HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[figment_jii]

Soooo, I want to dress up as the house from Up. I'm planning to make a small cardboard house with a few small latex helium balloons attached to it that will hang around me (I'll be wearing cloud pajamas, so not risque!). I'm designing the house so that it can be folded flat to enable me to ride the tram. I don't plan on going on any of the rides.

Sort of like this costume, less balloons:
http://ideas.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/2012/09/17/house/

I've never been to the Disneyland party before, do you think this will be allowed?

My guess is that it'll be fine. I think as long as it is not a huge cardboard shape and you can move easily about in it, you should be okay.

I ended up missing the Tremaine Sisters

This is a good point...last year the Tremaines did not meet and greet like standard characters. They came out with the processional and wandered, but they left with (or soon after) the processional. They didn't go to one of the meet and greet areas, so you had to be there during the change over to see them.

6) After the cavalcade, the villians said goodnight and the park closed.

Good point. It's worth noting that last year the schedule of events were the same regardless of the party hours. So on nights when the party ended at 11:00 pm, the last Cavalcade steps off close to the end of the night (e.g., 10:30 pm). On nights when the party ends at midnight, there is a longer gap between the Calvacade and the end of the party.

 

[Sherry E]

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Does anyone here live in Dallas? Their Autumn at the Arboretum event (at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden) looks awesome (be sure to select the slideshow option so you can see all of the amazing photos -- HERE!), and I wish we had something like that here in L.A.! We do have Rise of the Jack o' Lanterns, which sounds great but is more specifically about Halloween and not so much about "Autumn." I like both Halloween-specific things and Autumn-specific things.

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Soooo, I want to dress up as the house from Up. I'm planning to make a small cardboard house with a few small latex helium balloons attached to it that will hang around me (I'll be wearing cloud pajamas, so not risque!). I'm designing the house so that it can be folded flat to enable me to ride the tram. I don't plan on going on any of the rides.

Sort of like this costume, less balloons:
http://ideas.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/2012/09/17/house/

I've never been to the Disneyland party before, do you think this will be allowed?

iheartglaciers --

Well, my guess is that it will be allowed, but I suppose it could depend on how big and cumbersome the house would be, and whether there is any risk of the house poking other guests. The costume guidelines are:



Costumes should be child-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive or violent.

Guests may wear masks. However, masks must not obstruct vision, and eyes must be visible at all times.

Costumes should not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or material that may accidentally strike another Guest.

Guests that dress like Disney Characters may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.

Costumes should not drag on the ground.

Costumes should not contain items which resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.

Guests of all ages may only wear costumes to the Mickey's Halloween Party event to which they have valid tickets. During normal park operating hours, costumes are only permitted for Guests ages 9 and younger.

Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into the event unless their costumes can be modified to meet the above standards. Information subject to change without notice.



I think it should be okay, though -- and it sounds very clever!

 

[briggscreek]

Well, we've been here since Sunday and the night we arrived DD finally got her brothers cold. Luckily it's been really mild and she's just stuffed up! We've been able to get a lot done, finally saw World of Color with a rail spot, it's so much better when you can actually see! Lunch at Wine Country Trattoria was really good too.

We had a great time at the Halloween carnival, our DS got to conjure the evil Queen and DD got picked to go on stage and help with the magic show. She helped pull the rabbit out of his hat and got to pet it. The kids also love Ghost Galaxy.

We always visit at slower times and Sunday was crazy busy and the bathrooms were just gross, reminded me of gas station bathrooms LOL. Magic morning was also crazy this morning, wish we would have just skipped it entirely! Seemed like the line for the fastpass for Anna and Elsa took up half of fantasyland, we decided it wasn't worth it. We got the Maleficent dragon sipper and the zero popcorn bucket, but we haven't really had many of the holiday treats. Can someone remind me where to get the Sally coffin cake?

 

[Sherry E]

Well, we've been here since Sunday and the night we arrived DD finally got her brothers cold. Luckily it's been really mild and she's just stuffed up! We've been able to get a lot done, finally saw World of Color with a rail spot, it's so much better when you can actually see! Lunch at Wine Country Trattoria was really good too.

We had a great time at the Halloween carnival, our DS got to conjure the evil Queen and DD got picked to go on stage and help with the magic show. She helped pull the rabbit out of his hat and got to pet it. The kids also love Ghost Galaxy.

We always visit at slower times and Sunday was crazy busy and the bathrooms were just gross, reminded me of gas station bathrooms LOL. Magic morning was also crazy this morning, wish we would have just skipped it entirely! Seemed like the line for the fastpass for Anna and Elsa took up half of fantasyland, we decided it wasn't worth it. We got the Maleficent dragon sipper and the zero popcorn bucket, but we haven't really had many of the holiday treats. Can someone remind me where to get the Sally coffin cake?

