HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Sherry E]

Before I forget...

As I do every year, I am inviting my Halloween Time Superthread friends to join in on the 4th Annual Theme Week Countdown in my Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread (some of the participants here are already part of that thread too ). The Countdown begins in that Superthread this coming Monday, July 21st, with the first theme, and there will be a total of 22 themes rolled out over the course of 3-1/2 months. The final theme will be on Monday, November 3rd.

These are the Rules/Guidelines - HERE.

You don't need to participate in every theme to participate. You may contribute photos to one theme, or to all 22 themes. You may post one photo or multiple photos to a theme. You may even repeat photos -- a photo used in one theme can be used in another theme, as long as it fits the theme in question.

On 11/10/14, I will draw two names at random from the list of photo contributors, and they will each win a $25 Disney Gift Card.

​

For those who don't have any Disneyland holiday photos to contribute, I have a separate competition for the non-photo contributors, and that winner will have to give the correct answer (on or after 11/3/14) to a Code Word Challenge I set forth, which will involve following along with the Countdown each week and paying attention.

On or after 11/3/14, the first person to give me the correct, complete Code Word Challenge answer will also win a $25 Disney Gift Card.

(Last year I gave out 2 gift cards. The Theme Week Countdown was a smash success, so this year I am giving out 3.)

Even if you have never been to DLR for the holidays at all but have been for Halloween Time, there will be at least a couple of themes to which you can contribute over the course of the Theme Week Countdown.

Even if you have never been to DLR for either Halloween Time or the holiday season, if you have any kind of holiday season/Christmas/Hanukkah photos at all, you can, at the very least, participate in the final theme, which will be the "Holiday Cornucopia/A Few of My Favorite Things" theme on November 3rd. So everyone can enter into at least one theme, if not more.

You may not, however, enter into both the photo submission segment and the Code Word Challenge segment. Pick which one you are participating in and stick to it!

​

I will be gone all day on Monday, and won't be back until late at night -- which means I will miss the thrilling, spine-tingling #GetHappier/Monday Summer Surprise revelation -- but I will post the first theme of the Theme Week Countdown in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread before I leave in the morning. (Not all of the themes will be posted that early, of course, but I have to post that one early or it won't be posted!)

​

 

[figment_jii]

I will be gone all day on Monday, and won't be back until late at night -- which means I will miss the thrilling, spine-tingling #GetHappier/Monday Summer Surprise revelation --

I haven't decided whether or not to post Monday's GetHapper updates as they come out because it seems like most folks are already tired of the promotion.

 

[zanzibar138]

Once again, I agree with Sherry on the social media thing. Not that it affects me anyway since, as an international guest, I am not eligible for the competition.

I actually tried to download Instagram on my phone a couple of months ago for an American Airlines promotion. However, it seems my phone doesn't like Instagram, and kept crashing until I removed it.

I am also not a fan of Twitter. It was another account I set up for the AA promo and I'm now regretting it. I want to delete my account, but it has to stay inactive for 30 days. Someone keeps hacking it before the 30 days is up, so I'm not sure how I'm going to get rid of it!

I have to say I'm really confused about how this theme countdown thing works Is there just one countdown for all the holidays combined, or is there a separate Halloween one? And my photos must be from DLR? There won't be any chance for me to upload Disney Halloween themed photos that aren't actually at DLR? I'm sure I will understand once it starts!

 

[Sherry E]

Once again, I agree with Sherry on the social media thing. Not that it affects me anyway since, as an international guest, I am not eligible for the competition.

I actually tried to download Instagram on my phone a couple of months ago for an American Airlines promotion. However, it seems my phone doesn't like Instagram, and kept crashing until I removed it.

I am also not a fan of Twitter. It was another account I set up for the AA promo and I'm now regretting it. I want to delete my account, but it has to stay inactive for 30 days. Someone keeps hacking it before the 30 days is up, so I'm not sure how I'm going to get rid of it!

I have to say I'm really confused about how this theme countdown thing works Is there just one countdown for all the holidays combined, or is there a separate Halloween one? And my photos must be from DLR? There won't be any chance for me to upload Disney Halloween themed photos that aren't actually at DLR? I'm sure I will understand once it starts!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is not a fan of Twitter, and who doesn't use Instagram! I am really baffled that the photo contest entries are not being allowed on Facebook too! That is surprising!


