HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Kilala]

I will post my report trips for the 27th and the 31st this weekend along with pictures

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I don't think I ever updated on our MHP ticket situation. I apologize. Obviously the parties are over for this year, but hopefully this may help somebody in the future, should it happen to them.

You'll remember that I ordered our tickets the first morning they were available for presale (AP/Disney Visa) and because their system got overloaded the email containing my tickets never arrived. I called twice with my confirmation number (screen shot or write that down!) and they were able to look it up, but couldn't email it again. Double checked the email address, checked my junk mail - they simply never came. I was told to go the ticket booths with the confirmation number and credit card used and they would print them out for me there.

While checking in at the DLH, I explained what had happened (was trying to find out how late the ticket booths were open that night). She checked if she could print them there for me, but as I had been told on the phone, she couldn't. I went to the ticket booth the next afternoon and at first the ticket agent was confused, but called over a lead, who was able to do it in a matter of minutes. They never did check my ID or credit card, but I wouldn't assume they won't. Anyways, although stressful leading up to it, the actual process was very easy.

 

[Sherry E]

I've been so busy over in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread (wrapping up our Theme Week Countdown and now prepping for the official start of the holidays next week) that I can't believe I forgot to come back here to comment on a very intriguing rumor!

You may or may not recall that a few weeks ago I was saying that I read a thread on Mice Chat in which someone claimed to have overheard a CM at the MHP saying that the Halloween party would move back to California Adventure next year.

The people who replied to that person's report seemed skeptical. Truthfully, I could see it happening -- a temporary relocation of the party to DCA, especially if there is something going on for the 60th anniversary of DL that would be interrupted by a hard ticket party -- but there would have to be a whole decorations package added into a couple of DCA's lands, and something Halloween-ish there during the daytime for people to enjoy outside of the party. They couldn't just throw in a party at DCA in its current state, without a couple of Halloween-ified attractions to use as the selling points.

Anyway, one of the people in that thread mentioned that the CMs who did the mysterious "training" for the MHP this year were told that there are "big changes" coming to Mickey's Halloween Party in 2015. Big changes could mean a relocation of the MHP, or it could mean something else.

... And that "something else" might be an extended schedule for the MHP! More nights!

I have said for a while that I am surprised that Disney doesn't start Mickey's Halloween Party when Halloween Time begins -- that's a whole extra 2 weeks that they could be using to make more money on MHP tickets. I don't think they would ever begin the MHP as early as WDW's Halloween parties begin, but starting the MHP when the Halloween Time season begins doesn't seem unreasonable -- especially since Disney doesn't appear to be adding in any new daytime Halloween highlights that people can enjoy outside of the MHP. They seem to be revolving their season around the MHP.

So, lo and behold, MiceAge/MiceChat mentioned in its recent Disneyland Update:

"Looking a year out, Michael Colglazier has tasked TDA’s planners to find a way to add an additional two weeks of Halloween parties to the 2015 fall calendar. In 2014 nearly every party sold out, often months in advance, and there were a lot of people still trying to buy tickets who were turned away at the ticket booths and hotel lobbies the day of the events. Expect to see an extra couple weeks of parties added to the September calendar next year, and perhaps an extra few parties added in the last few weeks in October."

The questions now are: Will the party merely get some extra nights added to the front end? Or will the party move back across the Esplanade to DCA, to not interfere with any new nighttime parade and fireworks in place for the 60th anniversary? Or, will both things happen -- the party will begin two weeks earlier... in California Adventure?? Will any of these rumors pan out?

If any of these things happen, there could be a lot to chat about in 2015!

​

 

[Mister Skellington]

We attended on the 27th and had a fantastic time. We did 3/4 of the trails. Rode several rides, sat down for dinner, and got a front row seat for the fireworks. We missed the parade but after hearing how Magic Kingdoms was so much better we didn't worry too much. We opted instead for the spot on the ropes for the fireworks. Totally worth the wait!
My sister, wife, and myself dressed up as Lock, Shock, and Barrel and we met lots of nightmare before xmas fans. We had alot of great conversations with folks from all over. I highly recommend adults dress up and get into the spirit. You will have a great time!
This was my first time seeing the Haunted Holiday and OMG!! I just loved it!
Thanks for all who helped us plan this trip and thanks SOOOO much for the DIS and all of the help I have received over the years.
Here is a couple shots of our costumes.

 

[cmpeter]

Awesome costumes!

 

[crystal1313]

Awesome costumes mister skellington!!! Great job.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Mister Skellington- those costumes are AWESOME!! I bet you got lots of compliments that night. Way to go.

