HalloweenTime at DLR Info and Photo Superthread #3

[BeccaG]

So here's my conundrum. I was thinking of doing the Halloween party this year as I let my passes expire in June and this can give me my disney fix before I get our new passes in Jan. But now I'm wondering if they are going to do a Christmas ticketed event as some signs are pointing in that direction. No offense to you Halloween lovers but Christmas is by far my personal favorite holiday and I'd rather go to that... When do you think we might know one way or the other on the Christmas parties? In time for me to get tickets for Halloween? Not sure my budget can do both! tia

 

[Sherry E]

Hello!!!

I'm going down on October 7-12!! We'll be in the parks for the Tuesday (8th) and Friday (11th) parties....which should I choose? Tuesday happens to be my birthday, so that's always a bonus. Friday is our very last night there.

also, how crowded should we expect it to be that week?

THANKS IN ADVANCE! So excited!

Dreams

DreamtheImpossible --

Hello!

I think you should do the party on your birthday -- because what better way to spend your birthday?

As for crowds, keep in mind that there seem to be assorted school breaks and things that create bigger crowds in the parks. Also, Columbus Day is on 10/14, so I would imagine that people will begin to arrive for a long weekend on Friday, 10/11.

I think it will be busy -- busier than it used to be in October long ago -- but probably not insanely busy/

So here's my conundrum. I was thinking of doing the Halloween party this year as I let my passes expire in June and this can give me my disney fix before I get our new passes in Jan. But now I'm wondering if they are going to do a Christmas ticketed event as some signs are pointing in that direction. No offense to you Halloween lovers but Christmas is by far my personal favorite holiday and I'd rather go to that... When do you think we might know one way or the other on the Christmas parties? In time for me to get tickets for Halloween? Not sure my budget can do both! tia

BeccaG --

Hello!

No offense taken here! I have both the Halloween and Christmas Superthreads and I adore both holidays, but Christmas has always been my personal favorite too -- and at Disneyland there is much more to do and see for the holiday season. There is no getting around that fact. I wish they would actually build up Halloween Time much more, but that doesn't appear to be happening other than adding in extra party nights. So sometimes, for some people, it may come down to a matter of which season will give you the most bang for your buck if both seasons are not possible.

I don't know if you've followed my Christmas Superthread at all (it seems like you've popped in there at some point, I think?), but there has been a lot of discussion about when or IF a ticketed party is coming for the holidays, and when it would be announced.

I have said to the Christmas thread peeps that my personal feeling -- based on observing what Disney has done in the past with their announcements -- is that IF there is going to be a Christmas party requiring extra tickets, we would probably hear about it from Disney by sometime in August. Maybe late August, like the very last day, but I am thinking August.

The reason I think this is because last year, when the Candlelight Ceremony ran for 20 nights, the Parks Blog did a piece about it in August, to get everyone prepared for it. Something major like a Christmas party -- and it would be major, and it would put a big dent in the regular seasonal entertainment -- would have to be announced early on, to give people from out of state and out of the country a chance to plan trips and figure in the party to their travel budget.

If a Christmas party were to begin in, say, late November, it would make no sense to wait until October or something to tell us. Just as the MHP tickets are on sale now - more than 2-1/2 months before the MHP begins -- I am thinking that Christmas party tickets (if there is a party) would probably go on sale in early September...which would mean the Parks Blog would probably give us a heads up about the party in August.

That's just my educated guess/hunch. However, it is not certain that a party is coming. I think that we are getting a holiday World of Color, and that could possibly be tested this year to see how popular it is, and if it is a success it could be used as an alternative form of entertainment to a Christmas party next year. This year we may possibly get some sort of semi-party (for a few nights), revolving around the Limited Time Magic thing. LTM has to figure in to the holiday season somewhere, but so far we know of nothing happening.

 

[DisneyFan3113]

DisneyFan3113 --

I agree about the new trails. Of course, Toontown has to close early because of the Halloween Screams fireworks, so I don't know how long that specific part of the event will be going on. But Toontown is definitely long overdue for some kind of Halloween attention, seeing that it is supposed to be a neighborhood!

I also think that Cars Land should have some unique Halloween decorations, but I doubt it will.

