HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[disneyfanatick]

We did Halloween time 2 years ago but last year tried out Christmas time. Im obsessed with everything Christmas! I have to say that we just prefer Halloween time in the parks. We love everything about it so we are planning a trip this year the last week of October! So very excited to take my kids back for this. We plan to Trick or Treat on Halloween in the park.

We are planning almost the same time arriving on Friday Oct 30 and doing the Halloween party.

We also are planning on staying at the Desert Inn sorry not stalking you any reviews for the hotel?

Are party is little different, dd and Dni early twenties, mom is 77 and I am somewhere in the middle. Not too concerned about the breakfast, but cleanliness would be a major concern.

 

[Meemoo]

10/18 to 10/22 is perfect time! We hit the parks that time and we experienced such low crowd levels! You skip all the days that schools are out of session too.

It was nice to read your post, we arrive 10/20 the less the crowds the better and more rides me for

 

[Tyggress]

Last year our family went to DLR the weekend in between Labor Day and Halloweentime. The crowds were SUPER low and I chose that weekend because I KNEW people were waiting another week for Halloweentime to start.

Don't get me wrong, I love Halloweentime...but my MIL wants low crowds and that means skipping the start of Halloweentime and Dapper Days.

Just curious if people feel Halloweentime is likely to start on the 11th this year, or if DL will wait until the 18th? Labor Day is late in the month (date-wise) this year, which is making me nervous about crowd scheduling.

Of course, all the 60th Anniversary stuff will be in full play by then, so it will be busier than 2014 anyways! LOL

 

[Sherry E]

Last year our family went to DLR the weekend in between Labor Day and Halloweentime. The crowds were SUPER low and I chose that weekend because I KNEW people were waiting another week for Halloweentime to start.

Don't get me wrong, I love Halloweentime...but my MIL wants low crowds and that means skipping the start of Halloweentime and Dapper Days.

Just curious if people feel Halloweentime is likely to start on the 11th this year, or if DL will wait until the 18th? Labor Day is late in the month (date-wise) this year, which is making me nervous about crowd scheduling.

Of course, all the 60th Anniversary stuff will be in full play by then, so it will be busier than 2014 anyways! LOL

Tyggress --

I have been saying since last year that I don't believe it will start on 9/11 (my personal belief, which could be wrong), just as the holidays never start on Veterans Day anymore -- but I also think that 9/18 might be too late.

Unless the 60th anniversary events somehow interfere with the start of Halloween Time, my guess is that it will "officially" begin somewhere between Sat., 9/12 and Wed., 9/16. They may even do something odd like start the season before 9/11 -- perhaps on 9/10. I just don't think that 9/11 will be the specific, official, publicized start date.

I would not be shocked if there are things that soft open (unofficially) before 9/11 -- which is what happens with the holidays. The holidays don't officially begin until after Veterans Day (I think that it is done out of respect for Veterans Day), but many things soft open, unofficially and quietly, before 11/11. I would not be shocked if Haunted Mansion Holiday and Ghost Galaxy soft opened on 9/10, but I think that everything will, for sure, be officially up and running by 9/16.

 

[figment_jii]

Just curious if people feel Halloweentime is likely to start on the 11th this year, or if DL will wait until the 18th?

Your guess is as good as mine...but given the popularity of HalloweenTime, I'm not sure I can see Disney opting to reduce the number of days during the "season". I could see them starting on Saturday (9/12/15) this year, so that way Space Mtn could remain open on Labor Day Monday and then close to have overlay installed (assuming the minimum number of days needed is 5). If it wasn't for the fact that the HMH installation takes over two weeks, I could even see them starting HalloweenTime pre-Labor Day, but that would mean closing HM even earlier in August. And as you mentioned, it also all depends on what impact the 60th anniversary events will have. So many unknowns at this point!

