HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[pudinhd]

Here is a link to some merchandise pictures...

micechat.com/77010-haunted-mansion-45/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+micechat%2FDisney%2FNews+(MiceChat%3A+A+Different+Look+At+Disney+)

"With summer winding down, Disneyland is now gearing up for the launch of its increasingly popular Halloween Time season, which will debut earlier than ever this year on September 12. The first themed jack-o-lantern has popped up in the China Closet window on Main Street, with seasonal merchandise starting to take over the Disney Showcase shop in Town Square.

Inside Disney Showcase, the summer vignettes are still up but will soon make way for Halloween Time displays, as seasonal merchandise has already taken over a good portion of the shop."

 

[kim3339]

I'm hoping they'll still have the 45th HM bucket for HalloweenTime, but the NOS popcorn stand is where they've historically had the HMH popcorn buckets. I doubt they'd have two different round buckets at the same stand (but you never know), so my guess is that if the 45th is still available at HalloweenTime, they won't have a HMH one or vice-a-versa. (Or they could still have both and just alternate which one they sell. Or they could move one of the two buckets to a different location. Basically, it's hard to say what will happen.) There should still be a general Disney Parks Halloween bucket that is sold at both DLR and WDW. That one will probably be available at popcorn stands throughout the resort.

Thank you!

 

[Sherry E]

Here is a link to some merchandise pictures...

micechat.com/77010-haunted-mansion-45/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+micechat%2FDisney%2FNews+(MiceChat%3A+A+Different+Look+At+Disney+)

"With summer winding down, Disneyland is now gearing up for the launch of its increasingly popular Halloween Time season, which will debut earlier than ever this year on September 12. The first themed jack-o-lantern has popped up in the China Closet window on Main Street, with seasonal merchandise starting to take over the Disney Showcase shop in Town Square.

Inside Disney Showcase, the summer vignettes are still up but will soon make way for Halloween Time displays, as seasonal merchandise has already taken over a good portion of the shop."

I posted that link in this thread yesterday morning -- Here!

 

[pudinhd]

I posted that link in this thread yesterday morning!

But yesterday was so long ago...

Sorry! Not sure how I missed it!

 

[TulipsNZ]

Wow so merchandise is showing up a month before the official opening of Halloween season which is over a month before Halloween lol.

I loved the food post, that was amazing, I am so looking forward to trying some of them

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret --

Thank you for the kind words! Some of the food items may vary a bit (or drastically) from year to year, but at least we know the types of things to look for in various places around DLR.

That's great to hear that you and your DA made a plan to visit DLR again for Halloween Time. Were you not interested in attending the MHP again, or is your schedule not open for you to go to DLR later in September or October??

I will be looking forward to what kind of food and drinks will be available during the Halloween season.

It is nice to be going back during the Halloween season at the DLR. I will be there on the 14th to 16th with the Halloween decorations all up. I really wanted to attend MHP this year in September which I haven't done MHP since 2010. The dates that I was looking at during MHP was on the 26th or 30th but my DA can't go on those dates and she can't go in October since she will be working. I am also busy in October with basketball tryouts (unless I can get away on the weekends). One day I will be going back and attending MHP unless we have a Christmas party next year during the Christmas season which might change everything.

 

[Sherry E]

Wow so merchandise is showing up a month before the official opening of Halloween season which is over a month before Halloween lol.

I loved the food post, that was amazing, I am so looking forward to trying some of them

Yes, indeed, TulipsNZ! Merchandise is rolling out!

I had heard reports of Halloween things slowly appearing in DL in August over the last couple of years, and it usually starts with merchandise. The window displays on Main Street slowly turn to Halloween themes too, and the in-store Halloween displays/scenes go up.

By a few days before September 12th, everything should really be up (decorations-wise and merchandise-wise) in DL except for the giant Mickey pumpkin. Even the character pumpkins above the turnstiles will go up several days before 9/12. I can't recall if the giant Mickey pumpkin goes up one day early, or overnight, but it is usually the last thing to be put in place.

The Halloween Carnival will open on 9/12.

Certain treats/snacks may be available before 9/12, and some things will not be available until 9/12 and beyond.

 

[TulipsNZ]

Got to make the most of a one day event!

I'm teasing really as I am so excited to get to experience a true American style Halloween!!

