Oh the Disneyland Halloween magic! There is so much you can do and so much to celebrate at the happiest place on earth during the spookiest time of the year. If you’re lucky enough to be able to book a drip to Disneyland park between September 2nd and October 31st, you’re in for a great time at the Disneyland Resort! That’s right – you can get the full effect of Halloween at Disney starting early September!
There are themed rides, decorations, food, parades, Disney characters, and of course, the Oogie Boogie Bash. This article is a complete guide and will cover everything from the smallest hidden mickey to the biggest parade during Halloween season. It happens to be one of the busiest times of the year so be prepared for higher theme park crowd levels and longer wait times for rides. Not to worry though – the Disney Halloween party, events, and festivities make it all an absolutely wonderful experience!
When is Disneyland Decorated for Halloween?
Disneyland is decorated for Halloween between September 2nd and October 31st. This is so the absolute most amount of people will be able to experience Disneyland in its full Halloween swing of festivities. Continue to reading to see what you’re in for if you visit Disneyland during this time!
Is Disneyland crowded on Halloween?
Yes, Disneyland is crowded on Halloween – especially if Halloween happens to land on a weekend. However, if you are an Oogie Boogie Bash ticket holder, Halloween won’t be that crowded for you when you’re at Disney California Adventure because the event is limited capacity.
Halloween Themed Attractions
One of the coolest things about Halloween at Disneyland is how much effort and detail goes into transforming some of their rides into a complete themed experience. The special effects and aesthetics alone of these rides are enough to make your Disney trip unforgettable.
Haunted Mansion
One of my favorite Halloween themes that Disneyland provides is the Haunted Mansion holiday remodel. During the rest of the year, we’re used to the classic Haunted Mansion ride where we’re drifting through the ghostly manor learning more about the cryptic residents and stories, Madame Leota, the murderous bride – it’s exciting as it is! But during Halloween and even through the Christmas season, Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is Nightmare Before Christmas themed! Here you will be brought through Halloween town, see Jack Skellington, Oogie Boogie, all of the frightful toys they made, familiar music and that classic Tim Burton nostalgia. Be sure to check your Disneyland app for the wait times for this one. Since it’s exceptionally awesome during Halloween, everyone wants to get a piece of it.
Ghost Galaxy
You may be familiar with Space Mountain and even Hyperspace Mountain, but during Disneyland Halloween time, this classic attraction turns into Ghost Galaxy! It comes with different lighting effects, music, and a feel that you are on a rocket ship flying through space on a haunted galactic mission! It’s a little creepier, a little more frightening, and sends chills down your spine that isn’t only caused by the cold air rushing past your face as you speed through the haunted galaxy!
Mater’s Graveyard Jambooree
Also known as Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree gets a Halloween makeover in Disneyland California Adventure as you ride around in Halloween themed cars in this thrilling attraction. It’s great for kids and great for adults who want to get the full Cars and Disney Halloween experience.
Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween
Formerly Luigi’s Rollickin Roadsters, Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween takes the scene during Halloween time in Cars Land. Another fantastic batch of Halloween themed ride overlays for this classic Cars Land ride.
Radiator Screams
Radiator Springs becomes Radiator Screams in Cars Land during the month of October! Remember that part of the ride where you’re going through the town? That part is fully renovated in spooky Halloween decorations. It’s exciting and gives the ride that much more of a festive touch. The wait times are definitely long so you’d best get the Genie Plus so you can get the Lightning Lane and skip the standby line, or go during the Oogie Boogie Bash when there are less people at the park.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters after Dark
Ok just a heads up – Guardians of the Galaxy has an enormous wait time as it is. When Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters after Dark opens during Halloween, the wait time gets even longer, but it’s understandable why. Just like Radiator Screams, you’ll want either the Lightning Lane or an Oogie Boogie Bash admission because this Halloween themed ride is definitely worth it. The entire ride changes to your mission to save Groot during a thrilling endeavor on Avenger’s Campus. Some say it’s scarier than it’s non-Halloween counterpart.
Disneyland Halloween Decorations
One thing you can expect from Disneyland’s Halloween fun are the decorations. Disneyland goes all out with filling Main Street, waiting areas, lines, attractions, and dining areas with Halloween themed decorum.
The giant Mickey Pumpkin in the town square
This is one of the most popular things to take a picture in front of during Halloween. Nothing says “I’ve been to Disneyland during Halloween” quite like a selfie or group shot in front of the giant Mickey pumpkin. Get in line though because there will be others!
Disneyland Halloween Tree
Right there in a Halloween theme Frontierland, you’ll see a massive Halloween Tree adorned with orange and yellow lights and jack-o-lanterns. It’s an excellent picture opportunity right outside the Golden Horseshoe.
Halloween at Buena Vista Street
Right when you walk into California Adventure, you will see the beautiful and festive decorations of Buena Vista Street. A tree illuminated with creepy black lights, spider webs, bats, and an eerie purple glow that brings Halloween to life for the holiday season.
Entertainment
Musical Celebration of Coco
Throughout October at Disneyland California Adventure, you’ll be able to see the Musical Celebration of Coco, which Disney describes as “a festive and colorful show that tells the story of the Disney and Pixar film with music, dance and authentic costumes, offered at Plaza de la Familia.” If you’re like me and you loved Disney Pixar’s Coco, this is a definite must-see.
Halloween Cavalcade
Every few hours throughout the park, you’ll see the Disneyland Halloween Cavalcade! It’s a wonderful and festive procession of Disney characters walking and driving down Main Street and around the park. You’ll see your favorite characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Jack Skellington, Disney villains, Disney Princesses, and much more along with Halloween music fun!