As for the Theme Week Countdown -- No, there is no Halloween countdown right now, and even when I do a mini-Halloween-themed Countdown in this thread (eventually) it will not involve prizes and it will not last for 3-1/2 months.

The Countdown beginning on Monday is a DLR holiday season/Christmas-oriented Theme Week Countdown. That's why I specified above that I was inviting the Halloween Superthread friends to participate in the Countdown in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread.

No one has to participate in that thread or that Countdown -- I am just extending the offer here for those that would like to join in over there too!

It won't be confusing once the Countdown gets going. It's not hard to follow. People either have photos to fit the DLR holiday themes, or they don't.

The Code Word Challenge is the most complicated part of the Countdown -- and the photo contributors don't have to deal with it -- and even that won't be TOO complicated for those who choose to do that challenge, as long as they pay attention.


However, there may be a couple of themes in the Holiday Season/Christmas Theme Week Countdown to which you can contribute if you want to (you will have to stay tuned for those!).

Or, you can post any non-Disney Christmas/Holiday photo you'd like to post in the final theme on 11/3 -- like if you have a favorite family holiday photo or something.

 

[zanzibar138]

As for the Theme Week Countdown -- No, there is no Halloween countdown right now, and even when I do a mini-Halloween-themed Countdown in this thread (eventually) it will not involve prizes and it will not last for 3-1/2 months.

The Countdown beginning on Monday is a DLR holiday season/Christmas-oriented Theme Week Countdown. That's why I specified above that I was inviting the Halloween Superthread friends to participate in the Countdown in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread.

No one has to participate in that thread or that Countdown -- I am just extending the offer here for those that would like to join in over there too!

It won't be confusing once the Countdown gets going. It's not hard to follow. People either have photos to fit the DLR holiday themes, or they don't.

The Code Word Challenge is the most complicated part of the Countdown -- and the photo contributors don't have to deal with it -- and even that won't be TOO complicated for those who choose to do that challenge, as long as they pay attention.


However, there may be a couple of themes in the Holiday Season/Christmas Theme Week Countdown to which you can contribute if you want to (you will have to stay tuned for those!).

Or, you can post any non-Disney Christmas/Holiday photo you'd like to post in the final theme on 11/3 -- like if you have a favorite family holiday photo or something.

Oh, sorry I missed the part where you invited us to join in on the other thread That makes much more sense

 

[Sherry E]

I think you are right Sherry. I have a great picture of me with Chip from about 1960 when I was probably 6 years old. My mother is standing there wearing capris with Keds and carrying a black patten leather purse (square)...lol! There is no way that I want a Twitter account or an Instagram account.

What is remarkable is how much Chip has changed over the years. He looks much better now than 54 years ago. He has aged just as beautifully as I have

2tinkerbell --

Chip and Dale have both improved in appearance over the years! I have a photo of myself with one of them in Tomorrowland from the '70s (why were Chip and Dale in Tomorrowland?) and the costume looked quite different than it does today.


As far as I know, people can't even post photos on Instagram without doing it from a cell phone/smart phone. I don't think that photos can be posted from a desktop computer on Instagram. (Instagram users, am I correct about that?) So, if I am correct, what are people with older photos supposed to do? Take a picture of the older photo with their smart phone? Or I suppose there is some way to load the photo from the PC to a phone? Too much trouble.

Twitter is the less complicated option, but again, it's a format that people either love or don't love. I do not love it.

Facebook would have been the best social media option, but the photo entries are not allowed via Facebook.

The best option overall would have been to set up a separate mini-site or web page to take the contest entries, just like the recent/current WDW photo contest did, if I recall correctly. The WDW contest was not relying on entries from Twitter or Instagram.

Hopefully we will be going to the party the first night just like last year. My DD loved it and now that she's into actually being near the characters it should be even more fun.

Hope to get our tickets next week or so!

Alohagirl73 --

Was your DD getting used to the characters at last year's MHP? It seems like some kids take to (and embrace) the characters right away, and others have to slowly get comfortable with them.

