HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Sherry E]

Thank you!!!! By the way, your pictures are amazing!

Thank you! What a nice thing to say! I appreciate it.

Thanks a lot Sherry, that clarifies things. A mini costume parade is perfect for us. Enough for one twin to get excited about but not enough to test the patience of the other. Was Cruella a night villain? She's my only Halloween character priority besides costumed Minnie and whoever the other twin seems to like most. This will be their first time trick or treating so we'll definitely have to do that a little.

One more question-those of you who buy your costumes, where do you get them? I don't usually dress up but I will definitely be dressing up for the party. Whenever it will be.

You're very welcome! As Kilala mentioned, Cruella is at the party, as well as out in the daytime, if I recall correctly. If she is not one of the Villains to be "conjured" at the Halloween Carnival, then she may be on Main Street.

It seems like we have a couple of people in this thread who make their costumes. I wonder where people buy them when they buy them. I have not bought a Halloween costume in many years.

Hi All, just popping in to say Hello! I'm probably in the minority, but I am secrectly hoping for NO Halloween parties! Or at least not on Friday, in hopes of seeing the Paint the Night Parage and fireworks. We'll be in the parks Wed, Thur Fri, the 21-23rd. We are doing Legoland Sunday and Monday 18th &19th, before, so our dates are pretty set. We are really looking forward to the 60th celebrations, so hoping at least some of them are still around when we go!

Hello!

With any luck, maybe Paint the Night and Disneyland Forever will run on Wednesday or Thursday of your trip as well (I don't know if they will run on a more extended schedule this year, or settle into the typical fall/off-season schedule). But you're right -- there would almost certainly be a Halloween party on Friday, 10/23. And who knows how Paint the Night will be handled on a party night?

Over on Mice chat in a thread about HMH overlay a poster said on the disneyland website he saw that HM was closing Aug 24th for the overlay. Which if the 17 day time frame holds true like usual Sept 11th would indeed be the kickoff. Now I looked all over DL.com and couldn't find where he got that info so Idk. ..the plot thickens

I only see the calendar going as far as 8/22 -- exactly 6 weeks from today. So I don't know how that MiceChatter discovered that HM would be closing on 8/24 (although I saw the comment). It's possible that "they" (meaning Disney) were tinkering around on the website again and he caught the website at a moment when it was in transition, and then it changed after that. Even if it were true, September 11th would not necessarily be the start of Halloween Time. As I have maintained all along, certain things could soft open or open before the actual, official start of the season -- such as SMGG or HMH. That's what they do with the holiday season, so why not do the same for Halloween Time?

I'm not sure where the CM on the phone at DLR got the 8/28 HM closure date from (which is also mentioned in that same thread), but seeing as that is a Friday it seems peculiar. The phone CMs are not the most reliable in terms of giving out up to the minute, accurate info!

Late last night they had Hocus Pocus on ABC family. Also Hallmark channel has been doing Christmas in July this week.

Oh, believe me, I am all over Christmas in July on the Hallmark Channel! It's been on my TV for the last week.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Which I get to a point but we're driving two days each way for this. If we weren't planning a full week anyway, I'd be far more more annoyed about the lack of date or real confirmation that there will actually be a party. We've had tickets and reservations for months now.

I also question the validity of their demographics. I went with my brother, who lives in a SoCal zip code (but still hours away from DLR), and my mother, who, like me, lives in a NorCal zip code. So, among the three of us, we represented three different zip codes. My brother was surveyed every single time he went through a turnstile. My mother and I were never surveyed at all. The results of these surveys have to be VERY skewed. I find it hard to believe that the vast majority of visitors live right around the corner from DLR. if that were the case, why are the hotels always so booked up?

Even those who live a couple hours away, who may be considered locals by some, will more than likely choose to stay in a hotel. Therefore, they also would need the info sooner rather than later so that they can make reservations.

