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.