I haven't decided whether or not to post Monday's GetHapper updates as they come out because it seems like most folks are already tired of the promotion.

figment_jii --

It doesn't hurt to give it a quick mention. I've mentioned it here myself in the past, and I'm sure I will again. I think that a lot of folks know to check for the Get Happier giveaways on Mondays on their own at this point, or they may have lost interest. Ultimately, I would play it by ear, though. If someone asks about what the surprise is/was, then of course we can tell them.

If the prizes end up being something really big and interesting, then we can mention it. If it's just another giveaway of ears or cookies or an extra hour in the park -- anything like that -- it's not anything that we can use in this thread so it's probably not necessary to devote much time to it.

At this rate, unless the Monday Surprise is specifically related to -- or could otherwise affect -- Halloween Time, it's not urgent to mention it here, especially if it is not an online giveaway.

If the Get Happier surprise finally ends up being something online, that anyone can have access to, then it's fine to mention it. If it turns out to be an announcement of some kind, specifically pertaining to Halloween Time or the holiday season or whatever, then of course, we mention it here or in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread.

Oh, sorry I missed the part where you invited us to join in on the other thread That makes much more sense

zanzibar138 --

No problem!

 

[momof6princesses]

Thanks for all the well wishes for my princess.

As for FB, I wouldn't be surprised if they have some kind of silly rule that doesn't allow Disney to use them for the contest?

 

[yeheyprincex2]

The party city store close to my house is getting ready for Halloween. They already had two aisles full of costumes. We are still waiting to buy our tickets as soon as the 30th rolls around we will. I'm still working on out touring plans.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for all the well wishes for my princess.

As for FB, I wouldn't be surprised if they have some kind of silly rule that doesn't allow Disney to use them for the contest?

momof6princesses --

Possibly so. I guess I am also surprised that the recent, similar WDW photo-based contest offered a way to enter on a website without using Twitter or Instagram, but our DLR photo contest is forcing everyone to Twitter and Instagram. Strange!

Nonetheless, I have a lot of old photos from the '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond, so I will force myself to deal with that infernal Twitter to be able to enter some of them.

The party city store close to my house is getting ready for Halloween. They already had two aisles full of costumes. We are still waiting to buy our tickets as soon as the 30th rolls around we will. I'm still working on out touring plans.

yeheyprincex2 --

Wow! The party store has Halloween things already? See, I thought that it might be the craft stores that were already stocked with Halloween and Christmas things (and, in August, signs of Halloween-themed foods will begin to creep into supermarkets and places like Target), but I didn't even think about the party supply stores!

Then again, I don't know why I am surprised. Halloween is becoming a much bigger deal every year (in the U.S.) -- and more people are either hosting their own elaborate Halloween events or attending other elaborate Halloween events. There are people here on the DIS who are planning and/or making their costumes for the MHP now, in advance (such as Kilala), so time is needed to prepare -- which means that supplies need to be available early.

 

[fiddlesticks]

Hi all... We are going to DL in Oct for our 3rd (and final) trip of our annual passes! It was our Christmas present to us last year and we are going out with a bang...9 days! My sister and brother in law are coming down for three days in the middle of ours (Tues-Thurs) but I thought it would be fun to get tickets for Mickey's Halloween Party and get an extra night for them! I have never been in the fall and it being my favorite season I am beyond excited!

So, I logged into tonight and bought the tickets for the five of us. I got the email confirmation and then looked at the tickets and all five say Annual Passholder Tickets. My brother in law and sister aren't passholders though... Have I just thrown away $112? Will I be able to pay the difference? Do I need to pay the difference? It was an honest mistake...I don't want to take advantage of the discount. Should I call?

Any advice?

 

[sgrap]

Hi all... We are going to DL in Oct for our 3rd (and final) trip of our annual passes! It was our Christmas present to us last year and we are going out with a bang...9 days! My sister and brother in law are coming down for three days in the middle of ours (Tues-Thurs) but I thought it would be fun to get tickets for Mickey's Halloween Party and get an extra night for them! I have never been in the fall and it being my favorite season I am beyond excited!

