HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Kristina4109]

So glad there is no party on our day, September 20th. I promised my daughter Fantasmic!

 

[Geemo]

figment_jii --

A post here in this thread, with the rapidly-selling-out MHP dates and the dates on which they appear to sell out, is not a bad idea (even if someone starts a separate thread about it). One post (that is updated as dates sell out) is less to have to read and follow than a whole thread, but either way I will link it (post or thread) in the MHP post on page 1!

Original posted by figment_jii --I can create a post here on the SuperThread, but first I'll touch base with Geemo to see if he wants to do it. He hasn't been on the board lately, but I wouldn't want to step on his toes.

"Geemo" is the name my grandkids call me, instead of Granma.

I haven't been on the board lately due to Computer Failure!!! It was down for three weeks and I don't function well on the laptop.

I believe Sell Out information would be very helpful if posted on the first page of the SuperThread.

I mainly did it last year for fun. Having someone else cover it this year is fine with me. If it's too much for someone else let me know and I'll do it again this year.

Happy to participate however I can.

Geemo

 

[Sherry E]

I think that WDW doesn't name the Halloween season because aside from MNSSHP and a few fall decorations there really isn't much of a Halloween presence until much closer to Halloween. (Well, there is the merchandise and snacks, but I wasn't really counting that.) They do not have HMH, SMGG, or Big Thunder Ranch Carnival. So for WDW/MK, Halloween isn't as "big" an event as it is at DLR.


I can create a post here on the SuperThread, but first I'll touch base with Geemo to see if he wants to do it. He hasn't been on the board lately, but I wouldn't want to step on his toes.


I'm pretty sure that's what JoanneAZ meant. I scoured that blog post, re-freshed several times and even cleaned out the cache, but nothing "new" appeared. Ultimately, I clicked the link in the Blog post and it took me to the MHP page on Disneyland.com, which had the prices.

I was doing the same thing -- refreshing and reloading the Parks Blog and the specific page with the Halloween blog, and nothing in the way of prices was appearing in the original blog or in the comments. So I did what you did and eventually just moseyed over to the DLR website and pulled up the MHP section.


Well, that's a relief! At least we have all of the pertinent info about the MHP now -- and people can still use the MHP FAQ post on page 1 to help sort out what they need to know (about sellouts, about when they can enter the park, about treats, bags for treats, etc., etc.).


This probably means absolutely nothing and was just an oversight, but I noticed that there was no specific mention of the Halloween Carnival in today's Parks Blog piece. The 2 ride overlays were mentioned. The Villains were mentioned. The characters in Halloween costumes were mentioned. Dia de los Muertos was even mentioned. No Halloween Carnival reference, though (even though I'm certain that's where the characters and the Villains will be).

I don't think Disney could stand to lose the Carnival, unless they were planning to station the pumpkin carvers elsewhere, and put the Villains and characters elsewhere. The Carnival seems to be too integral of a location to the Halloween Time season to let go of, and what else are they going to do with that space if not have another Halloween Roundup and Carnival?

 

[JoanneAZ]

[QUOTEI'm pretty sure that's what JoanneAZ meant. I scoured that blog post, re-freshed several times and even cleaned out the cache, but nothing "new" appeared. Ultimately, I clicked the link in the Blog post and it took me to the MHP page on Disneyland.com, which had the prices.[/QUOTE]

Whoops! That's what I get for trying to do too many things at once. Sorry for the confusion.

JoanneAZ

 

[kaci]

I was doing the same thing -- refreshing and reloading the Parks Blog and the specific page with the Halloween blog, and nothing in the way of prices was appearing in the original blog or in the comments. So I did what you did and eventually just moseyed over to the DLR website and pulled up the MHP section.


Well, that's a relief! At least we have all of the pertinent info about the MHP now -- and people can still use the MHP FAQ post on page 1 to help sort out what they need to know (about sellouts, about when they can enter the park, about treats, bags for treats, etc., etc.).


This probably means absolutely nothing and was just an oversight, but I noticed that there was no specific mention of the Halloween Carnival in today's Parks Blog piece. The 2 ride overlays were mentioned. The Villains were mentioned. The characters in Halloween costumes were mentioned. Dia de los Muertos was even mentioned. No Halloween Carnival reference, though (even though I'm certain that's where the characters and the Villains will be).

I don't think Disney could stand to lose the Carnival, unless they were planning to station the pumpkin carvers elsewhere, and put the Villains and characters elsewhere. The Carnival seems to be too integral of a location to the Halloween Time season to let go of, and what else are they going to do with that space if not have another Halloween Roundup and Carnival?

