HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Meemoo]

Does Disney typically extend the hours of California Adventure Park on the nights DL closes early for the parties? What time would they usually close mid week on a party night?

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry (or anyone else), do you happen to know how many tickets are sold per party? Trying to figure out if it's worth it to go to two parties, one for Halloween stuff, one for easier ride access. If parties are capped at a reasonable figure, probably, but if they are allowed to max out (80,000 or something), then I would figure not.

You know, theluckyrabbit pointed out something I never thought much about -- comp tickets. I would guess that certain nights have approximately the same number of tickets sold, but I don't think an official number has ever been released as to how many tickets are sold. People seem to agree that some nights seem busier than others, even if they are all sold out. So that could have to do with the number of tickets sold and comps. etc., or it could be that on some weeknights a lot of local guests leave early.

We are coming from Australia for the first time from sept 25th to oct 2nd we have the option of parties on the 25,28,30th sept. We will also have 5 day park hoppers for the other days. Is one party enough to do everything? Not so fussed about rides as we can do that other days, but mostly to see the villians?
We will also be going to halloween things at seaworld, disney cruise line and legoland so it wont be our only halloween experience.

I think that each person's view may vary on the answer to this question. I'll put it this way -- I don't think it's necessary to do two parties. One party would be enough to have a good time, collect some candy at the treat stations, see the fireworks and parade and meet Villains. However, if doing two parties is a viable option and something that wouldn't cause any hardship, then it might not be a bad idea to go to two parties. It's not imperative, but it wouldn't hurt -- just to give you more time to see and do things. Some people think one party is plenty, and others do 2 or 3 parties each year.

This is great! We are going mid-September, just in time for the Halloween decorations to go up but before the parties start, AND we'll get fireworks every night (hopefully)!!!

Off-peak hours have historically been 10am-8pm, and sunset is at 7:19pm at the beginning of September. If it takes approximately 30 minutes from sunset to full darkness, I wonder what time would they start fireworks on non-party weeknights? Obviously this isn't an issue as we move further into fall and sunset starts earlier, but I am secretly hoping they will extend their weeknight hours

You never know -- maybe they will extend them a little. At this rate we don't know if Paint the Night is going to be running on non-party nights, so that could factor in to whether or not the hours are extended a wee bit as well. Hopefully we will find that out very soon.

Does Disney typically extend the hours of California Adventure Park on the nights DL closes early for the parties? What time would they usually close mid week on a party night?

California Adventure -- if I recall correctly -- should stay open at least a couple of hours beyond when Disneyland closes on MHP nights, and sometimes much longer than that. Here are last year's schedules for September and October, and you can see California Adventure's hours on the nights that Disneyland closed at 6 p.m and 7 p.m.:

September 2014 - http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/park-hours.cfm?month=9&year=2014

October 2014 - http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/park-hours.cfm?month=10&year=2014

​

Okay, since today involved a flurry of activity and excitement about the long awaited Halloween Time/Halloween Party news, and many people have joined us, perhaps missing some of the key highlights along the way, I am going to sum them up here:

• Halloween Time begins on Friday, September 11, 2015, and ends on Sunday, November 1, 2015;

• Mickey's Halloween Party begins on Friday, September 25, 2015 (see full schedule and additional info here - http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-disneyland-resort-september-11-november-1/);

• This year there will be 17 Halloween Party nights (up from 14 parties in 2014), and prices have gone up rather significantly (see all dates and info here - https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/mickeys-halloween-party/);

• Halloween Party tickets go on sale to AP holders, DVC members and Disney Visa card holders on Wednesday, July 22nd, while tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, July 29th;

• This year there will be no Costume Party Cavalcade at the Party; instead, Paint the Night will be the featured parade at MHP; Paint the Night will also run on all non-MHP nights as well, so it is not exclusive to the Halloween Party;

• Halloween Screams fireworks will still be part of Mickey's Halloween Party;

• Disneyland Forever fireworks will run on all non-party nights (including early weeknights) throughout Halloween Time, with the exception of Thursday, September 10th (which doesn't really count, as Halloween Time doesn't begin until 9/11);

• There is a Halloween Party on Columbus Day this year (which never happens), as well as very rare Saturday and Sunday parties (Halloween night and October 25th, respectively);

• We can expect "special sparkling Halloween decor in honor of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration" this year, so it sounds like there will be some new Halloween decorations that somehow fit the Diamond theme; and

• The Hatbox Ghost is going to stay in place for the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay -- no one knows how he will be worked into the story, but he will be there!

