Halloween Time Superthread 2019: "Oogie Boogie Bash" Party to Be Held in DCA ONLY! and Other Halloween Time Information

[GenGen22]

Does this mean that HM won’t close in August to install the Halloween overlay?

On the DL website it still shows the HM overlay so, that is still happening.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

The ghost galaxy and NBC overlays are so popular... the GG overlay takes a day turn around, and they have NBC up until after New Years... I am sure they will both be billed as atmosphere for the DL park with DCA having the party. I wouldn’t doubt everything... the dia de los muertos in both parks, the Halloween tree, all the pumpkins... still happening. I think logistically they just needed to keep DL open to everyone all those nights for SWGE.

 

[CarolynFH]

The NBC overlay isn't MHP specific -- it is for all of Halloween Time through the end of Holiday Time -- so HM should still go down in August for the overlay installation. Since Halloween Time begins 9/06, I'm guessing that HM should go down 8/19.

On the DL website it still shows the HM overlay so, that is still happening.

Thanks. That's a bummer - we'll be there at the end of August, first time in three years, and HM was closed for refurbishment then (Feb. 2016) too! Oh well!

 

[dcraythorn]

According the the blog post, https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ure-park-tickets-on-sale-beginning-next-week/,

Take note of these important dates and mark your calendars:

• April 23: Tickets on sale to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Visa card holders
• April 30: Tickets on sale to general public
• Oogie Boogie Bash 2019 dates: Sept. 17, Sept. 19, Sept. 22, Sept. 24, Sept. 26, Sept. 29, Oct. 1, Oct. 3, Oct. 6, Oct. 8, Oct. 10, Oct. 13, Oct. 15, Oct. 17, Oct. 20, Oct. 22, Oct. 24, Oct. 27, Oct. 29 and Oct. 31

I'm curious how this works, I'm guessing the Visa card holders and DVC members have to call? Maybe someone else can confirm how this is done, but it appears DVC and the card holders can buy on the 23rd.

Thank you for answering my question. Last year I had to call to get my tickets since I used my Disney Visa...

 

[VandVsmama]

Bleh. If we were going to DL this October, no way would I pay extra for a Halloween party at DCA. No thanks.

 

[figment_jii]

As mentioned, the Disneyland Website explicitly mentions Costumed Characters, HMH, and the Main Street Pumpkin Festival will be back this year (they all have their own sub-webpages in the new layout). The Dia de Los Muertos and Plaza de Familia webpages haven't migrated and the Ghost Galaxy page has been eaten by Stitch. So at this point, we know at least HMH and the pumpkins will be back. I also think both Dia de los Muertos and the Plaza will be back, along with SM:GG. That being said, has anyone heard any rumors/info about whether HyperSpace Mountain might be returning this year because of SW:GE? If they do bring that back, then there might be a small chance that SM:GG won't return because of HyperSpace's popularity.

In terms of the Disney Visa, I would have the number handy just in case you can't make the purchase online. Last year's announcement had the same language about AP, DVC, and DRVC all have early access to purchasing tickets, but in the end DRVC holders had to call to get early tickets.

 

[GeneralTso]

I'm SO excited to see this change! It's going to be fantastic. They are going to blow it out for this. We're there!

 

[GianN]

Hmm. Wednesday could be more crowded, however, you won't have to deal with one park having significantly shorter hours, and everyone migrating over to the other park when it closes. So I personally would pick Wednesday, if I only had one day. The key with Disneyland is starting early in the morning before crowds build. You'd be surprised at how much you get done by noon if you are diligent.

thanks for the answer.

 

[dina444444]

thanks for the answer.

If the park hours are like this past year the parks should be open 8am-12am for all of October.

 

[ChrissyLou]

Not surprised at the change, many suspected this was coming. I'm on the fence about whether I want to buy tickets or not. We'll be there September 14-18th so could attend the first night, but it's quite a big expense in addition to regular park tickets. We have attended the Halloween parties at both DCA (2007) and DL (2016) more recently and it's hard for me to say which I prefer. Kids were much smaller so it was just a different experience all the way around at DCA, but I do remember it was much less crowded than the one at DL. We missed out on Halloween Screams due to wind, but the Cadaver Dans along Rivers of America was pretty cool, although they could certainly be put somewhere in DCA. My guess is we'll pass on it, but I could change my mind -- glad I have a few days to decide. The parties were the whole reason I became a Disney Visa card holder years ago. I wouldn't think where the party was held would affect the decorations or ride overlays at DL, I am expecting (hoping) there is no change there.

Maybe I missed it, but I noticed a couple comments that referred to no park hopping would be allowed and I don't understand what this means - since the party is a hard ticketed event, I just didn't see a correlation? Can someone explain.

 

[Vala]

I'm also one of those who remember the Halloween parties when they were in DCA, back then. I have very fond memories - meeting Bo Peep, Bowler Hat Guy etc. But the parties have come a long way since then. So has the Halloween decoration and athmosphere in both parks. Cars Land is great, and last year I made it a point out of being on Carthay Circle a number of times just to see the night athmosphere starting there.