So, I logged into tonight and bought the tickets for the five of us. I got the email confirmation and then looked at the tickets and all five say Annual Passholder Tickets. My brother in law and sister aren't passholders though... Have I just thrown away $112? Will I be able to pay the difference? Do I need to pay the difference? It was an honest mistake...I don't want to take advantage of the discount. Should I call?

Any advice?

My understanding--and I was asking before I bought because our adult son who does not have an AP is going with us one of the nights--is that as long as an annual passholder is with them, it is fine. Up to 8 tickets per AP per purchase. The ticket I bought for our son is for a night when there isn't a discount, though, but the cast member I spoke with on the phone indicated it was fine as long as the passholder was in the group. At least that was my understanding.

 

[laura&fam]

There are people here on the DIS who are planning and/or making their costumes for the MHP now, in advance (such as Kilala), so time is needed to prepare -- which means that supplies need to be available early.

We decided a few days ago what our costumes would be: Woody, Po Beep, Jessie, and one or two toy soldiers (depends on if my 9 year old stops sulking about not being a gory skeleton and will dress up). Since I don't sew at all I need every minute I can get to try to figure out the most basic stuff. I'm not sure 3 months is enough.

 

[sgrap]

What percentage of people at the MHP's dress up in costumes? We are going for the 1st time this year with our DD's 13 and 12 and DS 20. None of them (including DH) is very excited about dressing up--in fact, I'm pretty sure they will refuse! DH, DD's and I are going to 2 parties and DS is joining us for the 2nd one. So I'd love some great family pictures! What do people wear who don't dress in costume?

 

[Kilala]

momof6princesses --

Possibly so. I guess I am also surprised that the recent, similar WDW photo-based contest offered a way to enter on a website without using Twitter or Instagram, but our DLR photo contest is forcing everyone to Twitter and Instagram. Strange!

Nonetheless, I have a lot of old photos from the '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond, so I will force myself to deal with that infernal Twitter to be able to enter some of them.





yeheyprincex2 --

Wow! The party store has Halloween things already? See, I thought that it might be the craft stores that were already stocked with Halloween and Christmas things (and, in August, signs of Halloween-themed foods will begin to creep into supermarkets and places like Target), but I didn't even think about the party supply stores!

Then again, I don't know why I am surprised. Halloween is becoming a much bigger deal every year (in the U.S.) -- and more people are either hosting their own elaborate Halloween events or attending other elaborate Halloween events. There are people here on the DIS who are planning and/or making their costumes for the MHP now, in advance (such as Kilala), so time is needed to prepare -- which means that supplies need to be available early.

LOL! Thank you. I'm working on two costumes right now. I will try to post progress pictures of the Autumn Mist costume tomorrow. I used a sponge on a unitard for the first time. I think I did a good job. I'm also working on the leg warmers for this costume too. This is the best time for me to work on costumes and to work on losing weight.

 

[Sherry E]

This will probably be my only chance to check in here today. I'll be busy with assorted tasks throughout the day and then gone all day tomorrow.

Hi all... We are going to DL in Oct for our 3rd (and final) trip of our annual passes! It was our Christmas present to us last year and we are going out with a bang...9 days! My sister and brother in law are coming down for three days in the middle of ours (Tues-Thurs) but I thought it would be fun to get tickets for Mickey's Halloween Party and get an extra night for them! I have never been in the fall and it being my favorite season I am beyond excited!

So, I logged into tonight and bought the tickets for the five of us. I got the email confirmation and then looked at the tickets and all five say Annual Passholder Tickets. My brother in law and sister aren't passholders though... Have I just thrown away $112? Will I be able to pay the difference? Do I need to pay the difference? It was an honest mistake...I don't want to take advantage of the discount. Should I call?

Any advice?

Welcome, fiddlesticks! Thank you for joining us!

As sgrap said, AP holders (and Disney Rewards Visa holders, and DVC members) are allowed to buy up to 8 tickets (I think it's up to 8 in a single transaction, but some AP holders go to the MHP on more than one night and probably buy more tickets for other nights).

My hunch is that there are many people who buy their groups' tickets in advance and give them as gifts, or just hang onto them until MHP night and give them to their group then.

