2021 Guide To Halloween At Disneyland
/This post is updated frequently, please pin or bookmark it. Check back for updates as I will update this post with dates when Disneyland releases information.
How can I already be giving you a guide on Halloween 2021 when it’s not even Halloween time yet? Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort starts September 3rd. I love the fact, Disneyland lets everyone enjoy Halloween before October. This gives more people a chance to experience Halloween at the Disneyland Resort. Want to learn more? Read on.
Oogie Boogie Bash
Party dates will be: Sept. 9,11,12,14,16,19,21,23,26,28, and 30. Oct. 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28,30 and Halloween. Prices vary depending on the date, from $114-$169 per ticket. You will have to pay for parking.
Let’s address Oogie Boogie Bash first, since this is a hard ticketed event. I want to address prices since people get upset about the prices. It is expensive. For several years, this was the only way I could bring my children to Disneyland. You can visit Disney California Adventure three hours before the party.
Also, the Halloween parade is exclusive to the Halloween party. I recommend going to the earlier parties in September when they cost less. The last hour of the party, you can walk on rides. We walked right onto rides. It was amazing.
Remember you enter three hours prior to the party and the number of guests are limited so if you can get a ticket for $114 Oogie Boogie Bash is so worth it.
Fireworks
Halloween Screams. This fireworks show was exclusive to Mickey’s Halloween Party. Now everyone can see it! This projection spectacular hosted by Jack Skellington. On select nights, Halloween Screams will feature fireworks. Other nights it will be the projections and music only. Fireworks are subject to weather conditions. Disneyland plays the projections when fireworks are cancelled. This show is fun and the fireworks just add to it. I would not skip the chance to see the castle with these amazing projections. Another viewing spot is at It’s a Small World. The show duration is ten minutes. Be sure to check the entertainment schedule for show times before your visit.
Make Rope Drop
The best advice I can give you is Arrive early. Make rope drop enjoy the decorations before Disneyland gets crowded. Ride the Haunted Mansion Holiday later in the day the Haunted Mansion Holiday can be a 60 plus minute wait. If you are a fan of the Nightmare Before Christmas visit the Pieces of Eight Gift Shop in New Orleans Square. You can take your picture with Jack and Sally. Do this early. The line does get long.
Día de los Muertos
A beautiful Día de los Muertos display is small, but thoughtful is in Frontierland. Calaveras-style face painting is free but the line can get long. Like I said earlier arrive early.
I believe that the Día de los Muertos celebration at Disney California Adventure is wonderful. If you love Coco do not miss Plaza de La Familia at Paradise Gardens Park at Disney California Adventure. Enjoy this celebration inspired by Día de los Muertos. There will be live entertainment, interactive experiences, crafts, food and merchandise! A Musical Celebration of Coco performance will take place several times a day. Do not miss this as the Mariachi Divas will perform. Along with Miguel! This is a do not miss! Perfect for adults and children! This is one of the best shows during Halloween at Disneyland. You should not miss this if you love Coco.
Ride Overlays
Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy it is rumored that the overlay will not take place in 2021 and the official site does not list this overlay.
The Haunted Mansion Holiday is an overlay featuring the Nightmare Before Christmas. They decorate the inside and the outside of the Haunted Mansion. Jack Skellington will greet you on the elevator. You will meet his friends throughout the ride. Fan favorite Sally will appear in the graveyard scene. This overlay is the perfect mashup of Halloween and Christmas. The Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay stays up throughout Christmas. This is a do not miss.
Guardians of the Galaxy Monsters After Dark is a fun thrill ride. The Guardians must save Groot before monsters get him. This overlay takes place after sunset.Guardians of the Galaxy–Mission: BREAKOUT! turns into Guardians of the Galaxy–Monsters After Dark. At sunset the exterior goes dark and then powers back up with lighting effects. This is to show you something had gone wrong. When the Guardians escaped the Collector’s Fortress they left Groot behind. Rocket needs your help to distract the creatures to rescue Groot. Do not miss this seasonal overlay!
Disney took the Halloween theming up a notch when they decorated Radiator Springs. The theming is on point. Stop by Cars Land before it gets dark and then again at night. The lights make the decor even better. Lightning McQueen, Mater, Cruz and Red are in carstumes (cute right?) to take pictures with your family. The rides transform. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters becomes Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween. We love the songs on both rides. It is so much fun!
Food And Merchandise
As to Halloween food and merchandise. A few familiar items came back. Like The Headless Horseman Straw Clip and the tire pumpkin straw. The 2021 food and merchandise should be announced before September of this year. A few fan favorites are usually updated or return. Like the Oogie Boogie Bucket and the poison apple Stein. Click here (still 2019 link will be updated ASAP) to see the new merchandise.
Disney released all the unique Halloween offerings this year that will include many flavored churros. There will also be many other sweet and savory treats. You can find out more here. Via Disney Parks Blogs.
The only treat for 2019 released to the media is the one pictured below. It is available at Award Wieners at Disney California Adventure Park. Oogie Boogie-inspired funnel cake fries. Dusted in crushed chocolate cream cookies. Then topped with cream cheese sauce. Chocolate cream cookie pieces are another topping. Followed by gummy candies. Colorful chocolate coated candies and whipped top it off. Will you be trying it? Update coming on the food as soon as Disneyland releases the information.
Tips
Ray Bradbury’s inspired Halloween tree is a do not miss. The Halloween tree is in Frontierland near the Golden Horseshoe. Visit the tree during the day and visit it again at night.
If your little one loves Vampirina you are in luck. Your child can meet her and she has joined the Disney Junior Dance Party. She will also be part of Frightfully Fun Parade during Oogie Boogie Bash.
If you don’t know if your child will go on the ride I always recommend going to YouTube first. Look up the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride through. Watch the video with your child if they are frightened by the video don’t take them on the ride. It also helps to watch the Nightmare Before Christmas.
I also recommend families with children ages five and under bring a stroller. Remember Strollers larger than 31" (79 cm) x 52" (132 cm) and wagons are not permitted. You can park it and check on it every so often if you do not need it. A stroller will make for happier kids. If they get tired, you can push them. It also enables you to walk to and from your car if you park at Mickey and Friends. On days where there are long tram lines you may get to your car faster.
I recommend you read the costume rules and guidelines on Disney’s website. Even if you are not attending Oogie Boogie Bash your child can still dress up. This makes for adorable photo’s. Please note children 14 and up are not permitted to wear costumes.
If you are visiting Disneyland on the same day as an Oogie Boogie Bash Party, get there early. There are security checkpoints and the lines for security and park gates can get long.
During Fantasmic (if it is back at this time) The Haunted Mansion is harder to get to. So the wait time should be 20 minutes or fewer. It depends on how crowded the park is that day.
Pooh Corner sells Halloween treats and usually has shorter lines.
Here are some helpful posts to help prepare for your Halloween visit to Disneyland. Is this your first Halloween time visit to Disneyland? Comment below.
Tips for taking kids to Oogie Boogie Bash
Bringing preschool-aged children to Disneyland