It will be different this year than the party we got used to, yes. But the change is offering a whole new world of opportunities now. The Redwood Creek trail is actually something a friend and I had discussed last week as one of our dreams. He saw the news this morning and jokingly asked me "have they hacked us?"

If you're coming for rides mainly I can see why you'd be disappointed. But character and entertainment wise I am personally ridiculously excited, and so are some of my local friends. Two of them always refused to go, and when I started screeching in joy they immediately said "I'll be there" upon receiving the news.

 

[midnight star]

Not surprised at the change, many suspected this was coming. I'm on the fence about whether I want to buy tickets or not. We'll be there September 14-18th so could attend the first night, but it's quite a big expense in addition to regular park tickets. We have attended the Halloween parties at both DCA (years ago) and DL more recently and it's hard for me to say which I prefer. Kids were much smaller so it was just a different experience all the way around at DCA, but I do remember it was much less crowded than the one at DL we attended in 2016. We missed out on Halloween Screams due to wind, but the Cadaver Dans along Rivers of America was pretty cool, although they could certainly be put somewhere in DCA. My guess is we'll pass on it, but I could change my mind -- glad I have a few days to decide. The the parties were the whole reason I became a Disney Visa card holder years ago.

Maybe I missed it, but I noticed a couple comments that referred to no park hopping would be allowed and I don't understand what this means - since the party is a hard ticketed event, I just didn't see a correlation? Can someone explain.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But I believe prior to 2017, if you had a Halloween party ticket you were only allowed into DL 3 hours before, but couldn’t go to DCA. In 2017, the prices went way up, but you could parkhop all night long with party tickets, even though the party offerings were only at DL. Same in 2018, and I believe maxpass was included for photos, and you could potentially book rides for DCA or DL during the 3 hour overlap.

 

[midnight star]

Does anyone know what time of day tickets typically go on sale for these things? I have an annual pass so I will be purchasing on the first day.

Midnight pacific time.
Be aware that last year during the AP presale the site crashed, and many orders didn’t go through (I was one it happened to, but my card got charged). I ended up going to the park that weekend to buy my tickets in person.

 

[ChrissyLou]

Oh thanks for the explanation. However if one has regular tickets or park hoppers you could certainly go between parks, just no park hopping using your hard ticket only. I get it now.

 

[midnight star]

Oh thanks for the explanation. However if one has regular tickets or park hoppers you could certainly go between parks, just no park hopping using your hard ticket only. I get it now.

Yep! That was a big perk for me in 2017 when I didn’t have a pass or regular park tickets! I enjoyed being able to hang in DCA and let the regular day crowds clear out of DL before heading into the party. That’s less of a perk now that I have a pass, but my aunt normally comes to the party with me and she doesn’t have one so she likes that it’s a hopper.

 

[GianN]

If the park hours are like this past year the parks should be open 8am-12am for all of October.

Any idea of when they will publish the park hours of September/October?

thanks

 

[dina444444]

Any idea of when they will publish the park hours of September/October?

thanks

Hours are published 6 weeks before on a daily rolling basis.

 

[tarheelalum]

Does the DCA party mean they won't be having a special ticket party at DL this year?

Sounds like its finished at DL. Another victim of SWGE.

 

[GenGen22]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But I believe prior to 2017, if you had a Halloween party ticket you were only allowed into DL 3 hours before, but couldn’t go to DCA. In 2017, the prices went way up, but you could parkhop all night long with party tickets, even though the party offerings were only at DL. Same in 2018, and I believe maxpass was included for photos, and you could potentially book rides for DCA or DL during the 3 hour overlap.

This is accurate!

 

[GenGen22]

I'm also one of those who remember the Halloween parties when they were in DCA, back then. I have very fond memories - meeting Bo Peep, Bowler Hat Guy etc. But the parties have come a long way since then. So has the Halloween decoration and athmosphere in both parks. Cars Land is great, and last year I made it a point out of being on Carthay Circle a number of times just to see the night athmosphere starting there.

It will be different this year than the party we got used to, yes. But the change is offering a whole new world of opportunities now. The Redwood Creek trail is actually something a friend and I had discussed last week as one of our dreams. He saw the news this morning and jokingly asked me "have they hacked us?"

If you're coming for rides mainly I can see why you'd be disappointed. But character and entertainment wise I am personally ridiculously excited, and so are some of my local friends. Two of them always refused to go, and when I started screeching in joy they immediately said "I'll be there" upon receiving the news.

We don't do a lot of rides during the party either. We focus on party specifics like the parade, fireworks, character meet and greets and trick or treating. I wonder if they will have an area like the Toon Town pre-party. This is where we always start our night and now have to learn a new strategy. Of course last year our strategy was all thrown off as we went with some family members who did things differently than we did. We would also always have dinner at Plaza Inn so, we will have to figure out a new place to eat at as well.