13 reasons to spend Halloween at Disneyland
👻 Guess what? It starts September 1st!
Halloween on my mind
Hello adventurers,
You might be wondering what the heck I’m doing, skipping to Halloween when we’re only halfway through summer. To be fully transparent, I have some personal motives behind today’s topic 🤔
You see, I’m working on my fully-grown, busy, daughter, to convince her to take a few days off and come to Disneyland with me at the end of September. I was going to pester her again via email or text or whatever, but then I thought - how about if I write an entire newsletter outlining why we should make the trip this fall? You know, because I’m THAT mom.
I came up with 13 good reasons to go, and could probably conjure 13 more, but I didn’t think you guys - or she - would want/need that many bullet points.
Anyway, if you’re like me, already trying to figure out how to get past the inevitable post-summertime blues, allow me to offer the excellent suggestion of an autumn getaway. Specifically at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, USA. Crowds are generally low in September and October, the weather’s great, and it’s Halloweentime!
Incidentally, if later in the year works better for you, I also highly recommend Christmastime in the parks, which literally starts on November 1st. Here are some posts from my blog about that:
Now to the topic at hand -
Here are 13 reasons to go to Disneyland for Halloween in 2023
1) Haunted Mansion Holiday
Jack Skellington has taken control of the Haunted Mansion, and it’s a riot inside and out. One of the most beloved ride overlays in all the Disney parks, Haunted Mansion Holiday is a must-see for any Mansion fan.
2) Meet Jack and Sally
Yes, you can meet Jack and Sally in Disneyland park during the Halloween season. And at Christmastime too 👍
3) Guardians of the Galaxy - Monsters After Dark
Haunted Mansion isn’t the only attraction that gets a Halloween overlay. Every afternoon, the Guardians of the Galaxy ride switches to a Monsters After Dark theme. Featuring Rocket, Groot, and a whole bunch of monsters, it’s a completely different story and music than the usual ride.
4) Radiator Screams
The cars have gone all out for Haul-o-ween (these are not my puns, blame Disney 😉), including dressing up in costume. I mean, Mater is decked out as a vampire, what could be better?
5) Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree
Besides an incredible array of Halloween decor, there are also ride overlays in Radiator Springs (I mean ‘Screams’). Mater’s ride gets a spooky overhaul as the Graveyard JamBOOree. Song highlights include “Monster Truck Smash” and “Welcome to Radiator Screams”.
6) Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Wee
Luigi’s dancing cars get in on the act too, with their own haunted songs and decorations. Plus of course the Leaning Tower of Tires is festooned for Halloween.
7) Pumpkins!
One of the most impressive things about any Disney park at the holidays is the elaborate decor. Disneyland’s Main Street alone is embellished with over 300 carved pumpkins. Everything is over-the-top decorated, including Downtown Disney and the hotels.
8) Oogie Boogie Bash
Oogie Boogie Bash is a special after-hours party at California Adventure. It happens 3-4 times a week beginning in early September. OK, all the dates are sold out already, but apparently it is sometimes possible to get same-day tickets at the park.
If you get lucky and score tix, you can see a parade featuring special characters like the Headless Horseman, Dr Facilier, and the Haunted Mansion’s Grim Grinning Ghosts. You can also meet some of these rare characters during the party, go trick-or-treating, and enjoy the park with significantly lower-than-usual wait times.
9) Toontown is updated, including the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride
Disneyland’s reimagined Mickey’s Toontown opened earlier this year and it is a delightful upgrade. With many more natural elements and lots of interactive play, it’s a great place to get away from the hubbub in the rest of the park. Plus there is a brand-new ride, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
In case you missed it, here’s some more info about what’s new at Disneyland and beyond:
10) Characters in costume
Everybody at Disneyland gets into the Halloween spirit, including the characters. Mickey and Minnie get a new Halloween costume each year, and the other characters dress up too.
11) Halloween treats
Yes, you actually can fill your bag with Halloween candy if you attend the Oogie Boogie Bash. But there are lots more fun treats throughout the parks and Downtown Disney. From pumpkin spice beignets, to Oktoberfest burgers, to special churros, and lots of fun drinks, a multitude of special tastes are on offer.
12) Halloween Screams projection show
Disneyland boosts it’s nighttime show with Halloween projections on Main Street, Sleeping Beauty castle, and It’s a Small World. The show features Jack Skellington and Zero, plus lots of Disney villians. Fireworks are part of the show too, of course.
13) Perfect weather
Highs in the low 80’s & lows in the 60’s, plus an average of ZERO rain days, make September and October fantastic months for a trip to Disneyland.
Going to Disneyland this fall? Lucky you! Don’t forget to make your theme park reservations. Here’s what you need to know:
Hey Sue! Great article, I have never been to Disneyland in the Fall. But it is on my bucket list! I would also love to see the Haunted Mansion decked out for the Holidays.