Today I left the Mickey's Halloween Party Frequently Asked Questions post on page 1 as is, because it was needed for reference in order to answer certain questions (such as how quickly tickets sell out, etc.). Right now it still has the 2014 dates and info in it. Tomorrow I will change those dates to the 2015 dates (as well as revamp the Dates to Remember post on page 1 to include all party dates and significant events in September and October), but I will save the info about last year's sold out dates, in case we need it. In the meantime, that FAQ post on page 1 (here - http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...015-info-is-finally-in.3270919/#post-51326916) has a lot of answers to a lot of questions about MHP, so if you are new to the party and want to know what to expect, that's a great place to start!

​

 

[CallieMar]

You never know -- maybe they will extend them a little. At this rate we don't know if Paint the Night is going to be running on non-party nights, so that could factor in to whether or not the hours are extended a wee bit as well. Hopefully we will find that out very soon.

You bring up a good point about Paint the Night and whether it will run on non-party nights. A lot of people are asking that exact question on the Disney Park Blog, so hopefully they clarify soon. It would be great if it did! Since we are going next week (yay!!!) we will have many opportunities to see it, but I can see how others who are going on a once in a lifetime trip during Halloween season would be disappointed if going to one of the parties was not in their plans. I personally really enjoy all the Halloween elements but do not care to go to the party, which is why we go when we do in mid-September.

 

[whistlinmickey]

Does anyone know if I can use my Disney Savings Account to purchase party tickets?

I also have a Disney Vacation savings account and I wondered the same thing. I know you can use the account to get gift cards, but I would like to buy the Halloween tickets directly from the account. I will attempt to call in to do it once tickets are on sale and report back.

We used our Disney Vacation Account to purchase tickets for our family to attend Mickey's Halloween Party last year. We bought the tickets online. We just used the option to use a Disney Gift Card and entered the full 16-digit DVA account number in that field. Our order was confirmed in an email that included a link to a document that could be downloaded and printed or that could be displayed on a smart phone to be scanned at the park entrance. We also showed that same document to the attendant at the Toy Story parking lot for free parking. It was much easier than trying to enter several separate gift cards online or over the phone.

 

[mummabear]

Quick question: is tax additional to the ticket prices listed? And if so how much?

 

[HopLow1968]

Couple of questions...

• Are there any issues with in-and-out privileges during the parties? We will be buying party tickets, but we also already have park hopper regular tickets. Presumably we can hop from the party at Disneyland to DCA and back again at will, correct?
  
  
  
  
• I did a chat with a representative at Disneyparks.disney.go.com, who said that while the parks do shut down earlier on party days, they also open earlier so that guests who do not have party tickets have the same amount of hours in the park as they would if the party wasn't running. Can anybody confirm this?
  

Oh, and do they still run F! on Friday nights that are Party nights?

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Couple of questions...

• Are there any issues with in-and-out privileges during the parties? We will be buying party tickets, but we also already have park hopper regular tickets. Presumably we can hop from the party at Disneyland to DCA and back again at will, correct?
  
  
  
  
• I did a chat with a representative at Disneyparks.disney.go.com, who said that while the parks do shut down earlier on party days, they also open earlier so that guests who do not have party tickets have the same amount of hours in the park as they would if the party wasn't running. Can anybody confirm this?

Yes you can leave the party and come back as long as you have your wristband on, and probably a hand stamp. not sure why you would want to leave and go to DCA when you have paid to be at the party though. Not to mention DCA will be more crowded on party nights because lots of people don't buy tickets for the party and need a place to go. Seems like a bad plan.
yes disneyland opens earlier than normal on party days to make up for closing early.

 

[HopLow1968]

Disneyland opening early enough to compensate for a 6pm closure on Sunday the 25th might be a bit rough; doesn't DL usually stay open until Midnight on Sundays?

 

[Meemoo]

I'd be interested to know if tax is included in the prices too.

 

[BobearQSI]

Off-peak hours have historically been 10am-8pm, and sunset is at 7:19pm at the beginning of September. If it takes approximately 30 minutes from sunset to full darkness, I wonder what time would they start fireworks on non-party weeknights? Obviously this isn't an issue as we move further into fall and sunset starts earlier, but I am secretly hoping they will extend their weeknight hours

In the past, the days before Labor Day the parks have been open later than 8pm. The day after Labor Day, sunset is at 7:08pm and civil twilight ends at 7:33pm, so it should be dark enough.

Another option: World of Color regularly starts after park closing in the off-season (at 8:15). The shops remain open for an hour after closing time, it is just the attractions that close. So they could do something similar with the fireworks, starting them right at 8 or 8:15.

