HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Sherry E]

I don't see another Friday the 13th until February. It would be awesome if they did make some type of announcement this Friday!

It just seems like it would be perfect timing. We would expect to be hearing confirmation of the Halloween Time dates and the MHP dates sometime in June anyway (even if MHP tickets didn't go on sale until July). Also, this year is technically the 13th anniversary of Haunted Mansion Holiday -- last year was the "13th year" of HMH, but this is the real anniversary. So Disney could always play up that angle as a way to release Halloween news or info on Friday the 13th.

Of course, they probably won't, but it would be a good time to do it!

 

[laura&fam]

It just seems like it would be perfect timing. We would expect to be hearing confirmation of the Halloween Time dates and the MHP dates sometime in June anyway (even if MHP tickets didn't go on sale until July). Also, this year is technically the 13th anniversary of Haunted Mansion Holiday -- last year was the "13th year" of HMH, but this is the real anniversary. So Disney could always play up that angle as a way to release Halloween news or info on Friday the 13th.

Of course, they probably won't, but it would be a good time to do it!

If their Monday announcements are anything to go by if it makes sense I doubt they'll do it

 

[Sherry E]

If their Monday announcements are anything to go by if it makes sense I doubt they'll do it

I'm afraid you are probably right! "If it makes sense, don't do it" -- that should be the hashtag instead of #GetHappier!

I don't even blame the Parks Blog -- Erin was probably unaware of the fact that readers and followers of the various Disneyland pages and websites would not find out what certain surprises were. She probably figured that the surprises would be announced somewhere, each Monday.

This could be another case of the different departments within Disney not communicating or being on the same page, literally and figuratively -- as was the case last year, when Backstage Pass printed the incorrect start date of the MHP, and we came to find out later (from the Parks Blog) that the MHP was actually starting 3 days earlier than what had been printed in BP!

This year I notice that Disney is taking its sweet time in releasing the Spring/Summer Backstage Pass. They are not taking any chances at releasing it with potential dates that need to be changed or corrected, before the information has been released on another Disneyland-related website!






I finally couldn't take anymore of the lack of information on or attention to Disney's Halloween Time Facebook page. Disney apparently only posts on that page in September and October. They post on their Holidays Facebook page in November, December and early January.

But what about the rest of the year, when people are actually planning trips? I can't believe that Disney/DLR doesn't have anyone manning the Halloween and Holidays Facebook pages all year long (like one of the Moms Panelists or whoever tackles the Social Media on various platforms) to post fun things about Halloween Time, the MHP and the holidays, get people interested and to answer at least some of the questions coming in.

I finally got on the Halloween Time Facebook page and started answering a few things. And then I also sent messages to a couple of people who were asking questions and invited them to come and join us here in the Superthread or, if they don't wish to join, to just bookmark the Superthread and peek in every so often to see what the latest news is.


So...if the people I invited over here from Facebook happen to be reading along, welcome!

 

[figment_jii]

Well, in their defense, they haven't formally announced the MHP dates until late June or early July in the last few years (6/25/12 and 7/1/13) (not counting the Backstage Pass issue). So hopefully that means we should hear something soon! Until then, we just have to continue guessing how things will go!

 

[Sherry E]

Well, in their defense, they haven't formally announced the MHP dates until late June or early July in the last few years (6/25/12 and 7/1/13) (not counting the Backstage Pass issue). So hopefully that means we should hear something soon! Until then, we just have to continue guessing how things will go!

figment_jii --

Are you just talking about the Parks Blog? There have been Halloween Time and/or MHP dates that appeared on the AP section of the website, and even on the Halloween Time page of the DLR website, before June and especially before July in the past. So they don't always follow the same pattern. Sometimes the info comes out earlier than other times -- and not always directly from the Parks Blog. I remember dates coming out/magically appearing in May at one point.

So, Disney is getting no slack from me on this one. Disneyland Resort needs to get it together and start releasing info earlier (especially since we know that they know it)! There is no reason for these kinds of delays when people need to plan, and there is really no reason for not keeping up with their Halloween Time and Holidays pages on Facebook! If we can find things to discuss and post photos of to make Halloween and the Holidays interesting year-round in the Superthreads, Disney can do something with those Facebook pages! Nonsense!

