PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Parade, Updated Fireworks Debut at Disneyland’s “Mickey’s Halloween Party”

Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Park kicked off on Friday night, bringing with it a new parade, updated fireworks, and more to the Disneyland Resort for the Halloween Time season. Our own Conner Purzycki was on the scene to bring you a look at some of the new offerings for this year.

Mickey's Halloween Party

Mickey’s Halloween Party

Frightfully Fun Parade

New for 2016 is the Frightfully Fun Parade, replacing the rather lackluster cavalcade that has been presented at the party over the last several years.

While a nice addition, the Headless Horseman still moved painstakingly slow, just as it has been at Walt Disney World over the last several years since one of the horses fell while performing. At Disneyland, the Horseman did have 4 escorts, which definitely took away some of the coolness from the Florida version.

The parade is a clear improvement over the former offering, but hopefully will be expanded upon year to year with new floats. It is a solid start to what could be a really fantastic parade at the park.

Halloween Screams Fireworks

Halloween Screams fireworks have returned for the 2016 parties, upgraded with new projection and lighting effects that really add to the show.

Treat Trails

Treat trails are plentiful at this years party, although many are bunched very close together.

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The coolest Treat Trails in our opinion are those that go through the Golden Horseshoe and Pinocchio’s Village Haus. The quality of the candy is the same as it has been, offering a number of respected name brand candies.

There is an Annual Passholder exclusive treat trail where APs can get a free tote bag and lots of treats as well.

This and Bat… I Mean, That

The atmosphere around the park for the party is pretty fantastic, enhanced this year with some new effects.

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Much of the infrastructure installed for the now-defunct Disneyland Forever fireworks show was utilized to decorate the Main Street facades, Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the facade of “it’s a small world” even.

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Disneyland Resort Review: Mickey’s Halloween Party 2014

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Image © Disney

Most the time in life one wouldn’t rave about a “lightly attended” party., but when the party is at Disneyland, that is, like many elements of Mickey’s Halloween Party, worth mentioning. But the light crowd isn’t for lack of trying. In fact it is intentional. So that’s different. And so is the fact that Guests are encouraged to wear costumes to the event, a usually verboten practice.

Mickey’s Halloween Party, which over the years has gone by several different names, is a separately ticketed event where guests can enjoy (not so) scary Halloween fun. There is a “mix-in” period available for Guests who want to arrive a bit early. Once the Day Guests, who don’t have wristbands are… eliminated, you will be chillin’ like a villain.

The California party is a variant of “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” held in The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

The party on Tuesday, September 30 was a sold out event, but it never felt like it. Sure, their were some long-ish lines for some of the photo opportunities and of course, at times for the Haunted Mansion in its Nightmare Before Christmas costume. But overall the capacity for the event I attended seemed set nice and low, making for a really enjoyable evening.

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Special lighting and music bump the “creep factor.’

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In Ghost Galaxy, no one can hear you scream. A chance to ride Space Mountain in nearly total darkness.

Trick or Treat stations are abundant at the

You can’t swing a cat without hitting a Trick or Treat station at the Mickey’s party.

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All Bad-ies; All the time in Town Square. Villain photo opportunities are popular.

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“She seems nice.”

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Halloween can be a time for mentoring.

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I think the first couple “phoned these costumes in.” I mean, what are they supposed to “be?”

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Great expectation…

©Disney

A box of raisins in your candy bag. Photo © Disney

The hit of the night was was the special nighttime show – Halloween Screams: A Villainous Surprise in the Skies – an unwieldily name for an excellent fireworks spectacular. 

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Your host: Jack Skelington. Seen here as a scary Jack-O-Lantern. Jack and other members of this terrifying troop are projected onto a large helium balloon.

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The “globe” is a really effective trick and adds to the very different atmospheres that “Screams” evokes.

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All in all, Mickey’s Halloween Party is an excellent experience. The best part being the slight number of Guests – roughly half the “population” of a normal day in the park.

These events are nearly sold out, so if you want to try a different Disneyland Park experience, act now.

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Hurry back. Hurry back…

Larry Delceg’s 10/2/12 Disneyland Halloween Party Photo Report

Larry went out to the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this past week & gave us some picture details of the decorations, guest costumes & atmosphere of the evening. Overall the Halloween Party seems to be a hit for children & adults alike!

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Zocalo Park in Frontierland has an abundance of “Day of the Dead” decorations!

Come Enjoy the Halloween Carnival, back behind Thunder Mountain on your way to Fantasyland!


