HalloweenTime at DLR Info and Photo Superthread #3

[pixey-d]

Thanks guys that helps me plan a little better.

 

[Sherry E]

Hey Sherry! I'm pretty sure that you are right. I just went over my last years party pics & the cavalcade shots are after the fireworks. They are heading towards Its A Small World. Oh how I wish we were going again this year! I'll have to live vicariously through all of you!!

I remember it the same way, Sherry!

Sally_fan and SueTGGR --

Okay, so you both (and figment_jii) remember the same path of the Cavalcade for both showings. We can't all be wrong, so I will assume that we are all correct -- and there is photographic evidence to prove it!

Sally_fan -- I know how you feel. I kind of told myself a while ago that, while I enjoy the MHP, I feel that I can skip it every so often -- maybe every other year or so -- if there is not really anything new happening during the party. My main thing is being there for Halloween Time, the season, and the MHP is kind of icing on the Halloween cake, as it were.

But then...when I do skip a year, I end up regretting it and wishing I had gone! I don't like to be out of the MHP loop for too long, so I would never skip it for too many years, but at the same time there are some years when it is just not as possible as other times to go.

Christmas in July??? Sherry, this is for you!

"Celebrate Christmas in July
July 22 to July 28, 2013

Deck the halls early, courtesy of some midsummer Limited Time Magic! Stop by the China Closet in Disneyland Park and Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure Park, as well as the World of Disney Store at Downtown Disney District where you can find all-new, magical ear hat ornaments—each featuring delightful depictions of Santa Mickey and popular park attractions too. And for a treat your sweet tooth will enjoy, savor the merry flavor down on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park with a Peppermint Sundae from Gibson Girl Ice Cream. Or, jaunt over to Jolly Holiday Bakery and Café for gingerbread cookies, cupcakes, iced peppermint mochas and more!"


I know we are all about Halloween but I know how a lot of us love the Christmastime and I figured if anyone was going to be there this month....plus if I remember correctly Sherry has a thing fro peppermint? I know I do. Wish I lived closer I would be there every day, if I could!

SueTGGR --

Thank you for thinking of me! You are correct -- I love me some peppermint ice cream! Yum! I don't necessarily want one of the famous giant candy canes that everyone tries to get, but the ice cream is delicious! They'd better still have it at Gibson Girl when the real holiday season rolls around!

So, DLR is jumping on the Christmas in July bandwagon! Interesting. Very interesting. It is becoming quite the phenomenon. That is happening next week, eh? Right after my birthday. Hmmm.... Well, I hate Summer (as it is, I am going to be slathering on the 110 SPF sunscreen in a couple of days as I spend an entire day in the hot sun), but now that they are throwing Christmasy stuff into the mix at DLR, that changes things! I might have to ponder that idea a bit. I think I have an Earl of Sandwich free sandwich coupon for my birthday that is good for a month or so. A Cannonballs meatball sandwich, a gingerbread cookie and a peppermint sundae might not be a bad belated birthday/Christmas in July feast!

We have a lot of crossover people between this thread and the Christmas Superthread! Many of us embrace both seasons, which is why I invited the peeps from this thread to join in the Theme Week Countdown in the Christmas Superthread (starting August 5th). Some folks are exclusively in the Halloween or the holiday season camps, but I know that many of us love them both!!

 

[dnamertz]

When we had our meal at Cafe Orleans during Halloweentime last year (end of October) they offered pumpkin beignets with vanilla bean creme anglaise & raspberry coulis. They were amazing!
edited to add: We were there through Halloween & into November.

That sounds good, but I've gotta try the gingerbread beignets, especially with the eggnog anglaise.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Okay, so we bought our tix for our first MHP. So I've been trying to get more info about what to expect. We are definitely excited to meet some great villians. We're super excited about the Monsters U frat party. But I watched a parade video, and didn't see any grave diggers. Which I always thought looked awesome at MNSSHP. Does MHP have grave diggers? What else should I be looking forward to? What is the cavalcade? TIA DISers!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, so we bought our tix for our first MHP. So I've been trying to get more info about what to expect. We are definitely excited to meet some great villians. We're super excited about the Monsters U frat party. But I watched a parade video, and didn't see any grave diggers. Which I always thought looked awesome at MNSSHP. Does MHP have grave diggers? What else should I be looking forward to? What is the cavalcade? TIA DISers!

