HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[figment_jii]

I'm plannning on going on the first day of MHP or on the 3rd of October. Those are the cheepest Friday night. I kind of want to shoot for the 3rd. What do you guys think. I wanted to check it out before I go with my friends. I hope the Carousel will be open this year for MHP. Last year me and my friends were dissapointed that it wasn't open.

I think any MHP will be fun! I think the 10/3 will sell out in advance because it's the Friday of Gay Days weekends. Last year, that party, along with the first one were among the first to sell out.

I like to go to the first party because it's the start of the parties and it's fun to be surprised and find out for myself what is new. That being said, going to a non-first party is also fun because by then the early reviews have been posted and I had a better sense of what some things were (like the Toontown Pre-Party last year) and what things should be seen (like the change over of the Villains at the meet & greet). So there are advantages of going to the non-first party.

I haven't heard anything about the Carousel going down this year. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes down at some point late this year or early next year in advance of the 60th, but so far it hasn't been on the list of planed rehabs. I would keep watching the refurb list and see what shows up. At this point, the only thing that is known to be down during HalloweenTime is the Matterhorn.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/plan.htm#rehab

 

[addicted2dizney]

general question about the operations of things at DLR during Halloweentime... so I will be missing the parties since my vacation time will be 9/13-9/19. Is is safe to assume that since Halloween time will be starting on the 12th that Haunted mansion, ToT and Space Mountains change ups for Halloween should be up and running? I would hate to think of these rides as closed during our visit due to the changes. Any insight would be much appreciated!

 

[Amilo]

general question about the operations of things at DLR during Halloweentime... so I will be missing the parties since my vacation time will be 9/13-9/19. Is is safe to assume that since Halloween time will be starting on the 12th that Haunted mansion, ToT and Space Mountains change ups for Halloween should be up and running? I would hate to think of these rides as closed during our visit due to the changes. Any insight would be much appreciated!

Sorry, I do not know the answer to your question, but TOT has a Halloween overlay!?!? Totally didn't know that.

 

[figment_jii]

general question about the operations of things at DLR during Halloweentime... so I will be missing the parties since my vacation time will be 9/13-9/19. Is is safe to assume that since Halloween time will be starting on the 12th that Haunted mansion, ToT and Space Mountains change ups for Halloween should be up and running? I would hate to think of these rides as closed during our visit due to the changes. Any insight would be much appreciated!

Yes, baring some unforeseen delay in installing the overlay, HMH and SMGG will re-open when HalloweenTime starts (9/12). Likewise, Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree/Carnival will also open that Friday (again, baring some unforeseen delay).

As far as I know, Tower of Terror does not have a Halloween overlay. I think they just toss it into the description of HalloweenTime because it's kind of a spooky/ghostly ride to begin with.

 

[addicted2dizney]

Yes, baring some unforeseen delay in installing the overlay, HMH and SMGG will re-open when HalloweenTime starts (9/12). Likewise, Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree/Carnival will also open that Friday (again, baring some unforeseen delay).

As far as I know, Tower of Terror does not have a Halloween overlay. I think they just toss it into the description of HalloweenTime because it's kind of a spooky/ghostly ride to begin with.

thanks.. yes, I just re read the description and it does not state it's done over.. but I agree. probably because it's ghostly to begin with. fingers crossed for a smooth install!

 

[Kilala]

I think any MHP will be fun! I think the 10/3 will sell out in advance because it's the Friday of Gay Days weekends. Last year, that party, along with the first one were among the first to sell out.

I like to go to the first party because it's the start of the parties and it's fun to be surprised and find out for myself what is new. That being said, going to a non-first party is also fun because by then the early reviews have been posted and I had a better sense of what some things were (like the Toontown Pre-Party last year) and what things should be seen (like the change over of the Villains at the meet & greet). So there are advantages of going to the non-first party.

I haven't heard anything about the Carousel going down this year. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes down at some point late this year or early next year in advance of the 60th, but so far it hasn't been on the list of planed rehabs. I would keep watching the refurb list and see what shows up. At this point, the only thing that is known to be down during HalloweenTime is the Matterhorn.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/plan.htm#rehab

I might planning on going the first day of MHP then. I will be dressed up as cat on that night.

 

[laura&fam]

I'm plannning on going on the first day of MHP or on the 3rd of October. Those are the cheepest Friday night. I kind of want to shoot for the 3rd. What do you guys think. I wanted to check it out before I go with my friends. I hope the Carousel will be open this year for MHP. Last year me and my friends were dissapointed that it wasn't open.