 

[Mister Skellington]

Thanks everyone. We did get a lot of compliments and lots of folks asking to take our picture. IT was super fun to make the masks. (paper mache') My favorite pic of the whole trip was our ride photo from splash mountain. Super funny!

 

[JenKate]

I am loving this thread! I will study it over and over again. My entire in-law clan (30 of us, 14 adults and sixteen kids!) will be in California from October 21-25th 2015. It's our first trip during October, and it will probably seem empty to us compared to our usual Christmas time visit!

It's going to be a chaotic blast. Most of us have been been, but we had five (5!) babies this last year, so we'll have 5 babies between the ages of 14 and 22 months.

Anyways. Here's my question. What are the decorations like at DCA? Specifically Tower of Terror?

I'm doing a fun little countdown on our family Facebook page, every 10 days before we go, and the first thing I want to talk about is Tower of Terror... Because last time we rode it my sister-in-law screamed the entire time.

 

[Sherry E]

I am loving this thread! I will study it over and over again. My entire in-law clan (30 of us, 14 adults and sixteen kids!) will be in California from October 21-25th 2015. It's our first trip during October, and it will probably seem empty to us compared to our usual Christmas time visit!

It's going to be a chaotic blast. Most of us have been been, but we had five (5!) babies this last year, so we'll have 5 babies between the ages of 14 and 22 months.

Anyways. Here's my question. What are the decorations like at DCA? Specifically Tower of Terror?

I'm doing a fun little countdown on our family Facebook page, every 10 days before we go, and the first thing I want to talk about is Tower of Terror... Because last time we rode it my sister-in-law screamed the entire time.

JenKate --

Welcome! I'm always surprised when I see someone posting in the Halloween Superthread right after Halloween is over and the holiday season is about to kick into high gear. I guess I assume that no one will really begin thinking about Halloween again until after the New Year!

Let me preface this by saying that, in 2015, things could be totally different -- for the better -- and what I am saying right now may not be applicable by Halloween Time 2015, but... DCA is almost completely lacking in Halloween décor of any kind. This wasn't the case prior to 2010 -- there used to be some decorations, and the Halloween party was even held in DCA. From 2010 on, Halloween has been missing from DCA.

This past Halloween Time season, the only signs of Halloween Time in DCA were very minimal and under the radar. The Mad T Party had a Halloween-ish set with the decorations in the general vicinity, and there were a couple of in-store seasonal displays (one of them being at the gift shop outside of Tower of Terror, I believe, and another one being in the Paradise Pier area). Oh, and you could get pumpkin-shaped sourdough from the Boudin Bakery bread cart.

Otherwise, zilch. Tower of Terror -- from I have seen and read -- used to have some minor Halloween décor in the general waiting area and queue before people boarded the ride. However, I think the décor was done away with a while back.

As I said, though, in 2015 things could be very different, and DCA could once again get back in the Halloween Time fun!

 

[JenKate]

Thanks for your super quick response Sherry!

To get all 30 of us in one place at one time usually requires planning a year in advance. Luckily I don't get trip planning burn out!

I'll probably have more questions as we get closer, but I bet I find a lot of the answers thanks to your amazing thread!

 

[figment_jii]

I've read about the original Pet Cemetary still being next to the Haunted Mansion (along the wheelchair/ECV entrance to the attraction). I stopped by to take a look last week. There are four tombstones in a large grassy area: a dog, a frog, a skunk, and a cat.

The Dog..."Big Jake...Here lies my good dog Jake, chasing a toad down a well was his one mistake."

The Skunk..."In loving memory of our pet Stripey...You may be departed but your essence will always linger on."

The Frog..."R.I.P. Bully...You didn't drink, you didn't smoke, I just can't figure what made you croak."

The Cat..."In Memoriam Miss Kitty...After losing eight lives you still had no fear. You caught a snake in your ninth, and that's why you're here."

No HMH decor on these tombstones...

 

[DenaRox]

Let me preface this by saying that, in 2015, things could be totally different -- for the better -- and what I am saying right now may not be applicable by Halloween Time 2015, but... DCA is almost completely lacking in Halloween décor of any kind. This wasn't the case prior to 2010 -- there used to be some decorations, and the Halloween party was even held in DCA. From 2010 on, Halloween has been missing from DCA. This past Halloween Time season, the only signs of Halloween Time in DCA were very minimal and under the radar. The Mad T Party had a Halloween-ish set with the decorations in the general vicinity, and there were a couple of in-store seasonal displays (one of them being at the gift shop outside of Tower of Terror, I believe, and another one being in the Paradise Pier area). Oh, and you could get pumpkin-shaped sourdough from the Boudin Bakery bread cart. Otherwise, zilch. Tower of Terror -- from I have seen and read -- used to have some minor Halloween décor in the general waiting area and queue before people boarded the ride. However, I think the décor was done away with a while back. As I said, though, in 2015 things could be very different, and DCA could once again get back in the Halloween Time fun!

