oct. 26
Fri., Oct. 29
Sun., Oct. 31

• Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party will go on sale to (we think) Disney Visa card holders, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members and (definitely) Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders on Friday, June 4th. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 16th. Prices are unknown at this time but are likely to be higher than when the Trick or Treat Party was in DCA.

• The Halloween Screams fireworks will be exclusive to Mickey’s Halloween Party guests, and not shown to non-party guests during the rest of the season.

• More treat stations and more treats will be added to the MHP in DL.

• MHP guests will have 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. We also assume that most of the DL restaurants will remain open during the MHP.

• MHP guests can start the party early and enter Disneyland at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and 4:00 p.m. on Fridays. The official event starts at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and 7:00 p.m. on Fridays, and Halloween. However, regular, non-MHP guests who attend DL earlier in the day on MHP days can stay until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and until 7:00 p.m. on Fridays and Halloween, so there will be a bit of an overlap time. We assume that a wrist band system will be put into effect to identify the MHP guests and the non-guests. We are unclear at this time of when the MHP will end on Tuesdays and Fridays and Halloween.

• We should find out the full scoop on HalloweenTime and its agenda of activities and attractions in mid-July (I’m guessing July 16, as that is when MHP tickets go on sale to the general public).



I think that pretty much sums it up for now, unless I left out something major.

 

[AmyPond]

I missed it. Which website said the Halloween decorations would be up by the 17th?

 

[Sherry E]

I missed it. Which website said the Halloween decorations would be up by the 17th?

It's mentioned on the same Disney Parks Blog page where the MHP info came in. Heather from Disney is replying to comments and questions and she said Halloweentime will begin on September 17.

Halloween Time begins September 17.

 

[kiwitinkerbell]

So, let’s recap the main things we have learned today in case anyone is just now tuning in for the first time:

• HalloweenTime at Disneyland Resort will begin on Friday, September 17, 2010.

• Mickey’s Halloween Party (formerly called Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party) will, indeed, be moving over to Disneyland.

• Mickey’s Halloween Party will be held every Tuesday and Friday night in October, and on Halloween night, for a total of 10 nights. The dates of the party will be:

Fri., Oct. 1
Tues., Oct. 5
Fri., Oct. 8
Tues., Oct. 12
Fri.; Oct. 15
Tues., Oct. 19
Fri., Oct. 22
Tues., Oct. 26
Fri., Oct. 29
Sun., Oct. 31

• Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party will go on sale to (we think) Disney Visa card holders, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members and (definitely) Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders on Friday, June 4th. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 16th. Prices are unknown at this time but are likely to be higher than when the Trick or Treat Party was in DCA.

• The Halloween Screams fireworks will be exclusive to Mickey’s Halloween Party guests, and not shown to non-party guests during the rest of the season.

• More treat stations and more treats will be added to the MHP in DL.

• MHP guests will have 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. We also assume that most of the DL restaurants will remain open during the MHP.

• MHP guests can start the party early and enter Disneyland at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and 4:00 p.m. on Fridays. The official event starts at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and 7:00 p.m. on Fridays, and Halloween. However, regular, non-MHP guests who attend DL earlier in the day on MHP days can stay until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and until 7:00 p.m. on Fridays and Halloween, so there will be a bit of an overlap time. We assume that a wrist band system will be put into effect to identify the MHP guests and the non-guests. We are unclear at this time of when the MHP will end on Tuesdays and Fridays and Halloween.

• We should find out the full scoop on HalloweenTime and its agenda of activities and attractions in mid-July (I’m guessing July 16, as that is when MHP tickets go on sale to the general public).



I think that pretty much sums it up for now, unless I left out something major.

Oh thanks so much for the information. I just can't decided if we should do the MHP or not. (never been good at decisions! ) It's just that we don't really celebrate Halloween in New Zealand and wont have any children with us. It will just be my friend and I (both late 40's). We will be in DLR Oct 3-8 and will have park tickets anyway. I guess what I'm asking is for you to sell it to me?????

 

[Sherry E]

Oh thanks so much for the information. I just can't decided if we should do the MHP or not. (never been good at decisions! ) It's just that we don't really celebrate Halloween in New Zealand and wont have any children with us. It will just be my friend and I (both late 40's). We will be in DLR Oct 3-8 and will have park tickets anyway. I guess what I'm asking is for you to sell it to me?????

You're welcome. We got very lucky that Tdashgirl, MattsPrincess, iKristin and stitch4336 came through with a huge part of the vital info we had all been waiting on! Many thanks to them! I just kind of bullet-pointed it all so people new to the thread could see the latest news.

Well, I don't know if I can convincingly sell you on going to MHP because I am not certain if I am 100% interested in going yet myself. Price will play a big factor in that and will help me decide if getting candy, seeing extra characters in Halloween gear and posing for special photo ops, as well as seeing the Halloween Screams fireworks again, will be worth the extra money! My friends and I also don't have kids, and we wouldn't be going to the party in costume or anything if we went. It would just be us adults, roaming around.

One thing I have to say is that I am very, very interested to know what the layout will be for the MHP in DL. Like, for example, they turned Pacific Wharf into Pirate's Wharf in DCA for previous TOTP's. Can they recreate a Pirate's Wharf (or similar area) in NOS in DL, or will that be too much of a hassle with all the Haunted Mansion Holiday madness in that area? I would also be interested to know if they are going to do anything spooky to the Castle, and maybe have some villains posing for pictures in front of it. If yes to both of these things, that may push me more into wanting to go than to not go.

 

[stitch4336]

I don't need no convincing I'm definitely going
We have never been at Halloween and we are SO excited to go! We don't have children, so just two adults in their 30-somethings having a blast! After looking at all the pictures, we ARE convinced we want to do costumes - just trying to come up with what we want to do.