HalloweenTime at DLR Info and Photo Superthread #3

[Sherry E]

Lucrezia -

That's one of my gauges for determining if the park is crowded -- how many run-ins with strollers I have! At my last MHP in 2011, my ankles were getting banged into -- and that included in the treat trail lines!

I think that I mentioned in the Halloween Time podcast (that the Unplugged team and I did in September) that at one point I was caught in a mob of people trying to escape from Town Square (on the night of that Unleash the Villains madness). No one was moving. We were all just stuck there for a couple of minutes.

At one point, one of the people with strollers who was caught in the same mob of people said, "There are people with strollers trying to get through" as if that was suddenly going to part the masses and pave a way for them. I understand -- it's very nerve-wracking when someone is stuck in a huge mass of non-moving people and they have a child in a stroller but when the crowd isn't moving at all, it's not going to move for the stroller folks either.

 

[tlovesdis]

Has anyone that has been to a party watched the fireworks from the Jolly Holiday seating area? And if so, about what time should we try to get a table?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tdhickey]

Has anyone that has been to a party watched the fireworks from the Jolly Holiday seating area? And if so, about what time should we try to get a table?

Thanks in advance!

I tried, it's kind of a bad idea since trees can block your view, however you need at least 1.5 hours in advance to get a good spot. Honestly, middle of mainstreet near the circle (about 20 steps away from Jolly Holiday) is way better. Basically you need to get your seat before the parade as people sit there for both.

 

[Padres19]

What are the 13 surprises? Not that I'm asking anyone to give away the secret, I just need to know what to look for.

As of October 4th, they have added 13 surprises to the Haunted Mansion. They have even put up banners along the wait area lines. Each room has a surprise that is a set of 13 things or has the number 13. I don't want to give them away, but there are four that I have found from doing simple web searches, and another four that we found when we went on the ride. But the other five are a total mystery to me. Since it has been disclosed in several media outlets (including the official Disneyland Blog), I can give you one example (spoiler alert...stop reading if you do NOT want to know): The one example that has officially been given out is to look in Zero's bowl in the hall scene and count the bones.

 

[dnamertz]

My suggestion to avoid the major crowds is to get as far away from Main Street as you possibly can. Get to the back of the park and stay there. Avoid new Orleans Square and the Partners Statue if you can. Find the back ways into different lands~ I found those a lot less crowded. I was trapped and couldn't even get down Main Street at one point to leave so I took the back way to the Ranch and stayed there for awhile. Then when I tried to leave through FantasyLand it was grid locked~ people would not let you through. So I sat for about 20 minutes in the closed smoking section across from the ranch. Then made my way down Main Street. We watched the fireworks from the back where the big Mickey Pumpkin was and had the area to ourselves. We could see Zero fly but no projections. As soon as the fireworks were over we scooted out and missed the main exodus because we were ahead of the crowds. Ride times were short if you could get to them with the exception of HMH and SMGG. We rode Splash Mountain 3 times walking right on but then got trapped in the New Orleans mob. Just go in prepared~ we weren't since it was the first party! Study the map and find the back ways.

Do the crowds on Main Street and New Orleans Square thin out during the last couple hours of the party...like maybe after the fireworks? I definitely want to see New Orleans Square when the Cadavar Dans are performing. Do they only perform at certain times?

Also, are there any "don't miss" treat trails that are decorated (such as The Golden Horseshoe)? Or are they all just roped off lines?

 

[DisFam95]

Eeekk! Bags are in the car..going to pick up the kids from school and off to the Land!! Party tomorrow night!!

I swear I have heart palpitations!

 

[Kiwigirls]

Eeekk! Bags are in the car..going to pick up the kids from school and off to the Land!! Party tomorrow night!!

I swear I have heart palpitations!

Enjoy DisFam95! We are a week.away and getting so excited already, I can only imagine what we'll be like in a week!!

 

[tlovesdis]

Eeekk! Bags are in the car..going to pick up the kids from school and off to the Land!! Party tomorrow night!!

I swear I have heart palpitations!

Have fun! We leave in 13 days!!! Can't wait!!

 

[perlster]

are there any "don't miss" treat trails that are decorated (such as The Golden Horseshoe)? Or are they all just roped off lines?

