HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[KOUKLI]

KOUKLI --

Welcome!

Thank you so much for joining us, and for sharing your beautiful, festive pictures! You and your husband are an adorable couple!

You're absolutely right about the merchandise's early release contributing to certain things selling out. I think it happens for the holiday season as well as Halloween. The earlier the merchandise appears outside of the actual seasons in question (Halloween things appearing in summer; holiday/Christmas things appearing during Halloween Time), the more of a chance there will be for them to sell out early.

I suspect that Disney probably got in one big supply of merchandise now, which is presumably intended to last into the first couple of weeks of Halloween Time. Around the time of the MHP's first night, there would probably be another supply of merchandise (though maybe slightly smaller than the first supply) coming in to cover the time frame extending to October 31st. Some things will sell out along the way, and some things mysteriously seem to disappear and never get restocked. Along the way, before Halloween, Christmas things will also begin to appear in the shops as the Halloween things sell out, a little at a time.

Anyway, it sounds like you have another great Halloween trip coming up (with 2 MHPs), and being at the MHP on October 31st will be amazing. In fact, that's a date I seriously have my eye on for the MHP too. I am considering a 10/31 MHP. I haven't made up my mind, but it is definitely a strong possibility!

​

Thank you for the warm welcome Sherry!

Such a shame about the merchandise.. back in 2011 there seemed to be a lot of stuff still in the DL park as well as at the local Target and Walmart. Last year there wasn't a great deal in the parks and Targer and Walmart were bare by the 28th Oct! I'm hoping we get lucky again this time since in Australia Halloween isn't greatly celebrated and it's hard to find year round Halloween stuff for our house. I'm hoping to at least get my hands on the light up Mickey trick-or-treat bucket and a Halloween Time pin that isn't Hook!

Hubby and I LOVE Halloween and even had a Halloween themed wedding



So we very much like to Halloween stuff up year round in our house. finger crossed!!

We decided on two MHP's this year as last year we went straight into the park looking for the Villains only to find that they were all in Main Street and we missed out on most of them So to avoid this happening again we decided to do two MHP's and anything we happen to stuff up/miss in the first we can aim for the in the second! Hopefully we can cover mostly everything on the 27th so we can just sit back and cruise through the 31st and really enjoy the atmosphere!

 

[bearette]

Yet another is it worth it question, if we have annual pass is it worth doing? I don't care about dressing up and my kids (2 year old twin) are scared of characters. From my research the fireworks are the best part ( I saw them when they first debuted before they were part of the party).


Last year being inside right before we were kicked out on a party day, we were tempted to try it since the kids were free, but we backed out because we didnt want to pay full price for ourselves (if they were even available). Is it something we should just try once? I'm so torn!

 

[zanzibar138]

But... are you ready for the shocker? Here goes. Even I can't believe this one, and I am pretty lenient and open-minded about the early appearances of seasonal décor, merchandise and goodies. You may want to sit down for this one.

Reese's Peanut Butter Ice Cream CHRISTMAS TREES were spotted at Walmart!!!!!!!!!!!! On August 11th!!!!!!!

I am strangely horrified and delighted by this news, all at the same time! The regular Reese's Peanut Butter Trees haven't even hit the shelves yet (nor have the Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins, from what I have heard), but the ice cream versions are already out!

Last year our major department stores started setting up their Christmas areas in late August. Over here we don't have any major holiday between Easter and Christmas, so there's nothing really stopping people from starting early.

IMHO, August is far too early for Christmas stuff. It really takes the magic out of it when it actually IS Christmas time.

We are a well oiled machine at this now, shopping with 3 kids under 5=not a lot of fun. So we hit 1x walmart super store and then 1 x outlet and be out in a couple of hours, we know what shops to go in and skip all the others...

This is us after about 20 minutes in Walmart:

I love it!

Hubby and I LOVE Halloween and even had a Halloween themed wedding



So we very much like to Halloween stuff up year round in our house. finger crossed!!

OMG your wedding looks amazing! I'm interested though, how did your guests react? Our parents may have killed us if we had a Halloween themed wedding Although we have some friends who would have LOVED it!

