Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 58, a monthly Q&A post covering a variety of resort-related topics. Ask The Duchess answers questions submitted by readers. If you have a question you’d like answered, send me a message here.
1. Do I have to buy either a Halloween party ticket or a regular ticket? Or can I do both in one day? (submitted by Delana)
You can absolutely do both in one day if you’d like – the Halloween party is an “after hours” event. However, the Halloween party ticket gives you 8 hours in the park, so personally, I don’t buy a ticket for those days. Instead, I’ll arrive around lunchtime and explore Downtown Disney until my ticket lets me into the park!
Just bear in mind that the Halloween party ticket is NOT a park hopper. So if park hopping is a priority that day, you’ll need a regular ticket.
2. Is Oogie Boogie Bash different than Mickey’s Halloween Party? (submitted by Michal)
Slightly. Mickey’s Halloween party is the name of the party when it’s in Disneyland, and Oogie Boogie Bash is the California Adventure version. Both parties have the same basic offerings – parade, costumes, trick or treating, etc. But each park offers its own special entertainment and dance parties tailored to its theming.
3. How many days do I need to see all of Downtown Disney? Do I need a separate day for that? (submitted by Leigh)
I don’t think you need a full day to explore Downtown Disney. It’s not as big as Disney Springs in Orlando, for example. To be honest, you only need a few hours at most. I tend to go on a travel day – either the day I get there or the day I leave. I also like to shop around as I make my way back to the hotel to throw on jeans and a sweatshirt as it cools down at night!
4. Is there a really hyped up restaurant at the parks that you think I shouldn’t waste my time on? (submitted by Kathleen)
I think there are a few restaurants that are way overpriced for the quality of meal you get, so I don’t generally recommend them. In Disneyland: Cafe Orleans. In California Adventure: Wine Country Trattoria. And in Downtown Disney: Catal (excluding their Uva Bar – LOVE that place!).
5. Is Tom Sawyer Island going to reopen this summer, or is it still closed? (submitted by Dean)
It’s open!