Even the goats are decked out in Halloween scarfs!


The artists who carve the Disney themed pumpkins are always fun & entertaining to watch!


Be sure to catch a performance from Billy Hill & the Hillbillies!


Here you can “Summon A Villain” and have a more intimate meet & greet!


Aside from the villains there are also some old familiar faces dressed up to greet guests.

Now lets take a moment to look at some of the costumes around the park!


Santa even comes out on Halloween!


No shortage of pirates!


Some Star Wars fans!


A princess or two

Cast members pre-brief  before staffing the treat stations...
Cast members being briefed before staffing the treat stations! Yum!


Jack & Sally came out for the evening too

The impressively tall 2012 'Haunted Mansion Holiday' ginger-dread house.
The impressively tall 2012 ‘Haunted Mansion Holiday’ ginger-dread house.

Club Buzz!


The fog affect across the Rivers of America add a perfect bit of spooky atmosphere


Even the castle gets a dose of the creepy

Thanks for reading! If you’ve been during Halloween, tell us about your trip in the comments!

And We’re Back With Some News

Sorry for my absence for the past few days as I was enjoying the lovely Walt Disney World Resort. Now to update you on all the news that we missed the last few days.

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Behind the Wall: Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park

On Friday, Blue Sky Cellar re-opened at Disney California Adventure park with new looks inside the continuing development of Buena Vista Street and Cars Land. Among the behind-the-scenes peeks featured are these images, which show Cars Land in its current state of production.

Read More about And We’re Back With Some News

First Look at “Piratepalooza”


From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Piratepalooza Dance Party at Mickey’s Halloween Party, Disneyland Park

If yesterday’s Disney Parks Blog pirate takeover got your pirate flag flying, you should check out the new Piratepalooza Dance Party during Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland park.

Piratepalooza Dance Party at Mickey’s Halloween Party, Disneyland Park

Each night of Mickey’s Halloween Party, “Pirate” Goofy and his pirate pals will take over Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante and enlist guests into their pirate crew. Dance a pirate jig, join in a “yo ho” sing-along, and play swashbuckling pirate games. Young pirates-in-training can take home a special Pumpkin Pirate souvenir coloring sheet. It’s a pirate’s life for everyone! Arr!

“Boo-tiful” New Looks Coming to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

From Michelle Harker the Disney Parks Blog:

Can you believe it? Halloween is just a month away. The questions of what kind of treats to buy, what costumes to wear and how to make your home décor look more spook-tacular this year are starting to fill the air. Get your “To Do List” ready and let me give you a few tips on how you can make this Halloween more fun and less frightful.

Many locations throughout Disneyland Resort are set to meet all of your Halloween needs including World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney District and Disney Showcase in Disneyland park. Make your way to Port Royal if your Halloween should suddenly turn into a “Nightmare Before Christmas.” Visiting Disney California Adventure park? Then consider Treasures in Paradise as your one-stop shop for costumes and Halloween accessories.

Princess Package at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disneyland Park

Just in time for Mickey’s Halloween Party, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disneyland park, best known for their princess dresses, tutus and tiaras, will offer an assortment of Halloween headwear that can be added to any transformation package. With a little Disney magic and a Halloween touch, your princess can have a “boo-tiful” new look. Cool Knights are in this Halloween season, too, ready for battle with a sword and shield in hand.

‘Mini’ Character-Inspired Hats at Studio 365

If your inner rock star is crying out, don’t let the ghostly spirits haunt you away from Studio Disney 365 in the Downtown Disney District. Experience “Stage Fright” on an entirely different level with a selection of “mini” character inspired hats, including Tinker Bell, Cheshire Cat or the Mad Hatter. Add a braid, a twist and a pop of color, and voila! Your rock star makeover is complete. Not only are you ready to make your debut, but you’ll dazzle other trick-or-treaters with your super star looks.

Let us “transform” you from head to toe this Halloween season. Halloween treats at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Studio Disney 365 will debut September 30, while other offerings are available in stores now. Cross a few things off your “To Do List” and plan on having fun this Halloween!

Halloween Time Starts Sept. 16 At The Disneyland Resort

NAHEIM, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2011) – The spirit of Halloween Time will invade Disneyland Resort this fall with Disney villains, Mickey Mouse and his friends in Halloween costumes, along with  the seasonal transformations of Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain into Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort begins Friday, Sept. 16, and will continue through Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31.

