Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland - Is it WORTH it!?

Was Mickey's Halloween Party Worth It!?

This is the question I have been asked most by people after posting a pic of our family at Mickey's Halloween Party on Instagram. There's lots of reviewers online but I didn't see one from a LOCAL Disneyland mom. So here's my 2 cents. 

It was definitely worth doing once. For season pass holders there's no substantial break in price (a few dates were $5 less per ticket) so it was pretty expensive to do. We paid @$250 for 4 tickets. Ouch. I don't regret it, but it definitely wasn't a budget conscious decision.

If we didn't have Disneyland Season Passes and wanted a less expensive way to experience Disneyland, I would be all over this because I love the rides. If you didn't care about the Mickey's Halloween party, you could just skip all the trick or treating and entertainment and take advantage of the shorter lines. I think you could hit most all of them between 3pm -11pm.

If you love the ambiance of Disneyland, want to see it during this holiday, it's still something to be experienced. There's a mix of excitement and scare in the air. I'll give you a summary, and then go into more detail below.

Here's a summary of what I recommend:

Book in Advance. It's less expensive and dates sell out quickly.

Wear Halloween costumes! Most people are wearing costumes so you won't stand out. It's a good excuse to let go and get into the Halloween spirit.

Arrive at 3pm. (earlier if you have a seasons pass - our kids had school so we didn't get there until 5:00pm). Figure out when everything is happening and see what is most important to everyone in the group. A schedule is posted below.

Eat dinner before you get there. Fast food on your drive in, Downtown Disney or Main Street...whatever works. Or you can bring some sandwiches from home. This way you can get started trick or treating right away.

Start at Toon Town's Pre-Party. Then get in line early for the character meet ups if that's your thing. If that's not your thing, continue towards Adventureland. There's an eerie fog on the lake and other character meet & greets. There are talking scarecrows along the way that say hello or comment on costumes.

Take pictures upon arrival. This way costumes are still in tact, kids are awake and happy-ish, and there's enough light for good shots. Possibly with a Disney character.

Bring a Stroller. Even if your youngest seems too old. It's a great place to store all the candy while you go on rides!

Our Experience at Mickey's Halloween Party:
Our family had a great time. We are season pass holders and we come about twice a month but this was our first time doing Mickey's Halloween Party. By the time we got in, everyone was hungry (despite having eaten snacks before leaving an hour before). Just when the party was about to start, we were sitting down for dinner. It took us a good 20 minutes to find a restaurant that was still open. Now we know that MANY restaurants are closed for Mickey's Halloween Party. We ate chicken nuggets, fish and chips and funnel cakes at the Stage Door Cafe. Wouldn't have been my first choice but it was alright.

Talking Scarecrow outside the Stage Door Cafe

We then made our way through Frontierland. I WISH we'd know about the PRE-PARTY at Toon Town. They close Toon Town during the party, but have a lot of fun character meet and greets and Halloween treats for the pre-party. Next time. We trick or treated through Frontierland. The sights were interesting and the lines moved quickly from candy booth to candy booth with large handfuls of candy rewards.

Dia de los Muertos decor near Rancho del Zocalo Restaurant in Frontierland

Love Disney's attention to detail and cool props

Frontierland's Carnival

If you didn't want to start in Toon Town, I'd start here. It looked like we missed a lot of fun. Woody from Toy Story was here. He went on break and the kids didn't want to wait. 

They aren't into photo ops with characters (yet). 

Maleficent was definitely popular this year at Disneyland! #classicvillain

At some point, you're going to have to decide if you are going to keep trick or treating or if you're going to ride the rides while everyone else trick or treats. Lines are typically shorter at the start of the party and during the parade/fireworks show.


We caught a couple rides but did a lot of trick or treating too. We scored enough candy to make it through Trunk or Treating this past weekend. Of course all the Cast Members were so kind, complimentary and helpful. They made everyone feel special.

Healthy Options: If you're not into all the candy or your child has an allergy, there are healthy choices at each candy station. They have carrots, apple slices, dried apples, and lots of other great snacks.

Our Loot.  

You can bring your own trick or treat bags or they hand out bags at the front when you enter the park. My son's ghost has his name embroidered on it. When the cast members would call him by his name, he'd be flattered but puzzled and ask how they knew his name. I laughed and finally pointed to his name. He thought it was pretty cool.  

