HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

I haven't smoked regularly in a few years and can not remember if the Halloween party was always non smoking or if this is new? Just curious!
And I was the same type of smoker as you and hated smoking around others. I always felt rude. We occasionally will hit the strip casinos and clubs and I will have one or two cigarettes with my drinks. Even then, in a crowd full of smokers, I feel weird doing it!

I was wondering the same thing. I haven't been before so I don't know for sure but I thought I saw a review of MHP (maybe in here actually?) from a couple of years ago that noted that one of the lines for a character meet and greet was right next to a smoking section, and that smoke was drifting over. I think that was 2012 maybe? Or my memory is failing me. But I think that it wasn't always non-smoking. I'm sure someone in here will know for sure.

Yeah it's totally weird! Seattle went smoke-free in public places years and years ago so I'm very used to having to go 'outside" to smoke. I feel very uncomfortable when my smoke blows toward someone else or smoking in crowds, even with other smokers.

 

[KOUKLI]

You have to remember that Villians Unleashed was a hard ticket, one-evening (5 hours) only event at DHS. It comparable in price to MHP/MNSSHP, but it was it's own event.

This is true but it would be nice to see some of those rarer villians during MHP. It seems to be a lot of the same and not many exclusives for those that are big fans of the villains anyway. Have to put Villians Unleashed on my bucket list now

 

[figment_jii]

This is true but it would be nice to see some of those rarer villians during MHP. It seems to be a lot of the same and not many exclusives for those that are big fans of the villains anyway. Have to put Villians Unleashed on my bucket list now

MHP does have Dr. Facillier, Hades, Jafar, Lady Tremaine and the Stepsisters, Darth Vader, Malificient, and Jack Sparrow (I know he's not a villain) out and about. They aren't terribly common outside of MPH.

 

[Kilala]

In the past, Jack Skellington was not a MHP exclusive character, so he should be out during the non-party hours. I would head over there as soon as you arrive and try to see him before the party so you don't have to spend party time seeing him.

Last year, they did post the MHP map before the first party. Hopefully they will do that again on the Disney Parks Blog. I don't think it'll show up until mid-to-late September (close to the date of the first party).

Thanks! Hopefully Toon Town will be open this year. I will do that right after Jack if they have this year.

Halloween TV alert!!!

For those of you are fans of the popular series on Food Network, Halloween Wars -- in which cake artists/bakers, sugar artists/confectioners and pumpkin carvers team up to make really elaborate Halloween creations -- you will be pleased to know that it is coming back for a 4th season this year, starting on Sunday, October 5th!! HERE is the press release.

October 5th features a "Haunted Farm" episode.

October 12th is "Don't Go Into the Forest."

October 19th is "Mummies vs. Werewolves."

October 26th has a "Haunted Carnival" theme!

That is so Awesome!!! I love that show!! I've watching the Simpsons 12 days 552 episode marathon and everytime they have thier Halloween shows I get really excited. I love watching Halloween shows.

 

[Sherry E]

That is so Awesome!!! I love that show!! I've watching the Simpsons 12 days 552 episode marathon and everytime they have thier Halloween shows I get really excited. I love watching Halloween shows.

Same here, Kilala!

I love any kinds of Halloween and holiday TV specials that involve elaborate decorations! I love seeing the decked out neighborhoods with wild, extensive Christmas displays or pumpkin/ghost displays, and I love seeing those shows about different ways to celebrate Halloween.

Every year the Travel Channel seems to produce 2 or 3 brand new shows about Halloween-related things, although one of the shows may be an updated version of an older show. It was around this time last year that I found out about the new 2013 Halloween shows on Travel Channel, but so far I don't see anything about this year's Halloween programming. I can't imagine that Travel wouldn't make some new shows, as Halloween as a holiday and overall celebration only seems to be getting bigger and more involved with each passing year.

 

[abminer]

Does anyone have tips specific to seeing the MHP parade and fireworks? Good viewing spots, how early to get to your spot.... We're going on Oct 3 which already sold out (glad I bought tickets when I did, 2 days later they were gone) so crowds will be crazy.

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, I m getting the feeling that someone sent out a memo to every brand/manufacturer this year and said "Make a Pumpkin Spice version and a Caramel Apple version of everything you sell, no matter what it is."

Now, we have Nestle Tollhouse Pumpkin Spice Morsels, Café Escapes Pumpkin Spice coffee (K-Cups) and Intense Caramel Apple Milk -- all shown HERE.

I must say -- I am not really minding this sort of "Fall Domination" or "Pumpkin Takeover" that is happening in the stores! It will only intensify over the next month (and then the holiday season stuff starts to move in). I am getting a hoot out of seeing exactly which items get Halloween makeovers. I don't know how many of these items I will actually try or buy, but I like seeing what's out there. It helps me to deal with the final month of summer and wait not-so-patiently for the seasons to change!

