Awesome Ways That Disney Celebrates Halloween Around The Globe
It’s almost time for the spooky season Disney friends! To celebrate we thought we’d share with you some of the incredible ways that Disney theme parks celebrate Halloween around the globe. From familiar spook celebrations in Disneyland and Disney World to frightfully delightful celebrations further afield, one thing is for certain. No one really does Halloween quite like Disney. So where will you celebrate this year?
Disneyland Resort
The Halloween fun at Disneyland Resort runs from September 6- October 31st and spans both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Main Street U.S.A features themed decor, a giant Mickey Mouse jack-o’-lantern and Pumpkin Festival perfect for taking selfies.
Haunted Mansion Holiday – Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Haunted Mansion will transform into it’s annual holiday themed – Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Halloween Screams – For the first time in early a decade guests will get to enjoy a version of this supernatural projection and special effects hosted by Jack Skellington. On select nights this production will also go sky-high with the addition of some spooktacular fireworks.
Head over to California Adventure where you’ll be immediately greeted by Oogie Boogie’s oversized silhouette summoning guests through the main entrance. Bats will adorn the facade of Carthay Circle while projections will transform the tower structure with some spellbinding moments. Be on the lookout for the 10-foot-tall statue of the Headless Horseman holding his pumpkin head hight on Buena Vista Street.
Cars Land: Radiator Springs will once again be transformed into Radiator Screams. You’ll chuckle at the fantastically themed Haul-O-Wee makeover as the townsfolk of Radiator Springs don their favorite Halloween costumes. Have your cameras at the ready to capture Lightning McQueen, Mater, Cruz, and Red in “car-stume” as they get ready to go “trunk-or-treating.” Popular Cars Land attractions transform as well: Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will get spooky as Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, while Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will get a seasonal twist to become Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark- During the Halloween season, Guardians of the Galaxy- MISSION: BREAKOUT! Magically transforms into Guardians of the Galaxy– Monsters After Dark. As the sun sets, the exterior of the attraction will go dark before powering back up with lighting effects. There’s also a seasonal storyline where the Guardians, having successfully escaped The Collectors Fortress leave Groot behind and Rocket must distract some dubious looking creatures while Groot is rescued.
Oogie Boogie Bash- The new Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party, is replacing Mickey’s Halloween Party. This seasonal soiree will start September 17 and run for 20 select nights at Disney California Adventure. Oogie Boogie will cast his spell and summon the Disney villains to scare up some thrilling surprises. The entire park will add party flair, from special music and décor to character encounters, treat trails and fresh live entertainment experiences.
Villainous- This new World of Color show stars Shelley Marie, an original character who has a decision to make about her Halloween costume. Can she really be as strong and unique as some of her favorite Disney characters? Shelley Marie is determined to find out, and this twisted tale will carry her on an unforgettable journey as she explores the villainous side of Disney characters in a show containing fountains, lights, lasers, projections, and special effects.
“DescenDANCE Party” – Head to the Backlot area of Hollywood Land for the rocking new “DescenDANCE Party,” inspired by Disney Channel’s popular Descendants franchise. A spell will be cast, calling 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 all three Descendants movies. Videos of the original “Villain Kids” may even materialize through magic mirrors!
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney’s “Not-So-Spooky Spectacular,” is a new evening extravaganza happening during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Presented on select nights from August 16 through November 1, featuring state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, lighting and dazzling fireworks. Jack Skellington will host this spooky affair, telling a not-so-scary story about how anything can happen on Halloween night. Jack’s ghost dog, Zero, will take everyone along on a trick-or-treating adventure, where Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy find themselves drawn into a mysterious haunted house. Their journey will take them from one room of the house to another, where they’ll encounter dancing skeletons, waltzing ghosts—and even Disney villains!