 

[KOUKLI]

Haha I can understand that. Well hubby is really into Dracula and horror movies and I've always loved all things strange and spooky so I don't think our families really expected anything less from us actually! Not to mention with weddings, if your the one paying for it then you get to do it your way

I think everyone was more worried about me having a Bridesman Otherwise very much a traditional wedding, church and all. Our photos at Melbourne's Luna Park were something a little different too.

I tried to keep it kinda classy though so there wasn't any dress ups and nothing too crazy. Just went with a black and orange theme and a bit of spook here and there. Those glass pumpkins were the favors for each guest and kids got a Halloween coloring book to amuse themselves with







​

 

[Vala]

Vala -- Amazing photos of the Mad T Party!

Thank you. Front row and 300mm zoom lens.

We camped some hours for that spot, but it was worth it.

Great photos! I only stayed to watch the first set (had to head over to DL for fireworks and Fantasmic!), so I didn't get to see the progression. It's great to see that they did do something for Halloween! Did they do in any other Halloween-ish songs? They did "This is Halloween" for the first set (when I was there), which seems like it's one of the "standard" Halloween songs in Disney because it's in the fireworks show and the Cadaver Dans sang it as well.

The first night my local friend took me we had the Fantasmic dessert package. Thankfully my friend who was travelling with me was so sweet and got in line to choose seats. But in the end I was still kicking myself for having to leave DCA.

I probably won't book the dessert package this year for the first time since I've been coming to Disneyland to make sure I don't miss out on anything important at the T Party. There's different combinations of band members, so each performance has unique things.

Last year "This is Halloween" appeared in all sets, always as the last song before the band took a break. The big finale song was Thriller and that one simply blew me away. I can't recall any other songs that did strike me as typical Halloween. But the local friend I mentioned said it's definitely a slightly altered play list.

 

[zanzibar138]

Haha I can understand that. Well hubby is really into Dracula and horror movies and I've always loved all things strange and spooky so I don't think our families really expected anything less from us actually! Not to mention with weddings, if your the one paying for it then you get to do it your way

I think everyone was more worried about me having a Bridesman Otherwise very much a traditional wedding, church and all. Our photos at Melbourne's Luna Park were something a little different too.

I tried to keep it kinda classy though so there wasn't any dress ups and nothing too crazy. Just went with a black and orange theme and a bit of spook here and there. Those glass pumpkins were the favors for each guest and kids got a Halloween coloring book to amuse themselves with

It looks great! I love subtle theming. I agree too, if you're paying for it, do it how you want We got married at Healesville Sanctuary (a local wildlife sanctuary for those unfamiliar with it) and our theme was a combination of elegant Australian BBQ (including native flora and fauna) and subtle red and navy colours for DH's favourite footy team Sounds weird, but it came together pretty well

Sorry Sherry Please return to your scheduled programming.

 

[KOUKLI]

It looks great! I love subtle theming. I agree too, if you're paying for it, do it how you want We got married at Healesville Sanctuary (a local wildlife sanctuary for those unfamiliar with it) and our theme was a combination of elegant Australian BBQ (including native flora and fauna) and subtle red and navy colours for DH's favourite footy team Sounds weird, but it came together pretty well

Sorry Sherry Please return to your scheduled programming.

Thanks you zanzibar Oh wow that sounds awesome too! I am yet to visit Healseville, should really get on to it. Couldn't imagine a better theme to go with a venue like that! Yay for original weddings!

Sorry Sherry! Didn't mean to go off track, just sharing my general appreciation for the spooky season

 

[Sherry E]

Yet another is it worth it question, if we have annual pass is it worth doing? I don't care about dressing up and my kids (2 year old twin) are scared of characters. From my research the fireworks are the best part ( I saw them when they first debuted before they were part of the party).


Last year being inside right before we were kicked out on a party day, we were tempted to try it since the kids were free, but we backed out because we didnt want to pay full price for ourselves (if they were even available). Is it something we should just try once? I'm so torn!

bearette --

In your case, I'm not sure if the MHP would be worth it. It may be. I think that it definitely should be determined on a case-by-case basis. For some people the MHP will be worth it and even necessary to the overall Halloween Time experience. For others it may not be the best thing.

