HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread- 9/14-10/31; Mickey's Halloween Party starts 9/28!

[TheColtonsMom]

We are planning a trip in October and of course my girls are already discussing costumes. Oldest daughter is thinking about Lillian Gracey the tightrope walker in the stretching portraits in the Haunted Mansion.

Does anyone have any good Lillian Gracey pictures?

What a great costume idea! I wish I had some photos to help out...but nope nothing!

EDIT I found a couple interesting ones in google images...check out this one

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I thought I had shared these on this thread long ago...but they aren't listed in the costumes in TOC so if you already saw them sorry if not well this is what we will look like at the TOTP this year.

Now that I went pulling out the pirate pics the boys have decided we should get out our costumes and put them on to do a photoshoot since we don't have any color ones...so they are merrily pulling out costumes and accessories so maybe I will be sharing color pics of us all later. If you see this band of pirates walking around the TOTP stop us and say Hi we would love to have our first DIS meet!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I cannot believe this was at the bottom of page 2 again already...very thread heavy day for this board. We did go do "in costume" pics this afternoon so here are a few of the results...

 

[funatdisney]

Great pics Sherri. How nice to have your costumes ready. One less thing to think about during a busy time this fall with a wedding and a DL trip in October.

 

[funatdisney]

I think it is always interesting that the MNSSHP has a Nov 1 party. I seem to remember that is always the case. I guess they have enough interest from those that celebrate Day of the Dead.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Love the pics Sherri!!! We were thinking about a pirate theme for our family, but after seeing your really cool costumes......I might need to rethink it.......lol

Really hoping we'll get the chance to meet up in October!!! I think Colton & our kids will have a blast together!!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Love the pics Sherri!!! We were thinking about a pirate theme for our family, but after seeing your really cool costumes......I might need to rethink it.......lol

Really hoping we'll get the chance to meet up in October!!! I think Colton & our kids will have a blast together!!

I really hope our trips do end up overlapping...I am so in love with your eclectic family I would love to meet you all!

Now the really cool thing about being Pirates will be riding Pirates as Pirates during the TOTP! So go ahead you guys can be pirates too and you know what? For me I think the clothes are more comfortable and easier to get together than most costumes esp with a family the size of yours...Hey we need more crew right? Ours are a bit elaborate but we love renaissance festivals so ours were created over a period of time for wearing to those.

We are also on a mission to get into the park as early as they will let us in costume because before darkness falls we want to ride the Columbia as pirates and get over to the Island to do pics with all the fun pirate stuff there so we may have to go to 2 TOTP to accomplish both those goals...If we can't pull all of it off at least Colton can wear his costume all day and we canget his pics on the Island..but we are going to try to get all of us out there.

The one thing we did find out yesterday is Colton is going to need new pirate boots his old ones no longer fit. So will any of your kids boy or girl wear size 13 shoes by Halloween? We would be happy to pass the old ones along so they can get a trip to Disneyland too!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Great pics Sherri. How nice to have your costumes ready. One less thing to think about during a busy time this fall with a wedding and a DL trip in October.

Yep I am glad most of the costumes are ready..I mentioned above that we will have to get new boots for Colton and both boys are a little sad that all their authentic replica swords,daggers & pistols will have to stay at home (I don't want to think of the problems getting them on the plane would incur if we flew...carrying weapons, huge weight overages) But I have promised they can buy "Disneyfied" weapons after we enter the park so they are a bit mollified with the promise of new toys!

I think it is always interesting that the MNSSHP has a Nov 1 party. I seem to remember that is always the case. I guess they have enough interest from those that celebrate Day of the Dead.

Really? They always go over to Nov 1st at WDW? I know you weren't sure of this can anyone confirm this? You would think that DLR would have just as much or more interest in Day of the Dead festivities as So Cal has a large Hispanic population.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I really hope our trips do end up overlapping...I am so in love with your eclectic family I would love to meet you all!

Now the really cool thing about being Pirates will be riding Pirates as Pirates during the TOTP! So go ahead you guys can be pirates too and you know what? For me I think the clothes are more comfortable and easier to get together than most costumes esp with a family the size of yours...Hey we need more crew right? Ours are a bit elaborate but we love renaissance festivals so ours were created over a period of time for wearing to those.

