HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[mom2rtk]

So I'm curious, have they been this slow in the past to release park hours? Does anyone have a guess what their holdup is? Do you think they're monitoring party ticket sales to get an idea of what overall crowds will be?

 

[Oswald23]

Sherry I meant a photospot during the party not during the day. Sorry for the confusion. We're on the same page

 

[seobaina]

So, just been making my meal bookings and they are holding F! On week nights as well as weekends (6th, 8th, 15th). Does this mean they're expecting it to be busier? Wish I'd known earlier cause I would have changed our plans to go 7-9th (midweek) not 4-6th when it'll prob be busier. X

 

[Sherry E]

So I'm curious, have they been this slow in the past to release park hours? Does anyone have a guess what their holdup is? Do you think they're monitoring party ticket sales to get an idea of what overall crowds will be?

Well, as you know, DLR is usually slow in releasing any info -- and sometimes, even after the hours and events are filled in, things still change -- but this year seems to be a particular brand of slow! Their system -- right down to the dining reservation issues and the extended park hours suddenly appearing for certain times -- seems to be all kinds of wonky and hard to predict. They could very well be waiting to see which MHP nights sell out first, or they could be paying attention to the hotel bookings to get a sense of which timeframes will be busier. I wouldn't be surprised.

So, just been making my meal bookings and they are holding F! On week nights as well as weekends (6th, 8th, 15th). Does this mean they're expecting it to be busier? Wish I'd known earlier cause I would have changed our plans to go 7-9th (midweek) not 4-6th when it'll prob be busier. X

This is probably something that they just recently decided to do. In other words, it's probably not anything that could have been planned around or anticipated. They probably do expect that it will be busier on those nights -- a combo of Halloween Time crowds and 60th anniversary crowds -- but also I think it comes down to money. If they make Fantasmic so limited then they lose out on the money they could be making on the dining packages.

Also, because there are so many MHP nights it really puts a dent in F! on Fridays, on Saturday, 10/31 and on Sunday, 10/25 (I am not sure if F! would have been shown on Columbus Day if there were no party). I am guessing that Disney decided to add in some extra F! nights to make up for the other nights when it can't be shown. Maybe a lot of people have called or written and complained about not being able to see F!.

 

[Davidg83]

I'm starting to pack for my Disneyland half marathon trip this weekend and I'm trying to decide if it's too early to bring along the Halloween Mickey ears. I think I just may do it and get a jump start on the season.

As always I'll be on the lookout for the giant pumpkin Mickey as we run backstage. I'll be sure to snap a photo of its first sighting of the year!

 

[Jeff314]

Hello all, I'm sure these questions have been asked but with 226 pages, that's far to many for me to go back and read haha, this is our first Halloween party, do they release any type of schedule for shows or parades? Or is it a surprise when you go in the gates? I keep looking but it only shows their normal day hours. Also, we purschased the photo pass + are there photographers with the villions or are they all in their normal spots? Thanks guys.

 

[Lauren in NC]

I wonder - do you think Jack and Sally will still meet outside the Haunted Mansion this year during the day? I don't think that area is affected by the 60th stuff, but with everything else they're making party exclusive, I'm not sure what is safe any more!

 

[jammyjam25]

Hello all, I'm sure these questions have been asked but with 226 pages, that's far to many for me to go back and read haha, this is our first Halloween party, do they release any type of schedule for shows or parades? Or is it a surprise when you go in the gates? I keep looking but it only shows their normal day hours. Also, we purschased the photo pass + are there photographers with the villions or are they all in their normal spots? Thanks guys.

I know the maps they hand out at the parties have the shows/parade times listed in them but I don't know if they're available at all prior to the 1st party.

I'm attending the party on September 30 and if I go to the daily hours page on the DL site it shows "Halloween Screams Fireworks at Mickey's Halloween Party" for 9:30pm on the schedule. It doesn't list Paint the Night, but I'm assuming it happens just beforehand (8:45ish or so).

