We’re officially halfway to Halloween, so you know what that means…Disneyland is locked and loaded with this fall’s festivities. This year’s celebration will run from September 1 to October 31, with nonstop celebrations and excitement.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
ATTRACTION 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. (This overlay actually runs until January, since as we know, “two holidays collide”.)
Note: Like last year, I don’t see any mention of Ghost Galaxy on Disneyland’s Halloween page. If this offering shows up on the schedule, I’ll add it to the post – but for now, it seems like Space Mountain won’t get an overlay again this year.
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.
ENTERTAINMENT, MUNCHIES, AND SHOPPING
Lands across both parks put up spectacular decorations & added details to celebrate Halloween. Main Street USA, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Buena Vista Street, and Cars Land are the best places to find festive décor and hidden details, including the Halloween Tree.
Across both parks, you’ll also find special entertainment offerings. None of these items require an additional ticket; you can see them during your regular park visit.
- Main Street Pumpkin Festival – Take some time to walk Main Street and you’ll discover a massive collection of pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, from the giant Mickey in the plaza to smaller pumpkins in every store window.
- Dia de los Muertos & Plaza de la Familia – In Frontierland, don’t miss a beautiful display honoring Mexico’s day of the dead. And over in Paradise Gardens Park, join the cast of Coco in celebrating family and their spirits.
- Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit – hunt for hidden pumpkins throughout Downtown Disney. Find them all and receive a prize! (Note: you can look for pumpkins for free, but to get the official map and receive the prize, you need to pay $9.99)
- Halloween Screams – Don’t miss the special fireworks spectacular, complete with spooky music and projections on the castle.
- Halloween Merchandise & Treats – Stores all over the resorts offer limited-edition Halloween souvenirs, from clothing to bags to poison apple-tinis! Even if you’re not a shopper, take some time to browse – the Halloween merchandise is really cool.
Source: Disneyland Resort
OOGIE BOOGIE BASH
Another fan favorite coming back to the resort is Oogie Boogie Bash. This after-hours party (separate ticket required) includes trick-or-treating, character meet and greets (including rarely seen villains), special fireworks & a parade, plus the chance to ride your favorite attractions with shorter lines. Costumes are strongly encouraged – even for adults!
If you’ve never been to a Halloween party, I’ve got an in-depth post explaining the annual entertainment, trick-or-treating, and costume experiences here. Tickets for this year’s 25 parties go on sale June 29, with limited tickets going on sale for Magic Key holders today. For more information about party offerings, tickets, and costume rules, visit the event page here.
HALLOWEEN TIME TIPS & TRICKS
- For those attending Oogie Boogie Bash, don’t skip Villain’s Grove! I skipped it the first few times I went (seemed pointless quite honestly), but it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the event.
- If you’re interested in attending the party but want to save a little money, consider skipping a day when you buy your tickets. Your Halloween party ticket gets you 8 hours in the park (but keep in mind that’s just in California Adventure). Anaheim is very warm in the fall, so you could easily spend the first half of the day at your hotel pool or in Downtown Disney, and then still get a lot of park time in without a regular ticket.
- Even though it’s Halloweentime, please keep in mind that costumes are only allowed (for guests over 14) during the after-hours party. Guests wearing costumes outside of party ticket hours, or in Disneyland at all, will not be allowed entry into the parks.
- One more note on party costumes – make sure they fit the guidelines. I’ve seen guests asked to change or remove pieces of their costume that violate rules. In my personal experience, security seems to be most concerned with accessories that look like weapons, overly revealing outfits, and extra long capes that drag behind you and cause a tripping hazard. But of course – that’s not the complete list.
- Look for villains. During Halloween, you’ll see rare villains freely roaming, not just during the party. The villains are amazing performers and create unforgettable guest experiences – especially as the costumed partygoers start streaming into the park.
- Try the treats! The bakeries in both parks and in Downtown Disney serve up amazing Halloween themed snacks, desserts, and drinks you can only get this time of year.
Source: Disneyland Resort
To be honest, irrespective of what rides I’ve been able to get on, the Disney Halloween parties have been some of my favourite times at their various parks. My first “Mickey’s Halloween Party” at Disneyland Ca. was probably my all-time favourite (to date) – made memorable by the fact the Haunted Mansion ride broke down while I was on it, and the ghosts just kept singing, and singing, and singing… 😀
I’m so with you! As much as I love Oogie Boogie Bash, Mickey’s Halloween Party being in Disneyland just took it to a whole other level. I really miss the “Cadaver Dans” singing on the totally fogged over Rivers of America. There was nothing like it.