Disneyland Resort begins its Halloween season this week on August 23, the earliest kickoff ever for the Happiest Place on Earth. This head-start reflects a growing trend nationwide of consumers getting into the Halloween spirit sooner and sooner each year.
In fact, according to J.P. Morgan, Halloween sales began in 2023 for numerous retailers as early as the second quarter. While Q2 saw a surge in interest for all things Halloween on the retail front, Disneyland moved up the start of its seasonal offerings, which used to begin in early September.
In recent years, Disneyland has grown in popularity as a vacation destination for the fall months. Thrill Data, a website that tracks theme park attraction wait times, reports that the month of October ranks high as one of the busiest for Disneyland, in part due to its popular Halloween offerings.
Visiting Disneyland Resort in late August or September includes all Halloween offerings without the worst of the fall Disneyland crowds. Guests love the themed food, merchandise, and ride overlays, which only come around this time of year. A beloved after-hours event keeps the party going to the late hours of the night, offering not-so-scary thrills for all ages. Other holidays observed this time of year, like Día de Los Muertos, also find a home at Disneyland Resort annually and rank high among repeat guests as a must-see.
With so many popular offerings, a visit to Disneyland during Halloween requires additional planning. Take note of these activities, including ones available with theme park admission and requiring separate tickets.
Popular Halloween Party Returns to Disneyland
The after-hours Halloween party, Oogie Boogie Bash, returns to Disney California Adventure in 2024. The party, which requires separate admission, takes place on select evenings between Aug. 23 and Oct. 31. Attendees can access Disney California Adventure from 3 p.m. onward, and the party runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Oogie Boogie Bash features party-exclusive entertainment, dining, character meet-and-greets, trick-or-treat candy trails, and more. Often, Disney uses Oogie Boogie Bash to introduce villains to the parks for the first time, making the character interactions one of the party’s major selling points. Oogie Boogie Bash attracts Disney fans from across the country annually, with every event date for 2024 selling out within days of going on sale.
While it comes at an extra cost, theme park journalist Megan duBois believes families with older kids find value. “The party has a great parade, plenty of character interactions, plus a more spooky, but not scary vibe,” says duBois. Over the years, Oogie Boogie Bash garnered a reputation as one of the best after-hours events at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.
Other Festive Fall Offerings Available
Disneyland guests need not attend Oogie Boogie Bash to make the most of a visit during the Halloween season. Numerous limited-time offerings with standard theme park admission make the fall a popular time to visit. As duBois describes, “Both parks and all three Disney-owned hotels offer plenty of Halloween fun, including ride overlays, tasty Halloween foods, and entertainment.”
Upon entering Disneyland Park, guests encounter seasonal decorations, including a larger-than-life Mickey Mouse jack-o’-lantern. Select Disneyland attractions receive temporary overlays that embrace the holiday spirit. In late summer, Haunted Mansion transforms into Haunted Mansion Holiday, with characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas added to the ride. This version of Haunted Mansion returns annually, running from the start of the Halloween season and concluding following the Christmas holiday season.
At Disney California Adventure, Cars Land comes alive with the Halloween spirit. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters take on seasonal monikers Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-o-Ween, respectively. Once the sun sets, the popular ride Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! becomes Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark and features a new seasonal soundtrack and ghoulish monsters throughout the attraction.
In celebration of Día de Los Muertos, California Adventure hosts Plaza de la Familia, a colorful celebration inspired by the holiday and the world of Pixar animated film Coco. Plaza de la Familia includes a Memory Wall and the Mexican Árbol de la Vida, a meet-and-greet opportunity with Miguel, the main character from Coco, and an opportunity to design a paper mask featuring an alebrije, or spirit guide.
For duBois, Plaza de la Familia stands out as a highlight of the fall season at Disneyland Resort. “I love the movie Coco, and I love that I can learn about another culture through this offering.” A Día de Los Muertos display will also appear in Disneyland Park from Aug. 23 through Nov. 2.
Disneyland’s Halloween décor and activities outside the park do not require theme park admission. The Downtown Disney District features a scavenger hunt with pumpkins painted to resemble popular Disney characters, and unique displays emerge at the Disneyland Resort hotels.
