Tips for things to see/do visiting over Halloween and at TOTP

[merryashley]

I'll be going to the TOTP on the 30th with my 7-year old (neither of us have ever been during this time of year, and this is her first trip ever), and then on Halloween we'll be at Disneyland park. Any tips on musts for her age (or mine) specifically for Halloween focused things? I'm buying our first So Cal AP's, so we'll be back at Christmas for that focus and then later in the year for "normal" Disney, so seeing all the usuals isn't top priority for this trip since I want to make sure we both get to see all the great Halloween focused decorations, attractions, etc.

For those of you who've been at this time of year (and/or to the TOTP), please fill me in with tips, recommendations, advice and opinions?

Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

I'll be going to the TOTP on the 30th with my 7-year old (neither of us have ever been during this time of year, and this is her first trip ever), and then on Halloween we'll be at Disneyland park. Any tips on musts for her age (or mine) specifically for Halloween focused things? I'm buying our first So Cal AP's, so we'll be back at Christmas for that focus and then later in the year for "normal" Disney, so seeing all the usuals isn't top priority for this trip since I want to make sure we both get to see all the great Halloween focused decorations, attractions, etc.

For those of you who've been at this time of year (and/or to the TOTP), please fill me in with tips, recommendations, advice and opinions?

Thanks!

Hi, merryashley - I am also in Los Angeles! Anyway, I was just at DLR last week and weekend. I actually wanted to go into the park for a third day but my friend was against the idea.

Okay, first of all - even if you have your own camera, I would suggest that you use the Photopass photographers in the two parks. First of all, just in case your own photos don't come out as planned, you have theirs to fall back on. Second, they have you pose in silly ways and they add effects to your pictures, like Disney characters and what not. If they have you point at the ground, in your picture you will see you are pointing at Stitch! AND, during Halloween season, when you get a Photopass card from them (which is free), it is the special Halloween card. You don't have to pay for the card or the pictures, but you can go online later and buy only the photos you want or a whole CD with all of them. It is a good deal and the pictures come out great.

Of course, take your daughter to the Haunted Mansion Holiday with the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. When you pass through the banquet hall and see the fresh gingerbread house (coffin) on the table, you will also smell gingerbread too.

If you go into the French Market in NOS, I was told by a CM that they are selling a gingerbread house from the Haunted Mansion - now I don't know if this means a gingerbread coffin like the one inside the ride or a house modeled after the HMH itself, but check it out either way. I didn't get to go in and see it.

In Downtown Disney, the shop Department 56 not only has all kinds of cool 'gumdrop people' Christmas ornaments but also has a great Halloween display in the back of the store - it is like a Halloween amusement park or carnival with spooky people and Haunted Houses and miniature rides like spinning pumpkins, etc. It is awesome to look at!

Be sure to check out the bakeries/confectionaries of the DLR - especially Blue Ribbon Bakery in DL and Marceline's in DTD. They are selling pumpkin muffins and big, fat pumpkin cupcakes with Mickey heads - Mick-o-Lanterns - stuck on the top, and other Halloween candies and pastries and drinks.

At the TOTP, they give you a very flimsy plastic bag, and there is lots of candy to be had, so you may want to bring or buy your own bag. The merchandise sold this year for the TOTP and for Halloween in general is SO cute. All kinds of cute Halloween ears and light up, spinny things and fun designs, etc. There are exclusive photo opportunities there that you won't get in DCA or DL during the day. Look for Woody from Toy Story, the wicked stepsisters from Cinderella, the Queen of Hearts from Alice, various other villains and Jack Sparrow. There are all kinds of special Halloween decorations that are put up just for the TOTP and not during the rest of the day. There is a pumpkin projected into the Mickey head on California Screamin', etc.

And - even though this is not a Halloween thing - make sure to get your daughter on Toy Story Midway Mania! It is GREAT!

 

[MVBowers111]

Wow! Those are great tips, thanks for posting those. We're going next week and I can't wait. Your ideas will make our trip even more magical!

Monica

 

[Sherry E]

Wow! Those are great tips, thanks for posting those. We're going next week and I can't wait. Your ideas will make our trip even more magical!

Monica

Oh good! I am glad! There are so many knowledgeable people here on DISboards that I know someone else will come in with tips I hadn't thought of.

There is a small shop in New Orleans Square called Le Bat en Rouge, and that sells mostly Nightmare Before Christmas stuff, but also Haunted Mansion things too. I have found that the merchandise at the China Closet on Main Street and the Gag Factory in ToonTown to always be cool. Sometimes too many people crowd into the Emporium on Main Street and you can't really get around easily. Disneyana is also a cool shop but not necessarily for Halloween stuff.

Mr. Potato Head is sold with Disney attachments at EnginEars in DCA - he used to be sold at Gag Factory in DL/TT, but they had removed him when I was there the other day. Anyway, during the holidays, you can find extra attachments, like last year DLR sold a Mr. Potato Head Mickey Ears Trick or Treat Bag, and at Christmastime, they sold a pair of Santa Mickey Ears for Potato as well as a Christmas tree with Mickey-shaped ornaments. So if you go into EnginEars, I am sure you will find some special Halloween Potato parts this year!!!

There are great Mickey pumpkin and ghost candle holders sold in the parks and a nifty Mickey ears pumpkin mug that I got, as well as all kinds of cute Mickey ghost shirts and pins, and a great black sweatshirt especially for the TOTP. The light up spinny thing was a pumpkin Mickey on a stick and when you activate it, it lights up, makes a whirring noise and spins inside his head. It would be cool to carry around the TOTP.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

*There is also Woody's Halloween Roundup w/ tons of pumpkins, crafts, and entertainment at Big Thunder Ranch.
*Tower of Terror has some Halloween decor in the lobby but to me, the ride feels the same.
*The fab 5 characters are dressed up in their Halloween costumes and at MTOTP, they wear different costumes than the other ones!

 

[merryashley]

Thanks so much for all these excellent tips and ideas for things "not to be missed" when we come for Halloween... I'm so excited (haven't told DD yet). I'll never forget my first trip with my parents at about the same age as my daughter, and want those same special family-time memories for her... I'll ask for tips again before we go for the Christmas "Snow"

As for the photo pass, I already jumped at the chance to go in with a group, and am thrilled I caught that thread in time to do it.

You had some unique suggestions I'd never have thought of (or even known about) that aren't the "standards" and will make this visit unique from when we go at Christmas or during the "normal" year, and that's exactly what I'd hoped for.

Thanks again, so much!

 

[fairycat]

I am going tomorrow (it's about time!! ) ! One of the things I am super excited to see again is the Dia de los Muetros display for Day of the Dead (a celebration of family and life from Mexico) over by Big Thunder Mountain. It is very beautiful and colorful and I am just so looking forward to taking pictures!

Also just spend timing looking at the decorations there is just so much to see!