HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[Sherry E]

I'm now trying to decide about going the week of Sept. 28th (29th is my birthday!) to Oct 1st, or late October. Can anyone tell me what the weather will likely be like in late september? Would it be much hotter than late october? I know it's a toss-up but any input helps! Thanks again

It's always possible that we could have hot weather all through October, but it's less likely to be uncomfortably hot in late October than it is in late September. I would stick with late October.

Can anyone confirm if characters sign autographs during MHP?

I remember this was asked before, and I was waiting for someone to answer more thoroughly. By my recollection, some of the characters were signing autographs -- but I don't know if all of them were. I remember waiting in a photo line, and saw a little girl handing over an autograph book.

 

[lorijohnhill]

While we were at the MHP last year, at the photo op for Mickey & Minnie, my daughter handed over her autograph book. Each character danced with my daughter while the other was signing her book. It was awesome!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Did anyone order their MHP tickets thru Costco (we have a package with them), wondering if the tickets will be mailed in advance or with the package.

 

[Kilala]

You mean it couldn't hold all of the candy in 2014, or did the bottom of the bag fall out? Or did the lights just stop blinking? I like those bags but, at almost $10, I would like them to last for a few years! I wonder if the bags that are closer to $5 are any more durable? Probably not.

The lights were going dim. The side of the bag was falling apart. I know I scaped up the bottom pretty good.

 

[Abbey1]

Did everyone who received their tickets already purchase early with their Disney Visa? I bought our tickets for the party on October 27th on the first day they were available to the general public, but was told to expect them in September. Is that information correct?

 

[mummabear]

So I really would like to eat at BTRBBQ but I can see on page one that it isn't open during the party. If I look at another party night It shows as being open for lunch until 3.55 (our ticket allows us in at 3)
Do we just need to be seated prior to 3.55 or would we need to be finished by then?
Does anyone know if they have high chairs?
And am I likely to be able to get in without and ADR? We will be straight off a 13 hour flight and I am not 100% what people will be feeling like, we may be too hungry to wait until we get to the park and then not be hungry again until much later.
I noticed on page 1 it lists the CS places open and with variable closing times. Is there at least something open until the very end of the party?

 

[Davidg83]

So apparently Pumpkin Spice m&ms weren't good enough for this year so instead we get Pumpkin Spice Latte lol



Also out were the fall glade scents with the usual pumpkin and apple scents. What caught my attention was the one called "Fall Antiquing" ... It seems as though they're out of ideas for new scents as this is a bit of a stretch!

 

[Kilala]

I don't like the anything that are milk chocolate it takes away from the taste. I love anything M&Ms make with white chocolate. I asked a staff lady in Target when they will have the fall stuff out and she said by the end of the month or the first week of September.

 

[Sherry E]

Did anyone order their MHP tickets thru Costco (we have a package with them), wondering if the tickets will be mailed in advance or with the package.

Of course, I have no clue how it works through Costco, but I would be inclined to think that the MHP tickets would arrive with the package. Are you going to call Costco? I'm curious to know how that works -- it will be good to know for future reference.

The lights were going dim. The side of the bag was falling apart. I know I scaped up the bottom pretty good.

From what I have noticed, a lot of reusable bags (from any store) do not seem to be very sturdy and durable... which is ironic, as they are intended to be used over and over again. I think that a lot of them only last for a few uses, if that much. I've noticed the same thing with the reusable grocery bags too -- many of them are flimsy and weak, and cannot hold many groceries. The paper bags with handles actually hold more in some cases and last much longer, which is surprising!

Did everyone who received their tickets already purchase early with their Disney Visa? I bought our tickets for the party on October 27th on the first day they were available to the general public, but was told to expect them in September. Is that information correct?

Some people are being told that the tickets will arrive 3 weeks before the actual party date, but that would mean you wouldn't get yours until early October. I am surprised you haven't gotten them by now (since you ordered them on 7/29), but maybe they told you September just to cover their bases.

I could be misremembering, but it seems like, in the past, people did not always have to wait this long for the tickets. Again, I could be totally wrong, but it just seems like there is a bigger delay this time around.

So I really would like to eat at BTRBBQ but I can see on page one that it isn't open during the party. If I look at another party night It shows as being open for lunch until 3.55 (our ticket allows us in at 3)
Do we just need to be seated prior to 3.55 or would we need to be finished by then?
Does anyone know if they have high chairs?
And am I likely to be able to get in without and ADR? We will be straight off a 13 hour flight and I am not 100% what people will be feeling like, we may be too hungry to wait until we get to the park and then not be hungry again until much later.
I noticed on page 1 it lists the CS places open and with variable closing times. Is there at least something open until the very end of the party?