 

[Tyggress]

Gotcha...right now we're planning for the 10th - 13th. I guess we'll see how it all plays out as the year goes by. Thank you!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

So, DH is for sure a no-go... I had to press him... I was looking at flights, and had enough miles to get our RT from PDX to SNA on Alaska for $132 each... total... so like $67 each way pp. I prefer jet blue... but I really hate waiting on them to publish fares... and the lowest I have seen for them in awhile was $99 each way pp... so this is a good deal. So, hubby is out. Girl's Trip!

Called Disney to modify our Costco package, did not get the brightest bulb of a cm... but the confirmation email is right. Without DH going, I have already saved $$ lol

Good thing we have an upcoming cruise to keep me occupied... cause I am pretty freaking excited!

 

[Sherry E]

I totally neglected to welcome bcwife76, disneyfanatick, Sun Lover, FireflyFi and any other newcomers (silent or otherwise) to the thread! Thank you for joining us. I hope you will find this to be a fun and informative thread, as the months roll along and we await Halloween Time dates and details.

​

So, DH is for sure a no-go... I had to press him... I was looking at flights, and had enough miles to get our RT from PDX to SNA on Alaska for $132 each... total... so like $67 each way pp. I prefer jet blue... but I really hate waiting on them to publish fares... and the lowest I have seen for them in awhile was $99 each way pp... so this is a good deal. So, hubby is out. Girl's Trip!

Called Disney to modify our Costco package, did not get the brightest bulb of a cm... but the confirmation email is right. Without DH going, I have already saved $$ lol

Good thing we have an upcoming cruise to keep me occupied... cause I am pretty freaking excited!

Mommy2PrincessAbby --

I had to laugh about the less-than-bright bulb/CM! Some of them seem to be really sharp and on the ball, and others... Well...

The cruise should be a lot of fun, and you're right -- it will keep you occupied and help pass the time until Halloween Time rolls around.

That's a very good deal for the flights. It should be a great Halloween Time trip.

I think that, once we get to about mid-March or so, I will really be chomping at the bit for fall to hurry along and get here again. Usually, after the holiday season ends, I need a good couple of months to pass before I start looking ahead to fall and all it brings. I think we (in SoCal) have to go through our delayed winter weather first (probably lots of rain to come, next month or so), and then it will start to get warm. And when it gets warm is when I start getting eager for fall to arrive!

 

[Gisele]

Hey, wait a minute now, it's only January. I can't handle the idea of any holiday time right now. lol

 

[bcwife76]

Thanks for the shout-out Sherry E! Looking forward to reading all the updates as we get closer lol

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Mommy2PrincessAbby --

I had to laugh about the less-than-bright bulb/CM! Some of them seem to be really sharp and on the ball, and others... Well...:

I know... What really made me go was I commented that I missed the six day park hopper... (I mean they even have Buzz commercials that say you're gonna need more time!) and the cm was all... You can buy a single day ticket and then you'd have six days... Ummm technically... But for way more $$$!

60 days till I am in the Florida sun... And a whole lot more till Halloween time... I am looking forward to the news on any changes/additions as it trickles in!

 

[Davidthedfactor]

This is my first post here, but I have been lurking for awhile.


First of all thanks for starting this thread and providing all the amazing info you have taken the time to include, it helped make my Disneyland visit perfect this past Halloween


Unfortunately I live in South Carolina and only get to visit Disneyland once a year (if I'm lucky) but of all the times to visit Halloween is definitely my favorite. I will be visiting the park from 10/15-10/18, this year is a special year for me because I will be taking my long-time girlfriend and it will be her first visit to California and Disneyland and I'm so excited. She is a huge doubter about the magic of Disneyland, but I know it will change after she goes because her standard of theme parks is 6 flags or the local fair (sad I know!! lol). Anyway...I don't have much to add about the discussion here, just wanted to check in and say hi.