 

[figment_jii]

Are you just talking about the Parks Blog?

Yeah, I was using the Blog as the most likely location for general public, relatively reliable information. Yeah, I remember they announced MHP in May in 2010, but tickets also went on sale in June to AP holders.

We can hope it comes out soon! Maybe someone should ask about it on the main Disneyland FB page...

 

[Sherry E]

Yeah, I was using the Blog as the most likely location for general public, relatively reliable information. Yeah, I remember they announced MHP in May in 2010, but tickets also went on sale in June to AP holders.

We can hope it comes out soon! Maybe someone should ask about it on the main Disneyland FB page...

There are some years when the Parks Blog devotes more articles/Blogs to certain subjects than others, and certain years when they announce things earlier or later than others. The Blog is not always consistent.

In other words, I am suggesting we all look in a variety of places and not just at the Parks Blog. There are a lot of official places to get DLR info, but the info might sneak in under the radar and without fanfare, and it may pop up in a place that people are not checking.

There were MHP dates that quietly appeared in the AP section of the DLR website -- well before the tickets went on sale or before the Blog covered it -- in May 2011. The Halloween Time season dates have sometimes appeared on the DLR website, without any hoopla or huge announcement, before the Blog announced the start date. Also, there have been emails that I have gotten in the past from Disney Destinations -- or some branch of that, like "D News" -- that have had Halloween Time and holiday season dates printed right on them before they were announced anywhere else.


Backstage Pass would and should have been a reliable official source of info last year -- and it was, as far as the Halloween Time start date and the holiday season start date. The only problem was the incorrect MHP start date -- and I suspect that date was probably correct at first, and then plans changed and it became incorrect after it was too late to change it.

In any case, a lot of the people on the Facebook Halloween Time page are not just asking about dates. They don't know anything about the Halloween Time season in general and have no idea what to expect or plan for because it is their first time going (this year). That's why I started to extend a couple of invitations to people (not everyone -- just some) to come and join us here, where they can get actual details and learn about the season before they go!

 

[RainyDayPixie]

Joining the wait for dates!

I *think* we're going to head down for a soccer game and Disney trip Oct 17-20. I've never been at Halloween Time (and it's my FAVORITE holiday). Would love to get tickets to the October 17 party. Last year they were Tuesdays and Fridays, right?

FAVORITE PLACE + FAVORITE HOLIDAY + TRAVELING FOR MLS = almost too much fun to handle!

 

[Sherry E]

Joining the wait for dates!

I *think* we're going to head down for a soccer game and Disney trip Oct 17-20. I've never been at Halloween Time (and it's my FAVORITE holiday). Would love to get tickets to the October 17 party. Last year they were Tuesdays and Fridays, right?

FAVORITE PLACE + FAVORITE HOLIDAY + TRAVELING FOR MLS = almost too much fun to handle!

Welcome aboard, RainyDayPixie!

The wait for dates is right -- and the wait for any other morsels of info we can get our hands on about Halloween Time too!

I've, of course, seen you around on this board before but I didn't realize that Halloween is your favorite holiday, and yet you've never been to DLR for Halloween Time. You are overdue for your first trip!

Yes, the MHP is mostly on Tuesdays and Fridays. Last year there were 13 parties so there were some extra dates added in, like a random Monday and Wednesday, and Halloween night (which was Thursday). There's no telling if this year we will once again get 13 MHP nights, or if DLR will go back to 10 or 11 MHP nights. I am thinking they will stick with the 13, as all but one of those nights sold out, I think.

Have you skimmed down the first page of this thread, to see the posts about the MHP, Halloween food/snacks, Halloween activities outside of DLR, etc.?

 

[RainyDayPixie]

Welcome aboard, RainyDayPixie!

Thanks Sherry!

I have skimmed the info pages- wow! Thanks for compiling them. There's a lot going on.

We have Tropicana reserved, but I'll keep an eye on on-site hotel prices and see if I feel like splurging.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks Sherry!

I have skimmed the info pages- wow! Thanks for compiling them. There's a lot going on.

We have Tropicana reserved, but I'll keep an eye on on-site hotel prices and see if I feel like splurging.

You're welcome! No need to read everything on page 1 at once, or even at all. You can see which info looks the most interesting or relevant to you and go from there. And if there is something you can't find, be sure to ask us here. It could be something that I have not yet added in, or it might be something that doesn't exist!