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Does anyone have tips specific to seeing the MHP parade and fireworks? Good viewing spots, how early to get to your spot.... We're going on Oct 3 which already sold out (glad I bought tickets when I did, 2 days later they were gone) so crowds will be crazy.

abminer --

Well, I think that figment_jii, Cheshirecatty and Bret/mvf-m11c would be good ones to tackle the Cavalcade and fireworks viewing tips for you. I wouldn't recommend my way of viewing the fireworks, which was to just saunter up about 20 minutes before Halloween Screams started and work my way through the existing crowd of people who were waiting, and then stand at the back. There is a better way of viewing the fireworks than what I did. And I was sitting at a table outside Refreshment Corner when the Cavalcade went by. That's not a good plan either.

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[2tinkerbell]

Does anyone have tips specific to seeing the MHP parade and fireworks? Good viewing spots, how early to get to your spot.... We're going on Oct 3 which already sold out (glad I bought tickets when I did, 2 days later they were gone) so crowds will be crazy.

I will definitely be interested in the answer to this.

I know that I said that I didn't want to focus on rides or Characters, but, I might have changed my mind on the Characters. I would like to see Lady Tremaine and the Step Sisters, Jack Sparrow, Malificient, and the Evil Queen. Do you think that is doable or should I forget about it. Are they all exclusive to the MHP or are some available during the day?

I just made my last payment on our trip! I am SO EXCITED!!!! I just hope that I can keep it a secret until September 28th. My DD heard me on the computer this morning as I was printing out the receipt. She wants something from Amazon for her birthday and has been bugging me about it for a couple of weeks now. So this morning she asked, "So did you order something for me from Amazon?" I responded with, "I ordered something, I hope it is the right thing." Before you think that I am a mean Mom and not getting her what she wants, my sister has ordered the coveted item from Amazon. I was going to get it for her for Christmas, but, this works out good.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Does anyone have tips specific to seeing the MHP parade and fireworks? Good viewing spots, how early to get to your spot.... We're going on Oct 3 which already sold out (glad I bought tickets when I did, 2 days later they were gone) so crowds will be crazy.

As for the Halloween Screams fireworks, the best spot to watch the fireworks (during any season) is in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I have seen people wait to stake out a spot for the fireworks when the party starts at it's specific time during MHP at DL and even at MVMCP & MNSSHP at WDW. It will require some stake out time like 1 to 2 hours or more (depends if you want a bench, curb side or in front on the street) if you want to get the best spot. I have seen people walk up in front of the castle about 30 minutes before the fireworks started (but that is forcing their way in). It is also a standing show where you will have to stand in order to see the fireworks. Anywhere along the Hub from the Frontierland side or Tomorrowland side are nice spots with less wait time over in front of SB Castle.

For Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade, anywhere along the parade route. The first cavalcade will get huge crowds while the second one will be less crowded. Main Street which will draw the most crowds on the parade route, another good spot to watch the cavalcade is from IASW Plaza which is less wait time during the regular parades. I don't know about the crowd levels for cavalcade at IASW Plaza but this is my experience with the regular parades at DL.

 

[Sherry E]

I will definitely be interested in the answer to this.

I know that I said that I didn't want to focus on rides or Characters, but, I might have changed my mind on the Characters. I would like to see Lady Tremaine and the Step Sisters, Jack Sparrow, Malificient, and the Evil Queen. Do you think that is doable or should I forget about it. Are they all exclusive to the MHP or are some available during the day?

I just made my last payment on our trip! I am SO EXCITED!!!! I just hope that I can keep it a secret until September 28th. My DD heard me on the computer this morning as I was printing out the receipt. She wants something from Amazon for her birthday and has been bugging me about it for a couple of weeks now. So this morning she asked, "So did you order something for me from Amazon?" I responded with, "I ordered something, I hope it is the right thing." Before you think that I am a mean Mom and not getting her what she wants, my sister has ordered the coveted item from Amazon. I was going to get it for her for Christmas, but, this works out good.

2tinkerbell -

It sounds like your daughter is in for a great Halloween and she will get what she wanted from Amazon! You're certainly not a mean mom for taking her to Disneyland for Halloween Time!

I would see the Villains at the party. I can assure you that you will not see Lady Tremaine and the Stepsisters in the daytime. The Evil Queen may or may not be out in the daytime during Halloween Time, but she will likely be there at night. There are Villains like Frollo, Ratcliffe and others who only appear for the MHP. Maleficent is rare in the non-MHP hours.

Jack Sparrow isn't out in the daytime anymore and has become rare.

The whole point of there being only one Villain to "Conjure" up at a time at the Halloween Carnival in the daytime is that Disney is making the Villains a bigger 'thing' and more exclusive. They stick most of the Villains in the party so that people will buy tickets. Have you seen what Disney is doing at WDW? They are making a huge deal out of the Villains, and making whole events and hard ticket dessert meals out of meeting Villains.