Your sister and BIL will be fine, as long as they enter the party when the AP holder who purchased the tickets (you) enters.

In the past, I don't even think it was necessary for the AP holder who purchased the tickets to be there with every member of their party whose tickets the AP holder had bought, but this year I'm not sure what's happening. Disney may be tightening up their rules a little bit.

My understanding--and I was asking before I bought because our adult son who does not have an AP is going with us one of the nights--is that as long as an annual passholder is with them, it is fine. Up to 8 tickets per AP per purchase. The ticket I bought for our son is for a night when there isn't a discount, though, but the cast member I spoke with on the phone indicated it was fine as long as the passholder was in the group. At least that was my understanding.

Yes. that's my understanding too (the Passholder being in the group) -- I think it will be fine.

We decided a few days ago what our costumes would be: Woody, Po Beep, Jessie, and one or two toy soldiers (depends on if my 9 year old stops sulking about not being a gory skeleton and will dress up). Since I don't sew at all I need every minute I can get to try to figure out the most basic stuff. I'm not sure 3 months is enough.

laura&fam --

I can relate -- my sewing skills are horrendous! I am lucky if I can even temporarily mend a rip or hole in something (I usually can't!). So it always amazes me to see that there are so many talented people out there who can make their own costumes from scratch!

Do you think your son will eventually come around to the idea of being a toy soldier, or is he fixated on the gory skeleton costume? I had to giggle at that, because I remember -- as a child -- getting attached to the idea of certain Halloween costume ideas, even if they were not possible, too expensive, made no sense, etc. And now, even though I know there are photos somewhere, I can't even remember what most of my costumes were!

That's another reason why some families need to start preparing for Halloween very early on as well -- they may have to tinker with a few ideas and try out a few of them first, to be sure they will work. The kids may change their minds and want to be something else instead of the original idea.

What percentage of people at the MHP's dress up in costumes? We are going for the 1st time this year with our DD's 13 and 12 and DS 20. None of them (including DH) is very excited about dressing up--in fact, I'm pretty sure they will refuse! DH, DD's and I are going to 2 parties and DS is joining us for the 2nd one. So I'd love some great family pictures! What do people wear who don't dress in costume?

I'd say it's probably a 50/50 mix of those in costume and not in costume. Figment_jii does not dress in costume. I don't dress in costume (though I might if I went to the MHP with a group of fun people). I just dress in normal clothes. At some point I might wear a Halloween-themed t-shirt.

From Question #15 of the MHP FAQ:

"There is good mixture of guests both in costume and in regular street clothes; enough so that neither group will feel out of place or left out. You can certainly enjoy the party if you choose to not wear a costume. Some folks elect to simply complement their daywear with a festive Halloween-themed hat or shirt. You will see a fair number of Disney character costumes, but there will also be non-Disney character costumes. You will not see very many guests dressed in “adult”-oriented costumes.

Part of the fun of attending Mickey’s Halloween Party is to witness the array of creative costumes displayed by your fellow guests. As long as the costumes fit within Disney’s guidelines and are not inappropriate, let your imagination run wild! If you have ever had the desire to dress up as a giant banana, an enormous Crayola crayon or an oversized rooster, this is your time to shine!"

LOL! Thank you. I'm working on two costumes right now. I will try to post progress pictures of the Autumn Mist costume tomorrow. I used a sponge on a unitard for the first time. I think I did a good job. I'm also working on the leg warmers for this costume too. This is the best time for me to work on costumes and to work on losing weight.

Kilala --

And, really, Halloween Time starts in 2 months anyway. That will be here in the blink of an eye, so there is no time to waste! Plans and preparations have to take place early!

 

[ashleysev]

Trying to come up with a costume for my hubby who is 6'8". I've tried to convince him in previous years to do the Jolly Green Giant and I could go as Sweet Pea, but he's not having the green tights.

Decided today that this is going to be an adults-only trip. Our 17yo has zero interest in going during Halloween. He's way too cool to dress up anymore.

