Your Guide to 2016 Halloween Time and Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland
What You Can Expect at Halloween Time
Halloween Time at Disneyland is upon us once again. If you have never visited the parks during this festive season, you’re missing out. Halloween Time, the name given for this month long Disney event, is one of our favorite seasons at Disneyland, as the park comes alive with ghoulish décor, spooky entertainment, and visits from your favorite Disney villains. 2016 Halloween Time occurs from September 9th through October 31st.
During Halloween Time you’ll find many changes throughout both parks at the Disneyland Resort. Though Disneyland gets a much more thorough makeover than California Adventure.
Here’s What To Look For During Halloween Time at Disneyland
2 Rides get complete makeovers:
• The Haunted Mansion is taken over by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The entire ride from start to finish is different, and quite the experience. And you can often find Jack Skellington nearby, available for pictures and autographs.
- Hyperspace Mountain becomes Ghost Galaxy. The entire storyline of the ride changes, and you must escape space while being chased by the ghost that haunts the Space Mountain galaxy.
Special Food, Theming, and Events are also included during Halloween Time
• The Tower of Terror is celebrating its final months in operation, soon to be replaced by Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! Don’t miss “Late Checkout” where you can ride in total darkness! (Read more about the Tower of Terror’s last days Here)
• Halloween themed food! Our favorite, by far, are the pumpkin beignets at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square. Also look for Minnie Witch, Poison Skull, and Jack Skellington candy apples. And much more!
• Frontierland will be celebrating Dia de los Muertos with art displays and traditions of the Day of the Dead.
• Disney’s Happiest Haunts Tour — $85 each (does not include park admission)
- This is a 2-hour walking tour of Disneyland Park culminating around the Haunted Mansion. We’ve heard this is going to be quite the experience this year!
Mickey’s Halloween Party — $72–99
Mickey’s Halloween Party is a special event that happens on select nights during Halloween Time at Disneyland. It is an opportunity for everyone to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes, trick-or-treat throughout the park, and most importantly enjoy shorter lines for rides!
Tickets always sell out fast for these events, so buy early if you plan to go! The advance ticket price is available up until one day prior to the event of your choice. Adults and kids pay the same price.
Here are all the dates for Mickey’s Halloween Party 2016:
Friday, September 23rd — 7:00pm — Midnight
Monday, September 26th — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Wednesday, September 28th — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Friday, September 30th — 7:00 — Midnight
Monday, October 3rd — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Wednesday, October 5th — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Friday, October 7th — 7:00pm — Midnight
Monday, October 10th — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Wednesday, October 12th — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Friday, October 14th — 7:00pm — Midnight
Monday, October 17th — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Wednesday, October 19th — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Friday, October 21st — 7:00pm — Midnight
Monday, October 24th — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Wednesday, October 26th- 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Saturday, October 29th — 7:00pm — Midnight
Monday, October 31st — 6:00pm — 11:00pm
Exclusives that you’ll only get at Mickey’s Halloween Party
• Entry into the park up to 3 hours before the party begins
• Trick-or-treat stations set up all over the park (with healthy options too!)
• Halloween Screams Fireworks
• The ride of the Headless Horseman
• The Frightfully Fun Parade — a parade filled with all our favorite Disney villains!
• The Cadaver Dans — Halloween Time’s version of the Dapper Dans sing throughout the party.
• Disney Villains take over Villain Square. This is the perfect opportunity to get autographs and photos with your favorite villains. Use the Disneyland App to locate them throughout the park.
• And last but not least SHORTER WAIT TIMES! There are almost always shorter wait times for all rides during Mickey’s Halloween Party!
Costumes At Mickey’s Halloween Party
Disney encourages all guests to wear costumes. It isn’t required, but most children and quite a few adults will be dressed up.
Here are Disney’s costume guidelines:
• Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
• Guests who dress like characters may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
• Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
• Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
• Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
• Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g. full-length Princessdresses).
For Guests Ages 13 and Under:
Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long as the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.
For Guests 14 and Older:
Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
• Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and hats are acceptable.
• Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords, and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
• Masks of any kind may not be worn.
Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removedfrom unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards.
Here’s What We Suggest To Get The Most Out of Mickey’s Halloween Party
• Save trick-or-treating for later in the evening. The lines can get long at first because everyone trick-or-treats when they arrive. Later in the evening, there are usually no lines at all.
• Get on as many rides as you can! The lines are very short! This is a rarity, and we have to capitalize on it when we can!
• Get a spot somewhere on Mainstreet for the fireworks show at least 1 hour early.
• Bringing a blanket to mark off your spot is very helpful, however, don’t leave it unattended or cast members will remove it
• Make sure you can see the front of the castle because a lot of the show happens there!
• Bags for trick-or-treating will be handed out, so no need to bring your own.
• Parties earlier in the week are always less crowded than Friday and Saturday parties
- The closer you get to Halloween the more crowded the parties get. Parties in September tend to be much less crowded.
- Most children wear costumes, but it’s not a requirement.
If You Are Planning a Visit During Halloween Time But Won’t Be Doing Mickey’s Halloween Party
If you won’t be attending Mickey’s Halloween Party, but want to visit the park during Halloween Time, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when choosing the date of your visit. And if you can’t afford the extra tickets, don’t fret, they are quite expensive, and you don’t need to do the Halloween Party to have a spectacular trip.
Just keep the following things in mind:
• Make sure to plan your visit on a day when Mickey’s Halloween Party won’t be happening (find all the dates here).
• This is important because as soon as the party begins, guests without tickets get kicked out at 6 or 7pm.
• However, days when the party is occurring tend to be much less crowded.
• So if you don’t mind leaving at 6 or 7pm, then these days may be perfect for you
Mickey’s Halloween Party is great, but it is expensive. Don’t beat yourselves up if it isn’t in your budget. Halloween Time at the resort is amazing, and you can have a phenomenal Halloween experience without doing anything extra. It is one of our favorite time of year, and we’ve definitely had wonderful experiences without Mickey’s Halloween Party, and so can you!
Bonus Tip!
Pack a blanket to mark off your seats for parades and shows. Usually, an hour in advance is plenty of time to get a great seat. Just don’t leave your blanket unattended because cast members will be forced to remove it!
The Matador Blanket is a great option and one we use all the time. It folds up into a compact attached pouch making it easy to take with you anywhere. And best of all, its waterproof!
