HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[iKristin]

But that doesn't mean their funding changes. The company at the end of the year sets the funds up for the next year. They don't normally change it once the amount is set for the year. Reason being, whatever funds they gain from not spending more money is a plus for the company and looks better at the end of the year (and for investors). It sucks, I know. But in the end, Disney is still a huge corporation, and they want to make as much money as possible without going over budgets that were set in advance for the year

 

[haileymarie92]

Yes, ticket prices increased. But not only are you getting Halloween experience (though, not the same experience as in the past) you are also getting the 60th experience, which is pretty special on its own...as long as you aren't a local and have already seen it a billion times lol.

I get your point, but the Halloween party isn't celebrating the 60th anniversary. It's celebrating Halloween. So to raise the Halloween party prices while taking things away from the party, seems wrong. Now if Disney surprises us and says, "Since it's the 60th anniversary, all MHPs will have a special 60th anniversary ________" then I'd get the point. Otherwise it's just Disney increasing customer cost and decreasing customer experience.

 

[Sherry E]

If they take anything else away from the Halloween Time season over the next few years (while construction is going on), there won't be a season! It's a season that is barely hanging on by a thread right now. But then, beyond the season itself, to throw a parade into MHP that can be seen by anyone on any non-party night (probably for the rest of the year and into next year), while hiking up the party prices, is nonsense.

I kind of tend to think that, while this is the 60th anniversary year and the next few years will be devoted to building Star Wars Land, what DLR is probably doing is fixing it so the Halloween Time season is more like WDW's season. WDW doesn't call its season anything in particular -- no clever names for it -- but the main focus is on MNSSHP. I think that DLR is leaning more towards the primary focus being on MHP and little else.

I don't know what I will be writing in about first, but one thing I will be writing about is the lack of pumpkin carvers this year (because it also may translate into a lack of egg decorators around Easter). I was holding off on sending a letter to DLR because I wanted to see if any surprises were revealed, or if any new events were announced. I also wanted to see what was going to happen with the holiday season (I think it will retain more of its elements than Halloween Time is retaining, but I don't have great confidence that the holidays will survive unscathed).

I shall be writing in, though.

 

[mom2rtk]

If they take anything else away from the Halloween Time season over the next few years (while construction is going on), there won't be a season! It's a season that is barely hanging on by a thread right now. But then, beyond the season itself, to throw a parade into MHP that can be seen by anyone on any non-party night (probably for the rest of the year and into next year), while hiking up the party prices, is nonsense.

I kind of tend to think that, while this is the 60th anniversary year and the next few years will be devoted to building Star Wars Land, what DLR is probably doing is fixing it so the Halloween Time season is more like WDW's season. WDW doesn't call its season anything in particular -- no clever names for it -- but the main focus is on MNSSHP. I think that DLR is leaning more towards the primary focus being on MHP and little else.

I don't know what I will be writing in about first, but one thing I will be writing about is the lack of pumpkin carvers this year (because it also may translate into a lack of egg decorators around Easter). I was holding off on sending a letter to DLR because I wanted to see if any surprises were revealed, or if any new events were announced. I also wanted to see what was going to happen with the holiday season (I think it will retain more of its elements than Halloween Time is retaining, but I don't have great confidence that the holidays will survive unscathed).

I shall be writing in, though.

I was just starting to think it was seeming like Halloween at DLR is looking more and more like Halloween at WDW. Without the carnival and bunting on Main Street, will it even feel or look like a Halloween season? I guess the MK doesn't have a giant pumpkin in Town Square, so that's something. But seriously, if it comes down to one giant inflatable pumpkin being the difference, then that's pretty sad.

It's really starting to seem like they wanted to raise prices, but someone said "Look, nobody's going to pay these prices when they can just come in and experience Halloween Time during the day." So they decided to take away as much as possible to make people pay high party ticket prices if they want any sort of a Halloween experience.

 

[Sherry E]

I was just starting to think it was seeming like Halloween at DLR is looking more and more like Halloween at WDW. Without the carnival and bunting on Main Street, will it even feel or look like a Halloween season? I guess the MK doesn't have a giant pumpkin in Town Square, so that's something. But seriously, if it comes down to one giant inflatable pumpkin being the difference, then that's pretty sad.

It's really starting to seem like they wanted to raise prices, but someone said "Look, nobody's going to pay these prices when they can just come in and experience Halloween Time during the day." So they decided to take away as much as possible to make people pay high party ticket prices if they want any sort of a Halloween experience.

I think we'll have the giant Mickey pumpkin in Town Square, and the pumpkins along Main Street (the ones that are sitting on balconies, awnings, in windows, etc.). If MiceChat is correct, we won't see the orange bunting and we won't see the Mickey/HalloweenTime lamppost decorations. I think we should still have the pumpkins surrounding the Partners statue. I certainly hope we will still have the character pumpkins over the DL turnstiles, but who knows?

