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

[Girimama33]

Certain days (Halloween especially) sell out very quickly since they don't sell tickets to capacity. The event is limited each night to a certain number; I think the first year it started at Disneyland there was an estimated 19,000 to 25,000 tickets sold for each night.

Thanks Kristin!

 

[iKristin]

no problem

 

[sweethannah]

Certain days (Halloween especially) sell out very quickly since they don't sell tickets to capacity. The event is limited each night to a certain number; I think the first year it started at Disneyland there was an estimated 19,000 to 25,000 tickets sold for each night.

Interesting! Do you know how this compares to attendance for regular mid week summer days/weekends/summer weekends? I'm just trying to gauge how busy it will seem compared to regular days.

 

[Disluvney]

Subscribing to keep up on the Halloween Time news...starting to plan our October trip! YaY!

 

[iKristin]

From what I've heard, capacity is anywhere from 75,000 to 80,000. That's full, not letting anyone else in the park capacity lol. It's really not that busy. Closer to weekends and the two days of All Hallows Eve and Halloween (30th, 31st) are the busiest with tickets selling out rather quickly. Most people go straight to trick or treating. I've learned in all my times going that I go on rides first THEN go trick or treating. Because most people go trick or treating first so there's no line rides. There's never really long lines anyway during these events It's very do-able.

 

[sweethannah]

Thank you!

I've read quite a few posts from people saying they found the parties really busy but based on those numbers it might be more like "quiet/regular day of the week" busy.

That I can handle

I realize it's pretty early to buy the tickets but it would be ever so nice if they could just release the dates

 

[revwog1974]

Thank you!

I've read quite a few posts from people saying they found the parties really busy but based on those numbers it might be more like "quiet/regular day of the week" busy.

That I can handle

I can handle that too. But I go back-and-forth between freaking out about huge crowds all year because of Carsland and thinking that it won't be so bad in October. Well, there's not much I can do about it now except be excited. I already purchased plane tickets and park passes and now I'm working on costumes!

 

[iKristin]

I think it'll be a normal October, seeing as it's an off season time most of the month it doesn't tend to be super busy. Plus with the price hike it might drive some of those people away

 

[Sherry E]

I think that "busy" is in the eye of the beholder to a degree, open to perception.

I've said it before - on my party night last year (Monday, October 3), I was surprised at exactly how busy it was. It looked like a weekend night, crowd-wise. There were shorter lines for rides, but we didn't hit the rides. The character photo spots had long lines. Some of the treat trails had long lines. Some of them did not. There were lots and lots of people camped out for the Halloween Screams fireworks.

Let me put it this way - I was also in the parks in December for my annual holiday trip. Holiday season is peak season at the Resort. Monday, December 5th in Disneyland was less crowded than Monday, October 3rd.

Now, just because it was this way last year on that specific night does not necessarily mean it will be this way again.

Also, what I perceived to be crowded may not necessarily be what Kristin or others would perceive as crowded. Was it unbearably, I-can't-take-anymore-of-this crowded on my party night? No. But there were still people running into my ankles with strollers, so that gives you an idea of what it might have been like in terms of crowds at times, in certain areas.

October has gotten much busier in the last 4 years. It is technically still considered an off-peak season (as opposed to Summer and the holidays, which are peak seasons), but I have actually read some other DIS'ers' posts that stated they did not want to go back in October again because it had become too crowded for them. Again, it's all kind of subjective and based on perception, I think.

 

[iKristin]

I love Halloween time It will always be my favorite time to visit. But I agree Sherry, it's different for what each person considers busy. Is October busier than my trip I made last June? HECK NO!! lol but I still see how it can vary. And with the popularity rising, it's changed a lot from the first year at Disneyland and from when it was at California Adventure

 

[Vala]

*nods in agreement*

Our first Halloween visit had very light crowds. Those picked up the following years. The first year we were always joking "Where do all those people come from???" But that was nothing compared to the pre-Thanksgiving crowds last year.

I'm about to book my flight by the way. Almost there.

 

[Eeee-va]

http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al110910a.htm (not always accurate, but I think this sounds plausible) says they let 20,000 people in for the parties by the end of 2010.

It honestly felt busier than that to me in 2010, but that's because I'd read everyone's stories of light crowds and imagined little to no wait for rides (not 15-30 minutes for HM and Space Mountain), being able to walk up to see the fireworks last-minute with no problems, etc. Plus my last trip to Disneyland had been fairly uncrowded (even though it was World of Color's opening weekend!). So I was disappointed. My brother, sister-in-law, and their friend did their own thing and thought the crowds were LIGHT, because they hadn't been spoiled by an edge-of-off-season trip a few months prior.