 

[Sherry E]

I also question the validity of their demographics. I went with my brother, who lives in a SoCal zip code (but still hours away from DLR), and my mother, who, like me, lives in a NorCal zip code. So, among the three of us, we represented three different zip codes. My brother was surveyed every single time he went through a turnstile. My mother and I were never surveyed at all. The results of these surveys have to be VERY skewed. I find it hard to believe that the vast majority of visitors live right around the corner from DLR. if that were the case, why are the hotels always so booked up?

Even those who live a couple hours away, who may be considered locals by some, will more than likely choose to stay in a hotel. Therefore, they also would need the info sooner rather than later so that they can make reservations.

I think that sometimes they survey people who fit a certain profile they are looking for (for example, middle aged Caucasian women, young Asian males, etc.). In fact, I saw them single out Asian males for a survey on one occasion. Another time, they just seemed to be going for males in general (any age, any race, etc.). Another time I saw them approaching Hispanic females. Other times they seem to just talk to anyone who is passing through a certain area, such as Viva Navidad or Downtown Disney. There are probably other times when they target different demographics that we don't see. I don't know how all of that data is compiled and assembled later on, but I'm sure that sometimes it can get skewed.

As for locals staying at hotels... I would guess that maybe the people who live within 5-10 miles from DLR probably don't stay at a hotel (onsite or Good Neighbor), but I think you're right in that there are likely a LOT of people who visit that are sort of local, but not really, and who stay in hotels. I mean, I would be one of them. To the average out-of-state resident, I am probably considered "local." I am more local to DLR than, say, someone who lives in Arizona or Connecticut, obviously, but I live in Los Angeles -- which is not where Disneyland is. Disneyland is in a totally separate county from where I live, and it takes a good 40 to 45 minutes to get to Disneyland at a time when there is NO traffic (and much, much longer when there is traffic, of course). So, technically, yes, I live close enough to do day trips and come home at the end of the night -- which I will do -- but I live just far enough away to make coming home at the end of the night a pain. I would rather stay in a hotel. And the hotels are beginning to book up earlier in the year than they used to book up, so it's not always possible to wait until 2 weeks before arrival to book a room anymore!

I forgot to mention that, out of all of the "when will the MHP dates be announced" questions that have been pouring into the assorted Disney Parks Blog comment sections, most of them have been left there. However, I noticed one comment late in the day or early evening yesterday (under Erin's blog about ElecTRONica), and it is no longer there! I think the person was name "l" or something, and the message was very insistent that the dates be released right away. I read the whole thing yesterday, but when I checked again today the comment was gone!

 

[Metalliman98]

I forgot to mention that, out of all of the "when will the MHP dates be announced" questions that have been pouring into the assorted Disney Parks Blog comment sections, most of them have been left there. However, I noticed one comment late in the day or early evening yesterday (under Erin's blog about ElecTRONica), and it is no longer there! I think the person was name "l" or something, and the message was very insistent that the dates be released right away. I read the whole thing yesterday, but when I checked again today the comment was gone!

I noticed that too, and it wasn't just one comment, but two or three like it toward the end of that group of comments. The wonderful world of censorship!

 

[Sherry E]

I noticed that too, and it wasn't just one comment, but two or three like it toward the end of that group of comments. The wonderful world of censorship!

There must have been more comments that sneaked in after I saw that one specific one from "l" late yesterday. All of the other comments that came in before "l" are still there.

Honestly , one week ago I was certain that within a couple of days (right after 4th of July weekend) we would have the Halloween Time and Mickey's Halloween Party info in our hot little hands. One week later, I can't believe we still have nothing! I'm certain that the CMs on the phones at DLR are getting bombarded with phone calls, but they don't know anything yet.

Sometimes certain non-Disney owned travel agencies (the ones that are authorized to sell Disney tickets and packages) might know when a season is starting, or when MHP is starting. They get the info, I suppose, from a secret travel agent site that the regular folks can't access. Does anyone here use a travel agency? If so, you might try calling an agent and seeing if they have any dates.


