HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[TulipsNZ]

It sounds like Disney just oversells tickets to all of its hard ticket events, and it results in crowds that people are not expecting. In the comments under the article someone mentioned the WDW Christmas Party and what it's like when it is sold out (too crowded). Many people have felt that Mickey's Halloween Party was getting too crowded in the last couple of years. The overselling of tickets takes away the feeling of exclusivity a bit, and makes things unpleasant in the parks.

Are you talking about the DLR Halloween party? Will it be overly crowded? I'm looking forward to it regardless.

 

[Sherry E]

Are you talking about the DLR Halloween party? Will it be overly crowded? I'm looking forward to it regardless.

TulipsNZ --

Under the article that Kilala linked (about the Villains event at WDW), someone commented about the crowds at the various hard ticket events, and they specifically mentioned the Christmas party (MVMCP) at WDW as an example of a crowded hard ticket event. That's what I was referring to when I mentioned the Christmas Party.

However, that said, there have been people who have commented on the MHP (the party at DLR) becoming too crowded in the last year or two. Some disagree and think that the crowds are fine. Others think that there are probably too many people in the park for what should be a more exclusive event. Disney apparently keeps overselling tickets to all of its hard ticket events, including the MHP, MVMCP, and this recent mess of a Villains event at WDW, and it creates crowds.

I don't know if the MHP will be overly crowded -- it may be open to interpretation -- but it won't be empty and quiet, that's for sure! It will still be a lot of fun, whatever happens!

 

[sgrap]

What do you MHP-experience people recommend for dinner plans? Would it be a good idea to make reservations for somewhere in Disneyland during the 3-hour overlap window before the MHP starts? Or what is the best thing to do during those 3 hours? We will be there for 5 days, so we won't want to be battling insane crowds to do rides we can do at other times. Thanks!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

We've done Dinner both ways---before the Halloween Party, and during the Halloween Party, and actually enjoyed it both ways.

For us, it just comes down to what one might want to accomplish during those Party hours.

Some don't want to "waste" time eating(we don't consider eating to be a waste of time---ever!

We've eaten right after the Party began, and later in the evening, and each was a good experience.


If you are worried you might run out of time to get everything you desire "done", you might want to eat before the Party begins. We've done that as well, and then just focused on making the rounds to try out the special food/treat offerings, which might just be available during the Party!

Whichever you choose----Happy Eating!!!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Sherry, apparently the Starbucks down the street from me is not requiring any code word/Twitter challenge to get the PSL early this year!

 

[Jennafoo]

Jennafoo --

Here is the list of Sweet and Savory foods to look for on your Halloween Time trip (some of them may change in design from year to year, but these are the basic things you will be looking for), and where to find them.

You rock so hard, Sherry. I could spend my whole trip on a Halloween snack crawl! I'll be sure to do a special post if I do.

 

[sgrap]

We've done Dinner both ways---before the Halloween Party, and during the Halloween Party, and actually enjoyed it both ways.

For us, it just comes down to what one might want to accomplish during those Party hours.

Some don't want to "waste" time eating(we don't consider eating to be a waste of time---ever!

We've eaten right after the Party began, and later in the evening, and each was a good experience.


If you are worried you might run out of time to get everything you desire "done", you might want to eat before the Party begins. We've done that as well, and then just focused on making the rounds to try out the special food/treat offerings, which might just be available during the Party!

Whichever you choose----Happy Eating!!!

Thanks so much! I don't think we want to take much time out of the actual party time for a long meal. Are the special things they offer general counter service items?

Is anything special going on during the 3 hours where people with MHP tickets can come in, but MHP hasn't started yet? I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to make reservations for the 4-5 range, using that overlapping time (which I'm guessing is kind of crazy busy in the park?) to eat.

Or is there another best use of those 3 hours before MHP starts?

And when should we make sure to enter if we don't want an insane line to get back into Disneyland? We'll have AP's and PH's, so we'll go in the morning, probably run back to the room for a bit to get some warmer clothes for the evening and maybe rest a bit, but we will want to get back in before a huge amount of people are at the turnstiles and on Main Street.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Keep in mind that not all restaurants are open during MHP. Personally, I plan on going back to DLH around 3pm and having dinner there before heading back. I guess I am a glutton for crowds...lol!

 

[Swtonscrappn]

Keep in mind that not all restaurants are open during MHP. Personally, I plan on going back to DLH around 3pm and having dinner there before heading back. I guess I am a glutton for crowds...lol!

I think some of the resturants started closing at 4pm last year for the 6pm party. We ate dinner really early and when we were sitting there, they were tearing down all the outdoor sitting. We were the last ones served. This was at Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland.

 

[sgrap]

Keep in mind that not all restaurants are open during MHP. Personally, I plan on going back to DLH around 3pm and having dinner there before heading back. I guess I am a glutton for crowds...lol!

How do we find out what will be open in the 3-hour overlap window? Thanks!

 

[JeriLee]

Oct 3rd is sold out?!? How can that be? That is the ONLY day my girls and I can go! That is the ONLY day that is sold out! My girls have been working on their costumes for months... Here I thought I was getting things done early - I just made the hotel reservation and went to buy the tickets... Why the 3rd? Is there something else going on???

 

[DznyDiva13]

Oct 3rd is sold out?!? How can that be? That is the ONLY day my girls and I can go! That is the ONLY day that is sold out! My girls have been working on their costumes for months... Here I thought I was getting things done early - I just made the hotel reservation and went to buy the tickets... Why the 3rd? Is there something else going on???