I think you're right about it being an oversight. Here it sounds like the Carnival will be making another appearance.

Create Halloween crafts and enjoy some not-so-spooky activities for kids at Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch. Plus, watch pumpkin carvers and meet some of your favorite Disney Characters in their Halloween costumes.

It's one of the things I'm most looking forward to!

 

[sgrap]

sgrap --

You'll be fine.

There are probably tickets set aside for early sales to AP holders, Disney Visa card holders and Disney Vacation Club members, but there will be tickets left for the general public.






Delayed reaction -- WOW!

Fourteen parties this year (up from 13 in 2013)! Will there be 15 parties in 2015?

I remember when there used to "only" be 10 parties, not so very long ago! Lol.

As I was saying the other day, if nothing new is being added into the "daytime Halloween fare," then DLR might as well add in some extra party nights. I wish they would add in new things to the daytime roster of fun (especially in DCA) so that people who choose to skip the party can still have a full-fledged Halloween Time experience, but if it is not to be then it is not to be.

We have AP's (first time, woo-hoo, still trying to figure it out! ), so I'll definitely be calling or going online the first day.

Is the description of what will be happening during MHP basically the same as last year?

 

[aidensmom31]

This is my first year going to the Halloween parties. I am an AP holder, how do I buy tickets on the 16th....is there a link on my AP page?

 

[Swtonscrappn]

We had already made several reservations thinking our party would be on Tues like it was last year...but it got moved to Monday We have to decide what the rest of the crew wants to do (move the reservations or stay an extra night). My dh and I are staying for several days so the change doesnt bother us.

Quick question: Does anyone remember there being a limit of 8 tickets last year for the prebuys? We have a group of about 11 this year and Im the only one with a Disney Visa.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We had already made several reservations thinking our party would be on Tues like it was last year...but it got moved to Monday We have to decide what the rest of the crew wants to do (move the reservations or stay an extra night). My dh and I are staying for several days so the change doesnt bother us. Quick question: Does anyone remember there being a limit of 8 tickets last year for the prebuys? We have a group of about 11 this year and Im the only one with a Disney Visa.

I did see Erin replied to that question in the comments and yes, the limit of 8 is still there.




I am so excited the Carnival Roundup will be still there! I was so disappointed that area was closed for the summer, but it's such an integral part of our Halloween & Holiday time trips, I'd be really upset if it wasn't there!

 

[Autty40]

I have a feeling I may be in the minority here. Our first day in the parks is September 30th and we are not planning on going to the party. What is the best game plan on a party day if you are not going to the party?

 

[BebopAngel88]

Yahh so i won't be able to get the tickets till the 30th but we're gonna go on October 8th. I am SO excited!!

 

[Swtonscrappn]

I have a feeling I may be in the minority here. Our first day in the parks is September 30th and we are not planning on going to the party. What is the best game plan on a party day if you are not going to the party?

My best suggestion would be if you are heading over to California Adventures when DL park closes, do it before the mass exodus. Maybe DL in the morning, then head to CA around 3-4.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

We plan on going to DL on Friday before the party. Do you think it will be enough time to see all the Halloween activities?

I am concerned because we are going on the 31st, and I don't know if everything will be taken down the next day! So, it only gives us one day to squeeze in all the Halloween stuff (besides HM, which I know stays through the season...which I love!).

 

[KittyKat1978]

I called my mom last night and told her there was three parties the week we go. And she says "Do you want to go more than one night"? I love my mom I told her the price of the tickets were going to be between $50-$60. She didn't seem to care

 

[figment_jii]

Is the description of what will be happening during MHP basically the same as last year?

The description on the MHP page on Disneyland.com seemed to mention much of the same things that have happened in the last few years. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few changes, but overall, I think the major elements of the party will be same/similar to last year.

This is my first year going to the Halloween parties. I am an AP holder, how do I buy tickets on the 16th....is there a link on my AP page?

Last year that was ultimately a link that appeared on the day when the tickets went on sale.

I have a feeling I may be in the minority here. Our first day in the parks is September 30th and we are not planning on going to the party. What is the best game plan on a party day if you are not going to the party?

As Swtonscrappn said, I would plan on a split day. I would plan to be at DL at rope drop and then as much as you want/plan to do in the morning and early afternoon. The party guests will start entering DL at 3:00 pm (three hours before the party starts), so you'll see a noticeable increase in crowds. At that point (or at really any point between 3 and 6), I would head over to DCA and spend the rest of the day over there. You will also see an uptick in DCA crowds after 3 pm as non-MHP DL guests start to trickle into DCA, with the biggest bump at 6 pm (when DL closes to non-MHP guests).