Just an interesting tidbit to tie in to your "suspicions"... I received a request from disney to do a survey in relation to my oct 2014 trip to DL. It was all based on Halloween time, thoughts on decorations, rides, food etc and many questions about my expectations and satisfaction with theming in DCA!!!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Just an interesting tidbit to tie in to your "suspicions"... I received a request from disney to do a survey in relation to my oct 2014 trip to DL. It was all based on Halloween time, thoughts on decorations, rides, food etc and many questions about my expectations and satisfaction with theming in DCA!!!!!

Dena -

Time got away from me (it's been busy over in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread!) and I forgot to reply.

How was your trip? Did you have a good time?

Thank you so much for letting us know this bit if info! It is very interesting, indeed. Disneyland Resort usually seems to have specific agendas with specific surveys -- for example, they will have surveys that are primarily about Viva Navidad, or about Winter Dreams, or about onsite hotel stays and possible packages, etc.

So if you got a survey that focused on Halloween Time offerings, with a heavy slant towards theming in DCA, then at least that shows they are thinking about what they may be doing in DCA for Halloween Time in the future. It's better that they are thinking about it and looking into it than not thinking about it!

Frankly, I always had a problem with Disney selling its Halloween Time offerings (usually for 6 or 7 weeks of the year!) just based on what was in Disneyland alone. I understood that some things had to come down in DCA when all of the major work began on Buena Vista Street and Cars Land back in 2010, but once those two lands were up and running there was no reason that a bit of Halloween Time couldn't have been reinstated in DCA, as a complement to what was in Disneyland! There is so much Halloween potential in Cars Land, on Buena Vista Street, in Hollywood Land, in A Bug's Land, with World of Color, in Grizzly Peak, etc.


Right now, the big Halloween Time/Mickey's Halloween Party 2015/2016 rumors are (and they are only rumors as of yet -- nothing has been confirmed or announced):

• Mickey's Halloween Party could possibly move back to California Adventure (which would probably involve the removal of Halloween Screams and would include something new like a Halloween World of Color, or a Halloween overlay of some other ride -- but it would make sense if Disneyland wanted to focus all of its attention on a new nighttime fireworks show and parade specifically for the 60th anniversary);

• Mickey's Halloween Party could begin 2 weeks earlier -- like when Halloween Time starts in mid-September -- and have many more nights added to its schedule;

• Supposedly, the Cast Members who received training for the 2014 MHP were told that there are "big changes coming" to Mickey's Halloween Party in 2015; and

• IF the rumors end up being true about some sort of Star Wars land coming to Disneyland that could involve a segment of Frontierland, then the whole Halloween Carnival area would have to be relocated or done away with -- but that may not happen until 2016, IF it turns out to be true at all. Clearly, the Halloween Carnival is a major part of Halloween Time, so something else would have to be added in somewhere -- maybe to DCA -- to make up for its loss, IF the Star Wars land rumor is accurate and it impacts that section of Frontierland.
  
  I think a seaside carnival (in the Paradise Pier area of DCA) could be fun!

One other thing to note is that the Mad T Party is now gone from DCA (to make way for the new Freeze the Night party), and no one knows if it will return in or after May, or if the Halloween version of the Mad T Party will return for Halloween Time 2015.

 

[DenaRox]

