I just got back from Disneyland yesterday and it was such a fun trip! People have asked me how I don’t get bored/sick of visiting the parks (especially since I visit Disneyland and Disney World every month, hooray for being a Disney Premier Passport holder) and it’s simple: there’s always something new to experience and discover. That’s what I LOVE about Disney, no two trips are ever the same. I could honestly visit the Disney Parks EVERYDAY and never get bored.
There’s always new memories to be made at Disney and that’s what keeps me coming back month after month (and for the rest of my life!) While I’m no stranger to visiting Disney during the holidays (I can’t wait to spend Christmas and New Years at Disney World again this year,) this was my first time experiencing Disneyland during Halloween time! I’m a sucker for all things holiday and all things Disney so combining the two was like a match made in heaven for me.
I had a BLAST visiting Disneyland this past week and I think it’s something everyone should experience at least once. Here are ten reasons to visit Disneyland during Halloween time:
1. Haunted Mansion Holiday.
If you’re a Nightmare Before Christmas fan, Haunted Mansion fan or just a fan of AWESOMENESS then one of the biggest reasons to head to Disneyland during fall is to experience the Haunted Mansions amazing transformation into Haunted Mansion Holiday! Not only does the ride itself get a total Nightmare Before Christmas facelift, so does the outside of the Haunted Mansion (and it’s AMAZING!)
The Halloween/Christmas hearse was definitely one of my favorite things about the Haunted Mansion Holiday’s outside decor updates!
The Pumpkin King was pretty awesome too!
I HIGHLY recommend getting a FastPass for this ride since it was rarely under a 50 minute wait during the duration of my trip (which is understandable since it’s a seasonal ride!)
2. Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.
The Haunted Mansion isn’t the only ride that gets a Halloween transformation, Space Mountain turns into Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and it’s a MUST for any Space Mountain fan!
3. Gorgeous Halloween Decor.
One of my favorite things about visiting Disney during Christmastime is the amazing decor. Disney really goes all out for holidays and Halloween time is no different!
4. Yummy Halloween Themed Treats.
What’s better than a Disney candy apple? A Maleficent candy apple! Disneyland has so many festive treats during Halloween time.
5. Halloween Merchandise.
From adorable Halloween inspired glitterly Minnie Mouse ears to Disney villain candy bowls, Disneyland has everything you’ll need to get you through Halloween!
6. Meeting ‘rare’ characters.
During Halloween time, you’re able to meet characters who rarely make appearances for meet and greets like Jack Skellington, Sally and tons of Disney villains!
7. Dia de los Muertos Display.
Halloween isn’t the only holiday that Disney goes all out for during fall, Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland honors Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with traditional skeleton figures on display and brightly colored altars with marigolds and sugar skulls!
8. The Weather.
Weather wise, fall is a great time to visit Disneyland. During the day it’s warm enough that you can wear jeans (though I’d suggest sticking with shorts because it is California and you never know) and the nights are cool enough for a light hoodie! Basically it’s the perfect weather.
9. The Pumpkin Festival.
What’s Halloween time without a few (gorgeously craved) Disney jack o’lanterns?
10. Mickey’s Halloween Party.
Mickey’s Halloween Party is a separated ticket event held on select nights throughout September and October! Attendees get to go Trick-or-Treating throughout the park, meet Disney villains (and other characters), dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes, see amazing live entertainment and best of all, the party ends with a viewing of the Halloween Screams Fireworks spectacular (a firework show that is exclusive to Mickey’s Halloween party!)
How many people can say that they’ve gone Trick-or-Treating at Disneyland (well I guess anyone who’s attended Mickey’s Halloween Party but you know what I mean.) They gave everyone treat bags (with Frankenweenie on one side of the bag and Wreck-It Ralph on the other side) and it was so fun going through the treat trail and racking up on yummy candy!
Another great thing about Mickey’s Halloween Party is that since there’s so many different things going on (like Trick-or-Treating or meeting rare/lesser seen characters) there’s usually little to no wait times for rides! In fact, I was able to ride Splash Mountain TWICE within ten minutes because there was no line and Peter Pan’s Flight (which I waited 40 minutes for the day before) was only as 15 minute wait during the party!
During Mickey’s Halloween Party there was also lots of adorable decor that was exclusive to the party, like huge blowup Mickey head pumpkins that decorated all of the different lands throughout Disneyland!
I’m so happy I can finally cross visiting Disneyland during Halloween time off my Disney bucket list and I can’t wait until my trips to Disney World next month and in December/January for Christmas and New Years and then it’s back to Disneyland for Valentine’s Day (I can’t wait to experience Disneyland during Valentine’s Day, I LOVE spending holidays at Disney!)