Even though Walt Disney World has four themeparks, two water parks, and ESPN Wide World of Sports, if you want to celebrate Halloween, you’ll have to visit the Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party to do so. Disneyland, on the other hand, has spread the season out over both its theme parks. Of course, Disneyland has its own ticketed event (on 14 nights this year), but there is plenty to do during regular park hours too
I love this commercial released by Disneyland to entice guests to visit during the season. It features animated classic villains enjoying the parks in their own special way:
The Halloween season at Disneyland runs through October 31st. And includes special transformations of the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain, dance with the Mad T Party band, and a chance meet Mickey Mouse and his friends in Halloween costumes. New this year are special experiences at the Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch and more mysterious fun joining the Astounding Cauldron of Magic.
Spooky Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland is one of the guest favorites during Halloween Time. The unique Halloween-themed experience begins as a typical Space Mountain adventure, but suddenly launches voyagers into a haunted section of the universe. Ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space. The exhilarating drops and curves are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music.
Jack Skellington returns to Disneyland to take over the Haunted Mansion and brings Haunted Mansion Holiday back to New Orleans Square. Transformed with a mix of Halloween spookiness and Christmas cheer, Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the classic animated film “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Spooky Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland is one of the guest favorites during Halloween Time. The unique Halloween-themed experience begins as a typical Space Mountain adventure, but suddenly launches voyagers into a haunted section of the universe. Ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space. The exhilarating drops and curves are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music.
Jack Skellington returns to Disneyland to take over the Haunted Mansion and brings Haunted Mansion Holiday back to New Orleans Square. Transformed with a mix of Halloween spookiness and Christmas cheer, Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the classic animated film “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Mickey’s Halloween Party, which is the separate-ticket event for trick-or-treating families, expands to 14 special, spooky nights in Disneyland. Highlights of Mickey’s Halloween Party include:
- “Villains Square.” Throughout the evening, the Disney villains arrive in Disneyland Town Square as the “Bad Apple Party Crashers,” riding a black horse-drawn carriage accompanied by thunder, fog and special lighting effects. Villains such as Cruella De Vil, the Queen of Hearts, Judge Frollo from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and Lady Tremaine from “Cinderella” appear for photos and character greetings, and guests are invited to “Party Like a Villain.”
- The opportunity to play in Disneyland for three hours before the party starts
- Trick or Treating – candy and healthy treats - in the ultimate Disney neighborhood
- The “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, hosted by “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington (presented exclusively for guests of Mickey’s Halloween Party, weather permitting)
- “Mickey’s Costume Party” cavalcade featuring some favorite characters, performed twice nightly
- ”Monsters U Dance Party” at Tomorrowland Terrace: Class time is over and the students of Monsters University join Halloween Time guests in a family-friendly frat party with the most popular students from Monsters U, Mike & Sulley.
- The Cadaver Dans, a ghoulish quartet performing Halloween-themed tunes aboard a drifting graveyard-themed raft on the Rivers of America in New Orleans Square and Frontierland
- Photo locations with popular Disney and Pixar Pals, plus Disney Villains
- Nearly all the favorite Disneyland rides and attractions, plus Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy
- Complimentary parking for one standard-size vehicle
Are you planning a spooktacular visit to Disneyland this year? If so, we’d love to get your trip report. Drop me a line!