At one point I was saying that the longer the wait to find out dates, the less of a chance there would be for any major changes to happen with MHP or Halloween Time this year. But now that we are beyond the time when I thought we would learn the dates, I am beginning to think that the more time that passes, there will be some sort of change happening. I think MHP will still go on, but some aspect of the schedule might have changed.

 

[Priory]

You think they'd move it back to DCA to keep paint the night and disneyland forever running? I personally wouldn't mind that but only because I've been lucky enough to do the party at DL several times.

They could easily move the parade and introduce a haloween WOC to make up for the fireworks.

 

[Sherry E]

You think they'd move it back to DCA to keep paint the night and disneyland forever running? I personally wouldn't mind that but only because I've been lucky enough to do the party at DL several times.

They could easily move the parade and introduce a haloween WOC to make up for the fireworks.

Well, at first (meaning earlier this year) I thought there was a really good chance that MHP could move back to DCA this year, for that exact reason -- to not conflict with the 60th anniversary entertainment.

First of all, that is what someone on MiceChat reported late last year (she/he heard a CM say it at DLR, I guess) -- that MHP was moving to DCA in 2015. So the seed was planted in my mind. Also, someone on MiceChat said that the CMs who trained for MHP in 2014 were told that "big changes" were coming to MHP in 2015.

Plus, for the last decade, the Halloween party has been held in each park for 5 years (first in DCA for 5 years; then in DL for 5 years). With this being the 60th anniversary year and so much of the celebration is revolving around nighttime entertainment (as opposed to daytime entertainment), it seemed very likely that MHP could end up back in DCA for at least this year. This would seem like a good time to start off the next 5 years in a different location.

But, when I asked a CM I know if there had been any whisperings or rumors among the CMs who work in the parks, I was told that MHP hadn't even been mentioned. There were no rumors; there was no news; nothing was said. This CM I asked, however, did NOT think that MHP would move back to DCA, because MHP is too firmly connected to Halloween Screams fireworks and the little character cavalcade. To move the party to DCA would mean a Halloween World of Color, at the very least (if not more), and the CM did not think that they would do a Halloween WoC in the same year as World of Color - Celebrate. There would also have to be Halloween decorations in DCA.

All of the rumors dried up, and there has been nothing -- literally no trickles of info coming from anywhere -- all year long! The only thing we really know is that, at the Q&A following the announcement of the Diamond Anniversary entertainment in January, Disney said that the focus would remain on the 60th anniversary all year long, even through the holiday season. But Halloween Time was never mentioned!

My feeling is that, at one time -- last year -- the plan/intention was probably to relocate MHP to DCA this year. My feeling is that the plan probably got shelved (which would explain the rumor mills drying up), and that it will continue on in DL. But there could be some change to the schedule we would expect (fewer nights? More nights?), or there could be some change to the entertainment that is included in the party, or there could be some change in when the party actually gets started (earlier in September, or later than usual?).

 

[mummabear]

DLR is not WDW. It still retains the feel a daytrip, local theme park(s), they tend to only flexible and more responsive to the "pulse" of the park/guests/So. Cal.

Sorry but for many dare I say most it is not a day trip theme park. I understand why they don't want to go to FP+ and why their ADRs don't open at 180 days but it is ridiculous that you can book ADR's prior to having park hours out.
If they want to retain a day trip/local theme park feel then charge like it and in fact many other parks have their hours out months ahead of Disney.
They are advertising internationally for visitors, they want more than just the AP holders-As I have discussed in another thread we spend as much or more in a 10 day visit than many AP holders would in a year.
It doesn't make sense to me for them to have information on their website about what time of year to visit-saying "hey September is great come check out Halloween time" but not provide the necessary information about the start date, so someone plans a trip for the 1st week in September to find out that it hasn't actually started yet.
Someone over here in NZ is booking a several thousand dollar airfare to LA in September, planning 3 days at Disney before heading off to San Diego or Las Vegas and then finds out only 6 weeks before their trip (if they think to look again) that actually the park shuts at 8pm that time of year not midnight like all the hours they could see when they investigated and they won't see Fireworks/F! or PTN because their days are Mon-Wed and they can't be changed now, people just don't have that flexibility nor should they need to.
What disadvantage would the local crowd have for others to have this info? As a local how would that possibly negatively impact you in any way?

