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When Is Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort?

I know that it’s Springtime, but let’s talk about Halloween! My travel partner Get Away Today is having a major sale right now where you can get special hotel discounts and your 5th day free!

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My family had such a blast experiencing Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort last year and I’ll be heading back this year to blog about all the new and exciting changes!

Last year, I partnered with Disneyland on this post all about Disneyland Halloween activities, fall treats, rides and more! I will be updating it as they release new information about 2019. 

Find the BEST Disneyland Resort deals here.

For 2019, Halloween time at the Disneyland Resort is celebrated from September 6 through October 31. That means there are more days than previous years for spooky family fun!

And, if you go closer to Halloween, Disneyland will also be transitioning to their Holiday decor. What better way to get the best of both worlds?

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Disneyland Halloween Food

Last year,  I was really excited about the treats at Disneyland at Halloween time. I’m really excited to enjoy their signature Disney treats plus the new ones they are unveiling.

I missed out on their Spoke-y Cone Macaron filled with marshmallow buttercream and candy corn last year and I’m hoping they bring it back. I mean, doesn’t that sound incredible?

And that’s just one of the many Halloween-themed food and beverage items. There were also cake pops, flavored churros, Bat Wing raspberry sundaes at Clarabelles Hand Scooped Ice Cream, and Mickey-shaped pumpkin spice (!) beignets at the Mint Julep Bar.

But, it’s not all just sweet stuff. There’s also some savory items. You can grab specialty soups and sandwiches, including the Haunted Firehouse chicken sandwich at Carnation Cafe.

This year, I will pick up the Mickey Bread with Fangs at Pacific Wharf Cafe to bring home!

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Disneyland Dia de los Muertos

The Disneyland Halloween festivities I looked forward to experiencing last year all revolved around Dia de los Muertos.

From the bright colors to the powerful reminder of cherishing loved ones who have passed on, Disneyland did a great job highlighting this tradition!

We headed over to Frontierland in Disneyland for a Day of the Dead exhibit that featured a trio of skeleton musicians, colorful flowers and other Dia de los Muertos decorative items.

And don’t forget to take your time at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park. At Ramone’s House of Body Art, there is an ofrenda for Doc Hudson. That part of the movie always makes me teary-eyed and I admit I was emotional to see it in person.

There was actually a lot of Coco-related stuff at Paradise Gardens including a photo op at the Tree of Life. We loved taking a family photo there!

Because the Day of the Dead occurs right after Halloween, these festivities are available through November 2, 2019.

I found this blog post from the Disney Parks Blog to be the most comprehensive guide to Dia de los Muertos at the Disneyland Resort.

Cars Land at Halloween

If you’ve read any of my other Disneyland posts, you know that I think Cars Land is one of the most magical places at Disneyland Resort.

It’s also a major reason we’re visiting Disneyland at Halloween time. Radiator Springs transforms into Radiator Screams with a “Haul-O-Ween” makeover! Be on the lookout for all the details on the buildings and around town!

Not only do they go all out with the Halloween decorations in Radiator Springs, but the characters also dress up! We can’t wait to take photos will Lightening McQueen, Mater, Cruz Ramirez, Red, and DJ in their “car-stumes!”

Plus, the attractions in Cars Land also get a Halloween makeover. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, and (our favorite) Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters gets a festive twist as it transforms into Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.

Finally, don’t forget to come back at nighttime for a completely different experience! Radiator Springs really comes to life with its neon glow and it’s a whole new experience with the additional Halloween lights!

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Vampirina was New for 2018 Disneyland Halloween Time

Whether you’ve been visiting the Disneyland Resort during Halloween time every year or this is your first time, it’s always fun to see what’s new.

Vampirina, from the Disney Junior hit series Vampirina arrived at Disneyland Resort for the first time last year. She was available for meet and greets at Disney California Adventure Park. And families could see her during the Frightfully Fun Parade at Mickey’s Halloween Party last year.

I know my preschooler was very excited to meet her! He doesn’t normally like vampires, but he thinks Vampirina is pretty cool!

Disneyland Rides for Halloween

One thing that I love about Disney is that when they do something, they go all out! Not only do the decorate key areas of the Parks, but they also change up the attractions!

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY – MONSTERS AFTER DARK

My husband was really excited to experience this nightly transformation of Guardians of the Galaxy– Mission: BREAKOUT!

According to Disney, “As the sun sets, the attraction’s exterior goes dark and then suddenly powers back up with lighting effects, a signal that something has gone awry.

The Guardians have successfully escaped The Collector’s Fortress, but have accidentally left Groot behind.

Guests help Rocket distract the creatures that have been released so he can rescue Groot in this exciting seasonal overlay.”

HAUNTED MANSION HOLIDAY

When I think of Halloween at Disneyland Resort, I always think about Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.

