HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Imdboss]

For those that are anxiously waiting on calendar updates, info is posted through 9/30.

 

[Sherry E]

figment_jii is supposed to be keeping the list of the MHP dates as they sell out this year, but I did make notations in red next to the October 3rd MHP listings in the Days/Dates/Events to Remember post on page 1 and in the MHP FAQ post (under Questions #5 and #8).

If I happen to hear of any other dates selling out, I will add the SOLD OUT in red to those same posts and if you guys hear of any other parties selling out, let me know so I can add the SOLD OUT next to the dates!

 

[zanzibar138]

Wow! You are leaving soon! Are you all packed and ready to go?

Packing this weekend. Which reminds me, I need to do a load of washing

 

[Sherry E]

Packing this weekend. Which reminds me, I need to do a load of washing

zanzibar138 --

You'll have a great trip! I still can't believe your trip is practically here. It seems like so long ago when you were first starting to plan it out.

 

[zanzibar138]

zanzibar138 --

You'll have a great trip! I still can't believe your trip is practically here. It seems like so long ago when you were first starting to plan it out.

It *was* long ago I've been counting down for 2 years! Can't believe it's finally here

 

[figment_jii]

figment_jii is supposed to be keeping the list of the MHP dates as they sell out this year, but I did make notations in red next to the October 3rd MHP listings in the Days/Dates/Events to Remember post on page 1 and in the MHP FAQ post (under Questions #5 and #8).

If I happen to hear of any other dates selling out, I will add the SOLD OUT in red to those same posts and if you guys hear of any other parties selling out, let me know so I can add the SOLD OUT next to the dates!

Just a quick check-in...I'll get the post set-up as soon as I get back!

Sherry...the Hershey World store in Times Square is featuring Halloween candy and even have two large inflatable pumpkins with witch cats on them in the store!

 

[mvf-m11c]

If I happen to hear of any other dates selling out, I will add the SOLD OUT in red to those same posts and if you guys hear of any other parties selling out, let me know so I can add the SOLD OUT next to the dates!

I seen that October 3rd is sold out on the DL website. But when I talked to a CM about October 3rd MHP day (since I was making dining reservations for my September trip), she told me that the online tickets was sold out. I believe she told me on the phone that there are tickets available on that day by ordering it on the phone. I don't know if this is true or not when I talked to the CM about it but someone will have to confirm if its true.

 

[Davidg83]

Sherry... The cookies aren't officially on any displays until the 31st but there was so much media attention about them this morning that many stores are finding a place to put them out for the next week so you might be able to find them. They really do taste like apple!

I'm hoping the candy corn Oreo still makes a return. I'll be so bummed if it doesn't!

 

[Diszona]

I seen that October 3rd is sold out on the DL website. But when I talked to a CM about October 3rd MHP day (since I was making dining reservations for my September trip), she told me that the online tickets was sold out. I believe she told me on the phone that there are tickets available on that day by ordering it on the phone. I don't know if this is true or not when I talked to the CM about it but someone will have to confirm if its true.

I don't know about this year but that was the case last year.

 

[mummabear]

No, you are not the only one who's annoyed. And I'm not even going to a MHP

Yes, Halloween time is certainly coming up fast. Only 3 more sleeps until I leave for my trip!

We leave in 11....in that time I am throwing a baby shower and DD's 3rd birthday party (a wee bit early) plus 2 other birthday parties
Where to find time to pack?!?

Zanzibar-I think our DLR dates are very similar, I wonder if we will "see" each other =)

Thanks for your input! Without reserved seating I have no interest. I'm a local with an AP so rides are not an issue. our main focus will be for villains, which my 2 yo niece adores, and rare characters. We are planning on sept 30th but that may change once a friend or two finds out which parties they are working.

So, for rare characters and villains...what are all the Halloween party exclusives? I believe Wendy is one, and Jack Sparrow. For villains, we have yet to meet the Queen of Hearts, Hades, The Tremaines, Jafar...who else is there? We've got the Evil a Queen, Cruella, Hook, and Maleficent...

And for Mickey and Friends, are their outfits the same during the party as during the day at Big Thunder Ranch?

Oh, and does Darth Vader make appearances or just storm troopers?

Oh I am green with envy

Wish DLR did earlier MHP dates like WDW has! We are Character hunters and are dying to see some of the rarer villians.