 

[Sherry E]

I'm starting to pack for my Disneyland half marathon trip this weekend and I'm trying to decide if it's too early to bring along the Halloween Mickey ears. I think I just may do it and get a jump start on the season.

As always I'll be on the lookout for the giant pumpkin Mickey as we run backstage. I'll be sure to snap a photo of its first sighting of the year!

Oh, that's right -- last year you snapped the photo of the elusive Mickey pumpkin in its 'hiding place' backstage! That may be one of the only Halloween things that actually makes an appearance this year, so hopefully you will see it.

Good luck on the marathon!

Hello all, I'm sure these questions have been asked but with 226 pages, that's far to many for me to go back and read haha, this is our first Halloween party, do they release any type of schedule for shows or parades? Or is it a surprise when you go in the gates? I keep looking but it only shows their normal day hours. Also, we purschased the photo pass + are there photographers with the villions or are they all in their normal spots? Thanks guys.

No worries -- no one is expected to read the whole thread. You did the right thing by just jumping in and asking a question. In fact, right in the first post on page 1, I have a paragraph titled "You Don't Have to Read the Whole Thread." There is a Mickey's Halloween Party Frequently Asked Questions post (3rd post down on page 1) that might be of help to you.

There should be a map (as jammyjam25 mentioned) handed out at the party, and that will have the times of the fireworks and parade. If we are lucky, the Disney Parks Blog may post the map before the party, but I am not counting on it. This is the map from last year - https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...en-party/pdf-mickeys-halloween-party-2014.pdf. I expect that some of the times might shift a bit to allow for the full length of Paint the Night.

There should be photographers with all or most of the characters you see at the party -- Villains and otherwise. There should also be some PP photographers set up at other spots with Halloween-ish backdrops.

I wonder - do you think Jack and Sally will still meet outside the Haunted Mansion this year during the day? I don't think that area is affected by the 60th stuff, but with everything else they're making party exclusive, I'm not sure what is safe any more!

I think they will be there, most likely. I have seen Jack with and without Sally, so I think that, at the very least, he will be out in the daytime (and the party too) -- if not both of them. You're right -- I don't trust Disney at all, with the way this year's Halloween Time season is being handled. I hope they don't make Jack a party exclusive -- he is usually out during both Halloween Time and the holiday season.

 

[Sandi E]

So, just been making my meal bookings and they are holding F! On week nights as well as weekends (6th, 8th, 15th). Does this mean they're expecting it to be busier? Wish I'd known earlier cause I would have changed our plans to go 7-9th (midweek) not 4-6th when it'll prob be busier. X

Damn! I just booked on Sunday (online) for the BB F! dinner package and it only showed available on the weekends. Which meant I had to book for Saturday night, when I would have preferred the 6th or 8th. Someone on this thread also had posted that F! would NOT be shown on weeknights during October. :-(.

 

[Geemo]

Damn! I just booked on Sunday (online) for the BB F! dinner package and it only showed available on the weekends. Which meant I had to book for Saturday night, when I would have preferred the 6th or 8th. Someone on this thread also had posted that F! would NOT be shown on weeknights during October. :-(.

The October dates opened early Sunday morning online and by phone.
I booked Blue Bayou Fantasmic dinner package for Tuesday October 6th. Confirmation number and email came through ... no problem....
Until Monday afternoon, I got an email from Disney asking me to call in.
When I finally got someone on the line, I was told Fantasmic through the week was an error.
Disney canceled my 10-6 BB F! reservation and booked me for Sunday 10-4.

Geemo

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Someone in another thread posted that they received a phone call from the Dine Line telling them that F! had been cancelled for the 6th and 8th and offering to reschedule their reservation. The CM in question was not very certain in his details. His information conflicted with what was available online. So for those who are thinking of changing reservations, I would call or check onine again beforehand just to be sure.

ETA: Geemo's experience confirms the information mix-up. This October scheduling issue is quickly becoming ludicrous!