Yikes is right! Three adults and 6 kids (two of whom are twins)? You have more patience than I... I don't think I'd be able to handle it!

Haha, yeah, its definitely hard sometimes. Luckily my oldest is now 17, so I have some help there... guess he's not so much a "kid" anymore, but I still count him as one I'm really really hoping that Cars Land and BVS do have some Halloween decorations this year, even though I know better than to get my hopes up! Lol! I can only imagine how amazing that would be, and since they did the Christmas decorations there so well, I only think its fair that Halloween get something! Hopefully, Disney listens to us. By the way, Lucrezia, that sounds so cool about doing the three parties! We're going the same time you're going, and thought about doing the three parties ourselves, but DH wasn't so into it and decided to splurge on something else instead---the signature suites at the DLH (which we kind of need seeing as how many people are in our group! Lol) and then a transfer over to the GCH. I'll be curious to know what you think of doing three parties in a row like that!

 

[Crackajac]

Reading everyone racing to get their tickets is making me nervous. Coming from Australia this is a once in a lifetime kinda experience for us. We bought an annual pass but cant activate it until we get there so have to wait for the general public sale. Disney called me yesterday about our reservations so I asked about getting tickets early, the lovely lady on the phone went and called the AP department and they said no I can't activate it early (((

I will be so upset if tickets get sold out and we don't get to surprise miss 8 with her first trick or treat experience.

 

[DisneyFan3113]

Reading everyone racing to get their tickets is making me nervous. Coming from Australia this is a once in a lifetime kinda experience for us. We bought an annual pass but cant activate it until we get there so have to wait for the general public sale. Disney called me yesterday about our reservations so I asked about getting tickets early, the lovely lady on the phone went and called the AP department and they said no I can't activate it early (((

I will be so upset if tickets get sold out and we don't get to surprise miss 8 with her first trick or treat experience.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. The tickets are selling out faster than they used to, true, but they won't disappear overnight. When you're able to purchase them, there should still be plenty available. No worries!

 

[DoughR]

So me and my brother who are AP holders are going with a bunch of our non-AP friends. If we buy today, can we purchase tickets for our friends and if so is it just their regular rate or can we actually get the AP discount for them too? I just want to make sure so I know to get my friends on board with their ticket purchases if they have to wait until next week. Thanks in advance.

 

[Meriweather]

Just got our tickets for Oct. 8

 

[WAMUMOF4]

I just got tickets for the 10/1 and the 10/4 we did 1 party at WDW last year and there was so much to do we wished we could of gone to 2 so excited!

 

[BeccaG]

BeccaG --

Hello!

No offense taken here! I have both the Halloween and Christmas Superthreads and I adore both holidays, but Christmas has always been my personal favorite too -- and at Disneyland there is much more to do and see for the holiday season. There is no getting around that fact. I wish they would actually build up Halloween Time much more, but that doesn't appear to be happening other than adding in extra party nights. So sometimes, for some people, it may come down to a matter of which season will give you the most bang for your buck if both seasons are not possible.

I don't know if you've followed my Christmas Superthread at all (it seems like you've popped in there at some point, I think?), but there has been a lot of discussion about when or IF a ticketed party is coming for the holidays, and when it would be announced.

I have said to the Christmas thread peeps that my personal feeling -- based on observing what Disney has done in the past with their announcements -- is that IF there is going to be a Christmas party requiring extra tickets, we would probably hear about it from Disney by sometime in August. Maybe late August, like the very last day, but I am thinking August.

The reason I think this is because last year, when the Candlelight Ceremony ran for 20 nights, the Parks Blog did a piece about it in August, to get everyone prepared for it. Something major like a Christmas party -- and it would be major, and it would put a big dent in the regular seasonal entertainment -- would have to be announced early on, to give people from out of state and out of the country a chance to plan trips and figure in the party to their travel budget.

If a Christmas party were to begin in, say, late November, it would make no sense to wait until October or something to tell us. Just as the MHP tickets are on sale now - more than 2-1/2 months before the MHP begins -- I am thinking that Christmas party tickets (if there is a party) would probably go on sale in early September...which would mean the Parks Blog would probably give us a heads up about the party in August.