You've seen the fireworks (back in 2009 was when Halloween Screams was available to the general public), and only you know if your kids would enjoy those. The fireworks are awesome, but is the ticket price of the MHP worth it to see the show (even with the AP discount)?

Then there is also the little Cavalcade/mini-parade, with characters in costumes -- if the kids are uncomfortable with the idea of characters, would this appeal to them?

And...there is the candy at the treat stations. Lots and lots of candy. Is that important to you at all?

Other than that, there are spooky effects here and there -- fog over the Rivers of America and eerie lighting along the Big Thunder Trail. There are also cool projections onto various facades, such as the Castle (spider webs, skulls, ghosts and things like that).

Overall, it is a fun party and I think that it's worth it to try at least once for a lot of people, but again...I think it varies, depending on the people.

For me, personally, I don't need to do the MHP every year, but I enjoy it a lot when I go to it every now and then (which I am planning to do this year). It's fun to see all of the elaborate costumes people wear! In general, it's more important to me to be there for Halloween Time and enjoy that season than to specifically go to the party.

 

[figment_jii]

bearette - I largely agree with Sherry that it hard to say whether it would be worth it for you to go or not. In terms of the characters, you can (for the most part) avoid them at MHP. They aren't really out randomly, so in most cases you can see the line and know that means there is likely a character there. The fireworks is the best part, but the Cavalcade is cute and there is lots of trick-or-treating. It's a fun party and very family friendly (for the most part).

I would ask three other question:
1) Are you kids likely to be able to stay up until 11:00 pm or midnight? If they are not (or at least can't make it through most of the time), then I would probably consider forgoing the party until they're able to enjoy it. Though, if they could nap/sleep in a stroller or something like that, then this might not be as much of an issue.

2) When you say "2 year old", do you mean they were 2 last year, so they're 3 now (and would need a ticket) or are they 2 now and still "free". If they're free, then I would probably put more weight on trying the party this year because it'll be half the price of next year (when you'd need four tickets). It'll be a good chance to see if you like the party and would want to go back in the next few years when your kids are small.

3) Do your kids like Halloween? The MHP version is pretty tame (not very gruesome), but there are still some elements that can scare some children/folks. If they frighten easily, then this might not be something to do. If they don't frighten easily and/or like Halloween, then the party can be a lot of fun.

I suppose you could leave it up to chance/fake. If there are still tickets available the day/night you're there, then you can make a declension. If tickets aren't available, then you don't have to worry.

 

[laura&fam]

There has been some discussion about the fall/Halloween merchandise but does anyone know anything about the HM merchandise? There are a couple of kitchen things that I'm interested in but one in particular isn't showing up on the online store. Also I'll have so little time in the actual park that I'd like to pick it up at World of Disney if possible.
What is the time frame for the HM merchandise? Will they be restocking it during the Halloween season? Where is it available? It's cruel for them to keep showing pictures when I'm not sure I can get it

 

[figment_jii]

I do think some of the new Haunted Mansion merchandise are out at DL (mostly t-shirts from what I've seen in photos).
http://disneygeek.com/disneyland/pictures/2014/08/08/22

I suspect it's trickling into the parks, but I think it should be available for a while. (I also think it'll be around a while because the HM store in WDW isn't going to open until later this year and I would think they'd want to have the newest merchandise available there.)

I don't know about WoD, but my guess is that most of the merchandise will be at the cart at HM's exit and at the store in NOS (next to the Pirate shop).

 

[Sherry E]

I don't think this has anything at all to do with Halloween Time, specifically -- because the date in September is way too early -- but I will mention it because there is a photo of a pumpkin on the front of the postcard! And pumpkins are Halloween-ish!

My AP expires relatively soon (mid-November). I received a postcard in the mail (with Mickey and a pumpkin on the front!) from the Annual Passport program, and the text says:

"Thank you for being a Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder! We hope you've enjoyed your time in the parks this year! To celebrate, we are having a special party for those of you coming up on your Passholder Anniversary. We invite you to fall back to fun for an exciting after-hours event at Disney California Adventure Park with a throwback theme and a variety of special entertainment, including special Character greeting experiences and surprises along the way."