Disney Villains Dance Party
They Disney Villains Dance Party in Tomorrowland is great for children and little ones. You’ll see Lady Tremaine, Captain Hook, the Evil Queen, Maleficent, the Queen of Hearts and others!
Dapper Dans
Strolling through Main Street, you’re used to hearing the Dapper Dans sing and harmonize classic Disney songs that brighten the mood. Well during Halloween, the Dapper Dans are adorned in Halloween themed attire and sing Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize! Just another touch of Halloween fun!
Main Street Pumpkin Festival
During Halloween, Main Street at Disneyland will greet you with a frightfully delicious treat – amazing displays of distinctively carved pumpkins, including the enormous Mickey pumpkin. Set aside some time to check it out!
Dia De Los Muertos
Join in the fun as Frontierland hosts a very unique Dia de Los Muertos celebration! The festival is a chance to celebrate our eternal connections while remembering loved ones who have passed away.
Halloween Screams Fireworks Show
Wrap up your night at Disneyland with the Halloween Screams Fireworks show! Disneyland has made a complete Halloween themed fireworks and light show just that will make your evening just that more magical!
Food
Oh the food! Nothing makes your Halloween celebrations complete quite like Halloween themed Disney food and snacks. Here are some of festive food you can get during that time of year at Disneyland.
Disneyland Halloween Food
- Halloween Alien Macarons from Alien Pizza Planet
- Halloween Candy Sundaes from Gibson Grill
- Pumpkin Cheesecake from Jolly Holiday
- Bat Cookies from Market House
- Halloween Cakes from the Plaza Inn
- Halloween Grey Stuff from the Red Rose Tavern
- Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread from River Belle Terrace
- Churro with Pumpkin Dipping Sauce from the Casey Jr. Train Cart
- Pumpkin Spice Churro from Tomorrowland
California Adventure Halloween Food
- Halloween Candy Funnel Cake Fries from Award Weiners
- Vampire Mickey-Shaped Sourdough from Boudin Bakery
- Halloween Ice Cream Bar from Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream
- Oogie Boogie Macaron from Fiddler Fifer and Practical Cafe
- Spooky Sunset Surprise from the Filmore’s Taste-in secret menu
- Shortbread Halloween Cookie from Jack Jack Cookie Num Nums
- Mickey Bat Sourdough Bread from Mortimer’s Market
- Vampire Mickey-shaped sourdough from Pacific Warf Cafe
Oogie Boogie Bash
The Oogie Boogie Bash has replaced the “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” or “Mickey’s Halloween Party” and is one of a few ticketed special events at Disney California Adventure. It requires a totally separate admission fee and isn’t automatically covered by a reservation from a Magic Key pass. Furthermore, California Adventure is closed to everyone except people with Oogie Boogie Bash admission after 6pm so if possible, try to avoid making plans to go to Disney California Adventure after 6pm during the dates that the Oogie Boogie Bash is occurring. If you have a park hopper ticket or park reservation, you could start in California Adventure that day and go to Disneyland in the second half of the day.
The dates for the Oogie Boogie Bash for 2022 are the following:
September 6, 10, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25 27, 29
October 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Ticket prices vary depending on the day of the week. They have limited availability and tend to sell out quickly. If you’re fortunate enough to get a ticket, you’re in for a good time! Due to the limited availability, you’re looking at fewer people and smaller crowds and Disneyland California Adventure on those nights. In my opinion, that’s the best way to get the most our of Disneyland on Halloween.
Frightfully Fun Parade
This is one of the coolest Disney Halloween themed parades you will see at Disney California Adventure park. This Halloween parade is only available to those attending the Oogie Boogie Bash and if you’re lucky enough to see it, you’re in for a treat. It features an assortment of lights, music, festivities and fun including the headless horseman from Sleepy Hallow, Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Halloween costumes, of course Jack Skellington and friends from Halloween Town, the ghostly ballroom dancers from the Haunted Mansion, and an assortment of other Disney villains! Truly it’s a sight to behold.
Character Meet n Greets
With fewer people at the park, you’ll have a better opportunity to meet and take pictures with your favorite Disney characters!
Mickey’s Trick and Treat
You’re in for a treat at the Oogie Boogie Bash as Mickey and friends put on a live show filled with not-so-scary Halloween stories and tales. A definite must-see if you have children with you.
Villains Grove
Discover the worlds of Disney villains in “Redwood Creek Challenge Trail” as never before as ethereal scenes filled with hauntingly gorgeous color, music, light, and shadow play out.
Disneyland on Halloween Night
Yes Disneyland is indeed open on October 31st, Halloween Night. It’s a major holiday so expect long lines if you are looking to ride and visit attractions during the prime time of the day and evening. But just because the lines are long for some rides doesn’t mean you can’t have the absolute best time at the park!
Can you dress up for Halloween at Disneyland?
Yes you can! People are encouraged to dress up when visiting the Disney Parks on Halloween as long as they adhere to Disneyland’s rules. You can see their rules here. If you’re in compliance, then you’re in good company because there’s nothing like being in your favorite Halloween costumes at the happiest place on Earth.
Coming to Disneyland around Halloween is a great way to spend your holiday! Disney goes all out with making their theme parks and resorts festive with decorations, events, and attractions that you won’t want to miss. It’s excellent for family vacations and making memories. If you are looking to book your next Disney vacation, you can check out our article here called Best Family Hotels Near Disneyland.