I would think -- and I could be wrong -- that the last seating time is at 3:55 on a night when the party starts at 6 p.m. It's hard to say, though, as we don't know if there will be any kind of pre-party at the Ranch area, which could require them to close up a bit early. If I were you, I would just go to BTRBBQ right at 3 p.m., when you get in with the MHP ticket, just to be on the safe side.

I think there are high chairs, but I could be wrong.

I think that you could get in without any kind of reservation, but you might have to wait a while to be seated. And just in case they close at 3:55 or shortly thereafter, you might not want to risk waiting around.

There is probably at least one counter service place open for the duration of the party, or almost to the end of the party, if not most of them -- but I have no idea which ones.

So apparently Pumpkin Spice m&ms weren't good enough for this year so instead we get Pumpkin Spice Latte lol



Also out were the fall glade scents with the usual pumpkin and apple scents. What caught my attention was the one called "Fall Antiquing" ... It seems as though they're out of ideas for new scents as this is a bit of a stretch!

Davidg83 -- Thank you so much for the inside scoop on the seasonal goodies at Target! I follow a few different sites that giddily report on and review seasonal products every year, and while they caught on to the new Pecan Pie M&M's this year, no one has mentioned the Pumpkin Spice Latte M&M's, so that makes me think that they are Target exclusives that are yet to be discovered?

That's fantastic, though! I just laughed out loud, because you're right -- regular Pumpkin Spice M&M's clearly weren't good enough . So, M&M's had no other choice but to up their pumpkin spice game and add a "latte" element to them!

Meanwhile, Oreo has been suspiciously silent as far as a new Fall/Halloween flavor. This makes me wonder what they have up their sleeve. I suspect they will not want to be outdone by the other major brands churning out the Fall flavors.

And... "Fall Antiquing"?? I love the Glade seasonal scents, but "antiquing" makes me think of a stale, musty antique shop. The Glade version might smell great, but it doesn't necessarily conjure up a nice image that could translate well to a scent like "Ocean Breeze," or "Summer Day," or "Winter Night," or "Gingerbread Cookie." Even "Autumn Leaves" evokes a better image. I think you're right -- they have run out of ideas for the season, and yet they can't throw in the towel and give up, so they are now grasping at ideas for Fall.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Called to make an additional payment to Costco for our trip. The CM I got said that 21 days before our arrival I would get our whole package and the MHP tix would be included.

 

[Sith]

Did everyone who received their tickets already purchase early with their Disney Visa? I bought our tickets for the party on October 27th on the first day they were available to the general public, but was told to expect them in September. Is that information correct?

I purchased on 7/22 with Disney Visa. Received tickets 8/8.

 

[Sherry E]

Now that Star Wars Land is official, the question of where it is going to go looms large. DIS'er sheetz reported that in the Los Angeles Time it says that the new land will replace the Ranch.

I knew there was something suspicious about the lack of all of the different Halloween Carnival elements this year (even if there ends up being a semi-Carnival)! I figured that Disney either needed that Festival Arena space for something else (storage or rehearsal), or that they had other plans for it (like Star Wars Land), and were going to start clearing it out and moving the animals fairly soon!!

So, I don't know if we are going to get some sort of sad little barely-there Halloween Carnival this year, with characters only and nothing else, or if -- as we already suspected -- the Carnival won't happen at all. But if it is back in any way -- by some miracle -- this will almost certainly be the very last year for it. I doubt it would be open for next year's Halloween Time. So, if it is there this year, enjoy it while you can!

ETA: My hunch -- and I could be wrong -- is that Mickey's Halloween Party will relocate to DCA when the construction kicks into high gear in DL (if not in 2016, then in 2017 or 2018). They probably would not be able to use the Big Thunder Trail for spooky effects and lighting and fog while the Ranch is being torn down, and there will be major construction going on beyond that specific spot.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Now that Star Wars Land is official, the question of where it is going to go looms large. DIS'er sheetz reported that in the Los Angeles Time it says that the new land will replace the Ranch.

I knew there was something suspicious about the lack of all of the different Halloween Carnival elements this year (even if there ends of being a semi-Carnival)! I figured that Disney either needed that Festival Arena space for something else (storage or rehearsal), or that they had other plans for it (like Star Wars Land), and were going to start clearing it out and moving the animals fairly soon!!

So, I don't know if we are going to get some sort of sad little barely-there Halloween Carnival this year, with characters only and nothing else, or if -- as we already suspected -- the Carnival won't happen at all. But if it is back in any way -- by some miracle -- this will almost certainly be the very last year for it. I doubt it would be open for next year's Halloween Time. So, if it is there this year, enjoy it while you can!

