Why Halloween is the best time to visit Disney Parks



Walt Disney World Halloween Jack O Lantern Pumpkin
Disneyland Anaheim ©Smith Family
This week we have a Guest review from the Smith Family. The Smith family are a family of 4 (Mum, Dad, girl ‘C.S’ 11 years old and a boy ‘O.S’ 6 years old) from Australia who have been to Disneyland Paris, Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Anaheim Disneyland.

The Smith family travelled during October 2017 to Disneyland Anaheim in the lead up to Halloween, they have also previously travelled to Walt Disney World Florida in September 2012.

How do the Parks compare at Halloween time??

We have visited Walt Disney World (Florida) and Disneyland (California) in the lead up to Halloween but in different years. The parks are decorated with a lot of Halloween decorations including jack-o-lanterns (some Mickey shaped of course!). Some of the rides were themed for Halloween as well. October 2017 was when we last visited Disneyland and there were more decorations centred around Dia De Mertos (Day of the Dead) this time around. This is probably due to the release of the Disney movie ‘Coco’. I thought it was great as there were a lot of colours and other decorations to explore along that theme. 

Walt Disney World Halloween Jack O Lantern Pumpkin
Walt Disney World ©Smith Family
 How were the rides decorated? Experiences?

Space Mountain – Was renamed Ghost Galaxy and had ghostly holographic themes along the signage onto the ride. There were also ghosts “flying” around inside the ride, replacing the usual galaxies and stars that are found in Space Mountain. We all thought it was a great twist on a favourite ride. After being a lot of times you come to know what to expect from the rides and even though we love that about it it was nice to have something different for a bit of novelty.

I didn’t think the theming for Space Mountain was that scary (and my kids didn’t either) but obviously if you have kids who do get a bit frightened it may be confronting. Up to the individuals children I guess.

Disneyland Space Mountain interior
Space Mountain ©Smith Family

Haunted Mansion – The Haunted Mansion was another ride that had a theme variant for Halloween. It was all themed on Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. Following the main character Jack Skellington through the mansion you attend parties and spooky graveyard scenes. Again we thought it was a great twist on an old favourite. 

Disneyland Anaheim Haunted Mansion Halloween display
Disneyland Anaheim ©Smith Family

Disneyland Anaheim Haunted Mansion Halloween
Haunted Mansion ©Smith Family

Inside the Haunted Mansion - The Nightmare before Christmas ©Smith Family
No other rides were as heavily adapted as the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain, although there were a lot of Halloween decorations around the park that lead into the rides.

Did the Halloween theming add to the experience?

I think the Halloween theme was great. Growing up in Australia where Halloween was not that big until recently, it is always nice to go somewhere where it is celebrated for the novelty value. I think it adds a new dimension to the Disney park experience.

Were there larger crowds because it was Halloween? Would you recommend Halloween a good time of year to go?

I didn’t think the crowds were any larger than usual. We always try to visit the parks off season and during the week to have a better experience anyway. In both instances we were there a few weeks before actual Halloween (October 31).  I would say if visiting in the week before Halloween, crowd numbers might increase then. They often run the Halloween theme for a few months before Halloween so my advice would be if you wanted to experience Halloween at Disney - go a month to a few weeks before to enjoy. 

Disneyland Anaheim Fire Department
If you visit the parks earlier in the day, there are less crowds ©Smith Family

Disneyland Anaheim Main Street
©Smith Family
Halloween Balloons

Did you see any funny things in the park because it was Halloween?

Nothing funny per se but the creativity with the Halloween decorations and incorporating into the park and the characters was fun. The Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse Jack-o-Lanterns were cute.

What was your strategy around the parks? Did you have favourites that you did first? Which FastPasses did you do?

With Disneyland (Anaheim) in October the first hour or so in the park was great as it had just opened for the day. We walked on to the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride and the Autopia race cars with no line ups.  Then we alternated between collecting FastPasses and lining up in shorter lined rides while waiting for the FastPass line. For example, we went and collected the FastPass ticket for the Haunted Mansion then waited in line for Pirates of the Caribbean and by the time that finished our FastPass time for the Haunted Mansion was ready. We did the same on Indiana Jones, got the FastPass then went on other rides while we waited. 

Walt Disney World chipmunks
Walt Disney World ©Smith Family
Disney Ticketed Events

‘Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party’ at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and ‘Mickey’s Halloween Party’ at Disneyland Anaheim are special events offered certain nights around Halloween. Disney also relaxes rules on Adults over age 14 being able to dress up (although please refer to the official Disney website for more details about costumes).

If you do not intend to buy a ticket for these Halloween Party Nights, please make sure you check the official Disney websites on what nights these events are on as the park may close early on these nights to general admission (no fireworks).

Thanks to the Smith family for their review. Halloween adds something extra special to a trip to a Disney Park. I hope you enjoyed reading about why Halloween is the best time to visit Disney Parks. I hope you can follow us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/themeparktravelguide

Other reviews by the Smith Family can be found here:


Until next week,

KJ  


Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/themeparktravelguide




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You can read about other Disney Parks below:

Blogs:
How to save money staying at Walt Disney World
Disney's Hollywood Studios - what to see and do before Star Wars Land opens 
My top 6 theme park rides in Orlando and why
The rides and attractions at EPCOT
EPCOT World Pavilions Part 1
World of Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Tips and Advice from WDW Castmember Part 1
Tips and Advice from WDW Castmember Part 2
A foodies guide to WDW
Disney Springs - Where to eat and what to do
Pandora and Animal Kingdom
What’s inside the Disneyland Castles Part 2
How to plan a Disney Wedding 
Planning Tips for Someone without a Car
Interview with an Annual Passholder -WDW





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This Website is neither endorsed nor affiliated with any Disney Park or Universal Studios park worldwide. This website is unofficial. To avoid disappointment please always check the official websites for current details of rides etc.  Please read my full Disclaimer here.

Location: Anaheim, CA, USA

Comments

Jen said…
I've never been for Halloween, but this makes me want to go!
15 August 2018 at 22:49
Anonymous said…
Love this post. I love Halloween and Disney!!
15 August 2018 at 23:12
KJ said…
Dear Jen, the Disney parks look so colourful don't they during Halloween. Thanks for your comments
16 August 2018 at 07:52
KJ said…
Dear Rachael, thanks for your comments. It does look like a lot of fun and not too busy either
16 August 2018 at 07:54
Minda said…
Cool! Will consider going around this time to experience the Halloween theme. We have gone when it was decorated for Christmas and that was neat!
16 August 2018 at 13:09
KJ said…
Thanks Minda for your comments. Christmas time must have been great in the parks.
16 August 2018 at 21:10
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