You can get the Sally Coffin Cake at the French Market.

I'm glad to read that you're all having a great time (despite crowds, the bathrooms and the sudden cold that your DD caught)!

 

[corinne76]

In honor of the start of Fall, let's take a look at a couple of Disneyland Resort's "conspicuously Autumnal trees." These are trees that don't appear to have naturally, organically grown in their designated spots (as they are usually situated between many green trees), but were instead randomly placed around DLR to either give the appearance of seasons changing or to fit in with a specific theme.[/B]

This conspicuously Autumnal tree is in the area where Grizzly Peak meets Paradise Pier in DCA...

And this tree is somewhere in Critter Country...

Totally thread jacking because we're not going to DL this year (but we are planning a trip next Oct! so I'll be on the next Halloween thread)
I just wanted to say these pics are lovely. I hadn't even thought about autumn trees and I can't wait to see some. Lame I know, but I'm in Hawaii and our trees don't change color like that.

 

[Sherry E]

Totally thread jacking because we're not going to DL this year (but we are planning a trip next Oct! so I'll be on the next Halloween thread)
I just wanted to say these pics are lovely. I hadn't even thought about autumn trees and I can't wait to see some. Lame I know, but I'm in Hawaii and our trees don't change color like that.

Welcome, corinne76!

Thank you!

It's not lame at all -- to be honest, we don't really have trees with vibrant colored leaves like that in Southern California either, and I would love it if we did! Our trees either stay green all year, or the leaves die off early and fall to the ground in sort of a boring beige-colored heap, way before Fall really even kicks in. Up north, however, it may be a different story, I think.

I see these great photos of people walking along quiet, brightly colored, tree-lined lanes, with millions of red, orange and yellow Autumn leaves as far as the eye can see, and I think, "Yep. We sure don't have any of those lanes in Los Angeles."

That's why I find the conspicuously autumnal trees in Disneyland and California Adventure so amusing, in a way -- they stick out because they are usually near a bunch of green trees, or they seem to be totally isolated from all other trees. It seems very obvious to me that Disney's horticulture department ordered some of those trees and placed them in very deliberate, specific spots around the parks to fit themes. A couple of the trees that I have seen have had leaves that were so "perfect" in their color and design that I actually wondered for a moment if they were fake. The leaves looked as if they had been dipped in paint, they were so picture-perfect.

I have a feeling that your Hawaiian sunsets, blue ocean, white beaches and lush green hillsides would put everything we have out here in L.A. to shame too!

You're not thread jacking at all -- anyone is welcome to jump in, whether they are headed to DLR for Halloween Time or not! Some people like to subscribe and follow along because they plan to go eventually -- within a couple of years -- and they just want to keep up with what's happening during the season so they'll know what to expect down the road.

 

[corinne76]

Sherry E, I think it's a case of the grass is always greener you know? I've lived here my whole life and I know I don't appreciate it like visitors do.
When we visited DLR last year, it was hot, crowded and foggy. Did I care? Not one bit. I love DLR so much and it was my first visit since my teenaged years. I was so happy. Seriously, we went during that dreaded grad night time and it didn't bother me one bit.

And I too would wonder if the trees are fake. The little kid in me would have to touch them to make sure. I'm the one who sees and random light switch and flicks it to see what it does. I worked in a restaurant and did that in the kitchen once. The staff wasn't too happy to suddenly be in total darkness

 

[Sew into Disney]

Welcome, corinne76!



It's not lame at all -- to be honest, we don't really have trees with vibrant colored leaves like that in Southern California either, and I would love it if we did! Our trees either stay green all year, or the leaves die off early and fall to the ground in sort of a boring beige-colored heap, way before Fall really even kicks in. Up north, however, it may be a different story, I think.

Sherry, it is true that up north (Oregon) the trees are beautiful. I grew up in Southern California and there were never trees like we have here. I love the variation of colors. Yellows, oranges, pinks and shades of brown. I love watching the trees go from full green to spots of fall to full blown fall. Fall is my favorite season ... hands down.

 

[starshine514]

So, my DD7 is still Pooh obsessed. Is Pooh typically out at the Halloween party (we're only going with our party ticket, so no extra days)? If yes, does he wear a Halloween costume? Where will we find Pooh at the party? Any timing tips?

DD9 has requested that we meet Maleficient. We went during Halloweentime (but not to a party) last year and the year before and never managed to conjure her. Where do you think we'll find her during the party? Any timing tips?