That's just my educated guess/hunch. However, it is not certain that a party is coming. I think that we are getting a holiday World of Color, and that could possibly be tested this year to see how popular it is, and if it is a success it could be used as an alternative form of entertainment to a Christmas party next year. This year we may possibly get some sort of semi-party (for a few nights), revolving around the Limited Time Magic thing. LTM has to figure in to the holiday season somewhere, but so far we know of nothing happening.

You know, as I typed I thought about looking for a Christmas super thread! Thanks for answering my question so thoroughly and for letting me lurk along as you all plot and plan!

 

[Sherry E]

So me and my brother who are AP holders are going with a bunch of our non-AP friends. If we buy today, can we purchase tickets for our friends and if so is it just their regular rate or can we actually get the AP discount for them too? I just want to make sure so I know to get my friends on board with their ticket purchases if they have to wait until next week. Thanks in advance.

DoughR --

I think you can buy up to 8 tickets -- I believe that's what I read in the text of the MHP information. So those tickets could go to any of your friends. I'm sure that a lot of people buy tickets for other people.

The discount depends on which night you're going. If you have an AP, check the AP section of the Disneyland website under Offers or Discounts, and you will see the prices for each party night. The first couple of Friday parties seem to be discounted, but the next 3 Friday parties are not discounted. Halloween is not discounted. The party before Halloween is not discounted.

 

[Sherry E]

You know, as I typed I thought about looking for a Christmas super thread! Thanks for answering my question so thoroughly and for letting me lurk along as you all plot and plan!

BeccaG --

You're very welcome! It's no trouble at all.

Yes, in the Christmas Superthread we have more than a few folks who are very eager to get some sort of news on something. Many of them are used to planning for WDW trips, and the fact that Disneyland is sooooo slow to release nuggets of info to assist in planning is befuddling and maddening to them! They want to know anything at this point. A party... Will there or won't there be a holiday tour and holiday parade outside of a party, or will those things be held hostage to a party?... Holiday World of Color... The Candlelight Ceremony... Last year there were 20 Candlelight Ceremony nights. Supposedly, this year there are only going to be 2 nights -- at least in the Town Square setting. Rumors are still swirling that the Ceremony may move over to DCA for any remaining nights, but we have no way of knowing if that could be true. So far, it doesn't appear to be the case, and it looks like the Ceremony is on track for 12/7 and 12/8 only.

But we can't even find out from Disney once and for all if there will be a party and/or another multi-night Ceremony. They seem to like to drag their heels in releasing info, not getting too far into info about one season when it's a few months away. I forgive them up to a point -- I assume that maybe they have not fine-tuned everything yet. But at this point I have to believe that they know by now whether or not there will be an official Christmas party this year.

Oh well. What can I do but wait and patiently bide my time?

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, in the Christmas Superthread we have more than a few folks who are very eager to get some sort of news on something. Many of them are used to planning for WDW trips, and the fact that Disneyland is sooooo slow to release nuggets of info to assist in planning is befuddling and maddening to them!

Hey! I resemble that statement!

Hey Sherry! Just keeping up to date over here since I'm considering a Halloween trip next year. I'm so jealous of everyone buying their tickets now. And I'm loving all the photos I'm seeing posted!

 

[kaoden39]

Lucrezia --

So you decided to go for the 3 nights after all! Fifteen hours of the MHP is a whole lotta MHP! Wow! Well, at least this way you can break everything up into different nights so you won't be rushed with any one particular thing.




DisneyFan3113 --

I agree about the new trails. Of course, Toontown has to close early because of the Halloween Screams fireworks, so I don't know how long that specific part of the event will be going on. But Toontown is definitely long overdue for some kind of Halloween attention, seeing that it is supposed to be a neighborhood!

I also think that Cars Land should have some unique Halloween decorations, but I doubt it will.





Michele --

Well, who is to say what is too soon or not too soon to make a DLR trip? It's your family's decision and yours alone. It might be just what the doctor ordered for you guys, after the kind of year you've had so far.

Yes, those Hoppers do come in handy for quick escapes from the madness if one park gets a little too crowded! I hope it all works out for you!





CasandraC --

I wouldn't worry yet. I don't recall a time in which the AP/DVC/Disney Visa people scooped up all the tickets before the general public got them. I could be wrong, but my guess is that Disney makes sure to hold some tickets aside so that the general public can at least have a shot at some of them on their sale date. After all, there are a lot of people who don't have APs, Disney Visas and certainly not DVC memberships. A lot of people are part of the group who will be buying next Monday.