CluelessDisFan -

To begin with, you should not expect to find any traces of the Boo to You parade from MNSSHP at the MHP in Disneyland. Boo to You (though I have not seen it first-hand) is, by most accounts, the superior event. It is an actual parade, complete with the Headless Horseman and all of that.

The Cavalcade at the MHP is a shorter mini-parade, with characters in costume marching along and some little floats, like a pirate Mickey head and that sort of thing. Some folks think it's very cute. Others think it is a pitiful attempt at having some sort of Halloween parade. I'm not really sure why Disney won't invest the money to have a full-fledged, real Halloween parade, quite frankly.

If you go in thinking that you are getting Boo to You, you will be disappointed. So wipe all thoughts of Boo to You from your mind and go in with a clean slate!

Everything else I think we have discussed at length in this thread over the last month or two. And there have been pictures posted here as well.

You'll see characters in costume, at many different photo spots. Some of the Villains (Frollo, for example) are not as common; some are very common (Cruella).

You'll see many different treat trails and treat stations all around the park, and lots of candy being handed out. Inside the Golden Horseshoe there are some extra decorations on the treat trail.

You'll see the Halloween Screams fireworks, which are awesome.

You'll see many guests in elaborate costumes (many guests are not in costume as well).

You'll see some merchandise (like pins and t-shirts) that is solely for the MHP.

You'll see all kinds of spooky projections on various facades, on the ground, on the Castle, etc. -- pumpkins, spiders/webs, skulls and crossbones, bats, etc.

You'll see creepy fog blanketing the Rivers of America and some areas back near the Big Thunder Ranch/Halloween Carnival area. There is also some creepy lighting here and there.

You'll see the Ray Bradbury Halloween tree lit up at night (but you can see that outside of the MHP too, on a regular Halloween Time night).

I don't know if these guys were at the MHP last year, but at my last party there were one or two 'scarecrow dudes' stationed in a particular spot in DL. I don't even really want to say where because it will spoil the surprise. Suffice it to say these are "living" scarecrows who talk. If they are still there you will find them!

​

That's the gist of it, give or take a couple of small things here and there. You'll have fun, I think!

 

[mom2rtk]

To begin with, you should not expect to find any traces of the Boo to You parade from MNSSHP at the MHP in Disneyland. Boo to You (though I have not seen it first-hand) is, by most accounts, the superior event. It is an actual parade, complete with the Headless Horseman and all of that.

The Cavalcade at the MHP is a mini-parade, with characters in costume marching along and some little floats, like a pirate Mickey head and that sort of thing. Some folks think it's very cute. Others think it is a pitiful attempt at having some sort of Halloween parade. I'm not really sure why Disney won't invest the money to have a full-fledged, real Halloween parade, quite frankly.

Hey Sherry!

My thought is that DLR already sells out all (or most) of their party nights, so what is to be gained by spending more to develop the cavalcade into a full parade? I'm surprised they don't add more party nights. But I suppose DLR is just that much different from WDW in that when they close early, there aren't as many other parks for guests to choose from.

I'd still love to make it to MHP one day, but it sort of scares me off that they all sell out!

 

[Sherry E]

Hey Sherry!

My thought is that DLR already sells out all (or most) of their party nights, so what is to be gained by spending more to develop the cavalcade into a full parade? I'm surprised they don't add more party nights. But I suppose DLR is just that much different from WDW in that when they close early, there aren't as many other parks for guests to choose from.

I'd still love to make it to MHP one day, but it sort of scares me off that they all sell out!

Hi, Janet!

