HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Sherry E]

Hi everybody!
Sherry, I decided to jump in with both feed. We'll be going on our first trip to DLR during the time of Halloween decorations. I'm really hoping to at least see some of them. We are going to be there 9/13-9/19, so who knows we may be there too early for it anyway.

Hi, Michele!

I'm glad you joined us!

That's great that you will finally be experiencing Halloween Time! Your last trip was your end-of-the-holiday-season trip, wasn't it? Or did you go to DLR again after that and I am blanking out on it? I remember that you were supposed to do the Diva trip and then couldn't make it.

In any case, although we don't really know what is happening with Halloween Time and how much of a production it will be this year (due to all of the 60th anniversary events), I think that you will see whatever Halloween decorations there are to be seen in Disneyland during your trip, and that would probably include all of this fun:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326955

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326963

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326968

I tend to wonder how decked out Main Street will be (with the 300+ pumpkins in the Pumpkin Festival) if there are all kinds of Diamond Celebration decorations around. Halloween Time really needs the decorations on Main Street and in Frontierland, though, so I really hope Disney doesn't skimp on them in September and October. So far, there are no rumors to indicate that California Adventure is getting any kind of Halloween decorations package, so I wouldn't expect to see too much in the way of Halloween in that park at this point in time (unless they surprise us).

Halloween Time -- whatever there is of the general seasonal décor, treats and merchandise -- should be in full swing by the time your trip begins, including Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and the Halloween Carnival. The thing that you might, possibly, miss out on is Mickey's Halloween Party. There have been rumors that MHP could start earlier in September than it usually starts, in which case you'd be in luck. However, as you know, Disney is notoriously slow in releasing dates and info about Halloween Time or the holidays, so IF MHP is extended this year we may not find out about it for another 3 months!

Another thing you should be prepared for is that it will likely be extremely hot in September. While I have been to DLR in September and encountered heavy rain and/or overcast skies and temperatures in the 70s, September has also been unbearably hot at times, reaching well over 100 degrees. More often than not it seems to be very hot -- and the sun is so harsh at that time of year. So, be prepared with whatever tools you use to stay comfortable in super hot weather, just in case!

 

[kaoden39]

Hi Sherry!

Our last trip was in January of last year. I'm feeling the pull. The girls and I are doing the trip just the three of us. One of the main reasons we are going is to do Dapper Day. So, we will be dressing up for that. If we don't have MHP we'll be okay. Especially since we are adults. What's fun is the planning going into the outfits we're wearing. Unfortunately I see the problems with the decorations for the Diamond Celebration and Halloween. Maybe they can just transfer all the Halloween to DCA. I can see some cute ideas for decorating it. I can just see a vampire Mater. Who knows? I know that no matter what Disney decides I will love it.

 

[tiffjoy]

Joining in on the fun! We have APs this year and plan to go for a weekend every month after August. So I am thinking if they start early this year, we might see Halloween decorations twice. We have been once before to a Halloween party, a few years back. It was very crowded, but fun. I'm hoping they will hold some on Friday nights so we could go to one. I'm also interested in seeing if they stay at DL or transfer it to DCA because of the anniversary stuff. I'd kinda like it to go to DCA because that could be fun to have something totally new and different.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Dd and I won yomd ear hats on Snow White on the last day of our visit that year... Totally made my trip! Maybe we'll get lucky again this October!

 

[lorijohnhill]

I'm working on creating my autograph book for our Sept/Oct trip (which I am hoping will include two MHPs). Would any of you guys that went last year please list the villains and/or unique characters that were out and about last year? We were only able to stay for part of the party and didn't get to see any of the villains or unique characters.

I like to err on the side of too many characters in my book. I just love how excited they get when they see that they have their own page. On our recent trip the Easter Bunny spent a good minute hopping up and down in excitement and hugging the book. It was so much fun to see!

 

[Sherry E]

Hi Sherry!