DisneyFan3113 --

Yikes is right! Three adults and 6 kids (two of whom are twins)? You have more patience than I... I don't think I'd be able to handle it!

Well, mom has a bit of say. She lives there too.

Anytime is a good time of a DLR trip, and you deserve one more than most this year. Hope it comes through for you!

PHXscuba

Thank you!

 

[acefields23]

Apologies if this is overkill or had already been asked and answered, but I'm looking to the experts:


Since it seems like I'm reading that the Halloween Party sells out most every night, will the party be busier on Halloween night? Does DLR sell more tickets to Halloween night than to other nights in the park? Or does it just seem busier because more people stay at the party longer?

We're headed to the parks Oct 28-31 and the wifey really wants to do MHP on Halloween, but she also hates crowds... Any advice/help would be appreciated!

 

[PixiDustDears]

I really want it to be October now. I've looked at my cute little e-ticket with Monster Mike W. on it and I don't know how I'm going to wait 115 days till Halloween!

 

[Sherry E]

Hey! I resemble that statement!

Hey Sherry! Just keeping up to date over here since I'm considering a Halloween trip next year. I'm so jealous of everyone buying their tickets now. And I'm loving all the photos I'm seeing posted!

Hi, Janet!

I figured you would agree with the "maddening" definition I used in regards to waiting for holiday info!

You're tackling one holiday at a time, eh?

Well, as you can see, DLR is not much quicker with releasing their Halloween information than they are the holiday info, so you will probably have to deal with that lull in planning again next year!

Apologies if this is overkill or had already been asked and answered, but I'm looking to the experts:


Since it seems like I'm reading that the Halloween Party sells out most every night, will the party be busier on Halloween night? Does DLR sell more tickets to Halloween night than to other nights in the park? Or does it just seem busier because more people stay at the party longer?

We're headed to the parks Oct 28-31 and the wifey really wants to do MHP on Halloween, but she also hates crowds... Any advice/help would be appreciated!

Hello, acefields23!

I'm not sure exactly how many tickets are sold to each party night, and if each night has the same number of tickets allotted to it. But, yes, last year all of the party nights except one of them sold out in advance -- faster than we remembered them selling out in previous years, but not instantaneously -- and the one that didn't sell out was the party that was right before Halloween. I think that one may have finally sold out at the last minute, but all of the other 10 nights sold out ahead of time.

Halloween (the last night of the party) and the first night of the party (9/27 this year) tend to sell out a bit faster than some of the other nights. I have a feeling that going to a party on Halloween is a novelty, and even though it will be a weeknight people still go. You're probably correct in that people don't leave early on Halloween, and they stay longer.

I think that the Halloween party will definitely sell out (however many tickets that entails), and it will probably seem a bit crowded for an exclusive event. There are some people in this thread who have done the Halloween night parties in the past and they could speak more directly to that, but I think it will be pretty busy. There will still be fewer people in the park at the MHP than there would be on a regular busy day in Disneyland, I think, but I also think that Disney sells too many tickets to the parties so they feel more crowded than they should.

It will be busy, but I don't think it's going to be insanely crowded and unmanageable or anything. I think you guys should be okay.

 

[I'm mikey]

Woo Hoo, just got our party tickets for Tuesday October 1.

I called (714) 781-4400 so I could purchase with my Disney Visa, I was on hold about 18 minutes, but at least I got to listen to Disney music while on hold.

 

[iKristin]

The same number of tickets are sold for every single night, including Halloween night. So no, it's not busier. Halloween night is just usually the first night to sell out.

This is my 1800th post! Woo! lol

 

[siburdue]

I'm so excited hearing about people getting their reservations. Now that we have the REAL dates and the cost with discount, I talked to my BFF, twisted her arm a little, and we are going to plan on attending two parties during our trip (Sept 27 and Oct 1)!!! I'm calling tomorrow and buying our party tickets. woot woot

 

[dnamertz]

I heard there is face-painting during Halloween time (I think somewhere in Frontierland). Is the face-painting offered during the 3 hour period prior to the party?