The girls would also like to meet Mickey and Minnie (the baby loves the mice), but I'm thinking that may be too much to plan on...

Also, are there any timing tips in general? We'd like to see the fireworks, ride HMH, BTMRR, Pooh, Star Tours, Alice and Small World (of course, we'd like to ride more, but with the M&G requests, I'm not sure we can). We're going next Tuesday, and plan to enter the park at 3.00. I'm usually so good with coming up with a plan of attack, but I'm at a bit of a loss with planning for a Halloween party (especially with it being our only park time this year).

 

[figment_jii]

So, my DD7 is still Pooh obsessed. Is Pooh typically out at the Halloween party (we're only going with our party ticket, so no extra days)? If yes, does he wear a Halloween costume? Where will we find Pooh at the party? Any timing tips?

He was out last year in his Halloween costume back by Pooh Corner (near the exit to the Winnie the Pooh ride). He's also out during the day (probably not in costume). We'll know for certain if he's out again this year (and who is out with him) on Friday night (the first MHP of the year).

DD9 has requested that we meet Maleficient. We went during Halloweentime (but not to a party) last year and the year before and never managed to conjure her. Where do you think we'll find her during the party? Any timing tips?

Again, if things are the same as last year, she'll be with the other villains at the meet and greet in Town Square (by the train station). She was in the set with the Evil Queen. They switched out every 45 minutes or so (I think), so you'll have to ask the CMs when the next switch is slated and try to time your visit. They have also been reports that she's been conjured this year, so you might see if she's at the Jamboree while you're there.

The girls would also like to meet Mickey and Minnie (the baby loves the mice), but I'm thinking that may be too much to plan on...

Mickey (and I think Minnie) are at the Jamboree in costume. They probably won't be together, but you can probably find both there at some point.

Also, are there any timing tips in general? We'd like to see the fireworks, ride HMH, BTMRR, Pooh, Star Tours, Alice and Small World (of course, we'd like to ride more, but with the M&G requests, I'm not sure we can). We're going next Tuesday, and plan to enter the park at 3.00.

I would try to knock out as many rides as possible during the overlap (3-6 pm) and then towards the end of the party. HMH is generally fairly busy, so I would either do that first or last. I would see if you could get a FP for BTMRR or Star Tours. Honestly, I think you will probably have to try to get in the rides during the overlap and at the very end of the party, because the meet and greets and MHP activities will take up a fair amount of time.

 

[briggscreek]

You can get the Sally Coffin Cake at the French Market.

I'm glad to read that you're all having a great time (despite crowds, the bathrooms and the sudden cold that your DD caught)!

Thanks Sherry, hopefully we'll have one today! My DD wants to meet Jack and Sally so I guess we'll be hanging out in NOS anyway.

Does anyone know why the parks open at 8am tomorrow? Thursday isn't generally a much busier day than the rest o f the week...

 

[kkmcan]

Also, are there any timing tips in general? We'd like to see the fireworks, ride HMH, BTMRR, Pooh, Star Tours, Alice and Small World (of course, we'd like to ride more, but with the M&G requests, I'm not sure we can). We're going next Tuesday, and plan to enter the park at 3.00. I'm usually so good with coming up with a plan of attack, but I'm at a bit of a loss with planning for a Halloween party (especially with it being our only park time this year).

Hi Starshine! It's Kelly. I don't have any tips for you but I wanted to say hi and that we'll be there on the 3rd doing the party and a one day ticket to DCA on the 4th. It is hard planning for this knowing you only have 1 evening to fit it all in. Our focus is rides and some candy and of course the fireworks. We haven't been to DL in 2 years so we want to hit as many rides as possible. The kids want their candy bag filled to the top as they don't trick or treat at home anymore

You've got an advantage I think going on a weeknight rather than a Friday night. I think our party is going to be packed but its when we could go and we are so super excited..... counting down the days like when the kids were younger

Have fun and report back how it went!

 

[figment_jii]

Does anyone know why the parks open at 8am tomorrow? Thursday isn't generally a much busier day than the rest o f the week...

I was guessing that it has to do with the early closure of DCA tomorrow in the evening.

On an unrelated note, I just picked us a bag of Spiced Caramel Apple Caramel Corn by Werther's from Target. Hopefully it Tate's as good as the regular caramel corn.

 

[elamarca]

Welcome, corinne76!

Thank you!

It's not lame at all -- to be honest, we don't really have trees with vibrant colored leaves like that in Southern California either, and I would love it if we did! Our trees either stay green all year, or the leaves die off early and fall to the ground in sort of a boring beige-colored heap, way before Fall really even kicks in. Up north, however, it may be a different story, I think.