Our last trip was in January of last year. I'm feeling the pull. The girls and I are doing the trip just the three of us. One of the main reasons we are going is to do Dapper Day. So, we will be dressing up for that. If we don't have MHP we'll be okay. Especially since we are adults. What's fun is the planning going into the outfits we're wearing. Unfortunately I see the problems with the decorations for the Diamond Celebration and Halloween. Maybe they can just transfer all the Halloween to DCA. I can see some cute ideas for decorating it. I can just see a vampire Mater. Who knows? I know that no matter what Disney decides I will love it.

I suspect that there has been some discussion behind the scenes about putting Halloween décor back into DCA, but I don't know if it will happen this year. It should be this year, of all years, but I don't know if it will. I think a Vampire Mater would be adorable, and I think that Cars Land would be a great place to put some creative and clever Halloween décor.

Joining in on the fun! We have APs this year and plan to go for a weekend every month after August. So I am thinking if they start early this year, we might see Halloween decorations twice. We have been once before to a Halloween party, a few years back. It was very crowded, but fun. I'm hoping they will hold some on Friday nights so we could go to one. I'm also interested in seeing if they stay at DL or transfer it to DCA because of the anniversary stuff. I'd kinda like it to go to DCA because that could be fun to have something totally new and different.

Welcome, tiffjoy!

How early are you planning to go in September? The Halloween decor begins to go up in the week leading up to the start of Halloween Time, so there will probably be pumpkins popping up a few days after Labor Day, assuming that the start of the season is somewhere in the range of 9/10-9/14. Labor Day is late this year, though, and I don't know if Disney would start the season just 4 days after Labor Day -- on September 11th (a horrible day in history), no less. And yet, I think that starting the season on Friday, 9/18 may be too late. So my guess is that the season will start on another day that is not a Friday -- like maybe 9/12, 9/14 or 9/15.

You will probably get to enjoy the Halloween Time fun in both September and October, but depending on when the party begins you may not experience that part of it until October.

I think that there will be Friday parties from whenever MHP starts in September and all through October. Every Friday night should have a party once MHP begins. There will also be other nights thrown in -- probably a total of at least 14 nights again, but possibly many more.

I really liked the party back when it was held in DCA, even though I think the locations for the treat trails are more interesting in Disneyland. The thing is, back then (2005 - 2009), it was perfectly acceptable to have a Halloween party in DCA without any real Halloween ride overlays or Halloween nighttime spectaculars. The characters, the decorations, the shorter lines for rides and the treats seemed to be enough for everyone, and DCA really needed the extra attendance. Plus, it was easy to close DCA early back then, get everyone out of the park, and then reopen it for the party guests.

The problem is that now that people have gotten used to 5 years of the party being held in Disneyland, complete with Halloween Screams fireworks and the Cavalcade, it will probably be tough for Disney to go back to holding the party in DCA -- unless they plan to decorate DCA for Halloween once again, and add some sort of nighttime Halloween event....and also lower the ticket price! I would love to see the party return to DCA, but it may be a tough sell to just go back to treat trails and characters and not much else.

This would be a really good year to switch the party location, though. A perfect year, really. I just have not heard any recent rumors (nothing new in 2015, in other words) about DCA getting Halloween-ified this year, and it seems like that kind of info would leak out. They could shock us all, though!

I'm working on creating my autograph book for our Sept/Oct trip (which I am hoping will include two MHPs). Would any of you guys that went last year please list the villains and/or unique characters that were out and about last year? We were only able to stay for part of the party and didn't get to see any of the villains or unique characters.

I like to err on the side of too many characters in my book. I just love how excited they get when they see that they have their own page. On our recent trip the Easter Bunny spent a good minute hopping up and down in excitement and hugging the book. It was so much fun to see!

This may help some -- scroll down to Question #14 and the list of characters that were at MHP last year are listed -- http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326916

 

[lorijohnhill]

Sherry, you are the best! I don't know how you keep so much info in your memory banks. I am so impressed!

