Halloween Time descends on Disneyland

Halloween Season is in full swing. I'm looking forward tonight to checking out Mickey's Halloween Party for 2011.  I expect lots of people, long lines for Space Mtn and Haunted Mansion Holiday and hopefully generous candy distribution. The event is not scary, other than Space Mountain.

Mickey's Halloween Party
$49 per person for Advance price (September 30, October 3, 11, 18 & 25) 
$59 per person for Day-of-Event price (September 30, October 3, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21 & 25) 
$64 per person for Premium price (October 18 & 31)

Some unique features of this event include:

• Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular (9:30 each night)
• Photos with favorite Disney Villains
• Special treat stations offering both candy and healthy goodies
• Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade (8:30 and 10:30 each night)
• Piratepalooza in Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, kick up your boots with Goofy and other swashbucklers
• Buzz Lightyear's Intergalactic Space Jam -- a high-energy dance party that goes to infinity and beyond

Halloween Time at Disneyland

In just a couple of days, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy will open at Disneyland, kicking off the relatively new event of Halloween Time at Disneyland.  I'd have to say that this is my favorite time of the year, not just for Halloween but also the weather cooling off and a slower pace after the busy summer.

As a kid, I became obsessed with Knott's Halloween Haunt beginning around 1987.  I've been back every year since and it is probably the only time of year I ever visit Knott's.  I can't recall the last time I visited during daylight.  I've also had an annual pass to Disneyland since 1984.  Disneyland always seemed to poo-poo the idea of doing anything remotely close to what Knott's has been doing for almost 40 years with Halloween.  However, with the growing popularity of the Haunt, it was only a matter of time before Disneyland tried to cash in the holiday as well.  Every year, Americans have been spending more and more on Halloween, making it a huge industry, so it's only expected that Disney is looking to get into that market too.

I've been enjoying the Halloween Time festivities at Disneyland and it was great to have Mickey's Trick or Treat return to Disneyland in 2010, now called Mickey's Halloween Party.  I plan to visit this year and report back.  Stay tuned.

Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland

Mickey's Halloween Party kicks off tonight.  It's back at Disneyland, which is exciting.  I'll be attending with Daytrippingmom and kids in tow.

The nights of the event are October 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, 31. Tickets are to the general public via Disneyland.com.  This event has been selling out at DCA in the past years.

Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland 2010

Big news as the prices were released today for Mickey's Halloween Party. Currently only Annual Passholders are able to purchase tickets. They will be released to the public on July 16th.

The dates of the party are: October 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, 31

Opening night and all Tuesdays are a special AP discounted price of $44. The 29th and 31st st are $59. The remaining Fridays are $54.

This year they've moved the party over to Disneyland Park after holding it in California Adventure for several years.  They will have most of the park open and the Halloween fireworks will be exclusive this season to the special event.

Halloween Time Continues at Disneyland

So, from my experience so far, I would have to say that Monday through Thursday are the best days to get over to Disneyland to experience Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, Haunted Mansion Holiday and to catch Halloween Screams with the least amount of crowding.

Friday through Sunday have been extremely busy, especially if you try to go on a night when there is also Mickey's trick or treat at DCA.

If you plan to go for just a couple of hours, consider parking at Downtown Disney to avoid the Mickey and Friends parking headache. This only works if you are going there Monday through Thursday.

Come Celebrate Halloween at Disneyland!

Here is some highlights of all the fun at Disneyland during this Halloween season

Pumpkin Fudge returns for the Fall/Winter season

Pumpkin Fudge is back at Disneyland. You kind find it at the Market House and Candy Palace on Main Street and also at Pooh's Corner in Critter Country. Now I haven't checked yet, but I can almost guarantee it can also be found at Marceline's Confectionery in Downtown Disney. This stuff is delish! Try to eat just one piece.

It's here!

Besides a long wait time, the verdict is FUN for Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. Crowds rushed to the attraction following the rope drop this morning. Within an hour, the Fast Passes were gone and the standby line was reaching 90 minutes.

Expect long waits for Haunted Mansion Holiday over this weekend, especially. Folks will come out in droves to experience Halloween Screams Fireworks tonight too.

Halloween Time 2009

Each year it gets more and more impressive at Disneyland with Halloween Time. Here are just some more of the things you will find at Disneyland from September 25 to November 1st, 2009.

Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland is again transformed for the Pumpkin Festival, where more than 300 “non-identical” pumpkins will be on display in shop windows.

Visitors to Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland will sometimes find the ranch animals dressed in costume for a seasonal Halloween Roundup, with pumpkin carvers, Halloween décor and activities for youngsters, all presided over by Sheriff Woody. Next door at Big Thunder Barbecue, Miss Chris and the Roundup musicians will add Halloween songs to their repertoire.

Disney villains will gather in “it’s a small world” Mall in Disneyland, while other characters in seasonal costumes greet guests in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland.

Halloween Screams - A Villainous Surprise in the Skies

Also new this year at Halloween Time at Disneyland is “Halloween Screams - A Villainous Surprise in the Skies.”

This new fireworks spectacular will blast through the nighttime sky throughout the Halloween season. To start the show, “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington appears in a flash of fire above Sleeping Beauty Castle. Haunting melodies fill the air and a Halloween pyrotechnics extravaganza explodes into the night.

Classic Disney villains like Maleficent, Ursula the Sea Witch and Oogie Boogie join in the celebration, and even Zero, Jack’s ghost dog, will also appear.

This is one more thing that will likely bring in the large annual pass crowds that fill the park during the Christmas season and summer when the blackout dates are lifted.

Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy

For older kids and adults, Halloween Time at Disneyland offers a new attraction: Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland.

The scary new experience will begin as a typical Space Mountain adventure, but will suddenly launch voyagers into an uncharted and 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.

Along the journey there will be piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music. The Halloween transformation occurs outside the mountain as well, as the sights and sounds of Halloween illuminate the side of Space Mountain.

Halloween Time is almost here

This Friday, September 25th, kicks off Halloween Time at Disneyland. Expect to see the Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, Halloween Screams Fireworks, Main Street Pumpkin Festival and Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Roundup.

Tomorrow night, after the park has closed there will be a test-run of the Halloween Screams Fireworks. You will be able to see them from outside the park. When the show opens, expect to see a flying Zero-the ghost dog and an appearance from Jack Skellington on the Castle. Fun times indeed!