I’ve heard this is the only time of year where guests can meet Jack Skellington in person!

Regardless, visitors can enjoy Halloween thrills when the Haunted Mansion transforms into Haunted Mansion Holiday!

It’s a fun combination of Halloween and Christmas featuring Jack Skellington and his unusual take on the holidays.

SPACE MOUNTAIN GHOST GALAXY

This one sounds pretty scary for my little ones (and me, I admit!) but I bet it would be amazing for thrill-seekers!

Hop on speeding Space Mountain vehicles to explore a ghostly galaxy full of menacing spirits! If you like eerie screams, creepy music, and spine-chilling surprises, this will be right up your alley!

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Oogie Boogie Bash–A Disney Halloween Party is NEW for 2019

Something that was separate from all the rest of the regular Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort festivities was Mickey’s Halloween Party.

For 2019, Mickey’s Halloween Party has transformed into the Oogie Boogie Bash–A Disney Halloween Party and it’s now located at Disney California Adventure.

This after-hours party is where you can meet Disney characters in their Halloween costumes, trick or treat throughout Disneyland Park, see the new “World of Color” nighttime spectacular, walk through the new “Villainous!” villain-themed experience at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, participate in the DescenDance interactive dance party, and dress up as a family!

This is a ticketed event on 20 select nights for after-hours fun. Here’s what else you should know for 2019:

SEPARATE TICKET

What’s cool about the Oogie Boogie Bash — A Disney Halloween Party is that you don’t need Disneyland tickets to attend. So, if you are in the Los Angeles area, you can pop over just for the event without spending an entire day at Disneyland.

Tickets go on sale April 23rd for Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Visa card holders and April 30th for everyone else.

OOGIE BOOGIE BASH HACK

Your ticket for Oogie Boogie Bash–A Disney Halloween Party actually gives you admission to Disney California Adventure parks up to three hours prior to the party’s start time on Tuesday and Thursday nights (excluding Oct. 29 and Oct. 31.)

If you go on a Sunday night (or Oct. 29 or Oct. 31) you’ll get FOUR extra hours of fun!

So, this is an awesome way to kick off a Disneyland vacation without paying for park tickets on your arrival day. Or, it makes a great “rest” day during your Disney vacation.

“VILLAINOUS!”

The new “World of Color” show, “Villainous!,” exclusive to Oogie Boogie Bash.

In this nighttime spectacular, Oogie Boogie weaves a Halloween tale about a young girl (and all-new character) named Shelley Marie.

In “Villainous!,” Shelley has a decision to make about her Halloween costume for this year, and finds herself wondering if she could really be as strong and unique as some of her favorite Disney characters.

This twisted tale carries Shelley on an unforgettable journey, exploring the villainous side of Disney characters through fountains, lights, lasers, projections and special effects. “Villainous!” shows guests that, deep down, there’s a little villain in all of us.

VILLAIN-THEMED REDWOOD CREEK CHALLENGE TRAIL

A transformed Redwood Creek Challenge Trail becomes a wondrous and ethereal world of Disney villains unlike anything seen before.

Redwood Creek will be completely transformed with lighting, projections, sounds and special effects, creating a dreamlike environment.

This new experience unfolds in a series of scenes, each creating a hauntingly beautiful dream-space of color, sound, light and shadow, as stories emerge from the darkest night to create an enchanting world.

IMMERSIVE TREAT TRAILS

New and wonderfully wicked, fully immersive treat trails throughout Disney California Adventure, where guests may enjoy trick-or-treating under the watchful eyes of iconic characters such as Mad Hatter from Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” or even Oogie Boogie himself.

Additional treat trails will feature oversized cauldrons full of treats for all guests at Oogie Boogie Bash.

DESCENDANCE INTERACTIVE DANCE PARTY

The new DescenDance, a pulsing party in the Backlot area of Hollywood Land, inspired by the popular “Descendants” franchise from Disney Channel. Here, guests will find so many ways to be wicked.

As the DescenDance begins, a spell is cast, summoning the greatest dance crew from the Isle of the Lost to throw down and lead everyone in moves that are set to the biggest hit songs from the “Descendants” movies.

Once the DescenDance crew returns to their realm, the Backlot DJ continues to spin tunes that will make any “villain kid” proud, inviting everyone to step onto the dance floor into the night.

MICKEY’S TRICK AND TREAT SHOW

The new Mickey’s Trick and Treat show, perfect for young guests, at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land.

This new, interactive stage production invites guests of all ages to join Mickey Mouse and his pals as they throw a one-of-a-kind Halloween party that include dancing, not-so-frightening scary-tales, and candy.

DISNEY VILLAINS

Are you always on the hunt for photo ops with Disney villains? Guests attending Mickey’s Halloween Party may also visit Villains Square for a chance to encounter and take photos with Disney villains.