Dena - Time got away from me (it's been busy over in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread!) and I forgot to reply. How was your trip? Did you have a good time? Thank you so much for letting us know this bit if info! It is very interesting, indeed. Disneyland Resort usually seems to have specific agendas with specific surveys -- for example, they will have surveys that are primarily about Viva Navidad, or about Winter Dreams, or about onsite hotel stays and possible packages, etc. So if you got a survey that focused on Halloween Time offerings, with a heavy slant towards theming in DCA, then at least that shows they are thinking about what they may be doing in DCA for Halloween Time in the future. It's better that they are thinking about it and looking into it than not thinking about it! Frankly, I always had a problem with Disney selling its Halloween Time offerings (usually for 6 or 7 weeks of the year!) just based on what was in Disneyland alone. I understood that some things had to come down in DCA when all of the major work began on Buena Vista Street and Cars Land back in 2010, but once those two lands were up and running there was no reason that a bit of Halloween Time couldn't have been reinstated in DCA, as a complement to what was in Disneyland! There is so much Halloween potential in Cars Land, on Buena Vista Street, in Hollywood Land, in A Bug's Land, with World of Color, in Grizzly Peak, etc. Right now, the big Halloween Time/Mickey's Halloween Party 2015/2016 rumors are (and they are only rumors as of yet -- nothing has been confirmed or announced): [*]Mickey's Halloween Party could possibly move back to California Adventure (which would probably involve the removal of Halloween Screams and would include something new like a Halloween World of Color, or a Halloween overlay of some other ride -- but it would make sense if Disneyland wanted to focus all of its attention on a new nighttime fireworks show and parade specifically for the 60th anniversary); [*]Mickey's Halloween Party could begin 2 weeks earlier -- like when Halloween Time starts in mid-September -- and have many more nights added to its schedule; [*]Supposedly, the Cast Members who received training for the 2014 MHP were told that there are "big changes coming" to Mickey's Halloween Party in 2015; and [*]IF the rumors end up being true about some sort of Star Wars land coming to Disneyland that could involve a segment of Frontierland, then the whole Halloween Carnival area would have to be relocated or done away with -- but that may not happen until 2016, IF it turns out to be true at all. Clearly, the Halloween Carnival is a major part of Halloween Time, so something else would have to be added in somewhere -- maybe to DCA -- to make up for its loss, IF the Star Wars land rumor is accurate and it impacts that section of Frontierland. I think a seaside carnival (in the Paradise Pier area of DCA) could be fun! One other thing to note is that the Mad T Party is now gone from DCA (to make way for the new Freeze the Night party), and no one knows if it will return in or after May, or if the Halloween version of the Mad T Party will return for Halloween Time 2015.

Interesting rumours.

Our trip was excellent. The surprise was funny as my daughter didn't believe me for quite some time. Lol. We had such a grand time and were very lucky to have loads of wonderful cm's go out of their way to make our fist trip so awesome. From special fast passes to being first to ride space mountain to being walked to front of line for haunted mansion to being brought back allowing to skip line, to meet jack and Sally.

All the information here was a lifesaver, wide right was pure perfection and allowed us to ride RSR 3x In a day.

Definitely will look forward to planning another disneyland trip sooner than I thought. Have to get in WDW and a trip to Japan first though.

Thanks for asking

 

[kkmcan]

We had such a blast on our quick trip for the party and 1 day at DCA! We are already looking forward to next year. Not sure how the timing will work out for us (whether we are still going for the party over fall break). DD will be in college and they don't get a fall break. But we hate to not come over at all so it could be a quick weekend trip. Who knows.

But I sure am sad that my favorite times of the year (Oct-Dec) are coming to an end very soon. I need to keep my spirits up by planning next years trips. I am aiming for annual passes so we can visit for Halloween time, Christmas time and maybe a nice longer summer trip.

 

[Sherry E]

Interesting rumours.

Our trip was excellent. The surprise was funny as my daughter didn't believe me for quite some time. Lol. We had such a grand time and were very lucky to have loads of wonderful cm's go out of their way to make our fist trip so awesome. From special fast passes to being first to ride space mountain to being walked to front of line for haunted mansion to being brought back allowing to skip line, to meet jack and Sally.

All the information here was a lifesaver, wide right was pure perfection and allowed us to ride RSR 3x In a day.

Definitely will look forward to planning another disneyland trip sooner than I thought. Have to get in WDW and a trip to Japan first though.

Thanks for asking

Dena --

I'm so glad that your trip was a successful one! I know it was very important to make it perfect and to pull off the surprise, even though your daughter didn't believe you! Also, I know you love Halloween so much, so it's good to hear that the trip went well. It sounds as though you encountered some wonderful Cast Members!

We had such a blast on our quick trip for the party and 1 day at DCA! We are already looking forward to next year. Not sure how the timing will work out for us (whether we are still going for the party over fall break). DD will be in college and they don't get a fall break. But we hate to not come over at all so it could be a quick weekend trip. Who knows.

But I sure am sad that my favorite times of the year (Oct-Dec) are coming to an end very soon. I need to keep my spirits up by planning next years trips. I am aiming for annual passes so we can visit for Halloween time, Christmas time and maybe a nice longer summer trip.

kkmcan --

I know what you mean -- I'm sad too! I can't believe that a new year will have begun in just under 3 weeks, and that all of the merriment will be over! All year I wait for October - December. Actually, all year I just wait for Halloween Time to start in mid-September, because from that point on it seems like the rest of the year (and into the first couple of days of January) is one big, extended celebration.

The time flies so quickly. That is both a good thing and a bad thing. It means that the 'less fun' times (and the super hot months) pass by quickly, but it also means that the fun months (September - December) pass by quickly.

