Experiences Tips

So You’re Going to Disneyland at Halloween!!

Disneyland at Halloweentime is the perfect amount of fun and spooky (it’s spoopy, if you will) and is definitely a MUST if you have the chance to experience it! Disneyland goes all out with Halloween decorations and there is just nothing else like it. Here’s a round up of things you can experience by visiting during Halloween season.

DECOR
Disneyland holiday decorations are no joke. They go all out and make sure every crevice of the park is decorated (as long as it aligns with their theming. For instance, lands such as Galaxy’s Edge do not decorate as they do not celebrate Halloween on Batuu). Don’t miss the jack-o’-lanterns festooned all over the parks, the pumpkin wreaths on the lampposts, and the giant Mickey pumpkin on main street. Other notable decorations include:

  • Cars Land “Haul-o-ween” – it comes alive and absolutely shines at night (literally! Don’t miss the lighting ceremony at sunset every day!)
  • Headless Horseman statue in Disney California Adventure
  • Halloween Tree in Frontierland (this beautifully lit tree is what Disney legends are made of)

RIDES
Some rides are themed with a Halloween overlay. Make sure to check out Mater’s Graveyard Jam BOO ree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween in Carsland. Their usual ride music is replaced with spooky Halloween music. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout becomes Monsters After Dark when the clock strikes 6PM. And perhaps the most popular (because it’s the best!) Halloween overlay is the Haunted Mansion Holiday, which will be up through Christmastime. Visit the mansion and see how Jack has decorated for the two holidays that collide!

CHARACTERS
Many of the characters are in Halloween costumes throughout the park. You might see skeleton Goofy, Vampire Mickey, or Witch Minnie! Over in DCA, their costumes have a little more of a homemade look (Donald’s super hero costume looks like he jumped right out of my toddler’s dress up bin), but they’re still fun! You also might spy more villains than usual hanging around the parks! Maleficent, Cruella, Gaston, Evil Queen, Queen of Hearts, and Jafar are usually spotted around Disneyland throughout the day. And if you hang out around the Haunted Mansion, you might catch Jack and Sally too!

FOOD
From the popcorn buckets, to the cookies, to the cake pops, and the caramel apples, everyone knows that Disney does food RIGHT. The first and best thing to do when visiting the parks during the holiday season is to head right to the Disneyland food guide. We take turns choosing which snacks and meals to try during our trips. We always end up with something tasty!

ENTERTAINMENT
The Halloween Screams fireworks are back this year and they’re amazing, as always. Honestly, it’s one of our favorite fireworks shows…a show taken over by villains! The projections on Main Street and the castle are amazing, but you can also catch good views over by the Rivers of America and Small World. This show runs every night (weather permitting) in Disneyland through Halloween. During the day, you can catch the Dapper Dans roaming Main Street and singing Halloween tunes. Unfortunately, there is no Halloween parade outside of the Oogie Boogie Bash (this isn’t new, this has been the case for quite a few years) and there are no World of Color shows happening in DCA at this time.

Halloweentime is our absolute favorite time of year at the Disneyland resort! It is a must visit time for our family. Throw on a witchy Minnie tee, bound as your favorite Disney villain, or grab the new Mickey pumpkin ears and Loungefly bag and head into the parks to experience all the fun!

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4 Comments

  • Reply
    My Hollywood
    September 30, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    Halloween is the best!

    • Reply
      TheSweetiePies
      December 27, 2021 at 6:13 pm

      We agree!!

  • Reply
    Baby Boomer Super Saver
    October 18, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    Sounds like an extra fun time to visit Disney!

    • Reply
      TheSweetiePies
      December 27, 2021 at 6:14 pm

      It really is extra special.

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