The Carousel was one of my favorites at MHP when I went. I loved seeing Batman and Kermit the Frog and Belle and all these characters on it. Also you have an excellent view of the castle all Halloween-ed up.

 

[TulipsNZ]

Do many people dress up? If they do is it in character or other type of costumes?

 

[zanzibar138]

Do many people dress up? If they do is it in character or other type of costumes?

Any type of costume is fine as long as it is within the Disney guidelines for morality and safety (eg nothing offensive, nothing dragging on the ground, and nothing that could be mistaken for a weapon).

I've seen pictures of all sorts of costumes.

 

[figment_jii]

Do many people dress up? If they do is it in character or other type of costumes?

The guidelines from last year are posted in the third post on this thread (Question #15). As zanzibar138 said, you can come as any character you want (it doesn't have to be Disney), but as MHP is a family friendly event, so please keep that in mind. You'll see a pretty good split of guests in costumes and guests not in costume. I don't wear a costume, but I've never felt out of place. It's fun to see all the different costumes, but I've generally noticed a stronger presence of Disney costumes than any other group.

 

[TulipsNZ]

The guidelines from last year are posted in the third post on this thread (Question #15). As zanzibar138 said, you can come as any character you want (it doesn't have to be Disney), but as MHP is a family friendly event, so please keep that in mind. You'll see a pretty good split of guests in costumes and guests not in costume. I don't wear a costume, but I've never felt out of place. It's fun to see all the different costumes, but I've generally noticed a stronger presence of Disney costumes than any other group.

I'm a mother of 5 I don't think anything in my life is not family friendly anymore lol. I guess I was more thinking should we stay in Disney theme or more Halloween, I might just dress in orange & black

 

[aidensmom31]

I dont know if it is coming back but trying to get info from anyone who did it last year.....did anyone do the pirates league last year? If so do you remember cost?

 

[figment_jii]

I'm a mother of 5 I don't think anything in my life is not family friendly anymore lol. I guess I was more thinking should we stay in Disney theme or more Halloween, I might just dress in orange & black

Orange & black clothing will be fine! I often wear the Halloween Party t-shirt from the year before. You would think that people with families would know what is generally considered "family friendly" but I remember someone asking over on the WDW boards whether or not people thought that if she dressed up her whole family (little kids included) as blood splattered zombies would it be okay. Luckily it sounded like she was re-thinking it after most folks said it didn't sound very family/child friendly. People sometimes have interesting ideas about what is "family friendly."

I dont know if it is coming back but trying to get info from anyone who did it last year.....did anyone do the pirates league last year? If so do you remember cost?

Based on the Disney Parks Blog entry from last year, the prices ranged from $29.95 to $34.95 plus tax. I would add a few dollars for this year's prices. Now, if they start adding more elaborate packages, then I could see the prices being even higher.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...a-limited-time-only-at-the-disneyland-resort/

 

[yeheyprincex2]

We have decided we will attend the first Halloween party ending our three days at the park with a BANG! as my DH says.
Now I'm trying to work out a 3 day park hopper plan with a Halloween party on our last night Friday 9/26.
We arrive in San Diego 9/23 around 12:20 then straight to Anaheim, staying off site.
could we have a productive half day?
any suggestion on how to do a half day? which park for a possible half day DCA or DL?

 

[LisaT91403]

I'm a long-time AP holder, but have never ponied up the extra cash for MHP. Now that DS(6) is a bit older and can stay up later, I'm considering it. Here are my questions:

1. If I have an AP that's valid through mid-September, am I able to purchase the discounted MHP tickets and then use them in October (even if I don't have an AP then?)

2. Am I limited to purchasing 1 ticket per AP (meaning, I could buy 3 tickets for the 3 AP holders in my family, but not for my nephews)?

3. I've read mixed reviews about how crowded the parties are in regards to both trick-or-treat lines and rides. Are there any strategies here, such as maybe rides first then trick-or treat later in the night? Do they ever run out of treats if you save the T-O-Ting for towards the end of the night?

4. Is a Friday night party any more crowded than a mid-week party? I know it will be more crowded from 4:00 - 7:00, but I'm wondering about the party itself.

Thanks!

 

[Imdboss]

I'm a long-time AP holder, but have never ponied up the extra cash for MHP. Now that DS(6) is a bit older and can stay up later, I'm considering it. Here are my questions:

1. If I have an AP that's valid through mid-September, am I able to purchase the discounted MHP tickets and then use them in October (even if I don't have an AP then?)