CARTHAY CIRCLE

New Halloween magic, which appears on the façade of Carthay Circle on Buena Vista Street. Carthay Circle will be enchanted throughout the night as bats swarm, green energy pulses from within and spellbinding moments transform the iconic tower structure.

PHOTOPASS DEAL

Attendees have access to unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads of photos taken during the event! That makes it easier than ever to capture memories during the Oogie Boogie Bash–A Disney Halloween Party.

With so many Disney characters dressed in Halloween attire throughout the park, you may have a ton of photos!

DISNEYLAND HALLOWEEN PARADE

The guest-favorite “Frightfully Fun Parade,” which will come to Disney California Adventure park for the first time.

The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow arrives on his ghostly black steed just ahead of the parade itself, carrying his flickering jack-o-lantern.

He heralds the arrival of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse who lead the cavalcade of characters, including Jack Skellington and many mischievous Disney villains who are ready to stir up some trouble along the parade route.

ADULTS CAN WEAR COSTUMES

The really big thing, though, is that EVERYONE is encouraged to dress up in costumes! Normally, only kids can wear costumes at Disney Parks.

So this is a unique opportunity for teens and adults to go all out in their Disney costumes.

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Disney Family Costume Ideas

If you are attending the Oogie Boogie Bash–A Disney Halloween Party, you’ll definitely want to plan out your family’s costume.

Personally, I think the obvious choice is to pick a favorite Disney movie as your theme. But, it could be really cute to dress us as Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse and put a costume on top of that!

Shop Halloween costumes and accessories featuring favorite characters at shopDisney today!

COCO

This is the one I’m lobbying for in our family. Not only is it one of my favorite PIXAR movies, but it fits perfectly with the Dia de los Muertos celebrations at Disneyland.

If you just want a little touch of Coco, pick up a pair of the coveted Coco Dia de los Muertos Minnie Ears at the Parks. They are a hot item, so grab one if you can!

Otherwise, you can easily Disneybound as Miguel with this red hoodie for adults or this one for kids!

THE INCREDIBLES

The Incredibles is another awesome choice. You can dress up as members of the family (including Baby Jack-Jack!) or choose another Super character.

I’m pretty obsessed with designer extraordinaire Edna Mode, so that would be my top pick. Plus, she’d an Edna Disneybound would be pretty easy. You’d just need her iconic glasses and to wear a fabulous black outfit.

TOY STORY

With the opening of the new Pixar Pier at Disneyland last year, there are so many cool Toy Story photo ops!

Poultry Palace and Senor Buzz Churros are just a few of the places that would be cute to pose in a costume!

What I love most about using Toy Story for a family costume is there are SO many characters to choose from!

And it’s easy to do a Toy Story Disneybound by adding a few cowboy/cowgirl elements like this Woody Hat or these fun cow print leggings.

STAR WARS

With Disneyland opening up Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in May, this is another fun choice. Plus, your kids could pose with Star Wars characters throughout your trip!

My 5 year old is a HUGE Star Wars fan. Well, he’s only a fan of the bad guys. He loves to dress up as Kylo Ren and have the rest of us be his stormtroopers.

I’m going to buy Star Wars costumes for both my boys regardless because they have fun dressing up at home and using their imaginations!

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What to Bring to Disneyland During Halloween

GLOWSTICKS

I know I always recommend families bring glowsticks on their Disney vacations, but it’s even more fitting during Halloween! Pick up some bright orange glowsticks or these fun glowsticks with bats and spiders.

EXTRA CLOTHES

Just in case costumes don’t fit Disneyland’s dress code/guidelines, bring extra clothes. This is also helpful if you think your kids won’t want to be in their costumes all day long at Disneyland.

I think these Mickey Mouse Halloween jammies would be super cute to change kids into after dinner!

JACKETS

Yes, I know I just said to bring extra clothes, but this is for another purpose. October can get a little chilly, even in SoCal. So, pack a sweatshirt or jacket for everyone in your family.

TREAT BAGS

If you are attending the Oogie Boogie Bash–A Disney Halloween Party AND you are very motivated to take advantage of all the treats available, you might want to bring your own empty bag.

OR, you can fill your own Halloween-themed treat bags to give to your kids throughout the day at Disneyland Resort.

For mine, I’m thinking of packing this Mickey Halloween book and these Mickey Mouse Trick or Treat supplies.

Thanks to Disneyland for providing media tickets for my family. All opinions are my own.

More Posts about Disneyland Resort

Disneyland with Toddlers: Tips + Itinerary
Best Disneyland Hotels for Families with Young Children
Why You Should Go to Disneyland with a Baby
7 Ways to Prep for Disneyland with Toddlers
Ultimate Guide to Disneyland While Pregnant

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