We are also on a mission to get into the park as early as they will let us in costume because before darkness falls we want to ride the Columbia as pirates and get over to the Island to do pics with all the fun pirate stuff there so we may have to go to 2 TOTP to accomplish both those goals...If we can't pull all of it off at least Colton can wear his costume all day and we canget his pics on the Island..but we are going to try to get all of us out there.

The one thing we did find out yesterday is Colton is going to need new pirate boots his old ones no longer fit. So will any of your kids boy or girl wear size 13 shoes by Halloween? We would be happy to pass the old ones along so they can get a trip to Disneyland too!

Never had thought about riding pirates as pirates or even the Columbia or the island......so clever!!!!

Unfortunately, no......the boots would be too small for Anthony & Addy & too big for the twins.....bummer!!

We're still trying to figure out costumes......don't really want to spend too much on that. Anthony has a pirate costume & Addy has the Tangled dress that I picked up in March at the Company D store. We might go matching shirts for one of the days & then the 2nd party have the kids wear their costumes (Addy has 3 more princess costumes that might fit the twins) & then Mike & I will come up with something. We'll just have to wait & see......dates would be good so I could actually plan our trip....hopefully Mike gets those this week!!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Never had thought about riding pirates as pirates or even the Columbia or the island......so clever!!!!

Unfortunately, no......the boots would be too small for Anthony & Addy & too big for the twins.....bummer!!

We're still trying to figure out costumes......don't really want to spend too much on that. Anthony has a pirate costume & Addy has the Tangled dress that I picked up in March at the Company D store. We might go matching shirts for one of the days & then the 2nd party have the kids wear their costumes (Addy has 3 more princess costumes that might fit the twins) & then Mike & I will come up with something. We'll just have to wait & see......dates would be good so I could actually plan our trip....hopefully Mike gets those this week!!

I don't know if you sew at all but Colton's costume was super easy. the pants are just a big rectangle cut partway up to make legs and stitched together with a drawstring waist (they will fit him until he gets too tall) I left the bottoms of the legs unfinished so they would look ragged and the vest basically also started as a rectangle. All the fabric for his costume came out of Wal-marts $1 per yard bin! I did splurge on the swordsmans shirt since it is so blousy it will fit him for a long time, but any white shirt or even a white or striped t-shirt would work...they are really loose and comfortable and might be much easier, partcularly for the twins, to wear than princess dresses. Plus it is so fun to do the family costume thing we do it every Halloween (not always as pirates). And depending on the princess dress Addy could be their captive LOL. Brant & I have much more elaborate costumes as the chances of us growing out of them is pretty slim.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I don't know if you sew at all but Colton's costume was super easy. the pants are just a big rectangle cut partway up to make legs and stitched together with a drawstring waist (they will fit him until he gets too tall) I left the bottoms of the legs unfinished so they would look ragged and the vest basically also started as a rectangle. All the fabric for his costume came out of Wal-marts $1 per yard bin! I did splurge on the swordsmans shirt since it is so blousy it will fit him for a long time, but any white shirt or even a white or striped t-shirt would work...they are really loose and comfortable and might be much easier, partcularly for the twins, to wear than princess dresses. Plus it is so fun to do the family costume thing we do it every Halloween (not always as pirates). And depending on the princess dress Addy could be their captive LOL. Brant & I have much more elaborate costumes as the chances of us growing out of them is pretty slim.

Not a sewer.....but super cool!

Captive you say.........

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Not a sewer.....but super cool!

Captive you say.........

I love that picture! I saw it before on one of your TR I think but always happy to see a favorite again.

A little admission....I can't sew either but I did cut them out and my Mom sewed them for me LOL

 

[twopeasonepod]

So excited! We leave for DLR (staying at GCH) on Sunday for 10 days, then are going back 10/30 - 11/8! I just bought our tix today. Our second year at Mickey's Halloween Party! Can't wait!

 

[RuthieT]

Have no idea what we will be doing for costumes, maybe just having our girls get the princess makeovers that day for it... Just considering the packing of the suitcases

 

[nik76]

Hi everyone. This is my first post (as if the posts: 1 isn't a clue). I've read through the threads and seem to be in a bit of info overload, especially with some of the terms (eg F! TOTP).

I've been to DL about 5 times, not within the last 8 years. My husband has been once and that was 8 yrs ago when our trip was cut short due to my Grandma having a stroke.

