October 31, 2016
This Week’s Ask Ashley Question
One of the questions this week came from Charles from New York City, New York. Charles asked:
With Halloween being this upcoming Monday, I found myself wondering about what Disney does to celebrate the holiday. What can I expect at the Disney Parks? Is it more for kids or can the adults have fun too?
Ashley’s Answers: How Disney Celebrates Halloween
Well Charles, Happy Halloween! I was so excited to get a Halloween-themed question; so thank you so much! Disney loves celebrating this costume- and candy-filled holiday at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Don’t worry! The celebrations aren’t just for children. Time and time again, I’ve seen adults have just as much fun (if not more) as the Princesses and Superheroes do!
I will answer your question by breaking down what each park as well as the cruise line have to offer during this time of year and even give some hints on which characters to watch out for during the celebrations!
Disneyland
Halloween Time
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, typically begins on early to mid September and lasts until the end of October each year. As long as you have a park ticket, you are able to experience Halloween Time at Disneyland. Some festivities you can expect are:
- Beautiful and fun Fall décor all through out the Disneyland Resort
- The Main Street Pumpkin Festival where there are hundreds of one-of-a-kind pumpkins on display
- The Happiest Haunts Tour offered daily (additional fee of $85) that culminates with the Haunted Mansion and takes a behind-the-scenes look at the attraction’s construction and design as well as stories from its opening day in August of 1969.
- Jack Skellington’s transformed Haunted Mansion
- Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy
Mickey’s Halloween Party
If you’re still itching for more Halloween festivities, Disneyland also offers Mickey’s Halloween Party, which is a separately ticketed event that is offered on select nights from late September until the end of October. Admission also gives you access to the park for three hours prior to the event. The event can sell out; but, do expect the ticket prices to be about $90 and about $100 the closer you get to Halloween. If you purchase your ticket(s) in advance, you can expect to get a $10 discount. A few of the highlights of the event are:
- Special Treat Trails are designated on a special map that you’ll receive (in addition to a souvenir treat bag) upon entering Disneyland Park where kids (and adults) can load up on goodies. These Treat Trails amass numerous candy stations and are highlighted in the park with an illuminating Mickey ghost light. Though Disney also says you can bring your own carrier from home for a larger amount of candy, you can ask for healthy snacks including apple slices, carrots, and dried fruit if you don’t want so much candy.
- Halloween Screams Fireworks Show
- Frightfully Fun Parade where the Headless Horseman can be seen riding down Main Street at the beginning and numerous special characters appear, including Jack Skellington, Dr. Facilier (from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog), Hades, the Evil Queen, Jafar, Cruella and other notorious Disney Villains. Dinner packages are available with a reservation at Blue Bayou if you would like a preferred viewing area.
- Meet the villains (including Maleficent, the Evil Queen, and Cruella) in Town Square. Download the official Disneyland Mobile App to find out exactly when to find the characters you’re looking for!
Walt Disney World
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
In my Ashley’s Answers post on October 24, 2016, I briefly touched on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The event is a specially ticketed event that occurs on select nights during September and October each year with prices starting at around $91 for guests ages 10+ and $86 for guests ages 3-9. The event does begin at 7:00p.m. each night and lasts until midnight; but, like Mickey’s Halloween Party, you are able to get into Magic Kingdom a couple of hours prior to the event start. A few things that can be expected during the event are:
- Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular
- For some, the Halloween tradition is to watch Hocus Pocus. For some, they love Disney villains. This show, and huge fan favorite, gives guests both. If you have time, definitely make a point to see this. It takes place during the event on the Castle stage.
- Happy HalloWishes Firework Show
- If you love the other Magic Kingdom firework show, Wishes, you will love HalloWishes! My favorite spot to watch the show is from on top of the train station at the front of the park. It is a truly mesmerizing show filled with Halloween music and pumpkins cast on the castle!
- Boo-to-You Halloween Parade
- Here, you can see the Headless Horseman begin the parade by riding from Frontierland all the way along the parade route and ending down Main Street U.S.A. This is definitely a parade worth watching! You’ll see everything from characters in Halloween costumes to Pirates of the Caribbean characters to villains and even some of the ghosts from the Haunted Mansion!
- Candy! There is a trick-or-treat opportunity at Magic Kingdom also. Expect the same type of set-up I listed above in Disneyland. A special map will be handed out as well as a souvenir bag for candy.
- Scream-o-ween Dance Party in Tomorrowland with Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University. This is definitely an experience more suited for children. Though there isn’t anything wrong with adults breaking a move!
- There are plenty of costume-adorned characters as well as some special characters available for photos and autographs! The characters and the locations they can be found at include:
- Main Street, U.S.A.
- Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
- Tinker Bell
Adventureland
- Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, Jafar and Abu
- Tarzan, Jane and Terk
- Captain Jack Sparrow
Liberty Square
- Jack Skellington and Sally
Fantasyland
- Belle and Gaston
- Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts
- Ariel
- Merida
- Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet
- Cinderella
- Rapunzel
- Princess Tiana
Storybook Circus
- The Seven Dwarfs
- Donald and Daisy
- Minnie Mouse
- Goofy
- Cruella De Vil
Tomorrowland
- Buzz Lightyear and Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear
- Main Street, U.S.A.
Which events above sound like they would be the most fun? Do you prefer character experiences? Entertainment opportunities? Trick-or-Treating where it is warmer (New York can be cold in October!!)?
Magical Parks and Beyond 
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