It is the annual unofficial Gay Days weekend.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Oct 3rd is sold out?!? How can that be? That is the ONLY day my girls and I can go! That is the ONLY day that is sold out! My girls have been working on their costumes for months... Here I thought I was getting things done early - I just made the hotel reservation and went to buy the tickets... Why the 3rd? Is there something else going on???

Try calling (immediately.) There may be tickets left from the phone-purchase allotment. If you're staying on-site, you might also be able to purchase day-of tickets from your hotel, but the pool of those tickets is small.

 

[laura&fam]

I got an email today from the Legoland hotel saying that Legoland will now be closed some days that their calendar previously said they would be opened So I spend 45 minutes freaking out trying to figure out how to change our trip around before I finally realize . . . wait a minute . . . Tuesday October 15? . . . the calendar they sent out was WRONG! It doesn't affect our trip at all, unless you consider that the park may be more crowded because it's closed two other days.

 

[elamarca]

Welcome, elamarca!

I know what you mean -- to be very honest, I would never miss a holiday season trip. Even if it were just for one day, Christmas time is my top choice because there is soooooo much to see and do during that time.

That said, Halloween Time is great fun -- and it could be a lot more fun if DLR would ever put more effort into it -- and should be experienced at least once. The decorations on Main Street and in Frontierland are great. The treats are fun. The MHP is fun. It's a good time!

I'm so glad you joined us, and that you are finally getting to experience your first Halloween Time at Disneyland!

Sherry,

Both my husband and I grew up down south, so we've been to Disneyland more times than I can count. Or.. perhaps I've dragged him to Disneyland once or twice. LOL I refuse to ever give up the holiday season at Disneyland because it's just MAGIC. It's hard to explain to someone that's never been, but it's just amazing. I'm SO excited to be experiencing Halloween time this year, too! We have a six year old son, so I'm sure MHP will be amazing for him.

Speaking of crowds, for some reason I'm not all that worried about MHP. Maybe it's that we always go to Disneyland between Christmas and New Years, when crowds are totally insane, so everything else seems manageable. For those that avoid crowded times of the year, I can see being concerned about the crowds at MHP or Halloween time in general. For those of us that are gluttons for punishment and like to go when the park is at it's absolute peak - I can't imagine ever being worried about crowds. I can't count the number of times we've been during the holidays when they've started turning people away by lunch time. Hopefully this isn't famous last words and MHP isn't some horribly crowded event with wall to wall people, as it is during the holidays.

 

[ashleysev]

Well, we decided NOT to go.

The big family party we were going to attend was cancelled because he wants to spend the money on plane stuff. LOL We could still go for a visit and hit the parks, but I don't want to take my kiddo out of school. He's a junior this year but his counselor said if he took one extra English class he could graduate a whole year early. So he's of course doing that. CRAZY how things can change so quickly!!

Our 2015 Disney cruise was going to be his graduation gift, so now that's up in the air, too! My husband and I will definitely still go, but I don't know about my son now. I'll have to figure something else out!

 

[bouds]

I finally was about to order my MHP tickets and saw they were sold out online. Major disappointment since it's the only day we could go and trip is otherwise all booked. So I came here thinking if anyone knows how I can get tickets, it'll be the DISers. I just called and got tickets to the MHP on Oct 3rd over the phone! PHEW!

Once again DISers save the day. Thanks guys!

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I finally was about to order my MHP tickets and saw they were sold out online. Major disappointment since it's the only day we could go and trip is otherwise all booked. So I came here thinking if anyone knows how I can get tickets, it'll be the DISers. I just called and got tickets to the MHP on Oct 3rd over the phone! PHEW!

Once again DISers save the day. Thanks guys!

Yay! I hope PPer JeriLee sees this! I just PM'd her.





So I'm going to be a huge hypocrite here. We're going back to DLR over Rosh Hashanah weekend at the end of September (first time staying at DLH--hurray!). Our stay includes the first MHP party night, Fri Sept. 26, so after saying it's not our cup of tea...what the heck, we just got our MHP tickets anyway!

So maybe we did it the wrong way last year--we ate during the party (while things got crowded) and we missed the Cavalcade and fireworks. We really want to love MHP--so how should we do it "right" this year? Sell me a little?

 

[Diszona]

So I'm going to be a huge hypocrite here. We're going back to DLR over Rosh Hashanah weekend at the end of September (first time staying at DLH--hurray!). Our stay includes the first MHP party night, Fri Sept. 26, so after saying it's not our cup of tea...what the heck, we just got our MHP tickets anyway!

So maybe we did it the wrong way last year--we ate during the party (while things got crowded) and we missed the Cavalcade and fireworks. We really want to love MHP--so how should we do it "right" this year? Sell me a little?

I would recommend eating during the 3 hour overlap, prior to the start of the party. That will be when the largest crowds will be there. Are you interested in rides? If so I would do the rides early, the lines (which are never really bad during the party except for the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain) are almost nonexistent early in the night. We have done this in the past and still had time to trick-or-treat (almost no lines later in the night), snack, take in the parade, etc. Last year we were in Fantasyland, which was not very crowded when the Cavalcade started and we basically just had to turn around to watch it.

 

[2tinkerbell]

This might be the wrong thing but, this is what I am planning on doing: We arrive in the morning of our MHP day. We are checking into the hotel and still going to the Parks. I plan on leaving the Parks around 3pm and having an early dinner at Tangora Terrace, regrouping and then hitting MHP.

I am focusing on Trick or Treating, the Cavalcade, and the Fireworks. I plan on not focusing too much on the rides. However, the next night DL also closes early (6pm) and there are some rides we like to do at night. I am playing that part by ear.

I hope you have a great time. Even though I've not been to MHP, this Forum has been full of suggestions and information.