Anyway, I say plan for crowds and then you won't be disappointed.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Same feelings here. We have been to MHM the last two years and also visited during August. The MHM visits seemed much busier, granted these trips were Fri-Sun versus August trips of usually Tue-Sat.

 

[Peepster]

Oh, I'm so glad to find you wonderful, magical people!

What's going on with Guest Services? Before I found this thread I emailed them and asked when tickets for the party would go on sale and also asked about 6 day park hopper pass availability...after almost 50 trips to WDW and so looking forward to our second Disneyland trip during Halloween party season (we fell in love with DL the first trip) I was answered with such a non-answer I couldn't believe they even read my questions! Makes me think the magic disappeared somewhere in the ethernet! Can't wait to get tickets!

My point is, I'm so, so glad to find this thread and the magic with you wonderful peeps. So if I may I'll just sit here and soak up the knowledge and count the clock ticks till October....(Oh, I'm 10 years old again and time moves ever so sloooooow)

How does DL party compare to WDW for those of you who have been to both?

Happy Day,
Auntie Peep

 

[Sherry E]

Oh, I'm so glad to find you wonderful, magical people!

What's going on with Guest Services? Before I found this thread I emailed them and asked when tickets for the party would go on sale and also asked about 6 day park hopper pass availability...after almost 50 trips to WDW and so looking forward to our second Disneyland trip during Halloween party season (we fell in love with DL the first trip) I was answered with such a non-answer I couldn't believe they even read my questions! Makes me think the magic disappeared somewhere in the ethernet! Can't wait to get tickets!

My point is, I'm so, so glad to find this thread and the magic with you wonderful peeps. So if I may I'll just sit here and soak up the knowledge and count the clock ticks till October....(Oh, I'm 10 years old again and time moves ever so sloooooow)

How does DL party compare to WDW for those of you who have been to both?

Happy Day,
Auntie Peep

Hello, Auntie Peep! Welcome, and thanks for joining us!

This is Creepy Dancing Guy:

He is the mascot for the thread! Sometimes he brings us good luck with his creepy dancing, in the form of some new Halloween Time information from Disney!

So, if I'm understanding correctly, this will be your second trip to Disneyland, ever, and your very first trip during the Halloween Time season at Disneyland?

Well, I've never been to MNSSHP at WDW, so I cannot directly compare the WDW party to Disneyland's version, which is Mickey's Halloween Party.

As far as the Halloween season in general at both WDW and DLR (not counting the party itself), I have been told by people who have been to both places for Halloween season that Disneyland's decorations and overall Halloween festivities in the park(s) (for the whole season) are much better and more involved than what you will find at WDW...BUT the actual nighttime party itself is supposedly a bit better at WDW.

As for Disney and their vague answers, yes, they are very good at not wanting to give out dates for holiday-related events in advance. Even if they already know the dates (and they may or may not already know them), they don't give them out ahead of time.

The Annual Pass section of the DLR website should have some dates very soon, because the AP holders, DVC owners and Disney Visa Card members can buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public, as a rule.

Last year, the MHP dates went up on the AP site in May. The delay this year in putting them out could possibly, maybe, mean that Disneyland Resort is going to spring something a little different on us this year, and maybe they need extra time to write up a press release or blog about it. For example, maybe they are going to add something new to the party itself - a new attraction or highlight of some kind? Or maybe they are going to change the dates or days of the week a bit from what they have been doing.

I am hoping that 'no news is good news' in this case, and that the delay in releasing party dates is because Disney is whipping up a press release or blog to tell us of some new things coming our way for the MHP this year.

Of course, then again, they could just be running behind with Halloween info since they have all the Cars Land press stuff to get through!

 

[All American]

It honestly felt busier than that to me in 2010, but that's because I'd read everyone's stories of light crowds and imagined little to no wait for rides (not 15-30 minutes for HM and Space Mountain), being able to walk up to see the fireworks last-minute with no problems, etc.

I think that is so key to whether or not a person feels if the park is more crowded or not. For someone like me, a 15-30 minute wait is fantastic. (I'm good up to about 45-minute waits). So, I'd say, "Yeah, it was a really light crowd!!!!" You just need to know what your limits are and gauge the experience based on that. I think, too, that walkways can become congested with people trick-or-treating and that definitely adds to the feel of feeling crowded.

And for Peepster:

How does DL party compare to WDW for those of you who have been to both?

I honestly believe that the DL party is just as good as the WDW one. My *one* gripe/complaint/annual whine is that there not a true parade like the Boo to You Parade. There is this cute little thing where the characters march down the street in their costumes, but it's no match for the Headless Horseman. Someday, I hope he can charge down Main Street at Disneyland because I love it!!!