 

[Sherry E]

I will be looking forward to what kind of food and drinks will be available during the Halloween season.

It is nice to be going back during the Halloween season at the DLR. I will be there on the 14th to 16th with the Halloween decorations all up. I really wanted to attend MHP this year in September which I haven't done MHP since 2010. The dates that I was looking at during MHP was on the 26th or 30th but my DA can't go on those dates and she can't go in October since she will be working. I am also busy in October with basketball tryouts (unless I can get away on the weekends). One day I will be going back and attending MHP unless we have a Christmas party next year during the Christmas season which might change everything.

Bret --

Well, at least you know that nothing really "new" has been added to the MHP -- nothing major that you're missing out on, in any case -- so it probably won't make a difference to miss it another year.

You've had a super-active DLR visiting schedule this year, and you've still got a holiday season trip too, in addition to the Halloween Time trip, so it's understandable if you can't get away all the time, for every event. Some things you have to miss every now and then!

Got to make the most of a one day event!

I'm teasing really as I am so excited to get to experience a true American style Halloween!!

Very true, TulipsNZ!

I know what you mean, though -- Halloween used to be just a single holiday when I was a kid (in prehistoric times), with maybe a week or two of 'costume discussion,' but now it has become a whole season!

As much as I love Halloween Time, and Fall, and any season between Summer and Spring, I still find it amusing that the first signs of anything Halloween-ish appear in stores (not at DLR, but in other stores) in July, and then a lot of stuff pops up in August.

It still surprises me that DLR devotes as much time to the Halloween Time season as they devote to the holiday season (they both tend to run about 7 weeks, sometimes slightly over 7 weeks), when they don't put as much effort into Halloween Time as they do into the holidays. The holiday season has so much more to see during those 7-ish weeks, so you get a lot of 'bang for your buck,' as the saying goes, without a hard ticket party (so far).

The fact that Halloween Time lasts as long as it does at DLR has always seemed odd to me -- and imbalanced somehow -- and yet I have absolutely no complaints about it, as I hate Summer and want it to end, and I love Autumn!! I don't mind pumpkin foods and Halloween merchandise appearing in July and August, respectively, because it is a sign that we'll be done with the current season next month!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret --

Well, at least you know that nothing really "new" has been added to the MHP -- nothing major that you're missing out on, in any case -- so it probably won't make a difference to miss it another year.

You've had a super-active DLR visiting schedule this year, and you've still got a holiday season trip too, in addition to the Halloween Time trip, so it's understandable if you can't get away all the time, for every event. Some things you have to miss every now and then!

After reading everything about MHP this year, it almost seems like not much has change since 2010. I did enjoy watching Halloween Screams fireworks back in 2010 which is the highlight of MHP in my opinion. That's one thing I want to see again in person which watching HS on video is not the same when you watch the fireworks in person and inside the park with the music going on.

I have been so active with the DLR trips since April this year. Even though I do enjoy visiting the DLR during the summertime, it is not the same during the Halloween and holiday season. I know that you don't like the summertime and enjoy the parks when it is cold like the holiday season. I have no problem in the summertime especially at night where it is not that hot while watching the fireworks, F!, or WoC. I am looking forward to both trips these next few months. It is understandable that we can't go during anytime especially with work. It's great to be able to go and enjoy the DLR during any season.

I have read that you are planning on going to the holiday season right around the CP which you usually go during the holiday season in December. Are you still planning on going during the Halloween season?

 

[TinkerJR]

TinkerJR --



What are the ideas for costumes so far?

You'll have an amazing trip and a fun party! October is a great time to go. Even though my last couple of Halloween Time visits to DLR have been during September, and I can't wait for September to get here simply because it will mean the end of summer, I actually prefer doing Halloween-ish things (like the Halloween Party) in October. September tends to feel too summer-ish, while October seems more Halloween-ish.

I love fall weather and Halloween in general. It is my favorite holiday (I am pretty sure I have more Halloween decorations than Christmas).

As for costumes, DD (4) had declared that she will be Elsa, and that I was rather silly for even thinking there might be another answer. Silly Mommy! Now lets see if I can find an Elsa costume.....

DS (10) will probably be a Jedi or a MineCraft character. I won't let him walk around the park with a square box on his head, so that limits his choices. Luckily, he still fits into the Jedi costume that a family friend made for him last year.