Don't know what I think about MHP being at DCA this year...I have only been to the party at Disneyland and it has a really special feel to me there! Interested to see what happens

 

[disneyfanatick]

I totally neglected to welcome bcwife76, disneyfanatick, Sun Lover, FireflyFi and any other newcomers (silent or otherwise) to the thread! Thank you for joining us. I hope you will find this to be a fun and informative thread, as the months roll along and we await Halloween Time dates and details.

Thanks for the shout out we are in the very beginning stages of planning and dreaming.

DD turns 25 during the trip so she will be in charge of the things to do, hoping to get tickets to MHP on Halloween as WDW vets we understand it will be very crowded only concern is how dark it will be with mom in tow she is normally a "slow" walker but add limited lighting and she slows to almost a stop (she won't do a wheelchair even for safety)

Thanks for updating the blog and keeping us all in the loop

 

[WestMom2two]

So excited to be coming back for Halloween time! We are going October 28th to November 1st! We've got a good size group coming with us this time so it should be great. Trick or Treating in the park on Halloween this time!

 

[ejdmomma]

My husband and I are planning on taking our 15th anniversary trip to DL. We'll be there Oct. 4-6th. Hoping the dates work out and we'll be able to attend the party one night! First trip to DL!!!

 

[HopLow1968]

My DGF and I are planning an October Halloween time trip.

My DGF and I have a significant age difference. I am in my 40s, while she is in her mid-20s. And she is very much young at heart. She sings along with Disney movies, one of her favorite stuffies is Olaf, and she can “squee” with the best of them, cynicism is an attitude unknown to her. She is, in short, the perfect candidate for Disneyland magic. She has; however, never been to Disneyland. She grew up very poor and a visit to Disneyland was out of the question. Even now, she retains a sense of Disneyland being epic but ultimately mythological.

As for me I have been to Disneyland before (but not DCA). In fact, I have been a lot. Probably at least 100 times. I had an annual pass back when they first started offering one. I used to be obsessed with the park (and all things Disney). I used to belong to a BBS called “Maushaus”, etc.
But, all of this was long ago. I haven't been in well over 20 years. This planning stage has been a strange time-warp for me, as I read about rides and spaces and experiences that I had forgotten about, but are now welling up in my emotional memory. Fuzzy at first, but then snapping into crystal clear focus.

What she most wants to avoid...
- A sense of feeling rushed.
- A sense that everything is so regimented that it feels like a military campaign.

What I most want to avoid.
- Battling cranky pushy crowds to go stand in hour plus lines for every ride.

Things she most wants to get out of the trip...
- She wants time to smell the roses and take it all in.
- To meet favorite Characters: those from Frozen, Pocahontas, and some others.
- Shows
- Rides, but not the scary roller-coaster ones with big drops (No ToT or CS).
Above all, the ability to feel and act like a kid without being judged for it.

What I most want to get out of the trip...
- To revisit my old favorites rides, HM, PoTC, etc
- To see what's new
- A decent amount of night time in Disneyland (by far my favorite time).
- To have those little quiet moments of magic that Disneyland is so good at; a romantic moment at Snow White's grotto, great sight-lines and magical backdrops. That awe moment between the end of F! And the crowd's erupting cheer.
- To craft a trip that makes her gasp in awe, and makes her eyes shine in delight.

Here is what I have so far... (I'd love to know if you spot any problems or have comments or suggestions!)

Oct 20th (Tues): Fly out, check into hotel (within walking distance), receive grocery deliver from Vons, eat dinner at Rainforest Cafe, drinks at Trader Sam's, walk around Downtown Disney District.

Oct 21st (Wed): First day at the Parks. Absolutely no schedule or agenda for most the day. Let her follow her nose, exploring the parks. Use my knowledge (both old experience, and new knowledge gleaned from these forums) to make things smooth as possible. Aladdin show that afternoon. Dinner and drinks at Trader Sam's after the Park closes.