ETA: My hunch -- and I could be wrong -- is that Mickey's Halloween Party will relocate to DCA when the construction kicks into high gear in DL (if not in 2016, then in 2017 or 2018). They probably would not be able to use the Big Thunder Trail for spooky effects and lighting and fog while the Ranch is being torn down, and there will be major construction going on beyond that specific spot.

I have read multiple articles stating that Star Wars Land will be build were Big Thunder Ranch is plus some backstage areas that include storage and maintenance facilities. The storage and maintenance facilities will be moved across the road to the land that houses the Carousel Inn at the moment.

This concerns me on a number of levels. First of all, I am not really into Star Wars at the best of times. I know a lot of people who are and I am genuinely happy for them. I also don't feel that this will fit thematically where it is going to go. I personally feel that California Adventure would have been a better fit. If it has to go into Disneyland, then I could see it either (partially) replacing Tomorrowland or going in the vicinity of this. However, trying to shoe-horn it between Frontierland and Fantasyland is just plain crazy. I am also very sad to the ranch go. This is one of those quirky and charming area that makes Disneyland so special and I will be very sad to see this leave. This also takes away and area where people and especially families with young children can have some downtime away from the crowds. Last but not least, I also don't like the sound of one of the hotels in easy walking distance to the park being torn down to make room for storage and maintenance facilities. Anaheim needs more of those and not less.

I agree with your hunch. My thoughts were that either they scrap the Halloween season completely for a few years while construction goes on or they move it to California Adventure. Now, the Halloween parties are such a nice moneyspinner for them so I don't think they would be willing to give up on that revenue so a move is more likely.

Corinna

Finally the schedule for first few days at Disneyland has been released. This has come with a few surprises. I had expected both parks to open at 10:00 with California Adventure closing at 20:00 and Disneyland at 21:00 with the exception of the party nights. Well, the only thing I called right is the closing time of California Adventure and even then I was surprised that the park is open until midnight on 25th September. I suppose this is to give people who are not heading to the party somewhere to go. On the day I arrive, Disneyland will be open until 22:00, which suits me just fine. When I arrive, I am planning to nap for three or four hours. I am then planning to head to the parks around 18:00. If Oswald is still due out then, I will head to California Adventure first to pick up my Photopass+ lanyard and to say “hi” to Oswald. I then have plenty of time to go over to Disneyland to stake out a spot. Paint the Night is on at 20:45 and Disneyland Forever at 21:30. By then I will be ready for my bed.


The next two days, the parks open at 9:00 and Disneyland is open until 23:00. This has given me an interesting problem. I had originally made a reservation for Goofy’s Kitchen for 7:40 on the first full day at Disneyland. I figured that the parks would not open until 10:00 so that would give me plenty of time to have a leisurely breakfast and maybe go for a swim before meeting friends at around 10:00 for a day in the parks. However, now I am second-guessing this and wonder if I should bring my breakfast reservation forward to 7:10 and go and enjoy some of Magic Morning at California Adventure before meeting up with my friends. I do however think that this may proof too much of a good thing and I am better off just sticking to my original plan. After all, I am getting more than enough park time on this trip.


One thing that utterly confuses me is that there are still not details about the Happiest Haunts Tour. I have not made up my mind if I want to do this or not, but I thought this could be fun. In past years, this started as soon as the Halloween season started. As tours can be booked 30 days in advance, I would have expected that by now we would have details for this. However, it still says schedule unavailable so this may require a phone call to see if this is bookable. I will wait until I come back from Dubai though that if it is bookable and I fancy it, I can make the booking on the same call.

Corinna

 

[tjcrabb]

One thing that utterly confuses me is that there are still not details about the Happiest Haunts Tour. I have not made up my mind if I want to do this or not, but I thought this could be fun. In past years, this started as soon as the Halloween season started. As tours can be booked 30 days in advance, I would have expected that by now we would have details for this. However, it still says schedule unavailable so this may require a phone call to see if this is bookable. I will wait until I come back from Dubai though that if it is bookable and I fancy it, I can make the booking on the same call.

Historically the blog doesn't really mention it until after it has started. I too think that is silly. I guess that just means more room for us.

So forgive my DL ignorance but isn't the thunder mountain bbq in the area where they are tearing down/constructing? I wonder if they will move it or close it completely? I have a friend that loves it and we will be there in oct and may of next year. If they are closing the area I want to make sure she goes one more time, plus I have never been before.

 

[mom2rtk]

Has the Happiest Haunts tour included any special parade seating before?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Historically the blog doesn't really mention it until after it has started. I too think that is silly. I guess that just means more room for us.