2. Am I limited to purchasing 1 ticket per AP (meaning, I could buy 3 tickets for the 3 AP holders in my family, but not for my nephews)?

3. I've read mixed reviews about how crowded the parties are in regards to both trick-or-treat lines and rides. Are there any strategies here, such as maybe rides first then trick-or treat later in the night? Do they ever run out of treats if you save the T-O-Ting for towards the end of the night?

4. Is a Friday night party any more crowded than a mid-week party? I know it will be more crowded from 4:00 - 7:00, but I'm wondering about the party itself.

Thanks!

I'm not an annual pass holder so not sure on #1. For #2 I have read on here that you can purchase 8 tickets per annual pass, someone else can verify that I'm sure. #3, the first time I went to MHP we did treat lines first and found that we should have waited until later in the evening. Around 10-11 there weren't any lines, just walk right through for treats and none of the trails we went to were out of treats. Also if you wait until the end of the party then you won't need to carry all of that candy all night long! #4, it seems that MHP is becoming so popular and selling out on most nights (if not all of them) that the crowds will be the same any night you choose.

 

[figment_jii]

Could we have a productive half day? Any suggestion on how to do a half day? which park for a possible half day DCA or DL?

I don't think you can completely do either park in half of day, but you can get a fair amount done depending on what you want to do. My family often likes to go DL on our arrival day. Given that it's HalloweenTime, we head for HMH first and then do whatever else seems relatively short lined at that point (and maybe grab a FP for Indy or BTMRR or Space if they're still available). So, yes, I think you can have a productive half day, but you aren't going to finish the entire park (one land maybe at most).

1. If I have an AP that's valid through mid-September, am I able to purchase the discounted MHP tickets and then use them in October (even if I don't have an AP then?)

I have not had to show my AP when using my MHP ticket to enter the park or pick up the wristband. You do have to have a valid AP at the time of purchase to buy the tickets.

2. Am I limited to purchasing 1 ticket per AP (meaning, I could buy 3 tickets for the 3 AP holders in my family, but not for my nephews)?

Each AP holder is limited to purchasing 8 tickets at the discounted price. Post #529 on this thread confirmed the limit from last year was still in place this year.

3. I've read mixed reviews about how crowded the parties are in regards to both trick-or-treat lines and rides. Are there any strategies here, such as maybe rides first then trick-or treat later in the night? Do they ever run out of treats if you save the T-O-Ting for towards the end of the night?

The treats are the same whether you go trick-or-treating at the start, middle, or end of the party. I usually save it for the middle to end of the party, but the lines do move pretty fast.

4. Is a Friday night party any more crowded than a mid-week party? I know it will be more crowded from 4:00 - 7:00, but I'm wondering about the party itself.

Almost all of the parties sold out last year, so the crowds felt roughly the same to me (I went to a sold out Tuesday and a sold out Friday crowd). Disney never releases the number of tickets of they sell, so it's all a guess about crowds. I do think the first party will sell out for certain, so there will be "crowds" but nothing like a high crowd holiday day.

 

[Swtonscrappn]

For #2 I have read on here that you can purchase 8 tickets per annual pass, someone else can verify that I'm sure.

This is true. I did this last year. I was the only one in my family with an annual pass and I got 6 of the 8 tickets available to me.

 

[LisaT91403]

Almost all of the parties sold out last year, so the crowds felt roughly the same to me (I went to a sold out Tuesday and a sold out Friday crowd). Disney never releases the number of tickets of they sell, so it's all a guess about crowds. I do think the first party will sell out for certain, so there will be "crowds" but nothing like a high crowd holiday day.

Thanks for the info. I just want to make sure I understand what you are saying -- that it's crowded, but not as crowded as a "holiday" crowd? How does it compare to a typical Sunday crowd?

 

[figment_jii]

Thanks for the info. I just want to make sure I understand what you are saying -- that it's crowded, but not as crowded as a "holiday" crowd? How does it compare to a typical Sunday crowd?

I'll preface this by saying that what is crowded to one person might not be crowded to another person. I don't do rides at MHP, so I can't really comment on how long the lines are other than HMH seemed popular. I don't think it's as crowded as a typical Sunday afternoon, but it doesn't mean the rides are walk-up or that you can wait until the last minute to find a good fireworks/Cavalcade spot.