Fall Then and Now At Disneyland

Halloween Then and Now at Disneyland

Disney Gals Lori and Gayle Look at an Evolving Tradition

"When the hinges creak in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls.  Whenever the candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still. That is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror of ghoulish delight!

It doesn't seem like it has been more than a decade since I attended the first "Nightmare Before Christmas Enchanted Evening" special preview events. In 2001, Disneyland hosted the first of 4 consecutive, what was billed as special merchandise events, in honor of the then new holiday overlay that we all know today as Nightmare Before Xmas.  Each year we would await the announcement of this once in a lifetime night which always sold out almost immediately.  People from all over the world came for this one night event where we were not only treated to a special feast befitting of any foolish mortal but  had the opportunity to buy limited edition pins, collectibles and wide array of Haunted Mansion merchandise at it's best and of course were sent home with our own special Tarot cards.  Each year special panels were assembled ranging from Imagineers, to artists to the actors from "Nightmare Before Xmas" to talk about the making of the ride as well as the movie. The first year, Tim Burton and Danny Elfman themselves were on the list to appear but backed out at the last minute (although they did send a video message)  for what was rumored to be their disapproval of the overlay to the Mansion.  The highlight of all of these events was of course the ride itself!  When else would you ever have the opportunity to have the Haunted Mansion all to yourself at midnight with only the 999 happy haunts to keep you company. Fall and Halloween has certainly evolved over the years and has become one of the most magical times to be at Disneyland. After all, is there anywhere else you can trick or treat as you watch Zero fly over Sleeping Beauty Castle?

Fall for Disneyland

Disneyland Resort's annual fall celebration gets underway on September 16. It is a very exciting time to be there and fun for the entire family. When there is a chill in the California air the parks get a bit spooky. The Cast Members do an awesome job decorating the whole place.  The flowers welcome you and there are so many pumpkins it would take all day to count them.

When you head to Disneyland Park’s Tomorrowland, Space Mountain has a spooky overlay called Ghost Galaxy. Eerie shapes are projected on the classic attraction and they will give you chills for sure.  

The Haunted Mansion is transformed into a Tim Burton ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ theme.   Jack Skellington's Haunted Mansion Holiday seems to grow every year. There is even a real gingerbread house inside the dining scene. It smells great in there! You will want to enjoy this attraction a few times so put it into your touring plan.

Guests can get tickets now for Mickey's Halloween Party and choose from various dates in September and October for the special event. If you have never been it is a lot like MNSSHP over in the Magic Kingdom at Walk Disney World. This year there are many new things including the location. Keep in mind that your tickets allow you to enter at 4:00 pm, so it may be worth it to take advantage of the extra hours.  Getting dressed up is fun for all ages. Please remember that it is a family theme park and dress accordingly. When you enter you will be given your wristband, and that is how cast members will know that you are allowed to stay in the park for the event. 
Disneyland is also holding a "Halloween Art and Collectibles event at the Disney Gallery on Main Street USA. The event is this Saturday,September 15, 2012!