I have 5 yr old twin boys and want to get them there while the magic is still actually magic to them. We plan on going this fall, mostly because I want to lose weight - I'm afraid I won't be allowed to ride anything. So our plan was mid to late Sept. But then I thought if we are waiting that long, maybe going during Halloween would be a good idea. We are planning on staying at teh Howard Johnson Anaheim (we is my husband and I, our kids, my sis and her husband and son (he'll be 7 and slightly autistic).

Can anyone give me points to convince my family that it's worth waiting a week or 2? And when DO the Halloween time things start?

I really thank you in advance.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Hi everyone. This is my first post (as if the posts: 1 isn't a clue). I've read through the threads and seem to be in a bit of info overload, especially with some of the terms (eg F! TOTP).

I've been to DL about 5 times, not within the last 8 years. My husband has been once and that was 8 yrs ago when our trip was cut short due to my Grandma having a stroke.

I have 5 yr old twin boys and want to get them there while the magic is still actually magic to them. We plan on going this fall, mostly because I want to lose weight - I'm afraid I won't be allowed to ride anything. So our plan was mid to late Sept. But then I thought if we are waiting that long, maybe going during Halloween would be a good idea. We are planning on staying at teh Howard Johnson Anaheim (we is my husband and I, our kids, my sis and her husband and son (he'll be 7 and slightly autistic).

Can anyone give me points to convince my family that it's worth waiting a week or 2? And when DO the Halloween time things start?

I really thank you in advance.

Welcome!!!!!!!

F! = Fantasmic
TOTP = Trick or Treat Party

We've never attended during the Halloween time, but are planning this year. We want to see all the fall decorations up, the characters will be plenty, lots of fall treats to eat, if you go when the TOTP is going you can buy tickets to attend. They have a special fireworks show just for the party goers, you'll be able to trick or treat at the park, the Villians will have a special Meet-n-Greet, the Haunted Mansion will have the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, Space Mountain will have the Ghost Galaxy overlay, there's a special Halloween calvacade at the parties where your favorite characters will come down Main Street.....just to name a few good reasons to wait!!!!

HoJo is great.....I'm sure you'll enjoy staying there & if the weather is nice enough, the kids will love Pirate's Cove (their water play area).

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi everyone. This is my first post (as if the posts: 1 isn't a clue). I've read through the threads and seem to be in a bit of info overload, especially with some of the terms (eg F! TOTP).

I've been to DL about 5 times, not within the last 8 years. My husband has been once and that was 8 yrs ago when our trip was cut short due to my Grandma having a stroke.

I have 5 yr old twin boys and want to get them there while the magic is still actually magic to them. We plan on going this fall, mostly because I want to lose weight - I'm afraid I won't be allowed to ride anything. So our plan was mid to late Sept. But then I thought if we are waiting that long, maybe going during Halloween would be a good idea. We are planning on staying at teh Howard Johnson Anaheim (we is my husband and I, our kids, my sis and her husband and son (he'll be 7 and slightly autistic).

Can anyone give me points to convince my family that it's worth waiting a week or 2? And when DO the Halloween time things start?

I really thank you in advance.

First - WELCOME!!

Second - with twin boys (ours are 20) any time will be magical! Halloween is really fun. Our boys had ALWAYS been to WDW during Christmas. They didn't see a 'regularly' decorated park until they were 16

Third: I still have to ask what some abbreviations mean...everyone on these boards are very willing to answer questions. DISers ROCK!

As for size mattering at DL and WDW: I find most rides are very friendly towards guests who may be toting around a few extra pounds. If you have specific questions feel free to ask or PM (private message) me. I've never tried to ride the 'kiddie' rides but have had no issues on all the rides/coasters at DL and WDW.

Sounds like a wonderful group you have going!!

TK

 

[BELLEDOZER]

We love HOJO's and Halloween time is alot of fun to visit DL, with all the pumpkins hidden on Main Street. I found that there was alot more parades, and characters out, and willing to have their photo's taken. I really enjoyed visiting DL in Oct SOLO last year, and would reccommend that anyone who's got the opportunity to enjoy DL at this time of year to do so, as it's got a more upbeat, vibrant feel to it than other times of the year.

