See It Now: Photo Tour
Disneyland at Halloween
- Halloween Decorations: Halloween decorations appear everywhere in Disneyland, starting at the entrance gates, and continuing to the "Mickey Planter" below the Main Street Train Station where a masked Mickey face is created from miniature white and orange pumpkins. Town Square at the end of Main Street boasts a 16-foot tall Mickey-Mouse-shaped jack-o-lantern that's very popular for photographs, and Main Street is decked out in orange and yellow bunting, with over 300 pumpkins peeping from its windows.
- Character Costumes: Many of the Disney characters will be wearing their own Halloween costumes as they greet guests. Young girls especially seem to enjoy wearing their Disney princess outfits while visiting the park, and if you buy them one for their visit, they can wear it for the holiday, too.
- Haunted Mansion: The special Halloween decorations in Haunted Mansion Holiday, based on Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas are extensive and whimsical, and jack-o-lanterns replace the hitchhiking ghosts. This is Disneyland's best Halloween spot. You may want to ride it twice to take it all in and be sure to stop by after dark when candles flicker outside.
- Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy: Every year in the fall, a bunch of ghosts move into Space Mountain, with a sound track and special effects just for the holiday.
- Halloween Screams Fireworks: A special show just for the season.
- Mickey's Trick or Treat Party: This private event happens on Tuesdays Fridays and Halloween nights in October and requires a special ticket purchase which gives special access to attractions, exclusive seating for the fireworks and other activities. Adults can wear costumes for this special event, a privilege normally restricted to the under-nine set.
- Disney's Happiest Haunts Tour: A special version of the behind-the-scenes tour, visiting all the special holiday attractions and with reserved seating for the fireworks. Call 714-781-4565 to reserve it, up to one month in advance. Read a detailed review of the tour at MousePlanet.
How Does It Rate?
How do you rate Disneyland at Halloween?
☐ I love it
☐ The decorations are cute
☐ It's no big deal
California Adventure at Halloween
Most of the Halloween-themed rides are in Disneyland, but at California Adventure's Tower of Terror, Hollywood Tower Hotel staff members greet guests and relate their own creepy tales.Plan Ahead for Disneyland at Halloween
2011 Halloween festivities run September 16 to October 31. For a few days after it opens and on Halloween night, the place gets jam-packed. If you can, try to go on a Sunday or weekday, when crowds will be smaller.The crowds are also more manageable if you plan ahead. These are some things to do:
- If you're going for more than one day, buy your Disneyland tickets online in advance to avoid standing in line for them.
- Use Ridemax to avoid standing in line at the rides.
- Reserve Disneyland tours such as the Happiest Haunts Tour or Walk in Walt's Footsteps a month in advance. Call 714-781-4585.
- Make reservations for Disneyland restaurants such as the Blue Bayou at least two weeks in advance at 714-781-3463.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary admission for the purpose of researching this story. While it has not influenced this article, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