At the Halloween Carnival, chances are there will be a rotation of 3 or 4 villains, and you will only meet one at a time. It could be Captain Hook, Cruella or Jafar -- maybe, possibly, the Evil Queen, but who knows? The Queen of Hearts may be at the Conjure tent too. But the lion's share of Villains will be at the MHP, as well as a few rarely seen characters and characters in Halloween garb.

 

[figment_jii]

In terms of the Calvalcade, I generally agree with mvf-m11c: most of the parade route has good viewing. I tend to arrive about 30-45 minute early so I get a place to sit (i.e., the front row). About the only major advice I would have is to avoid being on the inside of the bend in the route. For example, the first Calvalcade goes from IaSW to MS. If you watch up by IaSW, be on the side of the route where the pretzel sand is located opposed to side where the Princesses used to meet. If you're on the princess-side, you won't be able to see the Calvalcade until it's almost upon you. Otherwise, I've watched from both Small World Mall and Main Street and both are great places to watch.

For Halloween Screams (fireworks), I like watching anywhere from Main Street. The spots between the Partners Statue and the Castle fill up far in advance (at mvf-m11c mentioned, you'll need to get there hours in advance). I generally watch from Main Street, somewhere between the Candy Palace and the Partner's Statue. I arrive about 45 minutes in advance. Make sure you can see the left side of the castle (when facing the castle) because that's where the projection globe will appear. So if you have to be to one side of Main Street, be on the Tomorrowland side (opposed to the Adventureland side).

 

[briggscreek]

Ugh, I'm going crazy trying to find a shirt for my son's Indy costume. That basic style is usually pretty easy to find, but not this year! I only have three weeks left and I've looked everywhere.

 

[Sherry E]

Ugh, I'm going crazy trying to find a shirt for my son's Indy costume. That basic style is usually pretty easy to find, but not this year! I only have three weeks left and I've looked everywhere.

briggscreek --

Did you see my response to your question about the in-room celebration a while back? I provided links to posts with photos of last year's in-room celebration. If you didn't see my response, let me know and I will find it and re-post it!

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This just in:

"New and Returning Frightful Favorites During Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland Park" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on August 28th, 2014 by Erin Glover, Social Media Director, Disneyland Resort

There's nothing all that new or revealing, however, other than the Frozen gang.

No mention of a Toontown pre-party.

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[figment_jii]

This just in:

"New and Returning Frightful Favorites During Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland Park" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on August 28th, 2014 by Erin Glover, Social Media Director, Disneyland Resort

Beat me to it!

Well...not really anything "new" to speak of...except the addition of the Anna, Elsa, and Olaf pre-Cavalcade float. Still no word on Toontown Pre-Party Party (I'm kind of guessing "no" at this point because there hasn't been anything about it at all).

Last year, I recall seeing Hades or Frollo (I can't remember), the Evil Queen, Maleficent, Facilier, Cruella, and Jafar as the villains in "Villains Square" with the Queen of Hearts wandering by occasionally. Lady Tremaine and the Stepsisters wandered about after the carriage came out. So it doesn't sound like they've added any "new" villians to the mix (at least at this point).

 

[2tinkerbell]

I wish they would let us know about the Toontown pre-party.

 

[pudinhd]

Last year, I recall seeing Hades or Frollo (I can't remember), the Evil Queen, Maleficent, Facilier, Cruella, and Jafar as the villains in "Villains Square" with the Queen of Hearts wandering by occasionally. Lady Tremaine and the Stepsisters wandered about after the carriage came out. So it doesn't sound like they've added any "new" villians to the mix (at least at this point).

When I read this (thanks, Sherry!) it made me wonder if Maleficent and the Evil Queen will appear with Snow White & Sleeping Beauty at PFF like they are doing at MNSSHP... Not that there is anything wrong with them, but I would be really disappointed if Cruella De Vil, the Queen of Hearts, Judge Frollo and Lady Tremaine were the only villains around.

 

[mcjingles]

If arriving at the MHP about 5 from DD would you take the monorail? Or walk to main gates?

 

[Sherry E]

New, as of today:

"Sneak Peek at Much-Anticipated Gingerbread Creation for Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park" - Disney Parks Blog; posted on August 28th, 2014 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer

 

[figment_jii]

If arriving at the MHP about 5 from DD would you take the monorail? Or walk to main gates?

I would walk...the monorail from DTD can have a long line because folks do not have to disembark at the DTD monorail station (they make every get off at Tomorrowland). It's not a really long walk from the DTD station to the main gate at DL. Besides, if you walk to the main gate, you'll get to see the Halloween decor over the gates and on Main Street!

 

[Sherry E]

Spotted on shelves! Betty Crocker's Maple Bacon and Candy Corn Cookie mixes and frostings!!!!

Maple bacon cookie mix and frosting???? I like maple. I like bacon. I like cookies. But all together? Will that be good?

As I said earlier, it's "Fall Domination"! (I like the terms "Pumpkin Takeover" or "Pumpkin Domination" better, but there was nothing pumpkin-y about this food item, so it did not apply!)