I feel like some kind of stalker. I check the Disneyland website everyday for the park hours to be posted. We are down to 39 days and counting.

I guess one reason I am so anxious for the hours to be posted is somewhere I read that the DL restaurants are all closing at 5pm. I want to know if that is true. But, on the other hand, we will most likely be doing CA that night for WOC as that is our only night for that.

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming. I will continue to stalk away.

God I thought DLR was bad waiting for 45 days. We have been stalking SeaWorld waiting for their hours and to book Dine with Shamu....it was 2 1/2 weeks out from our date before they came out! then after we booked we got an email a couple of days later to say that our dining had been cancelled due to a change in schedule and we were rebooked for xx. Really even at 2.5 weeks you still can't work out what you are doing infuriating.

I know DLR is largely a "locals" park but I feel like things like MHP dates need to be released much earlier. Some of us are flying at great expense from quite a distance, we cannot plan these trips within 45 days...

 

[laura&fam]

We leave in 11....in that time I am throwing a baby shower and DD's 3rd birthday party (a wee bit early) plus 2 other birthday parties
Where to find time to pack?!?

Zanzibar-I think our DLR dates are very similar, I wonder if we will "see" each other =)

Wow! That's crazy! You made me realize that I'm not that busy I hope you're able to find time for everything and still get some sleep before your trip. That's usually what gets cut out when I get really busy.

 

[Kilala]

I'm working on a 3rd cat costume just incase if I can go a third time. I dyed the unitard and it came out to dark and the purple has a a little bit of red in it. It's funny the blue that i had put on the unitard is showing up threw the dye. I will just keep on washing the unitard to see if I can make it lighter. I can't use bleach on the unitard becase, it will ruin the unitard.

 

[zanzibar138]

Zanzibar-I think our DLR dates are very similar, I wonder if we will "see" each other =)

For the September part of the trip we arrive on the 8th, and leave on the 16th Yell out if you see us!

 

[TulipsNZ]

I know DLR is largely a "locals" park but I feel like things like MHP dates need to be released much earlier. Some of us are flying at great expense from quite a distance, we cannot plan these trips within 45 days...

I hear you! Our park hours just got released & I've been booking and rearranging things as the hours weren't the same as historical ones. They are better but it changes my plans

 

[Sherry E]

It *was* long ago I've been counting down for 2 years! Can't believe it's finally here

zanzibar138 --

These days, even 2 years seem to fly by quickly. You're almost there!

Just a quick check-in...I'll get the post set-up as soon as I get back!

Sherry...the Hershey World store in Times Square is featuring Halloween candy and even have two large inflatable pumpkins with witch cats on them in the store!

No problem, figment_jii! I doubt that a whole slew of MHPs are going to sell out right away.

You're in New York? Hershey World is clearly more advanced than my stores out here if they are already at the stage where they have large inflatable pumpkins in the store! I have seen no traces of pumpkins or Halloween candy when I have looked, but I think that things must be sneaking into stores after I stop looking!

I seen that October 3rd is sold out on the DL website. But when I talked to a CM about October 3rd MHP day (since I was making dining reservations for my September trip), she told me that the online tickets was sold out. I believe she told me on the phone that there are tickets available on that day by ordering it on the phone. I don't know if this is true or not when I talked to the CM about it but someone will have to confirm if its true.

Bret --

I would guess that the tickets still available over the phone don't last for long. Once people figure out that they should be calling and ordering even after the website says sold out, I'm sure that the few tickets that are left over the phone will sell out quickly too.

Sometimes non-discounted tickets become available at the ticket booths on the day of the event, and sometimes onsite DLR hotel guests can get tickets on the morning of the event. So if someone has to go on a particular night, even without a discount, and can't change the date, there may still be ways to get tickets even after they sell out online.

Sherry... The cookies aren't officially on any displays until the 31st but there was so much media attention about them this morning that many stores are finding a place to put them out for the next week so you might be able to find them. They really do taste like apple!

I'm hoping the candy corn Oreo still makes a return. I'll be so bummed if it doesn't!