 

[tiffjoy]

Welcome, tiffjoy!

How early are you planning to go in September? The Halloween decor begins to go up in the week leading up to the start of Halloween Time, so there will probably be pumpkins popping up a few days after Labor Day, assuming that the start of the season is somewhere in the range of 9/10-9/14. Labor Day is late this year, though, and I don't know if Disney would start the season just 4 days after Labor Day -- on September 11th (a horrible day in history), no less. And yet, I think that starting the season on Friday, 9/18 may be too late. So my guess is that the season will start on another day that is not a Friday -- like maybe 9/12, 9/14 or 9/15.

You will probably get to enjoy the Halloween Time fun in both September and October, but depending on when the party begins you may not experience that part of it until October.

I think that there will be Friday parties from whenever MHP starts in September and all through October. Every Friday night should have a party once MHP begins. There will also be other nights thrown in -- probably a total of at least 14 nights again, but possibly many more.

I really liked the party back when it was held in DCA, even though I think the locations for the treat trails are more interesting in Disneyland. The thing is, back then (2005 - 2009), it was perfectly acceptable to have a Halloween party in DCA without any real Halloween ride overlays or Halloween nighttime spectaculars. The characters, the decorations, the shorter lines for rides and the treats seemed to be enough for everyone, and DCA really needed the extra attendance. Plus, it was easy to close DCA early back then, get everyone out of the park, and then reopen it for the party guests.

The problem is that now that people have gotten used to 5 years of the party being held in Disneyland, complete with Halloween Screams fireworks and the Cavalcade, it will probably be tough for Disney to go back to holding the party in DCA -- unless they plan to decorate DCA for Halloween once again, and add some sort of nighttime Halloween event....and also lower the ticket price! I would love to see the party return to DCA, but it may be a tough sell to just go back to treat trails and characters and not much else.

This would be a really good year to switch the party location, though. A perfect year, really. I just have not heard any recent rumors (nothing new in 2015, in other words) about DCA getting Halloween-ified this year, and it seems like that kind of info would leak out. They could shock us all, though!

Thank you for all this info! We haven't decided on an exact weekend for September yet, although I'm going to book a hotel sometime in the next couple months for that and our October trip. It would either be the second or third weekend.

I do wish that DLR would share info sooner like WDW does. I don't get why they think locals or AP holders don't want to plan things out. And especially people who need to travel further want to plan.

 

[jammyjam25]

I suspect that there has been some discussion behind the scenes about putting Halloween décor back into DCA, but I don't know if it will happen this year. It should be this year, of all years, but I don't know if it will. I think a Vampire Mater would be adorable, and I think that Cars Land would be a great place to put some creative and clever Halloween décor.

I'm thinking Mater and the Ghostlight could be a really cute Halloween-time incorporation into Carsland!

 

[Abbey1]

How crazy are the crowds the week of Halloween? We'll be in San Diego through October 25th we're planning on heading to DL for (hopefully) Mickey's Halloween Party on Monday night and then maybe a full day at the park on Tuesday. We've only been during low-crowd level times, so I am wondering how Halloween week compares. Also, anything not to miss for Halloweentime? We've never been in October- so exciting!

 

[iKristin]

I still don't consider October to be a busy visiting time aside from the parties. It's still considered off season

 

[princesszelda]

Count us in! We will be going just for our Anniversary which Halloween! I think we may do the Halloween tour and the party.

 

[Sherry E]

How crazy are the crowds the week of Halloween? We'll be in San Diego through October 25th we're planning on heading to DL for (hopefully) Mickey's Halloween Party on Monday night and then maybe a full day at the park on Tuesday. We've only been during low-crowd level times, so I am wondering how Halloween week compares. Also, anything not to miss for Halloweentime? We've never been in October- so exciting!

Hi, Abbey1 --

Chances are, during the week leading up to Halloween there will probably be at least 2 parties -- maybe more -- and then a party on Halloween night.