DH is undecided, and might stay that way until the weekend before we leave.

I have lots of ideas for me, but they usually exceed my available time and occasionally my skill level. I like the idea of us all wearing the same "theme" of costume, but I am pretty sure I couldn't get us all to agree.

I am loving this thread and thank you Sherry for all your work!

 

[Sherry E]

I've got to sign off and go do some things, but I wanted to pop in here quickly.

The other day I mentioned the silly sentence, "Throughout your day, challenge your family to see how many photos you can take with Disney Villains who are creeping about" during Halloween Time, in the Disney Visa Fall 2014 newsletter/magazine (titled "Treats and Traditions for Fall Festivities"). It is silly because it seems to imply that people will be able to find multiple Villains throughout the day, when -- for the last 2 Halloween seasons -- there has been just one Villain per 'shift' at the Conjure a Villain tent of the Halloween Carnival in the daytime (often times the same Villain is there repeatedly), and most of the Villains have been at Mickey's Halloween Party (a separate, hard ticket event).

Of course, things could change this year and maybe the Villains will suddenly be more available in the daytime (like another photo spot similar to the old photo spot they used to have, pre-2012) this year.

When probing further, I noticed that on the Disney Rewards website there is a reference to a "Disney Villains Meet ‘n’ Greet" (in the paragraph about Halloween Time), at the very bottom of THIS PAGE.

Rhetorical questions (because no one has the answers): Does this mean that there will actually be a "Villains Meet 'n' Greet" beyond the (almost pointless) Conjure a Villain tent? Or, is Disney just being clever with the wording and is actually referring to the Conjure tent as the Meet 'n' Greet?

It would be great if Disney decided to put a surprise Villain at the Visa Meet 'n' Greet in California Adventure, instead of Pluto or Chip and Dale, or whoever is usually there. Could that be it (another rhetorical question)?

​

Meanwhile, my aforementioned "Treats and Traditions" newsletter/mini-magazine from Disney Visa/Chase was a little banged up and ripped in certain spots when I received it last week. I decided to try to find the online PDF version of it to see if I was missing anything in the ripped spot. What I had read of the text about Halloween Time didn't look all that interesting or noteworthy, at first.

However when I pulled up the online version of the Disney Visa Fall 2014 newsletter/booklet and zeroed in on the section of my page that was mangled/ripped, I noticed that -- in the "Seeking More Screams" paragraph near the bottom right of page 4 -- it says that "...Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum welcome Guests to a 'Dead Man's Party' featuring Halloween music and a chilling new look," at the Mad T Party (in Hollywood Land).

A chilling new look? I guess that means that the Mad T Party will have a different Halloween-ish design this year?? And, have Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum always been involved in the Mad T Party (or were they there last year during Halloween Time)?

​

The other thing that I did notice the other day, but didn't mention -- when I first posted about the Villains thing -- is that there is a sentence in this article about picking up a Fastpass for Haunted Mansion Holiday (during Halloween Time -- nothing is specifically mentioned about a FP being available during Mickey's Halloween Party). The text also says that this is the "only time of year" when FPs are available for the attraction (meaning Haunted Mansion in general, I suppose).

I think I just skipped past the reference to the FP at HMH the other day because I know that the FP situation at Haunted Mansion Holiday is sketchy and I figured that there may or may not be FPs available during Halloween Time this year. We won't know for sure until we get to DL and see for ourselves what the situation is -- and, even then, the FPs might be available for parts of the season and not for others. There have been times in the past (during Halloween Time, the season) when FPs were supposed to have been available for HMH and they were not.

There are usually no FPs for HMH (or any other rides) at Mickey's Halloween Party, either.

Yesterday one of CMs on the phone at DLR apparently told one of our fellow DIS'ers that there will be FPs at HMH for the season, and that there will be FPs for HMH during the actual MHP too.

In my heart of hearts, I think that the well-meaning CMs on the phone really have no idea of whether or not FPs will be available at the MHP. They are usually not as well-informed and 'in the know' as we would like them to be about events happening outside of a 6-week period of time.

Unless we see some sort of 'announcement' from Disney that says something like, "New this year: Fastpasses for Haunted Mansion Holiday at Mickey's Halloween Party!" I think that the phone CMs have no way of guaranteeing that FPs will be available during the MHP for HMH.