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[Sherry E]

Hi everyone. This is my first post (as if the posts: 1 isn't a clue). I've read through the threads and seem to be in a bit of info overload, especially with some of the terms (eg F! TOTP).

I've been to DL about 5 times, not within the last 8 years. My husband has been once and that was 8 yrs ago when our trip was cut short due to my Grandma having a stroke.

I have 5 yr old twin boys and want to get them there while the magic is still actually magic to them. We plan on going this fall, mostly because I want to lose weight - I'm afraid I won't be allowed to ride anything. So our plan was mid to late Sept. But then I thought if we are waiting that long, maybe going during Halloween would be a good idea. We are planning on staying at teh Howard Johnson Anaheim (we is my husband and I, our kids, my sis and her husband and son (he'll be 7 and slightly autistic).

Can anyone give me points to convince my family that it's worth waiting a week or 2? And when DO the Halloween time things start?

I really thank you in advance.

nik76 -

I'm so glad you decided to join here in the Superthread!! Don't worry about the lingo and terminology used on this board. Just go with whatever makes you comfortable! I understand that can be intimidating at first. It's not mandatory to use it. You will learn everything soon enough, in your own time. I don't think any of us are sticklers about it.

If you haven't done so already, be sure to take a look at the first 2 posts on Page 1 of this thread - which are the Welcome/Intro and the Table of Contents (for photos) - you will get a good overall primer on Disneyland during the Halloween season. In those first two posts there is lots of info, including links to various photos, threads, blogs and Trip Reports that may help you plan and know what to ride/see/buy/eat/do at Disneyland during the Halloween season, but if you don't want to click around too much and instead just ask us questions in this thread, as you can see...everyone is extremely helpful.

The Halloween season begins on September 16th, so everything will be in full swing at that point. However, if you would like to attend the Halloween party (called Mickey's Halloween Party - or the "MHP"), it will not begin until either September 30 or October 7 - we are still waiting to find out.

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, I wanted you all to know that, behind the scenes, I have been secretly trying to find out information on party dates (and on the holiday season dates). I decided to do this when I saw all the people - many of whom are out of towners - who need to know this information so they can plan their trips accordingly.

Although the party dates are pretty easy to guess, there is some mystery surrounding the Halloween party because we have no clue if it will begin on 9/30 or on 10/7, and we don't know if they will keep the party on Tuesdays and Fridays or maybe switch to different nights.

So I went to a couple of 'inside' people in the Disney camp - and these are people who most likely know the information way in advance - not to Guest Relations/Services/Communications (or whatever they are called). I honestly think the Guest people are the last to know anything in terms of dates so I wouldn't ask them. Most Cast Members you get on the phone don't know anything.

Keep in mind, I didn't want to know top secret information. I don't want them to tell me about any details of events or anything new that mght be happening for the Halloween party or during the Christmas holiday season. But since the dates of these things are pretty easy to guess anyway, based on previous patterns....I don't think it's a big deal to ask for confirmation (or denial) of the dates we can already guess, as that's not really all that much of 'secret.'

So, are you all on the edge of your seats now? Want to know the big scoop I was told? Here is the exact quote:



"At this time, we do not have details to share on Halloween and holiday events at Disneyland Resort."





You will notice that this doesn't say they don't KNOW the dates of the party or the holiday season. It just says they don't have "details to share," which probably means they know the dates, but won't reveal them.

I was also instructed to keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog, as the dates will supposedly be announced there as soon as they are available.

I then replied and basically said, "Unfortunately, the Disney Parks Blog does not always give out information in time for any out-of-towners to plan anything..." Last year, the Blog did not even do a holiday-related post until right before the holiday season began. I found out the holiday season dates from an e-mail I received in July, not from the Parks Blog. And the Disneyland website is often the last place to post dates at all.

The bottom line is that people from out of state or who don't live in SoCal need to plan trips around these dates and events like the party, and there is not one single place that we know FOR SURE will post the dates months in advance each year - we have to keep checking around with random Disney sources to find out anything because there is not one place that we can count on which will put the dates up consistently, in the same place, in the same month, each year, months in advance so that people can plan.


I assume we will learn the Halloween party dates - or the confirmation of what we already suspect them to be - very soon, but we really don't know if they will trickle out FIRST via the Parks Blog or some other official Disney site. I wish we could rely on getting the information from one place at the same time every year!