Davidg83 --

How funny (about the media attention)! Word spreads really fast on the Internet too. When sites like Consumerist, The Impulsive Buy and the Junk Food Guy start reviewing and/or talking about the assorted pumpkin and caramel apple goodies already sneaking onto the shelves, a lot of people pick up on it (like myself!) and take to Facebook or other forums and blogs and talk about it. It sounds like the advance buzz is what is prompting places like Walmart, Rite Aid and Target to get their Fall treats out sooner! If there is a demand for it, they will supply it.

Isn't it WDW that is starting its Halloween Party (MNSSHP) this year on September 1st (Labor Day)? That's in 9 days! If WDW can begin handing out candy to trick-or-treaters in 9 days, Target can certainly get the Caramel Apple Oreos on the shelves a bit earlier than planned!

Maybe Nabisco decided to pass on the Candy Corn Oreos to another store chain this year, and gave the Caramel Apple ones to Target for their yearly exclusive? Or maybe last year was the end of the Candy Corn Oreos.

Speaking of media attention and word spreading quickly, I remember when Ellen DeGeneres showed a packaged of the Candy Corn Oreos on her talk show two years ago (Halloween season 2012), and she was goofing on them, basically. I think she is vegan and pretty healthy, so it didn't appear that those Candy Corn Oreos were the least bit appetizing to her. I think she thought the idea of them was horrid. I was thinking, "Now that Ellen has shown the Candy Corn Oreos on TV and told people where to find them, I'm sure they will be more popular than ever!"

What I am noticing is that the Fall/Halloween flavors of food/snacks sold at stores seem to consist of:

Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Candy Corn
Caramel Apple
Candy Apple
Apple-Cinnamon

.... Wish DLR did earlier MHP dates like WDW has! We are Character hunters and are dying to see some of the rarer villians.

...I know DLR is largely a "locals" park but I feel like things like MHP dates need to be released much earlier. Some of us are flying at great expense from quite a distance, we cannot plan these trips within 45 days...

mummabear --

Even if DLR didn't start its Halloween party as early as September 1st, as WDW is doing, but just started it on the first day of the Halloween Time season (9/12), I think it would be great.

As I've said before, if they are not going to be adding anything new into the daytime roster of Halloween Time events at all, DLR might as well add more MHP nights, or start them earlier in the season. Just a couple of weeks earlier could make a big difference to a lot of people.

Believe me -- and I am someone who would be considered a "local" to DLR by many people (though I am not really local by Southern California/Los Angeles standards) -- I agree with you. I think that DLR should release season dates and special event dates way in advance too -- or at least when WDW releases their info.

I think it's crazy that Disney seems to feel that we locals don't need to know dates and info way in advance just because we live closer to DLR.

It's even crazier that New Year's Eve reservations are now being taken for Epcot, while we still have not gotten confirmed, official Holiday Season start and end dates for DLR! The holiday season is starting in just about 11 weeks, give or take a few days. I only know that because of my experience with the holiday season and the pattern of the last few years. Otherwise, Disney has told us nothing -- they've given us no start date at all -- and we are less than 3 months away from the season starting!!!!! How is that logical or sensible?

There are people coming out from Australia or New Zealand, and other countries too, I'm sure, to see Disneyland Resort in all of its holiday season splendor. There are people who need to book their hotel rooms and flights when the rates drop at random times -- and yet, they can't be sure that Viva Navidad or World of Color-Winter Dreams or the Christmas Fantasy Parade will even be running for their entire trips because they don't know the schedule or the starting date of the season! Madness! Eleven weeks, roughly, is not a long time at all, and it's certainly not enough "advance notice" for long-distance travelers!

 

[mgpan]

So can't find the extra to justify tickets to the party, but looking to a great October trip nonetheless. On party days, I'd obviously be looking to go to DCA around 6 or 7 at latest when the party starts. Will I be lost in a sea of ticketholders at DL beginning three hours prior, and a sea of non-ticketholders at DCA on party days? Between CHOC, MHP's and later openings/earlier closings I'm wondering if going in October (a supposed slower month, at least as much as there is at DLR these days) was a mistake? Any guidance on crowds? I have a five year old who is not the best in lines!

 

[mummabear]

For the September part of the trip we arrive on the 8th, and leave on the 16th Yell out if you see us!

We are 7-18 at DLR. Did you end up booking the F! dessert party?

mummabear --

Even if DLR didn't start its Halloween party as early as September 1st, as WDW is doing, but just started it on the first day of the Halloween Time season (9/12), I think it would be great.