There are the characters at Rancho Del Zocalo, going through the houses in Toontown, and some decorations at the Golden Horseshoe, such as:


Medusa portrait by perlster, on Flickr

 

[Jenn1116]

Does the train run during the party? Thinking we can start at the Toontown pre-party and hop the train to Main Street to do the villians first thing then get away from Main Street til fireworks.

 

[Jenn1116]

Thanks so much Padres19!

 

[Morgan063006]

Does the train run during the party? Thinking we can start at the Toontown pre-party and hop the train to Main Street to do the villians first thing then get away from Main Street til fireworks.

Yes. We took the last train from Toon Town to Main St at 11:30ish on the 9/27 party.

 

[ScrtSolstice]

October 23rd is now SOLD OUT.
I understand being Money Conscious....
However, as you are waiting, you risk October 21 selling out too.

Good luck

Geemo

Well that solves my dilemma of whether or not to get a second set Lol!
I bought our 21st tickets before any dates were sold out so that's good at least. Thanks for the response

 

[dnamertz]

The images I was refering to on the Rivers of America were projected on spraying water (like they do during Fantasmic). They displayed Jack and various images that went with the music playing during the fireworks. They also did he same thing with projections on the front of Small World, including projecting Jack's face on the clock face. The videos I saw of this were form previous years, but I'd like to know if they still do this.

For anyone who attends one of the parties in the next week and 1/2, can you let me know whether they still have the projections on IASW or Rivers Of America during the fireworks...if you happen to be in that area?

 

[WestMom2two]

Can anybody tell me what the free trick or treat bag looks like? The one they give you when you enter the party. I was wondering if I should buy the kids one from the park or if the free one is cute and durable. Thanks

 

[Riahsha]

Everything is ready (I hope). Going to try to get some sleep and head out as early as we can.
Be back Sunday the 20th!

 

[Dot2Vegas]

Can anybody tell me what the free trick or treat bag looks like? The one they give you when you enter the party. I was wondering if I should buy the kids one from the park or if the free one is cute and durable. Thanks

They are small, and more like a disposable type bag. Although my kids keep theirs for a while. The bags this year advertised Frozen on one side and I think the muppets on the other. If the trick or treating is important then I would get a different bag. For us the candy is secondary so the free bags are fine.

 

[WestMom2two]

They are small, and more like a disposable type bag. Although my kids keep theirs for a while. The bags this year advertised Frozen on one side and I think the muppets on the other. If the trick or treating is important then I would get a different bag. For us the candy is secondary so the free bags are fine.

Thank you. As of right now Trick or Treating is our main thing since we have young kids but were flexible if the kids find interest in something else

 

[Amommy21]

O.K. all this talk of "being trapped" and stand still walkways sounds like these parties are crowded! That's frustrating to hear.

At this point I am just glad we scheduled our trip through Monday, knowing that Monday we can have the parks to ourselves.

But it's a shame our first day (Friday Daytime and our Halloween Party) sounds to be crazy busy.

At least the weather looks to be good so far.

I am trying to concentrate on other little touches for our visit. DH moved our reservations from the Paradise Pier to the Hilton Convention Center because he saved $1000 and decided to book us end of February AND Spring Break (we usually only do February). Since we won't be at a Disney property and it is a special trip as it is DS's birthday I am sewing a cute banner to put up and gathering fairy dust, balloons and such so the room isn't so bland.

I was so excited to finally get to visit during real Halloween time, but these reports are all sounding too much like Christmas Chaos to me. We actually had an incident trying to get out of a bottle necked exit at Disneyland on Christmas afternoon. The park was closing so regular guests had to leave, the parade had just ended and they were letting in cast member families at the same time for their party. A logistical nightmare and dangerous situation for anyone with little kids.

 

[figment_jii]

Thank you. As of right now Trick or Treating is our main thing since we have young kids but were flexible if the kids find interest in something else

I would bring sturdy/bigger bags with you if you plan to do a lot of trick-or-treating. The little ones will fill up pretty quickly, especially if you get carrots, apple slices, and/or potato chips (those are all pretty bulky). The bags are sturdy enough, but they do get heavy.