It appears that I can bring up to 5 additional Passholder Guests, and I have to register on August 20th.

The date of the event is Tuesday, September 2nd, from 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.


Since everyone's APs expire at different times, I am guessing that Disney is grouping people together, i.e., anyone whose AP is expiring in the next few months, to celebrate the "anniversary." Then, another group will probably be celebrating its "anniversary" during the next 'down time' in the parks (in other words, not the peak holiday season).

The "throwback theme" sounds interesting, and I wonder what it means.

And I guess that the "fall back to fun" reference just means 'after Labor Day.'





It's very strange -- and this is not the only thread where this has happened -- when I try to go in and make corrections to typos or mistakes I made in my text, as I was trying to do with the above post ^^, only one or two changes save, and I have to keep going in and re-correcting certain things over and over until everything saves. This happened to me in the Christmas thread too, and it is very odd!

Weird technical glitches! I would like to just correct everything in one swoop and be done with it, instead of having to keep editing over and over!

 

[Davidg83]

A few finds off our truck at work today. Product just waiting to get to the floor! We also received an assortment of fall foods and candy! It's getting closer!

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[Sherry E]

Davidg83 --

Yay! I love seeing the Fall things sneaking in, ever so quietly, while summer still rages on!

Are you guys supposed to use the pumpkins and Fall flowers to showcase some sorts of Fall foods/candy in a big display? Or will it just be random décor placed around the store?

I've got to revisit the stores in my neighborhood this weekend -- City Target, CVS, Ralphs, etc., and see if any signs of Fall have crept in.

Keep us posted on the Fall foods and candy -- even though I'm sure a lot of the items will be the same as what was available last year, there is always something new and surprising -- some new version of Oreos, Hershey's Kisses, M&M's, etc.

It's funny -- I've heard a few people say (usually anchor people on the local news) things like "Now that summer is coming to an end," or "Now that summer is almost over," and so on. There's no one who wants to believe that summer is almost over more than I, but technically it's not really "almost over." We've still got about 5.5 weeks to go, roughly.

But, thankfully and mercifully, we are now closer to the end of summer than the beginning of summer, so it is a step in the right direction! As of tomorrow it will be 8 weeks since summer began. I don't know how I have tolerated it as long as I have!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I will be going during October during the Halloween season and will be attending MHP on the 14th. But when I was trying to purchase the tickets online while I am an AP since I can save about $7 each. When I try to add it to the cart it said that they can't identify me as an AP holder. I don't know what is the problem so I will possibly try back tomorrow morning to see if I can purchase the MHP tickets with the AP discount. I'm wondering if any other AP holder is having the same problem online? It will be very nice to attend another MHP since it came back to DL in 2010.

 

[Sherry E]

As I have said, I'm not a huge pumpkin pie fan at all, but I discovered that I can get a free pie at Ralphs! That's right -- they are giving away a free pumpkin pie this weekend (with a Facebook digital coupon that I had to load to my Ralphs card), and I have to head to Ralphs anyway, so... I guess I will be taking the Fall plunge and getting a free seasonal treat!

I will just have to get a tub of Cool Whip or a can of whipped cream to pile on it, I suppose.

So if you happen to live in Southern California and shop at Ralphs (I don't think they have them in NorCal??), go to their Facebook page before this weekend ends and load their digital coupon for a free pumpkin pie to your Ralphs card. The pie offer expires on Monday, 8/18/14.

It's nice to see that Ralphs recognizes that some of us are sick of summer and want to move on to the next season! (Now, if they would only give out free cartons of peppermint ice cream...)

​

I will be going during October during the Halloween season and will be attending MHP on the 14th. But when I was trying to purchase the tickets online while I am an AP since I can save about $7 each. When I try to add it to the cart it said that they can't identify me as an AP holder. I don't know what is the problem so I will possibly try back tomorrow morning to see if I can purchase the MHP tickets with the AP discount. I'm wondering if any other AP holder is having the same problem online? It will be very nice to attend another MHP since it came back to DL in 2010.