I see these great photos of people walking along quiet, brightly colored, tree-lined lanes, with millions of red, orange and yellow Autumn leaves as far as the eye can see, and I think, "Yep. We sure don't have any of those lanes in Los Angeles."

That's why I find the conspicuously autumnal trees in Disneyland and California Adventure so amusing, in a way -- they stick out because they are usually near a bunch of green trees, or they seem to be totally isolated from all other trees. It seems very obvious to me that Disney's horticulture department ordered some of those trees and placed them in very deliberate, specific spots around the parks to fit themes. A couple of the trees that I have seen have had leaves that were so "perfect" in their color and design that I actually wondered for a moment if they were fake. The leaves looked as if they had been dipped in paint, they were so picture-perfect.

I have a feeling that your Hawaiian sunsets, blue ocean, white beaches and lush green hillsides would put everything we have out here in L.A. to shame too!

You're not thread jacking at all -- anyone is welcome to jump in, whether they are headed to DLR for Halloween Time or not! Some people like to subscribe and follow along because they plan to go eventually -- within a couple of years -- and they just want to keep up with what's happening during the season so they'll know what to expect down the road.

One of the very BEST things about moving from So-Cal to Nor-Cal is the changing of the leaves. I grew up at the beach in Ventura, without any official season change and no real trees to speak of besides palm trees. Now up here in Sacramento, we get everything. It's lovely. That being said, I'm now 6 hours away from DLR.. BOOOO!

 

[Kittymomm]

Are FP available during the party? I was thinking of starting to collect right as the party starts (potentially)...

 

[starshine514]

He was out last year in his Halloween costume back by Pooh Corner (near the exit to the Winnie the Pooh ride). He's also out during the day (probably not in costume). We'll know for certain if he's out again this year (and who is out with him) on Friday night (the first MHP of the year).

Thanks! So, even during the Halloween Party, he's still in his same area!

Again, if things are the same as last year, she'll be with the other villains at the meet and greet in Town Square (by the train station). She was in the set with the Evil Queen. They switched out every 45 minutes or so (I think), so you'll have to ask the CMs when the next switch is slated and try to time your visit. They have also been reports that she's been conjured this year, so you might see if she's at the Jamboree while you're there.

Great! Do they usually start being there as soon as the party officially begins?

Mickey (and I think Minnie) are at the Jamboree in costume. They probably won't be together, but you can probably find both there at some point.

I think we'll be fine with one or the other. The Jamboree area, that's Big Thunder Ranch, right?

I would try to knock out as many rides as possible during the overlap (3-6 pm) and then towards the end of the party. HMH is generally fairly busy, so I would either do that first or last. I would see if you could get a FP for BTMRR or Star Tours. Honestly, I think you will probably have to try to get in the rides during the overlap and at the very end of the party, because the meet and greets and MHP activities will take up a fair amount of time.

Thanks! That's exactly what I was trying to figure out.

Hi Starshine! It's Kelly. I don't have any tips for you but I wanted to say hi and that we'll be there on the 3rd doing the party and a one day ticket to DCA on the 4th. It is hard planning for this knowing you only have 1 evening to fit it all in. Our focus is rides and some candy and of course the fireworks. We haven't been to DL in 2 years so we want to hit as many rides as possible. The kids want their candy bag filled to the top as they don't trick or treat at home anymore

You've got an advantage I think going on a weeknight rather than a Friday night. I think our party is going to be packed but its when we could go and we are so super excited..... counting down the days like when the kids were younger

Have fun and report back how it went!

Hi Kelly! It is hard to plan because you have to decide what parts of the special Halloween party you want to attend and what regular park parts you can't bear to miss. It's like the pressure is really on to have a plan. I don't *think* our party is sold out (yet), so maybe it won't be too bad. I'm at least hoping the overlap period isn't as horrible as it could be.

If you guys do Sea World, they also have trick-or-treating on the weekends, and everyone can trick or treat there as well. I don't think we're going to make it this year, though. We will be going to Sea World this trip (we have APs there right now), but we're traveling on the Sundays and we're supposed to do something else with our friends on the Saturday. Oh well, we can do without individual peanut butters, potato chips, mini bananas and chocolate rocks.

 

[figment_jii]

Are FP available during the party? I was thinking of starting to collect right as the party starts (potentially)...

Last year, they are still issuing FPs (if there are any available) during the three hour overlap, but once the party starts, they no longer issue or honor FPs.

Do they usually start being there as soon as the party officially begins? The Jamboree area, that's Big Thunder Ranch, right?