 

[Sherry E]

Damn! I just booked on Sunday (online) for the BB F! dinner package and it only showed available on the weekends. Which meant I had to book for Saturday night, when I would have preferred the 6th or 8th. Someone on this thread also had posted that F! would NOT be shown on weeknights during October. :-(.

Someone in this thread posted that F! would not be shown on most weeknights during October because that's what usually happens. You were given the correct information. We only have what has happened in the past to inform us of what might happen in the future. However, things can always change, unexpectedly. Disney could always decide to add in some random weeknights for F! out of the blue, surprising all of us. It sounds like the weeknight thing is a mistake this time around, but it could always happen. It's just that it's not what usually happens, and that's all we have to go by.

Someone in another thread posted that they received a phone call from the Dine Line telling them that F! had been cancelled for the 6th and 8th and offering to reschedule their reservation. The CM in question was not very certain in his details. His information conflicted with what was available online. So for those who are thinking of changing reservations, I would call or check onine again beforehand just to be sure.

ETA: Geemo's experience confirms the information mix-up. This October scheduling issue is quickly becoming ludicrous!

Thank you (and Geemo, too!) for letting us know about this. I thought it seemed odd that Disney was going to add in some F! weeknights, but then I just assumed that maybe they were doing it because there are so many MHP nights this time around, and a lot of interruptions to the F! schedule.

I should have known that it was yet another mistake! You're right -- the whole scheduling/calendar/reservations issue is crazy this year. I have no idea what's going on over at DLR. And the whole situation with people ordering and receiving their MHP tickets was crazy for a while too, with some people receiving no tickets, or receiving the incorrect tickets, or getting an extra receipt but no tickets!

 

[Sandi E]

Someone in this thread posted that F! would not be shown on most weeknights during October because that's what usually happens. You were given the correct information. We only have what has happened in the past to inform us of what might happen in the future. However, things can always change, unexpectedly. Disney could always decide to add in some random weeknights for F! out of the blue, surprising all of us. It sounds like the weeknight thing is a mistake this time around, but it could always happen. It's just that it's not what usually happens, and that's all we have to go by.

I understand that yes, it is based on what has happened in past years. And the way things are going this year, apparently almost nothing is the same as the years prior so I should have known .

Thank you (and Geemo, too!) for letting us know about this. I thought it seemed odd that Disney was going to add in some F! weeknights, but then I just assumed that maybe they were doing it because there are so many MHP nights this time around, and a lot of interruptions to the F! schedule.

I should have known that it was yet another mistake! You're right -- the whole scheduling/calendar/reservations issues is crazy this year. I have no idea what's going on over at DLR. And the whole situation with people ordering and receiving their MHP tickets was crazy for a while too, with some people receiving no tickets, or receiving the incorrect tickets, or getting an extra receipt but no tickets!

It sure makes it hard to plan when everything is so screwy. I did my ressies online at about noon Pacific time on Sunday. At that time it only showed weekend F!. Then when I looked a couple hours ago, it still showed the 8th, but not the 6th :-/. So frustrating, but this being my first MHP, I have nothing to compare it to and I'm absolutely sure we'll still have a blast.

 

[StyledSugar]

Not DL Halloween related but I just need to comment on how envious I am of my US neighbours posting all of their special treats they are finding in the grocery store. It's VERY difficult to find such an assortment of Halloween items here in Canada (at least here in Alberta). I would LOVE some pumpkin spice yogurt pretzels that someone posted earlier in the thread and I will look at Costco but it is HIGHLY unlikely I'll find them.... So unfortunate! lol

 

[Sherry E]

It sure makes it hard to plan when everything is so screwy. I did my ressies online at about noon Pacific time on Sunday. At that time it only showed weekend F!. Then when I looked a couple hours ago, it still showed the 8th, but not the 6th :-/. So frustrating, but this being my first MHP, I have nothing to compare it to and I'm absolutely sure we'll still have a blast.

