I Do Believe in Spooks! (and Mickey Mouse)

October is finally here at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World which can only mean one thing “Halloween Time!”  This is the extra “spooktacular” time of year when Disney Magic transforms its parks with Pumpkins, Coffins and “Candy Corrrrn” (Insert Heimlich Voice) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCewwVvtpWg .

Beginning October 1^st you can visit the park and enjoy an array of tricks and treats including one of my all time favorites: coffin-shaped, chocolate mousse deserts from the French Market complete with edible dirt (cookie crumbs) and worms, gummy of course.

Some of the fabulous rides have also been haunted like the popular Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and the Haunted Mansion is themed for Tim Burrton’s Nightmare Before Christmas complete with an edible gingerbread house in the main ballroom. They are certainly worth the wait!

For your boys and ghouls Disneyland has moved its ever-so-popular “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” to the Disneyland Resort this year. Since 2005, Disneyland’s California Adventure has hosted the annual party but due to the popularity of their new attraction “World of Color” and extra construction around the park, Disney officials have moved the party across the esplanade. Yes, for an extra $54.00 admission price (on select dates in October, presale price) at 6p.m. or 7p.m. until 11p.m. or 12 a.m. (dates and times vary) you can have Disneyland all to yourself. Most rides will be open and there are special places for your little zombies to go trick-or-treating.  There is even a costume parade and dance party in Tomorrow land Terrace.

Annual Passholders, like many of us local Disney-philes are, will not be allowed into Disneyland for the party without a ticket. Annual passholders can, however purchase discounted tickets on the Disney website for $44.00. We are waiting to see what the numbers are like and how popular this event becomes since its move to Disneyland. With the park closing hours before regular schedule for the Halloween Party and the economy, it will be interesting to see if they turn a profit. Last year, Halloween Time through Very Merry Christmas Times were seasonally packed with park hoppers and at times parking lots and parks were at capacity.

My advice for Halloween Time: Get to the park before 10am as parking lots get closed when they are half full. Disney park officials have been known to close lots to save spaces for attendees that come later in the day and force park goers to park several blocks away to eliminate lack of space in the Mickey and Friend’s Parking Structure.

Secondly, take plenty of water and snacks as lines will be extra long  for food and attraction cues are generally double wait times. Fast passes are HIGHLY recommended.

Finally, enjoy your Disney Experience! It only comes once a year!

PS: Check out the two new Mickey Ears designs this year: Pumpkin Mickey and Franken Mickey

HAPPY HAUNTING!