Oct 22nd (Thurs): Magic Morning Early entry! Start being a touch more assertive and gently making sure we have FP for popular rides, start filling in gaps we missed from yesterday, etc. WoC dining package at Ariel's Grotto. Go from there directly to wait for WoC (following the 90 min rule). Watch a Disney movie at hotel after the park.

Oct 23rd (Friday): Character breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe (Pocahontas is one of her favorite movies). Explore the parks, etc. Take a break in the afternoon, rest at hotel and change into costumes, Mickey's Halloween Party that night (Villains, fireworks, candy – yay!)

Oct 24th (Sat): Breakfast and lunch at hotel. Dinner at Blue Bayou as part of F! Package.

Oct 25th (Sunday): Breakfast and lunch at hotel. Yummy snacks at park. Fireworks tonight! Say goodnight and goodbye to Disneyland.

Oct 26th (Monday): Fly back home...Sleep.

Specifics beyond this regarding shows, parades, etc – all will firm up as it gets closer and more specific information is made available.

So what do you all think?

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Hi everyone! I'm planning a surprise birthday trip for my kids. They'll turn 11 and 9, two days apart... at the beginning of October!! So how happy was I when I heard about the MHP?!

I noticed that the parties have traditionally been held on the Monday and Wednesday nights (we arrive on a Sunday and leave the Friday), but the CM I talked to when planning said the first week it'll be the Tuesday... Any ideas on that? Was he mistaken...? Because, I'm planning this trip right out... it's a once-in-a-lifetime for our family and Hubby wants to know what we're doing (not necessarily how much it'll cost ) and my oldest has anxiety so she needs pretty much a detailed timeline of what we're doing. And so do I if I'm getting the tickets!

My idea was to hit the BBB the afternoon of the party so the girls would have smokin' costumes. I was thinking of reserving for 3 or 3:30 so they could enjoy the party for a while (we're taking a pool break between 1 and 3). We're staying at PPH.

If we do the Monday party, that's my oldest's birthday. I was planning on eating at the Carnation Cafe and having a cake delivered. Is that restaurant open that day? I read the first page and it didn't look like it. I want us to catch the fireworks as we'll probably not be able to watch F! on the Sunday (I don't want to pay for another day if we arrive at 4:30 and then eat. By the time we hit the park it'll be late and is it worth it? I'm not sure now...). Does WOC run every night?

Wednesday is the youngest's birthday and we're eating at Ariel's grotto for an early dinner so that night's taken care of. If there's a party that night at DL, will DCA close early? I guess we hang out at DD if we want to or go to bed early?

This place is a great resource. I look forward to the answers!

 

[Kilala]

Welcome to all the new people to board!!!
I have started on plans for new costumes this year. I will be painting one of the costumes this weekend and start some leg and arm wamers for some of my costumes. I'm so excited for MHP!!! I was so not motoivated to work on costumes last year. For some reason late last year I got the motovation to work on costumes again. I will be dying a unitard for my my red coyote unitard tomorrow

 

[WestMom2two]

Welcome to all the new people to board!!!
I have started on plans for new costumes this year. I will be painting one of the costumes this weekend and start some leg and arm wamers for some of my costumes. I'm so excited for MHP!!! I was so not motoivated to work on costumes last year. For some reason late last year I got the motovation to work on costumes again. I will be dying a unitard for my my red coyote unitard tomorrow

Ive been planning our costumes already too! We are going as Toy Story characters but I don't like store bought ones where you look like everyone else so it takes lots of planning when I do ours! I remember your costumes from when I was on the Halloween thread 2 years ago! So cool! I'm excited to be able to participate in the photo contests on here now that we've been during this season! Yay!

 

[Kilala]

Ive been planning our costumes already too! We are going as Toy Story characters but I don't like store bought ones where you look like everyone else so it takes lots of planning when I do ours! I remember your costumes from when I was on the Halloween thread 2 years ago! So cool! I'm excited to be able to participate in the photo contests on here now that we've been during this season! Yay!

I didn't know there was a photo contest. Is there a link to the contest?