This is an entry for “Halloween Time” in our Disneyland 101 Glossary: Disneyland Resort definitions in under 101 words, from Mouse Brief. For answers to frequently asked questions about Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort
From late August through October 31, Disneyland Resort brings in seasonal decor, costumes, snacks and entertainment to celebrate Halloween. Some attractions even undergo special transformations (and name changes) for the season with new storylines, soundtracks or sets, like Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark in Disney California Adventure Park and Haunted Mansion Holiday in Disneyland Resort. There is an after-hours party in Disney California Adventure Park called Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party that requires event specific tickets. From late August to November 2, Dia de Los Muertos is also recognized in both parks of Disneyland Resort.
Thank you for reading this entry on Halloween Time at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park and the whole Disneyland Resort. For more Disney definitions under 101 words, please explore our Disneyland 101 Glossary. For answers to frequently asked questions about Halloween at Disneyland, keep reading.
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, FAQs
When is Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort?
Halloween is not just one day at Disneyland Resort. It’s a whole season, and a long one at that.
Halloween themed decor goes up in August before the start of the official Halloween Time season at Disneyland Resort. Disney California Adventure Park attractions flip over to their Halloween version around mid-August with Haunted Mansion Holiday in Disneyland Park following not far behind (that change-over is much more involved). Oogie Boogie Bash—A Disney Halloween Party dates have been increasing in number each year, but you can also expect the first of those parties to be around mid-August with the official Halloween Time season starting somewhere around the third or fourth week of August.
All of this continues through Halloween itself, October 31. After Halloween, the official Disneyland Resort Halloween Time season is over. Cast members start switching out spooky decor for festive holiday decorations, because the Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort starts around two to three weeks after Halloween Time ends. Of course, Haunted Mansion Holiday sticks around through the new year, because it is all dressed-up for Halloween and Christmas.
Did de Los Muertos offerings run mostly during the same time frame as Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, but officially continue through November 2.
Planning Around Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort
For what it’s worth, we have noticed that the first Oogie Boogie Bash date for the last few years has been before the official start of Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort. Plus, lots of the Halloween decor and some of the ride transformations or special entertainment also pop-up before Disneyland Resort’s stated dates for Halloween Time.
So, if you visit in early to mid August, you will probably experience a resort in transition and get some taste of Halloween Time. This is a nice option if you want to travel during summer break but still get a peek at seasonal offerings. Just keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed outside of the Halloween Time dates. Actually, even then, Disney calendars are subject to change.
But you best bet, if you are intent on experiencing all of the Halloween Time offerings, is to refer to the Disneyland Resort calendar for official dates and plan to visit during that time frame. (In the next questions, we will address what Halloween offerings are included with general admission.)
Finally, if you are trying to avoid Halloween changes, than it might be best to avoid August altogether, or at least stick to the very earliest days of August. Disneyland Resort Halloween decorations and ride overlays tend toward the fun rather than scary, but some kids may still find them intimidating.
We have an article about facing fears at Disneyland Resort here: Too Afraid to Ride: How to Handle Scary Disneyland Rides.
Do I need a special ticket for Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort?
The overall resort-wide celebration of Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort is available to all guests. In both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, you can enjoy Halloween themed decor, characters in special costumes, seasonal ride transformations and—depending on the schedule—Halloween entertainment. On top of this, dining locations have seasonal offerings, and shops bring out Halloween merchandise for purchase.
Outside the parks, in Downtown Disney District and the Disneyland Resort Hotels, there is more Halloween decor, music and food and merchandise available.
You can enjoy all of this without a special Halloween ticket. You will need valid admission to enter the theme parks, but you can enjoy the ambience of Downtown Disney District and the Disneyland Resort Hotels without a park ticket.
Now, there are a few offerings that do require a special event ticket or an extra fee. An example of this would be Disney’s Happiest Haunts Tour, but the most notable of these extra offerings is Oogie Boogie Bash—A Disney Halloween Party.
What about Oogie Boogie Bash—A Disney Halloween Party?
Oogie Boogie Bash is a very popular after-hours party at Disney California Adventure Park. If you want to attend Oogie Boogie Bash, you will need to buy a specific ticket for the day and party you wish to attend.
This Oogie Boogie Bash ticket will usually allow you to enter Disney California Adventure Park a few hours before the party (check the policies at the time of purchase) and stay for the duration of that particular party, but it does not count as valid admission earlier in the day. So while you are able to visit Disney California Adventure Park during some of the regular operating hours, your party ticket does not get you in for the whole day nor does it work for other party dates or for Disneyland Park.
On the flip side, general admission guests at Disney California Adventure Park without a party ticket will not be able to stay after regular operating hours to attend Oogie Boogie Bash. This is important to understand if you are visiting during Halloween Time, because Disney California Adventure Park closes early on Oogie Boogie Bash dates. Be sure to check the park operating hours if you plan to visit Disneyland Resort from mid-August through the end of October. If the hours have not been posted yet, you should still be able to see the Oogie Boogie Bash dates early on. Know that on days with scheduled parties, Disney California Adventure Park hours will be shortened.
One more thing about Oogie Boogie Bash: tickets for these parties can and do sell out early. If you want to attend one, we recommend making your plans sooner rather than later.
Which rides at Disneyland Resort change for Halloween Time?
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort even has some fun ride transformations!
A Halloween AND Christmas Ride in Disneyland Park
Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park completely changes into Haunted Mansion Holiday for both Halloween Time and Holiday Time. Haunted Mansion Holiday features characters and decor from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and truly, this ride completely transforms. The ride system and room layout are the same, but it is not a stretch to say that this is like a completely different ride.
Halloween Rides at Disney California Adventure Park
Over at Disney California Adventure Park, the two smaller attractions in Cars Land change for Halloween. They also change for Christmas, but, unlike Haunted Mansion Holiday, they actually have distinct versions for Halloween and then Christmas. These changes are less extensive than the ones at Haunted Mansion Holiday. Still you get new silly songs, and—like the rest of Cars Land—these rides get clever seasonal decorations (and puns). Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree Becomes Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters Becomes Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.
The final ride transformation is Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! becoming Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. Significantly, this ride overlay runs for only part of the day. The standard Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! opens with the park and runs until dark (which actually is usually more like mid-afternoon) and then Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, operates until park close.
Unlike the other ride transformation, our whole family agrees that Monsters After Dark is all around scarier than the standard Guardian of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! If you have someone who is nervous about trying this ride for the first time, you recommend that you try it when the standard version is running. You can read all about that and other tips for the Disney California Adventure Park rides here: How Halloween Transforms Rides in Disney California Adventure Park
Thanks for reading this Disneyland 101 Glossary entry on Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort
For more Disney deductions under 101 words plus answers to FAQs, please explore our Disneyland 101 Glossary. And for help planning your Disneyland visit, please read our free and complete Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep. Thanks again for reading.