 

[Sherry E]

I know that it certainly wouldn't impact me in any negative way, if the important seasonal dates, schedules and details were revealed many months in advance. The information would be there for those who wanted it, and anyone who wasn't interested in it wouldn't bother looking at it.

 

[mummabear]

I know that it certainly wouldn't impact me in any negative way, if the important seasonal dates, schedules and details were revealed many months in advance. The information would be there for those who wanted it, and anyone who wasn't interested in it wouldn't bother looking at it

Exactly.
I get booking too far in advance but still once you can book something more than a couple of weeks out does it matter if it is 30, 60 or 180-not really

 

[Sherry E]

I keep thinking, okay, what else can the Parks Blog (specifically, Erin) need to report next week? You would think that if anything special were happening on 7/17 (other than dressing up in 1950s-style clothing), they would have announced it. And I don't think anything else has been announced for 7/17, has it? Or am I forgetting about a blog?

There is this new "Looking for Mickey" Quest - which starts on Thursday, 7/16 - http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.c...ing_wp_cron=1436307281.5131070613861083984375. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Parks Blog has not reported on this, have they? If they did I am completely blanking out. But, it could be something that either Erin or Michelle at the Parks Blog reports (since it kind of falls under the Merchandise category as well as being an activity).

In any case, I am just looking ahead to what else could delay the announcement of Halloween Time dates. After seeing the piece about ElecTRONica -- an event that no longer exists at DCA -- I began to think that the Parks Blog either just didn't have any Halloween Time info to share, or they were stalling until they got some final bit of info to add in to the story.

 

[maltdizzy]

Sorry but for many dare I say most it is not a day trip theme park. I understand why they don't want to go to FP+ and why their ADRs don't open at 180 days but it is ridiculous that you can book ADR's prior to having park hours out.
If they want to retain a day trip/local theme park feel then charge like it and in fact many other parks have their hours out months ahead of Disney.

My point isn't that they don't post park hours any earlier, it's that they don't *set* park hours any earlier. They aren't hiding them from you, to them is a big chess board of how to bakance overhead and payroll versus projected attendance. This gives them the flexibility to set hours, schedule fireworks, ride refurbs, closing all or part of a park for local rentals (which do happen), etc.

I can say that having the ability to go to the park almost anytime we wanted for years, I could see the ebb and flow of the park, from summers/weekends when the park is *packed* with obvious local So. Cal. locals and "off-season" (school year) weekdays when the only attendees looked like they came right out if the corn fields of Iowa, and I can safely say it is very, VERY much still dominantly a local, day-trip park. When you are there on a crowded day, you can pick out the Navy tattooes from San Diego, the local O.C. "Disney Goths", the faded tattoos of the ex-Latino gang members that now have families, the West L.A. Families with nannies in two, and yes the ever-present celebrity (A listers usualky have a guide, but you'll see Ed Begley Jr in line wurh the rest of us)...is this is ignoring the whole crowd that just come in the eveing after work/school for a show or a meal. Remember, Disneyland has nearly 20 million residents that live within 2-hour drive of it, with another 20 million within 6 hours of it. Most major cities have a local park or three they very highly loyal to...Disneyland is is king in L.A. (except with coaster freaks).

There is no reason for them to not have released the MHP dates yet except their 60th promotion. They don't really worry about other things like ADR's because they typically are still available long after the park schedule is released (mist are available only two days in advance...because locals rarely book any).

I'm not trying to defend them here but I like that Disneyland is a little less structured than WDW. It's easier for WDW because hey offer less individualized, less spontanious service to keep things evened out. DISboards almost instill this urgency that is everything isn't just so, the the tripmwill be ruined...I go to parks to relax and for fun. I do admit, it's much easier for me. We'll be back in L.A. For a full 11 days but only spending two weekdays and a Halloween Party at DLR; I know there will be a party Tuesday or Wednesday that week, just waiting to confirm it before booking a nearby hotel. But then...maybe we'll just drive from West L.A to the parks every day...we certainly did fine doing that when we lived there.