Heck, I can remember lamenting the first day of summer (I cannot stand really hot weather) in my Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread this year, as though the next 3 months would be an eternity.

And in this very Halloween Time Superthread I remember saying to Jamie/DisneyJamieCA that when her kids started school in August, I would go along with August being the unofficial start of my Fall season too! (Anything to speed up the seasons in my mind!)

Here we are, and it's December 13th. I know that the next round of "fun months" will get here soon enough, and that Halloween Time and the Holidays will be here before I know it. It will seem like forever at the beginning of the year, but time will fly -- especially as the events of 2015 unfold, i.e., Frozen Fun, the 60th anniversary details, the D23 Expo in August (which is sure to produce some big announcements from Disney about future plans), and details of the coming Halloween and holiday seasons.

Still, though, it seems sad to see it all end in (less than) 3 weeks!

 

[ACDSNY]

Dropping in and doing some snooping to see when the slowest part of the Halloween Time might be for 2015. Might need to sneak in a short return to DL in the Fall.

 

[Sherry E]

Dropping in and doing some snooping to see when the slowest part of the Halloween Time might be for 2015. Might need to sneak in a short return to DL in the Fall.

Hi there, Angela!

It's funny that you posted here because -- just a few hours ago -- I was telling myself to remember to revise assorted posts on page 1 of this thread after the New Year begins (changing all the references of "2014" to 2015 and other odds and ends).

As for the slowest part of Halloween Time... maybe the third week of September, or the next-to-last week of October, but there might not be a simple answer for 2015. Here's why...

Ordinarily I would have probably said that a less crowded time might be somewhere in the first two weeks of the season, in mid-to-late September, before the actual Halloween Party starts. In the past, Mickey's Halloween Party began 2 weeks after Halloween Time began.

However, 2015 will be a question mark for a while, for several reasons.

First, I am not certain whether or not Halloween Time will officially begin on Friday, September 11th. Normally that would be the day of the week (Friday) that Halloween Time begins, but the actual date is bad. To me, September 11th seems like a bad day to start any kind of festive season (because of the horrible events of 2001, which are still fairly recent in our history).

So I keep thinking that Disney may decide to "officially" begin the Halloween Time season on Monday, 9/14 or by Friday, 9/18 at the very latest. They may do a similar thing to what they do for the holiday season -- which is to soft launch or soft open certain things early, maybe before September 11, and then officially launch the season after September 11. For example, the Holiday season never officially begins on or before Veterans Day anymore, but a lot of things will soft launch before Veterans Day.

So the Halloween Time start date will be a mystery for a while, as will the end date. Halloween is usually the last day of the Halloween Time season, but in 2015 it will be on a Saturday. There will have to be a party on Saturday night because there is always a party on Halloween night -- but... I can't picture Disneyland park closing at 7 p.m. on a Saturday night, especially in the middle of the 60th anniversary events.

And would Halloween Time end after Saturday, 10/31, or would it end after Sunday, November 1st?


Then there are the rumors I was mentioning to Dena above -- (1) about the possible relocation of the Halloween Party to DCA next year (which, I think, would work better with a Saturday night party/early park closure); and (2) about Mickey's Halloween Party beginning 2 weeks earlier than usual -- in other words, right around when the Halloween Time season begins.

Personally, my feeling is that the party will move to DCA in 2015. I could be wrong, and we won't find out for a while, but I think that it's very likely to happen. It may not stay in DCA after 2015 -- it may move back to Disneyland in 2016 -- but I think it would be a better fit in DCA in 2015 because of the events of the 60th anniversary taking place in Disneyland. And I can totally envision extra party nights added in, so if that happens I won't be shocked.

So -- all of that said, the bottom line is that the slower times of the season will be unpredictable. If Mickey's Halloween Party does not begin when the season begins, then I'd say a slower time would be somewhere in the first 2 weeks of the season, in mid/late September (weekdays, not weekends).

In October... the same school breaks and other events that take place every year -- which affect crowds -- will happen again, but maybe you'd find a small window of time in the next-to-last week of October that wasn't too busy (after UEA and before Halloween).

Needless to say, we will be anxiously awaiting any morsels of info, any clues or details, to let us know what is happening with the Halloween Time dates in 2015, and with the events of the 60th anniversary -- and how it will all tie in together!

 

[ACDSNY]

Hi Sherry,

How ironic that the year I think about going for Halloween the party might be back in DCA? The last one I attended was in DCA.

I was thinking about the very end of Sept. or the week before Halloween might be a good time too. Since we hit the Christmas season this year I thought we'd switch to Halloween next year. I'll have to decide pretty soon if I want to get my room (DVC).