The after-hours Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separate-ticket event* which has become an annual highlight of Halloween Time for trick-or-treating families, will take place in Disneyland park on 10 special Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights: Sept. 30 and Oct. 3,7,11,14,18,21, 25, 28 and 31. Tickets are available at Disneyland.com/halloween.

Mickey’s Halloween Party invites adults and children to dress up in costume and trick-or-treat at the resort. These party participants can also “mix in” with regular Disneyland guests for three hours prior to the start of Mickey’s private bash. Highlights of Mickey’s Halloween Party include:

  • Newly themed dance party: Guests can mix, mingle and dance with some of their favorite Disney characters at the new “Piratepalooza” at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante. The popular “Buzz Lightyear’s Intergalactic Space Jam” returns to the Tomorrowland Terrace for more dancing fun.
  • New character photo locations: Guests will meet Stormtroopers at Tomorrowland, Phineas & Ferb at Plaza Gardens Stage, and Duffy the Bear in his pumpkin attire at Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A.  Eight additional photo locations feature princesses, Disney villains and more Disney and Pixar pals.
  • The special opportunity to play in Disneyland for three hours before the party starts
  • Trick or Treating – candy and healthy treats ­- in the ultimate Disney neighborhood
  • The “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, hosted by “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington (presented exclusively for guests of  Mickey’s Halloween Party)
  • “Mickey’s Costume Party” cavalcade, performed twice nightly
  • An opportunity for everyone in the family to attend the park in costumes
  • Nearly all the favorite Disneyland rides and attractions

Tickets purchased in advance for Mickey’s Halloween Party are $49 most days, while tickets purchased on the event days are $59.  All tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 28, and Halloween Night, Monday, Oct. 31, are $64.

Favorite Disney characters, including Mickey himself, will dress up in fun, fall costumes.  It’s the ideal environment to eat special holiday treats, play interactive games, listen to “spirited” music and watch a nightly character cavalcade that celebrates the season.

For Halloween fun at Disneyland, guests will enjoy Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland.  The experience begins as a typical Space Mountain adventure, but suddenly launches voyagers into a haunted section of the universe.  Ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space.  The exhilarating drops and curves of the journey are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music.

Jack Skellington also returns to take over the Haunted Mansion and bring back Haunted Mansion Holiday to New Orleans Square in Disneyland.  Transformed to a mix of Halloween spookiness and Christmas tradition, Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the classic animated film “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.” Jack’s return to the Haunted Mansion includes the traditional Halloween/Christmas gingerbread house in the Mansion Ballroom, with some special spooky surprises in this year’s design.

Halloween Time offers frightfully delightful fun for children and adults.

  • For spine-tingling fun, drop in at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure park, where a “supernatural” event happened on Halloween evening, 1939, forever haunting the building.
  • Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland is transformed for the Pumpkin Festival. More than 300 pumpkins will be on display and none of them are the same!
  • Visitors to Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland will find ranch animals, pumpkin carvers, Halloween décor and activities for youngsters.
  • Meeting Disney characters will be easier than ever as Disney villains gather to plot Halloween mischief at “it’s a small world” Mall in Disneyland, while other characters in spooky attire greet guests in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland will honor Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead with traditional skeleton figures on display Sept. 16 through Nov. 2.
  • Special Halloween treats will be available in Disneyland, including menu items such as Zero’s Ghostly Ghoulash, served in a dog dish in honor of Zero.

Mickey’s Costume Party Calvacade

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Mickey’s Costume Party has been added as a fun, new exclusive experience at Mickey’s Halloween Party, the special, nighttime event at Disneyland park on Halloween night and Tuesdays and Fridays in October.

Mickey’s Costume Party is a new cavalcade featuring Disney characters and floats parading down Main Street, U.S.A. Today we’re giving you a first look at artwork for the opening of the cavalcade.

Mickey’s Costume Party Artwork
There are lots of treats in this cavalcade you won’t want to miss. Here are some highlights:

  • Disney Characters will be dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes.
  • There’s a purple Haunted Castle Float decorated by Mickey with bats, ghosts, spider webs, pumpkins and skulls.
  • The Costume Shop Float celebrates the fun of dressing up for Halloween.

I’ve also heard that the upbeat, spooky music will have you dancing, jumping, shaking and maybe even howling along as we celebrate the magic of make-believe and spooky Halloween fun.

Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party are now available and can be purchased at Disneyland.com/Halloween. Here’s an insider’s tip: if you purchase tickets in advance, you’ll get a great discount on select nights. There’s also a discount for annual passholders on select nights.