Then, once we get past Main Street, we'll have the 2 ride overlays, the Dia de los Muertos display and the Halloween Tree. Everything else Halloween-ish (décor-wise or merchandise-wise) will probably be inside the shops (like the curious "Fall centerpiece" in the China Closet), and the fall foods/treats will be in the candy shops, bake shops and restaurants.

There is usually a special Halloween display set up along the tram path -- but you won't see it unless you take the tram to and from Mickey & Friends. So that is an added element of Halloween décor that a lot of people probably miss. I hope it goes up this year, although half of the guests won't see it even if it's there, if they don't need to take the tram!

 

[mom2rtk]

I think we'll have the giant Mickey pumpkin in Town Square, and the pumpkins along Main Street (the ones that are sitting on balconies, awnings, in windows, etc.). If MiceChat is correct, we won't see the orange bunting and we won't see the Mickey/HalloweenTime lamppost decorations. I think we should still have the pumpkins surrounding the Partners statue. I certainly hope we will still have the character pumpkins over the DL turnstiles, but who knows?

Then, once we get past Main Street, we'll have the 2 ride overlays, the Dia de los Muertos display and the Halloween Tree. Everything else Halloween-ish (décor-wise or merchandise-wise) will probably be inside the shops (like the curious "Fall centerpiece" in the China Closet), and the fall foods/treats will be in the candy shops, bake shops and restaurants.

There is usually a special Halloween display set up along the tram path -- but you won't see it unless you take the tram to and from Mickey & Friends. So that is an added element of Halloween décor that a lot of people probably miss. I hope it goes up this year, although half of the guests won't see it even if it's there, if they don't need to take the tram!

I think WDW gets lamp post decorations on Main Street. This might be a closer race than I thought. Well, there are the ride overlays. I bet if they could find a way to make them party exclusives they would though!

 

[Sherry E]

I think WDW gets lamp post decorations on Main Street. This might be a closer race than I thought. Well, there are the ride overlays. I bet if they could find a way to make them party exclusives they would though!

Definitely. If there were a way to keep SMGG and HMH closed during the daytime and only open them for MHP without inciting some sort of mutiny, they'd probably do it. I fully expect that one of these years in the not-too-distant future, one of the overlays will not happen. Can't you just picture Disney saying, "After many years of taking over the Mansion, Jack Skellington is going on a much needed vacation this year... but you'll still find many Nightmare Before Christmas-inspired collectibles all around Disneyland Resort"?

 

[mom2rtk]

Definitely. If there were a way to keep SMGG and HMH closed during the daytime and only open them for MHP without inciting some sort of mutiny, they'd probably do it. I fully expect that one of these years in the not-too-distant future, one of the overlays will not happen. Can't you just picture Disney saying, "After many years of taking over the Mansion, Jack Skellington is going on a much needed vacation this year... but you'll still find many Nightmare Before Christmas-inspired collectibles all around Disneyland Resort"?

LOL, you crack me up Sherry!

 

[Kilala]

Hey all!! I wanted to know if I should wait to post my photos of the Halloween cat costume I took last week when we start a new thread. I'm still waiting on my friend Lori to find out what date she wants to go. I still want to go on the 16th if it dosen't sell out by the 3rd of September. I'm hoping that dates don't sell out as fast as they did last year. I agree with you guys about then taking away from Halloweentime. Also do you guys remeber the prices of the Monday and Friday parties of last year? I wanted to compare prices

 

[Sherry E]

Hey all!! I wanted to know if I should wait to post my photos of the Halloween cat costume I took last week when we start a new thread. I'm still waiting on my friend Lori to find out what date she wants to go. I still want to go on the 16th if it dosen't sell out by the 3rd of September. I'm hoping that dates don't sell out as fast as they did last year. I agree with you guys about then taking away from Halloweentime. Also do you guys remeber the prices of the Monday and Friday parties of last year? I wanted to compare prices

We won't be staring a new thread until we get to page 250, so you've still got some time to post here. I would just go ahead and post them now.

I just looked at last year's prices the other day, and had this site handy - http://www.disneysisters.com/2014/07/2014-mickeys-halloween-party-dates-and.html.

 

[mom2rtk]

And to rub salt into the wound....... WDW gets the Boo to You parade and a stage show. They released artwork today for the new stage show:

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2015/...mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-details/

Looks pretty cool.

 

[Sherry E]

Dunkin' Donuts fans - just in time for fall, DD is introducing new Reese's Peanut Butter Squares and Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares. Here - http://www.grubgrade.com/2015/08/28...utter-squares-and-pumpkin-cheesecake-squares/.


And... could "Cinnamon Pear" be a brand new Fall flavor? - http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/word...ani-limited-batch-cinnamon-pear-greek-yogurt/.

​

And to rub salt into the wound....... WDW gets the Boo to You parade and a stage show. They released artwork today for the new stage show:

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2015/...mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-details/

Looks pretty cool.

Are they doing the 'paid event within a paid event' thing again this year, as they did last year?

 

[mom2rtk]

Are they doing the 'paid event within a paid event' thing again this year, as they did last year?

No Soiree this year. I think they got a lot of blow back from regular party goers over that. And rightly so.

