Mickey's Halloween Party is back for another frightfully fun season at Disneyland.
Last Friday I was invited to attend the opening night with my family, and today I'd like to share with you why it is worth the extra admission ticket to go to the party yourselves.
Eerie fog rolls over the Rivers of America making the atmosphere for the pirates meet and greet area just perfect.
The pirates meet and greet is set up at the entrance of the Columbia with lots of pirate chest full of treasures and skeletons for many photo opportunities for your group while you wait in line.
Across the way at Rancho del Zocalo is the newly themed dance party "Piratepalooza", which replaces the Nightmare Before Christmas dance party from last year.
Hop aboard the ship to find a DJ playing songs, while you get to dance with Donald Duck and Chip and Dale dressed at pirates themselves. Arghhhh!
More skeletons for more great photo opportunities.
If you were a fan of Jack Skellington's dance party last year, there may not be any dancing with him but you can get your picture with him in the same location this year.
Let's head over to Tomorrowland...
Buzz Lightyear's Intergalactic Space Jam returns at the Tomorrowland Terrace.
Not only do you get to dance with Buzz Lightyear and several Green Army Men, but Zurg also interrupts the dance party. Buzz will need your help in defeating Zurg in a short 5 minute show.
New this year in Tomorrowland is a meet and greet with Stormtroopers. If you are dressed like Darth Vader, they will salute you before posing for a picture.
Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade is also back with two parades each night during Mickey's Halloween Party.
For me one of the highlights of the night is getting to see Halloween Screams fireworks hosted by "Master of Scare-omonies" Jack Skellington. This is definitely one of my favorite firework shows at Disneyland, and you can only view it on one of the 10 special nights during Mickey's Halloween Party.
My favorite part includes seeing Zero fly through the sky, and Oogie Boogie interrupting towards the end of the show. Of course all the great Disney Villains make an appearance. This is a MUST see when attending Mickey's Halloween Party.
If you love your Disney Villains, they have their own location over by It's a Small World.
Get your photo with them, if you dare!
During the day at Big Thunder Ranch, you can enjoy watching the pumpkin carvers creating fantastic Disney themed pumpkins, but at night this is where you will find Jessie and Woody for photos, trick or treat stations (they are throughout the park), and Mickey and Minnie dressed for the party.
This year Mickey and Minnie can be found right at the entrance of Big Thunder Ranch with a cute Halloween display behind them. I would like to give this tip to anyone wanting to get their picture with them.... go to their photo spot first when the party opens. Their line is definitely the longest, and you don't want to waste over a hour to get your picture with them if you can avoid it. I have always made it a priority to visit them first before anything else, so I only had to wait 20 minutes for the photo. This year we skipped them, and got our picture with Peter Pan and Wendy (Hook showed up later with them) because we were in pirate costumes.
This year Phineas and Ferb also have a photo location at Plaza Gardens Stage, and Duffy the Bear is at Town Square on Main Street.
There are lots of candy locations for trick or treating throughout the park. Be prepared for lines, however they do move pretty efficiently.
While you head out of the park, don't forget to admire the projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle and all along the shops and buildings on Main Street.
So is the extra admission ticket worth it? For our family a definite YES! Adults can dress up at the park, which usually isn't allowed. You get the chance to be in costume with your favorite Disney characters making wonderful memories with photos, see the exclusive Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade parade and Halloween Screams fireworks, dance and mix with more of your favorite characters, and trick or treat throughout Disneyland with candy and healthy treats.
Although I was invited to attend, I had already purchased tickets for the same night in advance, so my opinion was not influenced by the generosity of the Disneyland Resort.
Mickey's Halloween Party is a separate ticket event held on 10 special Monday, Tuesday, and Friday nights: Oct. 3, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 and 31.
I made a fun little movie trailer with video I shot throughout the first night of Mickey's Halloween Party. Enjoy.