Bret --

So you are going to the MHP after all? I thought you wouldn't be able to get away to go in October, since you're already going for Halloween Time in September! What changed your mind/schedule? That's great to hear that you will be able to go and can once again see Halloween Screams!

I have no idea what craziness the DLR website is up to with not recognizing you as an AP holder. If you get that same message again when you try to order online, you should probably just call the ticket number (the same one the Visa people and DVC people have to use - 714-781-4400) and order that way.

Since DLR revamped the whole website and changed its layout, the AP section has been weird. I signed on a week ago and the site was telling me my AP was not linked to my DL account. So I linked it -- even though I thought it was already linked -- and then it showed me that I have TWO APs registered to my name, which is not true. There is only one.

I opted to do the live chat on the DLR site, and the CM kept me waiting for 30 minutes while she/he tried to figure out why the DLR site said I had two APs and find out how to remove one of the AP listings. It was never figured out. My account is still showing I have two linked APs. I just hope they don't charge me for two when it comes time for payment.

I Googled something about AP problems and saw a thread on MousePlanet/MousePad in which people were talking about the weird stuff going on with their APs, especially since the website changed layouts.

Quite frankly, I was shocked to see the AP postcard in the mail for the event in DCA on 9/2, with the "throwback theme." I figured that sort of thing would be emailed out rather than mailed. Actually, I figured that with all of the confusion on the DLR website in the AP section, I might not get any mailings or offers at all!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret --

So you are going to the MHP after all? I thought you wouldn't be able to get away to go in October, since you're already going for Halloween Time in September! What changed your mind/schedule? That's great to hear that you will be able to go and can once again see Halloween Screams!

I have no idea what craziness the DLR website is up to with not recognizing you as an AP holder. If you get that same message again when you try to order online, you should probably just call the ticket number (the same one the Visa people and DVC people have to use - 714-781-4400) and order that way.

Since DLR revamped the whole website and changed its layout, the AP section has been weird. I signed on a week ago and the site was telling me my AP was not linked to my DL account. So I linked it -- even though I thought it was already linked -- and then it showed me that I have TWO APs registered to my name, which is not true. There is only one.

I opted to do the live chat on the DLR site, and the CM kept me waiting for 30 minutes while she/he tried to figure out why the DLR site said I had two APs and find out how to remove one of the AP listings. It was never figured out. My account is still showing I have two linked APs. I just hope they don't charge me for two when it comes time for payment.

I Googled something about AP problems and saw a thread on MousePlanet/MousePad in which people were talking about the weird stuff going on with their APs, especially since the website changed layouts.

Quite frankly, I was shocked to see the AP postcard in the mail for the event in DCA on 9/2, with the "throwback theme." I figured that sort of thing would be emailed out rather than mailed. Actually, I figured that with all of the confusion on the DLR website in the AP section, I might not get any mailings or offers at all!

You are correct that I was originally not planning on going in October due to basketball tryouts. But I talked to my other coach and since we are planning on starting trouts in late October, I was able to clear a little time off on the weekdays with basketball since my DA and I will be there for a DISMeet. This was the only time we can meet them at the parks. My DA and I both worked out our schedules to go during those days. I would normally don't go during the weekdays during the off-season at the DLR since with less park hours and less entertainment than on the weekends but this was the time that we can have the DISMeet so we had no problem with it. The September trip is with my other DA (not the one that goes with me all the time in November during the holiday season) and the October is with my DA that goes with me a lot. The only thing that will make me want to go during MHP is Halloween Screams. I haven't see HS a lot like RDCT, BIHM, or Magical where it is only available during MHP. It will be nice to see it in person again and I can take pictures of the fireworks. Also it will be nice to go around the parks during MHP with the trick or treat stations and take pictures of the Columbia at the dock during MHP, Mickey's Cavalcade parade, etc. The hotel rates during the trip around on Harbor Blvd are way so high that they are like weekend/peak season prices. So I had some points to use at Best Western so we will be staying down there for free.

I don't like the new DLR website layout especially on the AP site. It looks so boring and it is hard to find certain links like MHP for example on the AP website to talk about the Halloween season. I have linked my AP to the DL AP website and it recognizes me as an AP when I log in but when I was about to purchase the tickets tonight, it doesn't recognize me. It said to re-sign in and go back to the page and I did that and the outcome was the same. I can't call them right now since I will have to wait tomorrow morning. I'm thinking of calling it tomorrow morning if I can't get back on.