They did offer (and sold out already, although it can be cancelled up to 5 days out and many booked it with a plan of waiting for reviews after the first few parties) a dessert party that includes seating for the fireworks (in the less than perfect viewing area at Tomorrowland Terrace where they have the nightly regular dessert party) and reserved viewing for the parade (in the spot in town square currently used for FP+) It's $69 for adults. No characters.

 

[tzeitel]

And to rub salt into the wound....... WDW gets the Boo to You parade and a stage show. They released artwork today for the new stage show:

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2015/...mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-details/

Looks pretty cool.

Oogie Boogie!!!!!!!

 

[Sherry E]

The main pumpkin carver guy just announced on his Facebook page that he learned that Disneyland would not be having any pumpkin carvers this year. Of course, we already knew it here -- in fact, I first figured it out when he said he had not heard from Disney last month -- but he has been busy working, I suppose, so he had not gotten the "official" word until today, it seems. He has been at DLR for the last 8 or 9 HalloweenTime seasons -- carving, etching and painting amazing character pumpkins. And he has been there for the last 2 Springtime/Easter seasons decorating amazing character eggs. (He is not the only one -- there are a couple of other carvers and egg decorators as well.)

Seriously, how hard could it have been to set up a carving station somewhere in either park? All they need is a work station and then some tables or stands to display the pumpkins. It can't require all that much space and effort. A bad call on Disney's part, in my opinion....

 

[mummabear]

The main pumpkin carver guy just announced on his Facebook page that he learned that Disneyland would not be having any pumpkin carvers this year. Of course, we already knew it here -- in fact, I first figured it out when he said he had not heard from Disney last month -- but he has been busy working, I suppose, so he had not gotten the "official" word until today, it seems. He has been at DLR for the last 8 or 9 HalloweenTime seasons -- carving, etching and painting amazing character pumpkins. And he has been there for the last 2 Springtime/Easter seasons decorating amazing character eggs. (He is not the only one -- there are a couple of other carvers and egg decorators as well.)

Seriously, how hard could it have been to set up a carving station somewhere in either park? All they need is a work station and then some tables or stands to display the pumpkins. It can't require all that much space and effort. A bad call on Disney's part, in my opinion....

I do hope that you write them to let them know. I think they can easily think that they won't be missed as guest enjoyment from them isnt as quantifiable as some other things (i.e we know guests enjoyed x because they all sold out or the lines were long)

 

[Sherry E]

I do hope that you write them to let them know. I think they can easily think that they won't be missed as guest enjoyment from them isnt as quantifiable as some other things (i.e we know guests enjoyed x because they all sold out or the lines were long)

You're absolutely right -- when they have actual numbers, figures and dollar signs, it's easier for them to figure out what is presumably popular or not, and something like the pumpkin carvers is not anything that they can really put a number on in that same way. They will definitely be hearing from me -- I just wasn't sure if I would only be writing in about the pumpkin carvers, or if I would wait and unleash on them about the whole Halloween Time season.

I wish I knew the full names of the other carvers -- I would follow them on Facebook too. I know that the female carver is named Georgina, but that's all I know of her name.

Anyway, the official Facebook quote from Ray (main pumpkin carver and egg decorator) is:

"Unfortunately I have been informed that Disneyland will not have any pumpkin carving this year. I am grateful to have met so many friend's over the past nine years carving at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree. I hope to see you all again real soon."

 

[unveilmyeyes]

Thinking of extending a work trip in Oct to make time for DL. I've found a lot of blogs or TRs talking about parades and decorations but not a lot mentioned ride wise. It'd only be my second trip so my focus would be rides mostly. Just would like to set some expectations up front so I'm not disappointed by crowds. Anyone ever track how many rides they've gone on during a party? Targeting the Mon 10/5 party at this point.

 

[disneygogetter]

How much are the tickets for Mickey's Halloween Party?

 

[Sherry E]

Thinking of extending a work trip in Oct to make time for DL. I've found a lot of blogs or TRs talking about parades and decorations but not a lot mentioned ride wise. It'd only be my second trip so my focus would be rides mostly. Just would like to set some expectations up front so I'm not disappointed by crowds. Anyone ever track how many rides they've gone on during a party? Targeting the Mon 10/5 party at this point.

I'm sure someone has kept track, but I've never really noticed an exact number being mentioned. Hopefully someone will let us know if they kept track. I know that a lot of the rides are walk-ons or almost walk-ons (because a lot of guests will be focused on the party-specific or Halloween-specific things). Other rides, such as Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, will still have lines (but lines that are probably better and a bit shorter than they would be in the daytime). Also, if you see a long line for POTC, don't let that deter you -- the line for POTC (even when it looks hideously long) moves pretty quickly, even in the daytime during non-party hours.

How much are the tickets for Mickey's Halloween Party?

This Mickey's Halloween Party/Frequently Asked Questions post will give you the prices (they differ, depending on dates and discounts and things like that) - http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...hp-nights-now-sold-out.3270919/#post-51326916. See Question #8.