However, it will be interesting to see if DL implements FPs for Haunted Mansion Holiday outside of the actual party hours, just during the non-party segments of Halloween Time season, and if FPs will be all season long, or just at certain times. As I said, I saw that text in the booklet the other day and barely paid attention to it because I figured it will be one of those "wait and see" sorts of situations that may come up empty.

In any case, here is the link to the PDF version of the "Treats and Traditions" newsletter, so you can all read it for yourself! - https://disneydebit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2014/08/newsletteraug14_debit.pdf.

​

 

[figment_jii]

However when I pulled up the online version of the Disney Visa Fall 2014 newsletter/booklet and zeroed in on the section of my page that was mangled/ripped, I noticed that -- in the "Seeking More Screams" paragraph near the bottom right of page 4 -- it says that "...Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum welcome Guests to a 'Dead Man's Party' featuring Halloween music and a chilling new look," at the Mad T Party (in Hollywood Land).

A chilling new look? I guess that means that the Mad T Party will have a different Halloween-ish design this year?? And, have Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum always been involved in the Mad T Party (or were they there last year during Halloween Time)?

Maybe...it's be great if they did have new decor and new elements for the Mad T Party to celebrate Halloween. Last year there were spiders on the entry, ghostly lanterns hanging overhead, and the band performed "This is Halloween". There was also the Halloween cocktail. In terms of Tweedle Dee and Dum (the Mad T Party version), they had a modified opening dialog that incorporated references to Halloween. They may have some new dialog this year, but I would guess much of it will be similar to last year (I'm not sure they'd opt to have the Mad T Party characters dress up in Halloween costumes...it might be kind of hard to tell who they are without they usual outfits).

 

[laura&fam]

The other thing that I did notice the other day, but didn't mention -- when I first posted about the Villains thing -- is that there is a sentence in this article about picking up a Fastpass for Haunted Mansion Holiday (during Halloween Time -- nothing is specifically mentioned about a FP being available during Mickey's Halloween Party). The text also says that this is the "only time of year" when FPs are available for the attraction (meaning Haunted Mansion in general, I suppose).

I think I just skipped past the reference to the FP at HMH the other day because I know that the FP situation at Haunted Mansion Holiday is sketchy and I figured that there may or may not be FPs available during Halloween Time this year. We won't know for sure until we get to DL and see for ourselves what the situation is -- and, even then, the FPs might be available for parts of the season and not for others. There have been times in the past (during Halloween Time, the season) when FPs were supposed to have been available for HMH and they were not.

There are usually no FPs for HMH (or any other rides) at Mickey's Halloween Party, either.

Yesterday one of CMs on the phone at DLR apparently told one of our fellow DIS'ers that there will be FPs at HMH for the season, and that there will be FPs for HMH during the actual MHP too.

In my heart of hearts, I think that the well-meaning CMs on the phone really have no idea of whether or not FPs will be available at the MHP. They are usually not as well-informed and 'in the know' as we would like them to be about events happening outside of a 6-week period of time.

Unless we see some sort of 'announcement' from Disney that says something like, "New this year: Fastpasses for Haunted Mansion Holiday at Mickey's Halloween Party!" I think that the phone CMs have no way of guaranteeing that FPs will be available during the MHP for HMH.

I know the wait is pretty long for HMH during the Halloween party but that's the only time we'll be there. Can anyone give me an idea of how long a wait it might be, assuming there aren't FP since there haven't been before?

 

[figment_jii]

I know the wait is pretty long for HMH during the Halloween party but that's the only time we'll be there. Can anyone give me an idea of how long a wait it might be, assuming there aren't FP since there haven't been before?

I would guess between 25 and 45 minutes.

 

[LostGen]

I wish they wouldn't decorate the one spooky ride in the park with Christmas decorations just in time for Halloween. Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas movie, and not a very good one at that.

 

[kylie71]

I wish they wouldn't decorate the one spooky ride in the park with Christmas decorations just in time for Halloween. Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas movie, and not a very good one at that.

Its pretty popular around these parts....

--lori

 

[figment_jii]

I wish they wouldn't decorate the one spooky ride in the park with Christmas decorations just in time for Halloween. Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas movie, and not a very good one at that.