 

[Meemoo]

I am really on the fence as to whether I should purchase tickets for my family. Now there isn't a special Halloween parade, is the fireworks in itself worth attending for? I know it will be an experience, being from Australia, but we are attending Aulani's Halloween Party on the 31st and have a 10 day pass to DL for our entire stay.

In the past, the days before Labor Day the parks have been open later than 8pm. The day after Labor Day, sunset is at 7:08pm and civil twilight ends at 7:33pm, so it should be dark enough.

Another option: World of Color regularly starts after park closing in the off-season (at 8:15). The shops remain open for an hour after closing time, it is just the attractions that close. So they could do something similar with the fireworks, starting them right at 8 or 8:15.

Does the same apply to California Adventure Park, as in the park closes at 8pm but do the shops and dining venues stay open an extra hour?

 

[BobearQSI]

You bring up a good point about Paint the Night and whether it will run on non-party nights. A lot of people are asking that exact question on the Disney Park Blog, so hopefully they clarify soon. It would be great if it did!

The way the schedule runs now, the fireworks start within a few minutes after the parade finishes by Small World. It's probably a good bet that Paint the Night will still run since the fireworks are running - but of course, it would be nice to have official confirmation!

Does the same apply to California Adventure Park, as in the park closes at 8pm but do the shops and dining venues stay open an extra hour?

Actually, I don't think any dining stays open, but I could be wrong, I've never done dining that late before. But yes, shops stay open at CA too. It might not be all the shops, just the ones near the park entrance. Hopefully someone else with more experience can give you an exact answer.

Disneyland opening early enough to compensate for a 6pm closure on Sunday the 25th might be a bit rough; doesn't DL usually stay open until Midnight on Sundays?

It is not open the same number of hours earlier that it closes - generally just one hour earlier than normal. How about a couple examples?

2014:
Tuesday, Oct 8 (no party): Disneyland 9am to 9pm, with 8am early entry, California Adventure 9am to 8pm
Wednesday, Oct 8 (party): Disneyland 8am to 6pm, California Adventure 8am to 8pm with 7am early entry

Friday, Sept 19 (no party): Disneyland 9am to midnight, California Adventure 9am to 10pm with 8am early entry
Friday, Sept 26 (party): Disneyland 8am to 7pm, California Adventure 8am to 10pm with 7am early entry

 

[adalsolica]

This is great! We are going mid-September, just in time for the Halloween decorations to go up but before the parties start, AND we'll get fireworks every night (hopefully)!!!

Off-peak hours have historically been 10am-8pm, and sunset is at 7:19pm at the beginning of September. If it takes approximately 30 minutes from sunset to full darkness, I wonder what time would they start fireworks on non-party weeknights? Obviously this isn't an issue as we move further into fall and sunset starts earlier, but I am secretly hoping they will extend their weeknight hours

Agreed! We booked our September trip last November with the hope that we would catch that 'sweet spot' between the start of Halloween time and when the parties begin. Like you, I will love seeing the Halloween décor/overlays, but am not interested in the parties. I'm so happy with today's news. We'll be in the parks Sept. 20-23rd. I'm really happy to hear about the fireworks happening every night and anxiously awaiting news about PTN and possible extended hours! We're planning to do BB F! on our first night (the only weekend night of our trip) and will watch the fireworks at ROA afterwards, but I'm so glad we'll have the chance to see them from a more central location as well.

I feel like I can finally get the bulk of my planning underway! Can't wait for the schedules to be released!

 

[mummabear]

To be honest, I am kind of surprised at how they are handling the Paint the Night issue. I knew that the 60th entertainment was going to conflict somehow with the Halloween party entertainment, or vice versa. I am a bit surprised that Paint the Night -- which is currently available to everyone without an extra party ticket -- is going to be a selling point for a hard ticket Halloween Party. I mean, the Cavalcade was not much of a spectacle, but it was still a party exclusive, and specific to Halloween. People are paying for Halloween-specific entertainment. Paint the Night is available to the general public.

And I agree about Halloween -- as I mentioned earlier, I realize that the 60th is once in a lifetime for many people, but there are inevitably people for whom Halloween Time AND the Holiday season will be a once in a lifetime trip, and to have any of the seasonal activities interrupted is going to make those holiday celebrations a little 'thinner.'

I am in 2 minds, I am excited about having a chance to see PTN since it is our only chance this trip but disappointed to miss the normal costume cavalcade, the cavalcade isn't meant to be a "big" thing so I don't see why they don't do both.

