This year we had the opportunity to visit Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland. We have attended it in the past when it has been held at Disney’s California Adventure but, this year, it was held at Disneyland.
Moving it to Disneyland Park allowed Disney to sell double the number of tickets that they have in the past. So, instead of only have 9000 tickets available each night they were able to sell 18,000 tickets for each night of the party.
The party officially begins at 7pm and runs until midnight. Admission to the party requires a separate admission ticket. Anyone holding one of those tickets could enter the park beginning at 4pm. Guests attending the party are issued a wrist band that they wear during the party which allows cast members to make sure that only those people with tickets stay in the park once the party begins.
The decorations around the Disneyland resort are awesome at Halloween but even more magically appear on nights of the party. The decorations give the Park a festive atmosphere.
Guests in the park are encouraged to dress up for the party. This year my family went as Glee characters. There was a Rachel, Quinn, Sue and I went as coach Bieste. We saw great costumes! Everything from Disney Characters to the spookiest of Halloween Characters. I think the group that took the cake was the folks that dressed up as Tron using glow necklaces sewn to their black clothing to give them that familiar Tron glow.
Scattered throughout the park are several trick or treat stations where candy is dispersed in abundance. Upon entering the park each party guest is given a trick or treat bag that they can fill with goodies. This year there were stations in Critter Country, along the Rivers of America, in Fantasyland, along the trail between Fantasyland and Frontierland, in New Orleans Square and in Tomorrowland. And, if you didn’t get enough candy there was a big cart of it at the exit as well. I think my family of four came home with at least 20 pounds of candy! Well, not completely candy, they were also handing out sliced apples, mini-carrots and fruit leather if you preferred that over the candy.
There were also character meet and greets throughout the park. We visited Jack Sparrow in Frontierland, Mickey and Minnie in Big Thunder Ranch and Jack and Sally in New Orleans Square. The Villains were on the walkway to Small World and many characters were on Main Street in their Halloween Costumes.
All the attractions were open the night of the part so we were able to visit many of those too.
Also this year, the Halloween Fireworks were only shown during the party. These are great fireworks with Jack Skellington, Oogie Boogie and various other Disney Villains. Zero even makes an appearance as he flies over the castle. I think these were great fireworks!
There is a Halloween Parade as well that takes place twice during the party.
If you get a chance to visit Disneyland during October next year, make sure you consider attending Mickey’s Halloween Party!
Gleeks!