It's kind of a Catch 22 -- I also think WDW can get away with having more party nights because they have an awesome "real" parade (a reason to buy a MNSSHP ticket), as well as Halloween fireworks! We have awesome fireworks but a sub-par, shorter Cavalcade! Very true -- there are not as many other options for people who don't wish to attend the MHP at DLR, so Disney always has to take that into consideration. If we had 3 other parks to go to instead of just one, maybe Disney would do more. They should at least offer an alternate Halloween Time option in DCA for those who don't want to buy an MHP ticket.

Last year DLR sold out all of the MHP nights but possibly one (even though I think that one sold out at the very last minute). Prior to last year there used to be some nights left open and only particular nights would sell out. I think that last year the 'more elusive Villains' aspect of Halloween Time really contributed to the MHP sellouts because there was no other way to meet a lot of Villains at one time unless you bought an MHP ticket. That was new as of last year. You could "conjure up a Villain" at the Halloween Carnival, but only one at a time, and not in the same way as when the Villains had been set up for photos pre-2012 (out in the open).

I also think the newness of the "re-imagined" DCA last year contributed to the number of MHP sellouts -- there were already many people in the parks to see DCA, so they decided to visit the MHP while there!

This year there are two additional party nights, up from the 11 parties last year. It is possible -- though I don't know how likely -- that 13 party nights may not sell out if there is nothing new added to the MHP.

The fact that there will be Villains out and about on Friday, 9/13 at the Unleash the Villains event in DL (for free, no extra charge, we are assuming) may serve to pop that 'Villain novelty balloon' a bit, and bring down ticket sales just a tad. If there were people who bought tickets for the MHP last year just so they could meet Villains, and this year they can meet a lot of them on 9/13 for no extra charge, there may be a few less MHP tickets sold. It might not have a big influence, or it might have a very big influence. But time will tell, as we push through summer to get to Halloween Time.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

CluelessDisFan -

To begin with, you should not expect to find any traces of the Boo to You parade from MNSSHP at the MHP in Disneyland. Boo to You (though I have not seen it first-hand) is, by most accounts, the superior event. It is an actual parade, complete with the Headless Horseman and all of that.

The Cavalcade at the MHP is a shorter mini-parade, with characters in costume marching along and some little floats, like a pirate Mickey head and that sort of thing. Some folks think it's very cute. Others think it is a pitiful attempt at having some sort of Halloween parade. I'm not really sure why Disney won't invest the money to have a full-fledged, real Halloween parade, quite frankly.

If you go in thinking that you are getting Boo to You, you will be disappointed. So wipe all thoughts of Boo to You from your mind and go in with a clean slate!

Everything else I think we have discussed at length in this thread over the last month or two. And there have been pictures posted here as well.

You'll see characters in costume, at many different photo spots. Some of the Villains (Frollo, for example) are not as common; some are very common (Cruella).

You'll see many different treat trails and treat stations all around the park, and lots of candy being handed out. Inside the Golden Horseshoe there are some extra decorations on the treat trail.

You'll see the Halloween Screams fireworks, which are awesome.

You'll see many guests in elaborate costumes (many guests are not in costume as well).

You'll see some merchandise (like pins and t-shirts) that is solely for the MHP.

You'll see all kinds of spooky projections on various facades, on the ground, on the Castle, etc. -- pumpkins, spiders/webs, skulls and crossbones, bats, etc.

You'll see creepy fog blanketing the Rivers of America and some areas back near the Big Thunder Ranch/Halloween Carnival area. There is also some creepy lighting here and there.

You'll see the Ray Bradbury Halloween tree lit up at night (but you can see that outside of the MHP too, on a regular Halloween Time night).

I don't know if these guys were at the MHP last year, but at my last party there were one or two 'scarecrow dudes' stationed in a particular spot in DL. I don't even really want to say where because it will spoil the surprise. Suffice it to say these are "living" scarecrows who talk. If they are still there you will find them!

​

That's the gist of it, give or take a couple of small things here and there. You'll have fun, I think!

Thank you. I think that it's probably better the parade isn't really a full blown parade. We tend to skip the parades usually anyhow. I will be on the look out for the scarecrows.