       
What's nice about going on rides during this time is the short lines. We went on some Fantasyland rides we normally don't go on due to lines. The party is crowded, but lines are not. If you don't care about the party, go on all the rides! 



There are rides that have extra special Halloween touches. Space Mountain is one of them. Even from the outside, you can hear the scary howl of the ghost.  I don't recommend it for little kids. I thought my 5-year old was pretty brave for wanting to go with me. Then on the ride I felt like the worst mother ever as he trembled through every fiery skeleton ghost encounter. I thought it was great, but can't handle bright flashes apparently!

However, you can experience this ride with regular admission to Disneyland during the Halloween season. Also, right now next to Space Mountain they are showing a 3-D preview for the new Big Hero 6 movie. It's cute, and perfect to do while waiting with littles.


The Villains fireworks show was worth waiting for. A little back story. We watch the fireworks from the Castle House homes often. We can even hear the fireworks promptly at 9:30 nightly - in IRVINE - 15 miles south of Anaheim. I'll be honest, we thought we were over them. Until this show. You must watch them at the park at least one night. It was incredible. I thought the music, show and fireworks were, well, Incredible. The villains stole the stage and made the traffic jam on the way out well worth it.

Main Street is where everyone is gathered to watch the Disneyland Fireworks. It's crowded so if you don't like crowds, you might want to reserve a spot at the Carnation Cafe or somewhere along Main Street to be able to sit and watch, go early. Fireworks start promptly at 9:30pm.

More Details about Mickey's Halloween Party: 

Season: September 12 - October 31st occurring most Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Price: $57-77
If you reserve early and/or are a season pass holder, you can get tickets for $57 each. Certain dates are $63 and as you get closer to Halloween it is $70 and then $77 on Halloween night.

You do not need to purchase normal Disneyland tickets - just the Mickey's Halloween party tickets to attend the party. You can’t use your party ticket for normal daytime admission to Disneyland, and you can’t use your normal day ticket for admission to Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland. Tickets are sometimes available on the day of the event, but if you really want to go, your best bet is purchasing tickets in advance, as many nights do sell out. 

Plan to do something else in the morning of Mickey’s Halloween Party saving your regular park tickets for other days. While the party itself only runs for 5 hours, guests may enter Disneyland 3 hours before the party starts, which means 8 hours of entertainment total. It would be a great morning to have breakfast at Goofy’s Kitchen character breakfast at Disneyland Hotel. Then you could stroll around Downtown Disney for a couple hours before heading in the park that afternoon and using only your Mickey’s Halloween Party ticket that day. It’s a good way to stretch your vacation dollars and make the cost of the Halloween Party a little more palatable.

Entertainment:

Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade
8:30pm & 10:30pm (stick around after fireworks)

Halloween Screams - Villain Fireworks Show
Nightly 9:30pm

Live Entertainment
Monsters U Dance Party - Tomorrowland Terrace
7:45, 8:45, 9:45, 10:45

Cadaver Dans - Rivers of America
Ghoul quartet floats on a river of fog
7:45, 8:45, 9:45, 10:45
http://youtu.be/1i4c7MOQUGo

Character Greetings: 
Villains - Main street
Pirate Pals - Pirate Wharf
Princesses - Fantasy Faire - Fantasyland
Aladdin & Friends - Aladdin's Oasis - Adventureland
Jack Skellington & Sally - New Orleans Square
Mickey & Minnie - Big Thunder Ranch - Frontierland
Toy Story Pals - Big Thunder Ranch - Frontierland
Winnie the Pooh & Friends - Critter Country
Phineas & Ferb - Innoventions - Tomorrowland
Star Wars Stormtroopers - Star Tours
PHOTO OP for those dressed up as Frozen characters - Small World Mall has a ice backdrop perfect for any ice queen or her friends!

PHOTO TIP!!
Photos are a MUST! When at Mickey's Halloween Party, take a moment (before the sun goes down) to get a picture of your kids at the park, maybe even in character. If your child's favorite character is there at the party - head there first! 

Our Little Incredibles

Ms. Violet, Incredibly sassy and sisterly

The Incredible Dash in all his superhero glory

My littlest didn't want to be Jack Jack so we made her Jill Jill. But if you ask her what she is for Halloween she says, "Minnie Mouse." Go figure.