I would not be at all surprised if there is some sort of "Fall discount" on the onsite hotels that covers certain weeks in October, but it probably would not come out until late in the summer, maybe after Labor Day, and it could be a good discount or a minimal one. There could be a better discount for AP holders, and maybe a PIN code or something for people on the Disneyland mailing list. One never knows. At least you have the Tropicana reserved, so that part of the planning is out of the way in case there are no good discounts this year!

 

[Kilala]

What would be a good hotel right across the street from DL on Harbor for MHP. My friend used one of the best westerns. I'm planning on staying on Halloween night this year. I plan on booking a room around July 9th. I hope they have the dates up by that time.

 

[laura&fam]

What would be a good hotel right across the street from DL on Harbor for MHP. My friend used one of the best westerns. I'm planning on staying on Halloween night this year. I plan on booking a room around July 9th. I hope they have the dates up by that time.

How many people? Is it just you or are others coming with you? Is breakfast important? A pool? Do you care if there is a fridge or microwave? Will you be spending much time there? Do you want to go cheaper or nicer?

I know many people on the boards really like Howard Johnson. We stayed there once and liked it but it's harder for us because there are 5 of us and their larger rooms tend to fill up very quickly. We mostly stay at Desert Inn & Suites because it's just about the closest hotel there is and they have lots of larger rooms.

 

[zanzibar138]

We're staying at Desert Inn too There are 4 adults in our party and they had the most suitable suites, good price, and great location. I believe they are generally the cheapest of the 'across the road' hotels.

 

[Kilala]

How many people? Is it just you or are others coming with you? Is breakfast important? A pool? Do you care if there is a fridge or microwave? Will you be spending much time there? Do you want to go cheaper or nicer?

I know many people on the boards really like Howard Johnson. We stayed there once and liked it but it's harder for us because there are 5 of us and their larger rooms tend to fill up very quickly. We mostly stay at Desert Inn & Suites because it's just about the closest hotel there is and they have lots of larger rooms.

I know it will be me and maybe my friend. I will be staying just for the night. A microwave would be good.

 

[figment_jii]

Well, Disneyland is now half-way through Friday the 13th and still nothing about Halloween on Facebook, Twitter, or the Parks Blog...

 

[mikana876]

The wait for information is driving me nuts!

 

[Sherry E]

If the Parks Blog didn't take an opportunity to recognize Friday the 13th today, in any way -- even just in a witty blog having nothing to do with Halloween Time -- that surprises me. They must be backlogged in their work! It seems like they would use an opportunity like today -- since it is the only Friday the 13th for the rest of the year -- to do something cute or witty, or announce something Halloween Time-related.

And we know that someone at Disney knows what the dates will be for everything happening for the entire rest of the year! That's what is most frustrating! Even though they may not clue us in as early as they should, we know that they know!

Oh well, at least we have the sheer excitement, joy and tremendous promise (said in a sarcastic tone) of the next #GetHappier/Monday Summer Surprise coming up in 3 days. (Excuse me... did I just say "the next #GetHappier/Monday Summer Surprise"? Someone refresh my memory as to what the first 2 "surprises" were...)

 

[figment_jii]

Oh well, at least we have the sheer excitement, joy and tremendous promise (said in a sarcastic tone) of the next #GetHappier/Monday Summer Surprise coming up in 3 days. (Excuse me... did I just say "the next #GetHappier/Monday Summer Surprise"? Someone refresh my memory as to what the first 2 "surprises" were...)

Raising Hand...Oh...I know!!! The first surprise was the announcement itself (I'm willing to let week one slide), the second surprise was...nothing happened (it was kind of surprising in that way )! Just kidding...kind of...well, we can look at this on the bright(er) side...it can't get much less surprising, so hopefully this upcoming Monday will have something...anything...

 

[crystal1313]

Raising Hand...Oh...I know!!! The first surprise was the announcement itself (I'm willing to let week one slide), the second surprise was...nothing happened (it was kind of surprising in that way )! Just kidding...kind of...well, we can look at this on the bright(er) side...it can't get much less surprising, so hopefully this upcoming Monday will have something...anything...

LOL! Seriously! I hope they at least mention it this Monday, jeez!!