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party– This after-hours special event, with ticket prices starting at $79 is held for a record 36 select nights from August 16 through November 1. This specially ticketed celebration captures the spirit of the season through spooky décor, lighting, and music, along with returning favorites such as Mickey’s Boo to You Parade, the Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular castle stage show, and trick-or-treating throughout the park. Also returning for this year’s party will be special attraction experiences for Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain. New this year, when guests follow the treat trail into the Monster World at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, they will interact in unique ways with the comic cast of monsters as they learn about the Human World holiday we call “Halloween.” To get into the spirit, guests of all ages are encouraged to wear costumes for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are as follows:
August: 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30
September: 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27 and 29
October: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29 and 31
November: 1
Cruella’s Halloween Hide-Away- On select nights beginning at 9:30 p.m., join one of the most glamorous Disney villains—Cruella De Vil—for a fur-raising good time at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant ($99 plus tax). During this event, guests can pop in and out at their leisure tucking into savory hors d’oeuvres with a taste from the Witches Cauldron: a kettle of gooey and creamy spinach dip with ciabatta crostini, assorted flatbreads, and more! Sweet treats will include chocolate-dipped strawberries, cheesecake and mini cannoli, Kanine Krunchy cake, and Mini De Vil brownies, complemented by a variety of beverages including beer and wine selections, and more!
Guests will also be treated to a special reserved viewing area for the truly enchanting Mickey’s Boo-To-YouHalloween Parade at 11:15 p.m., featuring Cruella’s villainous pals. Post-parade, the fun continues at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant until 12:30 a.m.
Disneyland Paris
From September 28 to November 3, Disneyland Paris will be deadicated to all things Halloween! Disney Villains will be joined in a new show by Ursula, the devilish baddie from The Little Mermaid. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will return to their sneaky Halloween tricks during “Mickey’s Halloween Party” parade along with Donald Duck; his nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie; Daisy Duck; the Three Little Pigs; and more! Guests can see “Mickey’s Illusion Manor” again, featuring Mélanie Ravenswood in her wedding dress and the zombies from Phantom Manor. Maleficent will hold court in the Sleeping Beauty Castle Courtyard, inviting the bravest guests for a terrifying meet and greet as her dragon-like thorn wall spans as far as the Sleeping Beauty Castle Theatre.
From Main Street, U.S.A., to Sleeping Beauty Castle, pumpkins and ghosts will float around to amuse guests of all ages. And fans of thrills and spills will enjoy the new version of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, where guests will embark on a spooky experience with new immersive storylines enhanced by updated sound and visual effects. These intense new stories will feature an iconic character already present in the attraction. Thrills also abound at the legendary Phantom Manor, which has many surprises in store after recently completing its biggest refurbishment since 1992.
Guests to Disneyland Paris will also want to keep an eye out for Disney characters wearing new Halloween costumes, including Stitch, Max, and the Cheshire Cat, and more!
Tokyo Disney Resort
From September 10 through October 31 at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, guests can get into the Halloween spirit by dressing up on any day during the special event period. (For restrictions, visit the Tokyo Disney Resort website.)
Haunted Nightmare– Starting September 9, for a limited time only, the Haunted Mansion will be made over into Haunted Mansion “Holiday Nightmare” paying tribute to The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Festival of the Mystique – This year, guests are encouraged to participate in the eeriest celebration of the season. In the new harbor show, Festival of Mystique. An air of strange foreboding falls upon the Halloween celebrations of Porto Paradiso. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, and Clarice must come together to stop the “Sea Witches,” who have devised an evil plan. Together, the pals must prevent the rise of the wicked sea king and release Halloween from the evil spell.
Spooky ‘Boo!’ Parade- Mickey and Minnie will both appear in new costumes during this year’s Spooky ‘Boo!’ Parade, featuring floats inspired by various attractions and themed lands with a spooktacular twist. After dark, World Bazaar will be transformed with Halloween music and visuals. Fireworks will light up the night at both parks, all set to music inspired by the holiday.
A special set menu at Cafe Portofino will offer five different cocktails themed to the event, including one inspired by the “Sea Witches.” Throughout both parks, guests can taste themed menu items, including churros (maple-pumpkin) and tipo torta (purple sweet potato). At Plaza Pavilion Restaurant, guests can try a meat patty topped with cheese featuring a Jack Skellington motif. And for the first time, a caramel popcorn-flavored beverage (which comes with a doughnut) will be available. Restaurants and lounges at three Disney Hotels will offer special menu items throughout the celebration.
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