 

[Jeff314]

Sorry but for many dare I say most it is not a day trip theme park. I understand why they don't want to go to FP+ and why their ADRs don't open at 180 days but it is ridiculous that you can book ADR's prior to having park hours out.
If they want to retain a day trip/local theme park feel then charge like it and in fact many other parks have their hours out months ahead of Disney.
They are advertising internationally for visitors, they want more than just the AP holders-As I have discussed in another thread we spend as much or more in a 10 day visit than many AP holders would in a year.
It doesn't make sense to me for them to have information on their website about what time of year to visit-saying "hey September is great come check out Halloween time" but not provide the necessary information about the start date, so someone plans a trip for the 1st week in September to find out that it hasn't actually started yet.
Someone over here in NZ is booking a several thousand dollar airfare to LA in September, planning 3 days at Disney before heading off to San Diego or Las Vegas and then finds out only 6 weeks before their trip (if they think to look again) that actually the park shuts at 8pm that time of year not midnight like all the hours they could see when they investigated and they won't see Fireworks/F! or PTN because their days are Mon-Wed and they can't be changed now, people just don't have that flexibility nor should they need to.
What disadvantage would the local crowd have for others to have this info? As a local how would that possibly negatively impact you in any way?

I couldn't agree more. Especially with prices getting higher and higher and higher, people need time to plan, book and get everything together to make the trip down there. No, not everyone lives around the corner. The MHP will sell out no matter what so I don't understand the delay on releasing just the dates. They don't even need to sell the tickets just yet, just dates, that's all. It takes a lot longer than a few weeks to plan out a vacation. If you're going for 3 days or so, to go before or after the MHP, you need to know that before going, for hotel and work reasons.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...One more question-those of you who buy your costumes, where do you get them? I don't usually dress up but I will definitely be dressing up for the party. Whenever it will be.

We're part of a group of party goers who buy items to make a costume. So we don't buy full costumes ready made (usually too expensive), but we comb through thrift shops, clearance racks, and ebay to find things that will work together to create a costume. The fun part about this is that the whole outfit can be inexpensive and that many pieces can be worn again as regular clothing.

 

[mummabear]

My point isn't that they don't post park hours any earlier, it's that they don't *set* park hours any earlier. They aren't hiding them from you, to them is a big chess board of how to bakance overhead and payroll versus projected attendance. This gives them the flexibility to set hours, schedule fireworks, ride refurbs, closing all or part of a park for local rentals (which do happen), etc.

Sorry but that is crap.
They know the MHP dates long before now.
They know the park hours well before 6 weeks out -they have no more projection of crowds 6 weeks out then 6 months out because the current crowd level has nothing to do with an upcoming weeks crowds. WDW is spontaneous and we have had parks extend their hours even on the very day in question.Lets be honest when are the hours really steady year on year it shows that they are following the same formula.
Given that last year there was 17 million international visitors that arrived at LAX alone I say that it is pretty even with the need to supply accurate and relevant information to those visitors. Thats before you add any domestic visitors or international visitors that arrive via another US airport.

 

[violentlyserene]

I think that sometimes they survey people who fit a certain profile they are looking for (for example, middle aged Caucasian women, young Asian males, etc.). In fact, I saw them single out Asian males for a survey on one occasion. Another time, they just seemed to be going for males in general (any age, any race, etc.). Another time I saw them approaching Hispanic females. Other times they seem to just talk to anyone who is passing through a certain area, such as Viva Navidad or Downtown Disney. There are probably other times when they target different demographics that we don't see. I don't know how all of that data is compiled and assembled later on, but I'm sure that sometimes it can get skewed.