I did not mean the blog, but the schedule would show up on the Tours and Events page at about 30 days out. If I look on this page for September 13th to 15th, it still says schedule unavailable.

So forgive my DL ignorance but isn't the thunder mountain bbq in the area where they are tearing down/constructing?

Indeed.

I wonder if they will move it or close it completely?

I was thinking about this earlier, but could not think of an alternative location.

Corinna

 

[tjcrabb]

Has the Happiest Haunts tour included any special parade seating before?

It hasn't in the past because it was just the cavalcade but I don't know if it will for PTN. I would be a little surprised if it did though. It will be interesting to see what we learn when someone calls to purchase, I can't yet my 30 days aren't until september.

 

[pudinhd]

Now that Star Wars Land is official, the question of where it is going to go looms large. DIS'er sheetz reported that in the Los Angeles Time it says that the new land will replace the Ranch.

I knew there was something suspicious about the lack of all of the different Halloween Carnival elements this year (even if there ends of being a semi-Carnival)! I figured that Disney either needed that Festival Arena space for something else (storage or rehearsal), or that they had other plans for it (like Star Wars Land), and were going to start clearing it out and moving the animals fairly soon!!

So, I don't know if we are going to get some sort of sad little barely-there Halloween Carnival this year, with characters only and nothing else, or if -- as we already suspected -- the Carnival won't happen at all. But if it is back in any way -- by some miracle -- this will almost certainly be the very last year for it. I doubt it would be open for next year's Halloween Time. So, if it is there this year, enjoy it while you can!

ETA: My hunch -- and I could be wrong -- is that Mickey's Halloween Party will relocate to DCA when the construction kicks into high gear in DL (if not in 2016, then in 2017 or 2018). They probably would not be able to use the Big Thunder Trail for spooky effects and lighting and fog while the Ranch is being torn down, and there will be major construction going on beyond that specific spot.

I think I have said before that I really enjoyed MHP when it was at CA. The tickets were so CHEAP and the park seemed so empty! It was really enjoyable! I am sure that would not be the case in the future, but I will keep an open mind about moving the party back there. This may be a stupid question, but I am going to ask it anyway... Is there any possibility of doing a fireworks show at CA? I don't know that I would be excited about a Halloween WOC, but we love the fireworks, and think they would need some nighttime spectaculars for the party.

 

[Sherry E]

Historically the blog doesn't really mention it until after it has started. I too think that is silly. I guess that just means more room for us.

So forgive my DL ignorance but isn't the thunder mountain bbq in the area where they are tearing down/constructing? I wonder if they will move it or close it completely? I have a friend that loves it and we will be there in oct and may of next year. If they are closing the area I want to make sure she goes one more time, plus I have never been before.

Yep -- the BBQ place is at the Ranch! That is a very popular place, and there is no other BBQ place anywhere in Disneyland Resort. I don't know if it would be possible to open up a BBQ place somewhere in DCA -- it would have to be theme-appropriate, and the only land that would fit thematically would be Grizzly Peak. I don't know if there is anywhere to put a restaurant there.

Has the Happiest Haunts tour included any special parade seating before?

It will be interesting to see if this year's HHT includes seats for Paint the Night. In the past, they just charged a lot of money for the tour without any parade seats!

I think I have said before that I really enjoyed MHP when it was at CA. The tickets were so CHEAP and the park seemed so empty! It was really enjoyable! I am sure that would not be the case in the future, but I will keep an open mind about moving the party back there. This may be a stupid question, but I am going to ask it anyway... Is there any possibility of doing a fireworks show at CA? I don't know that I would be excited about a Halloween WOC, but we love the fireworks, and think they would need some nighttime spectaculars for the party.

As I was looking up all the party nights going back to the '90s (to add info to the second post on page 1), I had to chuckle at a thread or forum I found online, in which people were talking about how the prices had increased to $15.00. Of course, the party didn't have much content to it back then so $15 was more appropriate, but compared to the $84 or whatever it is just to go on Halloween night these days, $15 is practically free! I can remember getting into Disneyland for $15, way back when.

I don't know the logistics of pyrotechnics and fireworks and all of that, so I don't know how easy or hard it would be to pull them off in DCA. I'd have to imagine there is some way they could do it, but I don't know if Disney would do it. They may just whip out a Halloween WoC and a Halloween version of TSMM, finally put some Halloween decor back in DCA, throw in the Cavalcade and call it a day -- but still hike up the price, of course!

 

[ACDSNY]

I finished purchasing the party tickets for 19 of us on Oct. 25th yesterday so now I'm impatiently waiting for the park schedules to come out for October.