I hope so! While DLR seems to be extremely disorganized behind the scenes this year, and it's such an odd year to begin with (schedule-wise and event-wise) because of the 60th anniversary and the announcement of the coming Star Wars Land, the party itself is fun and I think you'll enjoy it!

Not DL Halloween related but I just need to comment on how envious I am of my US neighbours posting all of their special treats they are finding in the grocery store. It's VERY difficult to find such an assortment of Halloween items here in Canada (at least here in Alberta). I would LOVE some pumpkin spice yogurt pretzels that someone posted earlier in the thread and I will look at Costco but it is HIGHLY unlikely I'll find them.... So unfortunate! lol

Is there a shortage of Halloween and Fall-themed treats in Canada? I figured there might be a shortage in Australia, since Halloween is not as big of a deal there, but I never thought about Canada being short on seasonal goodies! I guess I just assumed you would have all of the Pumpkin Spice, Caramel Apple, Candy Corn, etc. treats that are popping up in assorted stores. Do you have the Glade products with the seasonal scents (such as "Fall Antiquing")?

 

[Geemo]

3. What is included in the MHP?

Mickey’s Costume Party Cavalcade runs twice per MHP. In 2013 and 2014, the Cavalcade began at roughly 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm. The first parade travels from Small World to Main Street. The second parade travels from Main Street back to Small World. **New in 2014 -- Elsa, Anna and Olaf from Frozen appeared in a special pre-parade (the same one that can be enjoyed before Mickey's Soundsational parade at Disneyland ) prior to “Mickey’s Costume Party” cavalcade!**

NOTE: In 2015, Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade will not be included in Mickey's Halloween Party. Instead, the special Paint the Night parade (part of the Diamond Anniversary entertainment) will be included in MHP.

I have MHP tickets for Wednesday 10-7.
I can't seem to find the scheduled time for PTN during the Halloween Parties.
Since it will run once that night, which direction does it travel? IASW to Main St or Main St to IASW?
If we don't get the parade in during one of the earlier days of the trip, I'd like to see it during the party.

Disney's schedule list the time for Fireworks on party nights, you'd think they'd do the same for PTN parade.
But we all know Disney has been challenged when it comes to October's schedule this year.
I have a feeling the time will be 10:45, since that is the time it usually runs.

Geemo

 

[Sherry E]

I have MHP tickets for Wednesday 10-7.
I can't seem to find the scheduled time for PTN during the Halloween Parties.
Since it will run once that night, which direction does it travel? IASW to Main St or Main St to IASW?
If we don't get the parade in during one of the earlier days of the trip, I'd like to see it during the party.

Disney's schedule list the time for Fireworks on party nights, you'd think they'd do the same for PTN parade.
But we all know Disney has been challenged when it comes to October's schedule this year.
I have a feeling the time will be 10:45, since that is the time it usually runs.

Geemo

Disney has been challenged in a lot of areas (mostly involving schedules and events) this year! I don't know what's happening behind the scenes, but it seems very disorganized and out of whack.

My guess -- and it's only a guess, as obviously this is the first year that the Halloween party has included a full-fledged, "real" parade -- is that it will travel from IASW to Main Street. I could be completely wrong, but we'll soon see. I hope that the Disney Parks Blog posts a link to the MHP map for this year before the party begins. Otherwise, we will have to wait for a map from the first party on 9/25.

I wonder about the time of the parade too -- especially on an MHP night when the MHP ends at 11 p.m. vs. a night when it ends at midnight. I tend to think PTN will happen late in the evening -- closer to the end of the party than to the beginning of it.

 

[AussieCaribou]

So, The Halloween Tree...do we think that it's going to show up again this year? Or will it be 'downsized' this year too?

 

[CassieF]

I wonder - do you think Jack and Sally will still meet outside the Haunted Mansion this year during the day? I don't think that area is affected by the 60th stuff, but with everything else they're making party exclusive, I'm not sure what is safe any more!

I have heard from several very reliable sources that they will both be out during the day. Last year Sally was often not out at the first set and on occasional days only part of the time but for the most part they both should be out during the day