Kristin is right in that October is still considered off-peak season by Disney. Disney doesn't count as many bodies in the parks in September and October as they do during peak times. But it's not necessarily considered off-peak by the visitors who are there among the crowds. Disney considers summer and the holiday season to be the peak seasons, as well as a time like spring break. So any other time of the year between those peak timeframes is prone to refurbishments, closures, shorter hours, etc. -- and that would include most of September and October.

However, the Halloween Time season in general has grown in popularity over the years. Many, many people report that they find October to be very busy or much busier than it used to be in the good old days. Some have even said that they wouldn't go back during October because it's too crowded.

That said, I don't think that you will run into low crowds, but you also won't run into insanely ridiculous crowds. In other words, the parks will not be empty, but I think they will probably be tolerable and manageable, especially very early in that specific week when you will be there. The closer it gets to Halloween, the busier the parks will get -- especially if there are multiple parties that week.

Needless to say, this year's 60th anniversary festivities are the wild card, and we don't know how the crowds over the rest of the year will be impacted. I would guess that there would be some sort of an overall increase in crowds for the rest of 2015 because it is expected that the 60th anniversary events will be a 'limited time only' sort of thing, but the crowds will probably still be tolerable and manageable during the times when they are normally tolerable and manageable.

As for what not to miss, assuming that nothing Halloween-ish is happening in California Adventure, Disneyland will be the main hub of Halloween activity.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326923


In Disneyland you will find:

-- The Happiest Haunts tour

http://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2014/09/18/happiest-haunts-disneyland-tour-review/


-- Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland

-- Haunted Mansion Holiday in New Orleans Square

-- The Dia de los Muertos display in Frontierland

-- The Ray Bradbury Halloween Tree in Frontierland

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326963


-- The Halloween Carnival and Round-up in the Big Thunder Ranch area of Frontierland (and there you will find pumpkin carvers, Villains, characters in Halloween attire, Halloween games and crafts, entertainment, a fortuneteller, goats in Halloween scarves at the petting zoo, etc.)

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326955


-- The Main Street Pumpkin Festival (featuring over 300 artificial pumpkins displayed in windows, on balconies, on awnings, etc., along Main Street)

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326968


-- Seasonal foods (both sweet and savory) -

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...oween-time-2015.3270919/page-52#post-52040420

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326928



Of course, Mickey's Halloween Party is held in Disneyland -- barring any changes in the location this year, due to the 60th anniversary -- and features some extra decorations, enhancements and eerie effects, even more Villains, characters in Halloween attire, the Cadaver Dans (the "spooky" version of the Dapper Dans), Halloween Screams fireworks, a mini-parade/Cavalcade and lots and lots of candy to be collected at the assorted treat stations and trails around the park.

More info here:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ut-halloween-time-2015.3270919/#post-51326916

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...oween-time-2015.3270919/page-70#post-52201459

​

 

[Abbey1]

Sherry E - You are awesome! Thanks for all the info. I am getting ridiculously excited!

 

[iKristin]

I love Halloween time It's my favorite time of the year at the park. I highly recommend everyone go at least once

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry E - You are awesome! Thanks for all the info. I am getting ridiculously excited!

You're very welcome! Summer hasn't even begun yet, and I'm already ready to fast forward to fall so we can get to the Halloween Time fun. I'll be happy when July rolls around -- only because that's when the first signs of autumn/Halloween décor and merchandise will begin creeping into random stores (like Costco and various art supply stores), so it will seem like the Halloween season is not too far away! The Pumpkin Pandemonium starts slowly, appearing little by little on store shelves, and then in August the Halloween stuff starts showing up much more rapidly. And then, in September, Halloween Time will begin at Disneyland. So I always think that once I get to July, the rest of the year will be one big celebration!