I haven't been out there at the start of the party, but I would gues they show up at the start or very soon thereafter. Yes, the Jamboree/Carnival is at Big Thunder Ranch, just beyond the petting zoo area.

 

[Sherry E]

New:


"Planning for a Spooktacular Time at Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Park" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on September 24th, 2014 by Tyler Slater, Social Media Content Coordinator

​

Pumpkin Pandemonium Product Sighting Update:


1. The Coffee Mate "seasonal line of products" TV ad is now running, featuring Pumpkin Spice creamer;

2. Pillsbury Cinnabon Pumpkin Spice Grands -- HERE. Okay, I might have to actually try these;

3. Sara Lee Iced Pumpkin Cakes -- Okay, I might have to try these too; and

4. Prairie Farms "Halloween Favorites Spooktacular Egg Nog and Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk"?? -- HERE. Halloween Egg Nog??

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I was guessing that it has to do with the early closure of DCA tomorrow in the evening.

On an unrelated note, I just picked us a bag of Spiced Caramel Apple Caramel Corn by Werther's from Target. Hopefully it Tate's as good as the regular caramel corn.

figment_jii -- Report back when you try the Spiced Caramel Apple Caramel Corn! I am curious to know how it tastes!

Sherry E, I think it's a case of the grass is always greener you know? I've lived here my whole life and I know I don't appreciate it like visitors do.
When we visited DLR last year, it was hot, crowded and foggy. Did I care? Not one bit. I love DLR so much and it was my first visit since my teenaged years. I was so happy. Seriously, we went during that dreaded grad night time and it didn't bother me one bit.

And I too would wonder if the trees are fake. The little kid in me would have to touch them to make sure. I'm the one who sees and random light switch and flicks it to see what it does. I worked in a restaurant and did that in the kitchen once. The staff wasn't too happy to suddenly be in total darkness

corinne76 --

You're absolutely right -- it is a case of the grass is always greener. Every city and state (and country) has something amazing about it, and it's something that people from other cities and states would like to enjoy. I would like to enjoy a nice snowfall once in my life -- I would love to be able to walk outside, in the middle of Los Angeles, and feel snowflakes on my face, or build a snowman, or make snow angels. Will that ever happen? Probably not, since we don't even get proper Fall-colored trees! People in other states don't want to see snow at all (especially after the Polar Vortex mayhem of this past Winter).

We must get to the bottom of whether or not the conspicuously autumnal trees at DLR are fake!

Sherry, it is true that up north (Oregon) the trees are beautiful. I grew up in Southern California and there were never trees like we have here. I love the variation of colors. Yellows, oranges, pinks and shades of brown. I love watching the trees go from full green to spots of fall to full blown fall. Fall is my favorite season ... hands down.

Sew into Disney --

Fall is amazing. I was sooooo glad to be done with Summer.

Oregon is beautiful in so many areas, so it doesn't surprise me that the Fall trees are gorgeous too!

One of the very BEST things about moving from So-Cal to Nor-Cal is the changing of the leaves. I grew up at the beach in Ventura, without any official season change and no real trees to speak of besides palm trees. Now up here in Sacramento, we get everything. It's lovely. That being said, I'm now 6 hours away from DLR.. BOOOO!

elamarca --

In NorCal you have the benefit of still being near the ocean (as you were in Ventura), as well as enjoying actual Fall-colored leaves and cooler weather than the SoCal weather! Six hours is a good chunk of time away from DLR, but at least it's not 16 hours or something.

 

[Kittymomm]

The 3rd is sold out but on the off chance tickets are available when we get there, would any of you go twice? Seems like a lot of money since we have 5 day passes already + the party on Oct 6th. That said, I am feeling like we are going to miss out on some stuff on our last night there...just wondering if anyone else has gone twice in one season (well, one week in this case).

Stina

 

[Sherry E]

The 3rd is sold out but on the off chance tickets are available when we get there, would any of you go twice? Seems like a lot of money since we have 5 day passes already + the party on Oct 6th. That said, I am feeling like we are going to miss out on some stuff on our last night there...just wondering if anyone else has gone twice in one season (well, one week in this case).

Stina

Stina --

I've never gone twice in one season (yet) but I have always wanted to. I would easily be able to devote one party to seeing the fireworks and the Cavalcade, meeting some characters, and riding a few rides. I could devote a second party to hitting the treat trails, meeting more characters, shopping, taking photos, etc.

I think that there are quite a few people who have gone to more than one party in a year/season/week (figment_jii and Kilala, for example). I think that some people have even gone to 3 parties.

I think that you can have a great experience at one party, and you can get a bit of everything done. I don't think that 2 parties are absolutely necessary, but I think they could be helpful in allowing a bit more time for each activity.