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you. I think that it's probably better the parade isn't really a full blown parade. We tend to skip the parades usually anyhow. I will be on the look out for the scarecrows.

You're welcome!

I am not much of a parade person myself. If it's a really good parade I will watch it (the Christmas Fantasy Parade is a good one, but I've seen it often enough that I can skip it for the next several years!), but I don't tend to carve out time in my day to watch a parade. I would love to see a DLR equivalent of Boo to You, because from all of the photos I've seen Boo to You is great. Otherwise, I can take or leave most parades!

 

[Lucrezia]

I have a question... so, assuming that most of the restaurants in DL close during MHP---I think I read that somewhere---I was wondering if some of the nicer ones would bother opening for dinner at all on MHP nights when they'd have to close an hour later for the party? In other words, are the restaurants open at 5 o'clock, despite having to close at 6 during Mondays and Wednesdays? Or do they close after lunch service ends? Sorry if this is a hard question Just curious!

 

[DisneyFan3113]

I have a question... so, assuming that most of the restaurants in DL close during MHP---I think I read that somewhere---I was wondering if some of the nicer ones would bother opening for dinner at all on MHP nights when they'd have to close an hour later for the party? In other words, are the restaurants open at 5 o'clock, despite having to close at 6 during Mondays and Wednesdays? Or do they close after lunch service ends? Sorry if this is a hard question Just curious!

Good question! I was also wondering what time the restaurants close. We'd been planning on going to Blue Bayou the night of the 21st, but with MHP, now I'm not sure if they'll even be open for dinner.

 

[Sally_fan]

Sally_fan and SueTGGR --

Okay, so you both (and figment_jii) remember the same path of the Cavalcade for both showings. We can't all be wrong, so I will assume that we are all correct -- and there is photographic evidence to prove it!

Sally_fan -- I know how you feel. I kind of told myself a while ago that, while I enjoy the MHP, I feel that I can skip it every so often -- maybe every other year or so -- if there is not really anything new happening during the party. My main thing is being there for Halloween Time, the season, and the MHP is kind of icing on the Halloween cake, as it were.

But then...when I do skip a year, I end up regretting it and wishing I had gone! I don't like to be out of the MHP loop for too long, so I would never skip it for too many years, but at the same time there are some years when it is just not as possible as other times to go.

Hey Sherri- Unless they change things I'd say that we are correct about the parade route! We do have a trip planned but its not during Halloweentime or Christmastime so that bothers me but I AM excited to see HM in its original form. Being a huge NBC fan I will definitely miss the decor of the holidays but its been years since I've seen the halls undecked. lol Halloweentime is my absolute favorite time in DL!! I'm enjoying reading everyone planning their trips & hoping to offer advice whenever possible.


Okay I did that wrong but my response to Sherry E is in the last paragraph..

 

[Sally_fan]

That sounds good, but I've gotta try the gingerbread beignets, especially with the eggnog anglaise.

Definitely ask for them! I don't recall seeing them on the menu but I'm pretty sure a PP mentioned asking for them & getting them.

 

[MissMichigan]

I have a longshot type of question. I've tried asking on my own thread but got no responses, and figured you guys may know.

I'm going from september 6th-8th. I know that's before the Halloween season, and i'm fine with that.

My question is, does anyone know if there is any chance that some of the seasonal foods will already be out? Pumpkin flavored stuff? Apple cider? That sort of thing. TIA.

 

[Sherry E]

I have a longshot type of question. I've tried asking on my own thread but got no responses, and figured you guys may know.

I'm going from september 6th-8th. I know that's before the Halloween season, and i'm fine with that.

My question is, does anyone know if there is any chance that some of the seasonal foods will already be out? Pumpkin flavored stuff? Apple cider? That sort of thing. TIA.