 

[adudeinblue]

My girlfriend and I (25 and 22) are going to our first holiday theme visit to DLR and DCA. She's excited because its her favorite holiday. Because of how work and school played out for us, we are only able to go during the busiest time of the Halloween Festivals (Oct 30 - Nov 1). Trying to budget ourselves but our game plan is:

• Staying at the Camelot Hotel Inn across the street
• Oct 30th, Thursday: DLR Single Park Pass;
  Girlfriend hasn't seen the World of Color yet and I don't know if DCA would have it on a weekday, or even if its open late enough. But then again it's the day before Halloween, so there's a chance. But we're hoping to spend as much time at Disneyland with the Halloween decorations first.
• Oct 31st, Friday, Halloween: DLR MHP Pass;
  I hope I am understanding the MHP Pass correctly that we wouldn't need to purchase a normal park day pass to enter the MHP. Since we would be able to enter the park around 4PM, we can sleep in a little and get our costumes ready and not be as tired for the whole night. I'm still debating if we should do the Halloween Tour, but I'm certain then we would need to an actual day park pass.
• Nov 1st, Saturday: DCA Single Park Pass;
  I liked DCA a lot more after all the renovations, but it's definitely something we can do within a day. And for certain we would be able to catch the

Any suggestion or tips?

I feel like the Park Hopper would be nice to have, but not necessary since we are only spending 2 whole days and half a day on our trip. The park hopper would also be rushing us between both parks. Not buying it would limit ourselves (and saving a few dollars) and force us to take our time and enjoy ourselves more.

Girlfriend also wants to dress up as Wilderness Exolorers like Russell from Up for Halloween. It's going to be a little weird for me because I haven't dressed up for Halloween since I was like 13, but she's so excited with the costume that it's starting to rub off on me as well.

 

[Swtonscrappn]

Update to my post from last week:

On ticket opening day, I bought 8 tickets with my Disney Visa. I was able to get the visa discount of $56 (or whatever it was). I bought my remaining 4 tickets today (before general tickets are released)--I was able to buy them with no issue, my price was the pre-buy price of $63.

So you can buy more that 8 tickets before the general tickets are released, but you can only get the special price for 8 of them. And you can only buy 8 a day, so you have to wait til the next day to buy more.

If anyone was wondering or cared

 

[figment_jii]

Girlfriend hasn't seen the World of Color yet and I don't know if DCA would have it on a weekday, or even if its open late enough.

For the most part, WoC runs nightly. It's Fantasmic and fireworks that run on a reduced schedule in the non-holiday/non-summer/non-spring break season. Unless WoC is down for refurb, it should be running nightly in October.

I hope I am understanding the MHP Pass correctly that we wouldn't need to purchase a normal park day pass to enter the MHP. Since we would be able to enter the park around 4PM, we can sleep in a little and get our costumes ready and not be as tired for the whole night. I'm still debating if we should do the Halloween Tour, but I'm certain then we would need to an actual day park pass.

Yes, the MHP tickets grants guest entrance into Disneyland three hours before the start of the party. Given that, the Halloween night party starts at 7:00 pm, you'll be allowed in starting at 4:00 pm. There will be separate/specific turnstyles for guests with MHP tickets, so make sure you're in line for one of those.

Any suggestion or tips?

I would almost consider flipping your two days. DLR will be running an "off-season" schedule by the end of October, which means short hours on the weekdays and reduced entertainment. If you want to see Remember fireworks and/or Fantasmic, you'll have to go to DL on Saturday because there won't be any fireworks or Fantasmic on Thursday. There will be Halloween Screams fireworks at MHP, but no Fantasmic. WoC is likely to be offered on both Thur and Sat. The hours for Thur are likely to be something like 10-8 and on Saturday the parks are likely to be open from 9 to midnight. So much longer hours on Saturday.

 

[laura&fam]

Trying to come up with a costume for my hubby who is 6'8". I've tried to convince him in previous years to do the Jolly Green Giant and I could go as Sweet Pea, but he's not having the green tights.

Decided today that this is going to be an adults-only trip. Our 17yo has zero interest in going during Halloween. He's way too cool to dress up anymore.

A really tall friend of mine dressed up as the cat in the hat one year. It looked pretty simple. I think it was a hat, red bow tie, white shirt, black jacket, and a cane. No green tights involved. Just an idea.