I got the same thing when I renewed my AP back in June and I was told that I haven't renewed my AP. But after a couple of weeks, it said that I was renewed till 2015. There are so many problems with the AP websites since the DLR updated it.

I still haven't got any mail from the AP and when I talked to a CM about my AP, they asked me if I want to receive mail from the AP. I told them yes and the only thing I received was the Halloween season card. That is neat that you were able to get a postcard for the event at DCA.

 

[bearette]

bearette --

In your case, I'm not sure if the MHP would be worth it. It may be. I think that it definitely should be determined on a case-by-case basis. For some people the MHP will be worth it and even necessary to the overall Halloween Time experience. For others it may not be the best thing.

You've seen the fireworks (back in 2009 was when Halloween Screams was available to the general public), and only you know if your kids would enjoy those. The fireworks are awesome, but is the ticket price of the MHP worth it to see the show (even with the AP discount)?

Then there is also the little Cavalcade/mini-parade, with characters in costumes -- if the kids are uncomfortable with the idea of characters, would this appeal to them?

And...there is the candy at the treat stations. Lots and lots of candy. Is that important to you at all?

Other than that, there are spooky effects here and there -- fog over the Rivers of America and eerie lighting along the Big Thunder Trail. There are also cool projections onto various facades, such as the Castle (spider webs, skulls, ghosts and things like that).

Overall, it is a fun party and I think that it's worth it to try at least once for a lot of people, but again...I think it varies, depending on the people.

For me, personally, I don't need to do the MHP every year, but I enjoy it a lot when I go to it every now and then (which I am planning to do this year). It's fun to see all of the elaborate costumes people wear! In general, it's more important to me to be there for Halloween Time and enjoy that season than to specifically go to the party.

y

It doesn't sound like that much different then the normal park but as they are two now it would be cheaper to try it out. They aren't easily spooked and characters from afar, parade style, they like.

The other questions, since we left Disney last night at midnight with them wide awake I think we may try it.

Are there special food offerings only available at the party or are they also in the regular admision too?

 

[Sherry E]

y

It doesn't sound like that much different then the normal park but as they are two now it would be cheaper to try it out. They aren't easily spooked and characters from afar, parade style, they like.

The other questions, since we left Disney last night at midnight with them wide awake I think we may try it.

Are there special food offerings only available at the party or are they also in the regular admision too?

bearette --

There will probably be a couple of items made or available only during the party, but I don't know how widely publicized they will be, and if they will differ from last year. In this list, you will see that the Monster U Burger was available at the party last year (an MHP exclusive, apparently), and there was a Rice Crispy snack (Mike Wazowski's eye!) that was available during the party. I'm sure that this year the MHP exclusives would be different.

The rest of those foods and drinks will probably be available in some form or another during the whole Halloween Time season (though some of them may be slightly different this year), and some of them should be available at certain open food locations during the party.

I only wish that the full Halloween Carnival was kept open during the Halloween Party (with the full array of crafts, games, pumpkin carvers, etc., that can be found during the daytime) too, but I don't think it was open at full capacity last year. At best the Carnival would be used as a treat trail/station for candy collecting, and a spot for character meet and greets. The regular Halloween Carnival (with the pumpkin carvers and crafts/games) will be open in the daytime during regular park hours, and it is a gem.

 

[laura&fam]

I only wish that the full Halloween Carnival was kept open during the Halloween Party (with the full array of crafts, games, pumpkin carvers, etc., that can be found during the daytime) too, but I don't think it was open at full capacity last year. At best the Carnival would be used as a treat trail/station for candy collecting, and a spot for character meet and greets. The regular Halloween Carnival (with the pumpkin carvers and crafts/games) will be open in the daytime during regular park hours, and it is a gem.

I thought the same thing. I love the pumpkin carving and that whole area and since it's Halloween-ish why don't they have it open for the party? I'll have to hit it when we first go in when the park is super crowded for those few hours when the day guests and MHP overlap.