I love Halloween time It's my favorite time of the year at the park. I highly recommend everyone go at least once

I agree that I think everyone should experience Halloween Time at least once. It's a good family-friendly alternative to all of the other Halloween offerings around SoCal. I just wish that Disney would do more with the season to include both parks. It feels very lopsided the way it has been for the last several years. But I love the Halloween Time and Holiday seasons, and I can't think of a better way to finish off the last 4 months of the year than by celebrating those two seasons at DLR!!

 

[mom2rtk]

You're very welcome! Summer hasn't even begun yet, and I'm already ready to fast forward to fall so we can get to the Halloween Time fun. I'll be happy when July rolls around -- only because that's when the first signs of autumn/Halloween décor and merchandise will begin creeping into random stores (like Costco and various art supply stores), so it will seem like the Halloween season is not too far away! The Pumpkin Pandemonium starts slowly, appearing little by little on store shelves, and then in August the Halloween stuff starts showing up much more rapidly. And then, in September, Halloween Time will begin at Disneyland. So I always think that once I get to July, the rest of the year will be one big celebration!



I agree that I think everyone should experience Halloween Time at least once. It's a good family-friendly alternative to all of the other Halloween offerings around SoCal. I just wish that Disney would do more with the season to include both parks. It feels very lopsided the way it has been for the last several years. But I love Halloween Time and the Holiday seasons, and I can't think of a better way to finish off the last 4 months of the year than by celebrating those two seasons at DLR!!

We are really leaning more heavily toward Halloweentime this year. It just seems time to mark this one off my Disney "to do" list. The one thing that might throw a monkey wrench into my plans would be if they opted to add a hard ticket Christmas party this year. I'm hoping they don't so we can keep this an easy decision. I tried for a bit to find a way to take 2 short trips, but I just think it would be too much travel without enough payoff. I think I'll have to pick one or the other and go with it.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I agree that I think everyone should experience Halloween Time at least once.

The trouble is that it is unlikely to stay once. I have been desperate to come back during the Halloween season ever since I experienced it in 2011. I still can't quite believe that this year will be the year for this to happen.

Corinna

 

[Sherry E]

We are really leaning more heavily toward Halloweentime this year. It just seems time to mark this one off my Disney "to do" list. The one thing that might throw a monkey wrench into my plans would be if they opted to add a hard ticket Christmas party this year. I'm hoping they don't so we can keep this an easy decision. I tried for a bit to find a way to take 2 short trips, but I just think it would be too much travel without enough payoff. I think I'll have to pick one or the other and go with it.

That sounds like a good plan. And you know, even if there were to be a hard ticket Christmas party for some reason, Disney probably wouldn't let us know about it until December 1st anyway.

Seriously, though, you've experienced DLR's holiday season for the last two years -- and short of possibly missing the return of the Christmas star to the top of the Matterhorn this year, you probably won't miss too much if you go for Halloween Time instead. So it's probably a great time to experience Halloween Time and MHP (wherever it ends up happening).

 

[mom2rtk]

That sounds like a good plan. And you know, even if there were to be a hard ticket Christmas party for some reason, Disney probably wouldn't let us know about it until December 1st anyway.

Seriously, though, you've experienced DLR's holiday season for the last two years -- and short of possibly missing the return of the Christmas star to the top of the Matterhorn this year, you probably won't miss too much if you go for Halloween Time instead. So it's probably a great time to experience Halloween Time and MHP (wherever it ends up happening).

OK, I actually just laughed out loud at that.

Remember how hard it was for me to adjust to later planning on the DL side of things? Well, I'm adjusting and actually starting to embrace that side of it. But still, it was hard to watch Christmas and Halloween party tickets go on sale in the past week on the WDW side of things. I'm really hoping for something a teensy bit earlier than December! LOL. Maybe November?

I'm really glad we saw the Christmas parade 4 times over the past 2 years. I feel like we've done that thoroughly and now look forward to embracing a new season. Although the thought of experiencing the debut of a new hard ticket event would still call my name.........

It wouldn't be right if I wasn't conflicted about something, right?

The good part is that we never experienced the party in DL. So if it moves, it won't feel like a lesser event to us.