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 the hitchhiking ghosts are replaced with jack-o-lanterns. This is Disneyland's best Halloween spot, so ride it twice to take it all in, and be sure to stop by after dark when candles flicker outside.
- Woody’s Halloween Roundup: Held at Frontierland's Big Thunder Ranch, the Roundup features seasonal-themed activities, including live animals in a "Petting Boo," cookie decorating, sing-alongs and appearances by Woody, Jessie and Bullseye from the Toy Story movies.
California Adventure at Halloween
- Entrance: The 11-foot-tall "CALIFORNIA" entranceway letters are transformed to look like giant pieces of candy corn.
- Golden Screams: Temporarily replacing the Golden Dreams show, Disney Villains congregate for an awards ceremony honoring Best Scream from a Disney movie and other villanous acts.
- Tower of Terror: Hollywood Tower Hotel staff members greet guests and relate their own creepy tales.
Plan Ahead for Disneyland at Halloween
In the past, Disneyland was a little less crowded in the fall, but that seems to be changing. I visited on the opening Saturday of Disney's HalloweenTime, and the place was 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 Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour more than a month in advance. Call 714-781-7290.
- Make reservations for Disneyland restaurants such as the Blue Bayou at least two weeks in advance. You can also reserve special seating for Fantasmic! up to a month in advance. Call for reservations 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.