We plan on going to DL on Friday before the party. Do you think it will be enough time to see all the Halloween activities?

Unless things significantly change, there aren't a lot of Halloween activities even at DL. It's mostly HMH, SMGG, and the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree/Carnival and then decorations on Main Street (primarily). I would focus on the Carnival first because it tends to have shorter hours than the rest of the park. After that, I would head over to do SMGG (if you wanted) and then finally over to HMH. However as you noted, HMH will remain open after Halloween. In honesty, as Sherry has mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if the Jamboree and SMGG remain open through the weekend and then closed on Monday. Disney probably wouldn't announce this, but it makes more sense to me to close things on a Monday rather than a Saturday. The only reason I can see the Jamboree going down on Saturday is if they need to take down the Halloween decor and get it converted to a Christmas area and it needs a certain minimum number of days.

I called my mom last night and told her there was three parties the week we go. And she says "Do you want to go more than one night"? I love my mom I told her the price of the tickets were going to be between $50-$60. She didn't seem to care

That's awesome! I went to two parties last year and it was a lot of fun!

 

[2tinkerbell]

Our first day is 9/30. I am thinking we should be at the DLH around 10am. My plan is to check in, even though I know our room would most likely not be ready. Then it is going to be park time. I think we will go back to the DLH around 3pm - rest, recoup, and have dinner. We should be back for the party around 5pm so we can hopefully do the pre-party at Toon Town. My must dos are some Trick or Treating and the Fireworks and soak up the Halloween atmosphere.

So here are my questions:
Do you think that this is too much? We are there 9/30, 10/1, and will have to leave the parks around 4pm on 10/2 to fly home.

My DD utilizes the DAS (along with FP) to tour the parks. Would this be available during the party?

What time do you suggest we get our place for the Fireworks? Would you find a place for the early parade and then just hang loose for the Fireworks?

Thanks! I am super excited!

(Oh as an update on the super birthday surprise - which is this trip. My DD really doesn't like surprises and is already nervous about her birthday - 10/1 - and what we are going to do. She has picked out what she wants for her birthday already So, I don't think that I can hold off until we are on our way to the airport to tell her. I have come up with Plan B: which is to celebrate her birthday on the Sunday before with family and give her the information all wrapped up. That way she can have a little fun anticipating and she doesn't have Mom packing her suitcase and deciding what she needs/wants)

 

[figment_jii]

Do you think that this is too much?

Some of this depends on what you plan to do for dinner. My sense is that two hours really isn't as much time as you think it would be. The walk to DLH is about half of a mile, so I'd allow about 10 minutes each way just so you don't have to rush. TS meals can take between 60-90 minutes if you're planning on that. Assuming they're doing it again this year (and they haven't announced it and it wasn't part of the Disneyland.com MHP description), the Toontown event will start at 5:00 pm (on nights when the party starts at 6:00 pm). If you just want to get there somewhere between 5 and 6, I think you'll be okay, but if you want to be there at opening, then I don't think you really have enough time for the break and a meal.

My DD utilizes the DAS (along with FP) to tour the parks. Would this be available during the party?

FPs were not available to get or use during the party in previous years.

What time do you suggest we get our place for the Fireworks? Would you find a place for the early parade and then just hang loose for the Fireworks?

That's probably not a bad option if you don't mind waiting a bit. The first Cavalcade started at 8:30 pm and Halloween Screams (fireworks) was at 9:30 pm. I generally watch fireworks from Main Street (just after the last of the shops) and I would normally recommend finding a fireworks spot about 45 minutes early anyway. You can certainly watch the Cavalcade from Main Street. Just make sure you can see the left(ish) side of the castle from where ever you watch fireworks. That's where a lot of the projects will appear.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Thanks for your input. I was thinking of grabbing a burger at the terrace restaurant (can't remember the name) in the DLH. You are right 2 hours probably doesn't give us a lot of time. Especially for a travel day.

Another option that is possible is to have a late lunch/early dinner in the Parks before we head over to DLH and then pick up a corn dog on Main Street during the party when we go find our nice comfortable curb.

I am not one to over plan and I have learned to go with the flow on a lot of things, but, I also have never been to a Disney hard ticket event/party before.

 

[laura&fam]

What is the Toon Town pre-party?

 

[DenaRox]

Is the toon town pre party even on this year? I have last years description of MHP and it lists it but didn't see it in this years??

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