So photo pass plus thoughts.
We will be doing 1 party only, do you think it is worth $70 to get photo pass plus for it?
Can anyone tell me how much a single ride photo is?

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am glad that Disneyland Forever will be shown on all non-party nights. After I never got to see the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks as they were always cancelled when I was in the parks in the evening, it did not fill me with joy that I would only get one chance. This has also made up my mind which park to head to on my arrival day. All going according to plan, I will arrive at LAX at 11:45 AM on September 22nd. I am hoping that I get lucky and my room will be ready when I get to the hotel. If that is the case, I will have an afternoon nap and will then head to Disneyland at some stage between 5 and 6. I don't intend to do any rides that evening, but just enjoy the atmosphere and hopefully see the fireworks.

We will be doing 1 party only, do you think it is worth $70 to get photo pass plus for it?

If you are just going to the party and have no other park time, then I don't think it it worth it. On the other hand, the first time I did Photopass+ I had two full days in the park and ended up with 150 photos before editing.

Can anyone tell me how much a single ride photo is?

The digital downloads are $14.99 for the ride photos. Disneyland only has two locations where they offer ride photos: Space Mountain and Splash Mountain..

I am really on the fence as to whether I should purchase tickets for my family. Now there isn't a special Halloween parade, is the fireworks in itself worth attending for? I know it will be an experience, being from Australia, but we are attending Aulani's Halloween Party on the 31st and have a 10 day pass to DL for our entire stay.

It is not just the fireworks, but they are pretty spectacular in their own right. I have not seen Disneyland Forever yet, but of the fireworks I have seen at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, they are by far my favourite.

One of the highlights for me during the Halloween parties is the Rivers of America made all spooky with fog and light effects. The Cadaver Dans are also performing from a raft on the Rivers of America. This was not offered in 2011 when I went to two parties, but has been offered every year since and I cannot wait to see it this year. Two years ago, they started a pre-party at Mickey's Toon Town with some characters that are rarely seen in the parks. Last year they offered this and also a pre-party at Big Thunder Ranch. Of course there is no guarantee that they will offer this again, but it sounded a lot of fun. For me a big draw are the villains. They are out in force during the parties. During the day, you have the Conjur A Villain tent, but you only get to conjur one villain and you don't know who you are going to get.

Corinna

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, I'm glad dates are out. But I'm not really as excited as I thought I'd be about all of this. I was looking forward to the costume cavalcade which is not happening. I was already going to see Paint the Night. I know some get excited about the trick or treating, but we don't care that much about it.

What's left for us, and what will get me to still buy tickets is meeting the villains. Can those who have been there before give me a rundown on which villains they met and how hard it is to find all of them? Do they have set spots and times or do I just have to be lucky to find them. I remember reading about "Conjure up a Villain" but don't remember if that was what they did during the party or during regular park hours.

I suppose since all the parties generally sell out, I will need to commit on doing one party or two well in advance so I need to evaluate this now.

It just dawned on me that we are staying for a week but with the addition of a Sunday night Halloween party, it appears we have only one night to see Fantasmic. (Saturday 10/24). The 2 Fridays on our schedule are travel days. I wonder if there's any chance Disney will add Fantasmic that Monday to make up for it.

 

[iKristin]

The parade wasn't really worth anything so don't worry, you aren't missing much with it being gone. It wasn't really much of a parade. There was on or two floats and just a march down Main Street by a bunch of characters, some in costume and some dressed normal. Your ticket value doesn't go down because of the lack of parade. I saw it once and ignored it every year after that.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

It just dawned on me that we are staying for a week but with the addition of a Sunday night Halloween party, it appears we have only one night to see Fantasmic. (Saturday 10/24). The 2 Fridays on our schedule are travel days. I wonder if there's any chance Disney will add Fantasmic that Monday to make up for it.

We are in the same boat, Sunday 25th arrival, leaving Thursday 29th. Originally I had planned for Fantasmic on Sunday night, but now that is a party. Because of the effects on ROA, I doubt F! will be shown during the party, so I am hoping they will show it Monday or Wednesday night to make up for Sunday. Which will also be our only two nights to go see WOC, since I think I have decided to go ahead and do both parties.

 

[V.I.N.C.E.N.T.]

So what exactly does the start date of Sept 11th signify? Decorations just starting to appear? Or fully installed by then? HM and Space should both be open on the 11th right?

 

[nicolispicoli]

So what exactly does the start date of Sept 11th signify? Decorations just starting to appear? Or fully installed by then? HM and Space should both be open on the 11th right?

Decorations in place, HM and Space open. If there is a Halloween tour again, they would start that day. Treats in the shops, merchandise, etc.