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: Just in time for Halloween 2009, a bunch of ghosts have moved into Space Mountain, with a new sound track and special effects just for the holiday.
- Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Roundup: Held at Frontierland's Big Thunder Ranch, the Roundup features seasonal-themed activities, including live animals, cookie decorating, sing-alongs and appearances by Woody and Jessie from the Toy Story movies.
- Halloween Screams Fireworks: A special show just for the season.
- Mickey's Trick or Treat Party: On selected nights, California Adventure re-opens at night just for those who buy tickets for the party. Costumes are allowed.
- 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.
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- Entrance: The 11-foot-tall "CALIFORNIA" entranceway letters are transformed to look like giant pieces of candy corn.
- Tower of Terror: Hollywood Tower Hotel staff members greet guests and relate their own creepy tales.
- Mickey's Trick or Treat Party: This private event happens Tuesday through Friday, Oct. 3 through Oct. 31 and requires a special ticket purchase.
Plan Ahead for Disneyland at Halloween
2008's Halloween festivities run September 26 through November 2. Especially on the opening Saturday, 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 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. 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.