With that being said, there is plenty of candy, lots of cool costumes, and the Hallowishes Fireworks. What is really nice is the Nightmare before Christmas overlay at Haunted Mansion, and I thought Jack Skellington's narration of the fireworks was a cool touch too! I was pleasantly surprised with how much fun I had at the DL party in comparison to the WDW. I really don't think you'll be disappointed.

The delay this year in putting them out could possibly, maybe, mean that Disneyland Resort is going to spring something a little different on us this year, and maybe they need extra time to write up a press release or blog about it. For example, maybe they are going to add something new to the party itself - a new attraction or highlight of some kind? Or maybe they are going to change the dates or days of the week a bit from what they have been doing.

Headless Horseman?......

I hope you're right that it *could* be for something new. I just figured it wasn't a major concern with all of the attention being devoted to California Adventure. I like your line of thinking better. I do hope the exact dates and prices will be released soon. (Tomorrow would be good!) My sister and her family are going with us this year, and I want to start planning. Here's to hoping!....

 

[revwog1974]

I'm a real worrier so I've been trying not to dwell on not having dates or tickets for the Halloween party yet. Of course, I don't have AP or DVC so worrying that tickets will sell out before they go on sale to the general public is REALLY going to kill me once the dates are announced! If they do change up the party some this year are they likely to have it on one weekend evening? We'll be there Friday to Sunday. I'm guessing Disney is going to get highest attendence at the party on a weekend and that's what they want. (Even if we want lower crowds and shorterblines!)

 

[Sherry E]

revwog1974 -

I don't think you'll have to worry about sell-outs for a while. You should still be able to get the party night you want when the tickets go on sale to the general public in July (or whenever that happens).

There should definitely be parties on all the Fridays in October. I keep thinking that what could happen is that the party will begin on Friday, September 28th, carry on with the tradition of Tuesday night parties as well - except for Tuesday, 10/30, which they might skip because there will be a party on Wednesday, 10/31. Normally there are 10 party nights, so if the party begins on 9/28 they'd have to cut out a night somewhere else to make it 10 nights.

The interesting thing is that there would be a party on a Saturday or Sunday night if Halloween itself fell on one of those nights. For some reason, when Halloween does not happen on Saturday or Sunday, there don't seem to be parties on those nights.


All American -

As you indicated, most likely Disney is just slugging along in releasing dates because they want to keep the spotlight on the reopening of DCA and all that comes with it for right now. I would like to think that they have some new things in store for the MHP and are waiting for the right time to tell us, but one never knows with that sneaky Disney!

I totally agree with you about everyone knowing what their own limits are for crowds. I have thought that for a while - we all kind of have our own comfort levels, and one person may reach his or her own limit with crowds sooner than someone else. We all go by our own personal barometers and know when the crowds start to feel uncomfortable for us, so when we answer questions about crowds we are usually basing the answers on what our own tolerance levels are. Even when we have numbers attached - like Disney sells 20,000 tickets or whatever - if those 20,000 people all seem to be congregated in one spot, or in every spot where we want to be, it will seem like it is extremely crowded.

As Kristin said, a day in October is probably not as crowded as it is on a day in June (especially when Cars Land is upon us), but October has definitely gathered quite a bit steam in the last few years.

Oddly, I was in DCA on opening day of Halloween Time in September last year (I went back again in October). California Adventure was almost a ghost town on September 16th, because all of the guests were over in Disneyland where the Halloween stuff was! This year, I don't expect DCA to be a ghost town any time soon, but it was interesting to see it that way in 2011.

As Eeee-va said, it's best to just kind of prepare for crowds and then it won't be shocking. Just expect that it will be crowded at all times, and then anything that falls short of those expectations will be a welcome relief!

 

[Girimama33]

Stupid question about annual pass prices....I bought deluxe AP's that we will activate during our October trip. I am guessing that since they are not activated until then, I cannot get the MHP tickets at the AP prices...does anyone know if my assumption is correct?

 

[Sherry E]

Stupid question about annual pass prices....I bought deluxe AP's that we will activate during our October trip. I am guessing that since they are not activated until then, I cannot get the MHP tickets at the AP prices...does anyone know if my assumption is correct?

Girimama33 -

It's not a stupid question at all! I think you're right in that you will not be able to use the AP's for discounts on the MHP tickets since they will not yet be activated. If you were booking a hotel room at one of the 3 DLR hotels you could apply the AP discount before the AP is activated, as long as the AP is activated before you actually checked in to the hotel. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way with MHP tickets - at least I'm pretty sure it doesn't (someone please correct me if I'm mistaken).