Last year I started talking about Halloween season at Disneyland in the middle of July, which is already crazy. But this year, Disneyland upped the crazy and announced the Halloween lineup in the middle of May! So apologies for season hopping before the summer even really starts, but tickets for the Halloween Party go on sale in a few days, so I wanted to give you a heads up about what to expect this year.
MICKEY’S HALLOWEEN PARTY
 Every fall, Disneyland hosts an after-hours Halloween Party, with special entertainment, trick-or-treating, and costumes donned by kids and adults alike. If you’ve never attended a party and don’t know what it entails, I’ve got a detailed post explaining the party here. The event requires a separate ticket, whether or not you’re an annual passholder. With the ticket, you get admission to Disneyland for 8 hours, 5 of which are just for party attendees. Contrary to the rumors swirling this time last year, the Halloween Party is still hosted in Disneyland, not in California Adventure.
Tickets for annual passholders go on sale June 5th, and general ticket sales start June 12th. For pricing, party dates, and costume rules, check out the official event page here.
OVERLAYS & ENTERTAINMENT
Even if you’re not visiting the Halloween Party, the Disneyland Resort offers tons of Halloween fun during regular park hours. Several attractions in both Disneyland and California Adventure take on special Halloween overlays.
 Disneyland
- Haunted Mansion Nightmare Before Christmas – This special overlay lasts from Halloween to Christmastime. Jack Skellington and friends take over the mansion, hosting a frighteningly fun holiday party.
- Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy – As you fly through space, you might realize your ship accidentally flew into another dimension. Try to fly back down to Disneyland without being caught in the clutches of scary space ghosts!
 California Adventure
- Guardians of the Galaxy Monsters After Dark – Once the sun sets, the Guardians face a new challenge…rescuing Groot from the clutches of monsters that have taken over the Collector’s Fortress.
- Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween – Enjoy your favorite Cars Land dances, this time to some spooky tunes.
- Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree – Like Luigi, Mater’s moving to a brand new Halloween soundtrack.
In addition to the overlays, both parks also transform with Halloween décor. In Disneyland, you’ll notice the most dramatic changes on Main Street USA, and in Frontierland and New Orleans Square. And in California Adventure, look for the best overlays on Buena Vista Street and in Cars Land.
HALLOWEEN TIME TIPS
You don’t really need to make significant changes to your Disneyland strategy because it’s Halloween, but there are a few things you might want to consider to make the most of the seasonal offerings.
- If you’re making dining reservations, opt for lands with décor (see section above). Many restaurants in these areas offer seasonal meals, drinks, or desserts, so you can experience an extra dose of Halloween fun during your stay.
- For guests not attending Mickey’s Halloween Party, I’d encourage you to stay in Disneyland until they close it off. Some of the costumes people put together are absolutely incredible, so you’ll have some of the best people-watching possible at the resort.
- Watch for villains. During Halloween time, tons of rare (and popular) evil characters roam Disneyland, and they love to mess with guests. You’ll get both a photo with a rare character, and an unforgettable interaction!
 
For the complete breakdown of seasonal offerings coming to the Disneyland Resort this fall, check out the official Halloween page here.