As for locals staying at hotels... I would guess that maybe the people who live within 5-10 miles from DLR probably don't stay at a hotel (onsite or Good Neighbor), but I think you're right in that there are likely a LOT of people who visit that are sort of local, but not really, and who stay in hotels. I mean, I would be one of them. To the average out-of-state resident, I am probably considered "local." I am more local to DLR than, say, someone who lives in Arizona or Connecticut, obviously, but I live in Los Angeles -- which is not where Disneyland is. Disneyland is in a totally separate county from where I live, and it takes a good 40 to 45 minutes to get to Disneyland at a time when there is NO traffic (and much, much longer when there is traffic, of course). So, technically, yes, I live close enough to do day trips and come home at the end of the night -- which I will do -- but I live just far enough away to make coming home at the end of the night a pain. I would rather stay in a hotel. And the hotels are beginning to book up earlier in the year than they used to book up, so it's not always possible to wait until 2 weeks before arrival to book a room anymore!

45 min would not say hotel to me at all,though I get your reasoning.

There must have been more comments that sneaked in after I saw that one specific one from "l" late yesterday. All of the other comments that came in before "l" are still there.

Honestly , one week ago I was certain that within a couple of days (right after 4th of July weekend) we would have the Halloween Time and Mickey's Halloween Party info in our hot little hands. One week later, I can't believe we still have nothing! I'm certain that the CMs on the phones at DLR are getting bombarded with phone calls, but they don't know anything yet.

Sometimes certain non-Disney owned travel agencies (the ones that are authorized to sell Disney tickets and packages) might know when a season is starting, or when MHP is starting. They get the info, I suppose, from a secret travel agent site that the regular folks can't access. Does anyone here use a travel agency? If so, you might try calling an agent and seeing if they have any dates.


At one point I was saying that the longer the wait to find out dates, the less of a chance there would be for any major changes to happen with MHP or Halloween Time this year. But now that we are beyond the time when I thought we would learn the dates, I am beginning to think that the more time that passes, there will be some sort of change happening. I think MHP will still go on, but some aspect of the schedule might have changed.

we did use a travel agent and will be needing to book reservations for character meals which is the real reason I need party dates. I will try to call and ask tomorrow.

 

[disneydreamer74]

I agree that it is beyond frustrating to try to plan a trip for those of us that are not locals. I drive 9 hours, which is not as far as others for sure. However, it takes a bit of planning with my job, DH's job, and Dd's time off school to make this happen. Besides that fact, we need to know when we are going, the costs associated with our trip, etc. so we can begin saving up for it. I can say that since I drive 9 hours to get there, I have never visited DLR for less than 4 park days. I don't do daytrips lol! However, for as many times as I have been there I can certainly see that Disney does cater to local attendees. This really does make a difference in the way the park is run. Despite that, there is NO excuse for Disney to hold back on planning information and special event dates. You will never convince me that these things have not been decided on long ago. And THAT is where my frustration begins.

 

[BobearQSI]

I've been following the micechat thread about Haunted Mansion closing the 24th. It turns out it wasn't the calendar page, but the attractions page:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/

If you type in 8/24/2015 in the box, HM shows up as closed for refurbishment (you have to type the date and press enter while the calendar is not visible). HM also show as closed on 9/10, but open again on 9/11.

The Space Mountain closure doesn't show up there yet, however.

 

[Priory]

This delay is frustrating for disneyland as well as for the other area events. I am trying to plan a week-long Halloween themed trip. I want to do DL, Knott's, USH, Queen Mary, and Hayride. This will involve 3 hotels and I can't book anything or figure out which day to be where until I know what night is what. I have a rough outline based on past years, but I really want to know the dates. I can tell everyone is waiting to announce after Disney and I feel like they are delaying all of the information for the entire season in the entire region.

 

[tkitty]

Yes if only they would give us dates. We are over 5 hours away and need to book our room. If I could get Sept dates, I could get busy. I'm using timeshare (not DVC) and I'm worried it will be too late to get something. They can surprise me with the date that the tickets go on sale- that's no biggie.

There is no way that they don't know the days/dates yet, IMO. I don't even care which park, just the days/dates! Please? Pretty please, Disney?