MissMichigan -

It may not be that big of a long shot. It seems to me that I have heard from people in previous years that there are certain Halloween Time food items that appear before the start of the season. I'm not sure if apple cider would be available that early, but you may find the pumpkin raisin muffins with the cream cheese frosting and Mickey pumpkin head on top. The gingerbread cookies with mouse ears are apparently sold year-round now. I would bet that you'd find some of the Halloween cookies in certain shops...and maybe even a Halloween apple or two.

I don't know if the full array of goodies will be available before 9/13 -- for example, I don't know if the pumpkin pie will be served at certain restaurants (like Carnation Cafe and Plaza Inn) that early on -- but I think there is a good chance you will see quite a few seasonal treats already out in the display cases. That is my guess, anyway!

 

[figment_jii]

Hi Sherry E - I just saw on the Christmas thread that it was your birthday on Sunday. Happy (belated) birthday from the Halloween crowd!

 

[Sherry E]

Hi Sherry E - I just saw on the Christmas thread that it was your birthday on Sunday. Happy (belated) birthday from the Halloween crowd!

Thank you so much, figment_jii! I really appreciate it.

I love the Halloween crowd! I always say that the Halloween Superthread and the Christmas Superthread are like my two children!

Just the other day I was thinking that I am already tired of summer and the heat/humidity (though this week is much better, weather-wise), and ready for Halloween Time to begin! I at least want to get to August because then it seems like Halloween is just over the hill, and because various Halloween-related things will begin popping up in stores by that time. July is so far away from Halloween Time!

Of course, Autumn won't officially begin until after Halloween Time has begun, but I am one who actually walks up and down the streets of my neighborhood, monitoring the trees to see which ones have leaves that are going to change color and fall on the ground. In this part of California we don't get the same volume of trees with colored leaves that most other states get, but we have a few...and the leaves do fall in piles all over the ground. To me, Autumn is not Autumn until there are piles of leaves on the ground and a bit of a breeze in the air.

 

[crystal1313]

Hi guys! We are going to our very first Halloween party on the 11th and we are so excited! It will be me, DH, DS5 and DS3, and as I've mentioned before wwe are all dressing like TRON with light up outfits and everything! In fact, my DH is working on them right now. So my question is costume related. To make the costumes light up, it requires wires. And batteries. Will all be wearing a vest over a shirt. My concern is if they make us remove the vest for some reason.....because that's where all the wires are hidden, and that would probably be a huge red flag. I would have never worried about this before, but the last couple times we were there, security had us unzip our jackets at the bag check area. I'm just worried if they ask us to remove our vest it may cause an issue. We plan on trying to cover the wires to the best of our ability (although we haven't figured out how) does anyone know if there are different rules at the security check for the parties? Or are we worrying for nothing? I'd hate to get there and be turned away. My boys would be totally crushed. TIA!

 

[AussieCaribou]

My search isn't working very well on my iPad, so please forgive me if these questions have already been asked and answered.

So, when you have a ticket for the Halloween Party, you can enter the park 3 hours early, in costume. Are the treat trails and characters out at this point, or do we spend the three hour touring normally and then at 6 or 7, the party starts?

Also, since the eateries aren't open all night, is it a good idea to eat during the three hour overlap?

Is the Halloween overlay on Space Mt open during the day or is it just during the party?

My DD is a huge character meet and greet kid. Is there somewhere that I can go to find a list of possible characters out on the night?

Sorry for all the questions - it's my DD's (14) first Halloween experience in the US. She was amazingly lucky when she was 2 and was invited to the American Embassy's party and we don't celebrate Halloween in Australian normally, so we are both really excited and feeling a little overwhelmed.

Thanks!
Aussie-Caribou

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Yes, you get to enter 3 hours early, party doesn't start until 7, so no treats out until then.

Yes, quite a few of the eateries close down. What we like to do is grab the last reservation for Cafe Orleans, something like 5:50. As we are finishing eating, CMs are checking people for wristbands and clearing out non party goers.

Overlays for SM and HM are there all day long, I would recommend hitting those as early as possible, very popular during the party.

We are not huge character fans, so cannot help you on the last one other than last year they had a huge character meet over at Big Thunder Ranch.