As I've said before, if they are not going to be adding anything new into the daytime roster of Halloween Time events at all, DLR might as well add more MHP nights, or start them earlier in the season. Just a couple of weeks earlier could make a big difference to a lot of people.

Believe me -- and I am someone who would be considered a "local" to DLR by many people (though I am not really local by Southern California/Los Angeles standards) -- I agree with you. I think that DLR should release season dates and special event dates way in advance too -- or at least when WDW releases their info.

I think it's crazy that Disney seems to feel that we locals don't need to know dates and info way in advance just because we live closer to DLR.

It's even crazier that New Year's Eve reservations are now being taken for Epcot, while we still have not gotten confirmed, official Holiday Season start and end dates for DLR! The holiday season is starting in just about 11 weeks, give or take a few days. I only know that because of my experience with the holiday season and the pattern of the last few years. Otherwise, Disney has told us nothing -- they've given us no start date at all -- and we are less than 3 months away from the season starting!!!!! How is that logical or sensible?

There are people coming out from Australia or New Zealand, and other countries too, I'm sure, to see Disneyland Resort in all of its holiday season splendor. There are people who need to book their hotel rooms and flights when the rates drop at random times -- and yet, they can't be sure that Viva Navidad or World of Color-Winter Dreams or the Christmas Fantasy Parade will even be running for their entire trips because they don't know the schedule or the starting date of the season! Madness! Eleven weeks, roughly, is not a long time at all, and it's certainly not enough "advance notice" for long-distance travelers!

Yes it all about people being able to make informed decisions about when to come. Hours, Parties etc are all part of that. I have said it before but how can DLR allow me to make dining reservations before the hours are even out.

 

[Sherry E]

So can't find the extra to justify tickets to the party, but looking to a great October trip nonetheless. On party days, I'd obviously be looking to go to DCA around 6 or 7 at latest when the party starts. Will I be lost in a sea of ticketholders at DL beginning three hours prior, and a sea of non-ticketholders at DCA on party days? Between CHOC, MHP's and later openings/earlier closings I'm wondering if going in October (a supposed slower month, at least as much as there is at DLR these days) was a mistake? Any guidance on crowds? I have a five year old who is not the best in lines!

mgpan --

Maybe figment_jii or Cheshirecatty can weigh in on this as well.

I don't think going in October is a mistake at all! I think you'll have a great time, even without the MHP! The Halloween Carnival is a lot of fun in and of itself.

October is really only "slower" in that it is not considered the peak season by DLR, and there are fewer people in the parks during that whole time frame than during a peak season. (Random days here and there can be quite busy.) Peak seasons or periods would be Spring Break, summer and the holiday season. September (after Labor Day) and October are technically considered to make up the off-peak season at DLR, but the thing is that Halloween Time has become so popular over the last several years that when you're there, walking around, it doesn't really appear to be slow or off-peak!

Now, that doesn't mean that October is ridiculous New Year's Eve-crazy or something. It's not anywhere near that bad. But there will be a lot of people in the parks at certain times of that month, and then it will probably quiet down a little bit after mid-month and before the week of Halloween.

There will be a lot of people in Disneyland during those 3 hours of "crossover time" on party days. So, once the party guests enter DL at 3 or 4 p.m., expect to see a lot of people milling about on Main Street, in New Orleans Square, in Adventureland, etc. If you're concerned that the crowds will be too annoying, you could just leave at 3 or 4 p.m. and head to DCA then.

People have said -- in fact, someone said it earlier in this thread, I think -- that DCA does see an increase in crowds from the exodus of non-MHP people. I think those crowds probably thin out after a while, though...maybe. At the very least, DCA handles crowds a lot better in some ways because many of the paths and walkways are wider and easier to get through, so it doesn't always seem as packed in DCA as it does in DL (in my opinion).

 

[zanzibar138]

We are 7-18 at DLR. Did you end up booking the F! dessert party?

I haven't booked yet. Have you booked one (I'm having trouble keeping up with everyone's plans )? I'll be looking at the 14th for ours, but thought it would be easier to just book when I get there now.

 

[mummabear]

I haven't booked yet. Have you booked one (I'm having trouble keeping up with everyone's plans )? I'll be looking at the 14th for ours, but thought it would be easier to just book when I get there now.

I have trouble keeping track of my own plans
We are booked for the 13th.