It's interesting you should say "Nightmare Before Christmas" is a Christmas movie because there was a discussion here on the board about whether it was a Christmas or Halloween movie (I can't remember if it's was it's own thread or on the previous Halloween SuperThread). It was pretty evenly split whether folks felt it was a Halloween or Christmas movie.

I do agree with kylie71 that's it's a fairly popular ride. It has it's detractors here on the Disboard, so not eveyrone likes it. Yet, enough must like it that DLR keeps doing it each year. When I first saw the overlay, I wasn't impressed with it, but it's since grown on me. I'm not a big NBC fan, so that really doesn't have any bearing on the ride for me.

 

[Sherry E]

Maybe...it's be great if they did have new decor and new elements for the Mad T Party to celebrate Halloween. Last year there were spiders on the entry, ghostly lanterns hanging overhead, and the band performed "This is Halloween". There was also the Halloween cocktail. In terms of Tweedle Dee and Dum (the Mad T Party version), they had a modified opening dialog that incorporated references to Halloween. They may have some new dialog this year, but I would guess much of it will be similar to last year (I'm not sure they'd opt to have the Mad T Party characters dress up in Halloween costumes...it might be kind of hard to tell who they are without they usual outfits).

It's so hard to tell what the wording means in certain Disney articles/press releases/blogs, because they have a way of spinning certain things to make it seem as if something new and different is happening, even if the same events/decorations/whatever are being recycled.

When I saw the "...chilling new look" description in reference to whatever is happening at the Mad T Party, I thought, "But do they mean 'new' as in new for 2014, or 'new' as in different-from-the-usual-look-of-the-Mad-T-Party during non-holiday seasons?"

I would guess that if there is anything new at the Mad T Party this year (or anywhere else), there will be a Blog or press release about it at some point...as well as the yearly Parks Blogs about the seasonal merchandise, foods and treats!

I know the wait is pretty long for HMH during the Halloween party but that's the only time we'll be there. Can anyone give me an idea of how long a wait it might be, assuming there aren't FP since there haven't been before?

I think that what figment_jii said sounds about right. Assuming there is no FP at the MHP (and never say never, of course, but we'll see), I would guess that 20-45 minutes could be about right, and it will probably move a little bit faster than whatever the wait time says. I can't remember what the wait time for HMH was the last time I went to the MHP, but the line was not short. That's one of those areas where people like to congregate during the MHP.

After reading everything about MHP this year, it almost seems like not much has change since 2010. I did enjoy watching Halloween Screams fireworks back in 2010 which is the highlight of MHP in my opinion. That's one thing I want to see again in person which watching HS on video is not the same when you watch the fireworks in person and inside the park with the music going on.

I have been so active with the DLR trips since April this year. Even though I do enjoy visiting the DLR during the summertime, it is not the same during the Halloween and holiday season. I know that you don't like the summertime and enjoy the parks when it is cold like the holiday season. I have no problem in the summertime especially at night where it is not that hot while watching the fireworks, F!, or WoC. I am looking forward to both trips these next few months. It is understandable that we can't go during anytime especially with work. It's great to be able to go and enjoy the DLR during any season.

I have read that you are planning on going to the holiday season right around the CP which you usually go during the holiday season in December. Are you still planning on going during the Halloween season?

Bret --

I'll definitely be there during the Halloween season at some point, of course! It's sort of my duty to go, so I can come back with updated details or info for this thread, not to mention new photos that I can use for the thumbnails on page 1. I usually lean towards the beginning of the Halloween Time season, but I may lean more towards the end of the season this time. I have to play it by ear.

I'm not sure of the date yet, though. Nothing has been figured out for Halloween Time or for the holidays yet, but I'll be there!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret --

I'll definitely be there during the Halloween season at some point, of course! It's sort of my duty to go, so I can come back with updated details or info for this thread, not to mention new photos that I can use for the thumbnails on page 1. I usually lean towards the beginning of the Halloween Time season, but I may lean more towards the end of the season this time. I have to play it by ear.

I'm not sure of the date yet, though. Nothing has been figured out for Halloween Time or for the holidays yet, but I'll be there!

I said it wrong on my last post and meant to say when are you going during the Halloween season. I see that you answered my question. It will be nice to hear what are your dates for the Halloween season and to see all your pictures.