The 2018 Halloween season has already started at The Disneyland Resort. And we know you are planning to go because Halloween Time is the best time to visit.
During Halloween Time, Disneyland offers the themed Disney’s Happiest Haunts Tour. For years this tour has proven extremely popular with guests.
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When hinges creak, in doorless chambers. And strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls. Whenever candlelights flicker, where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present. Practicing their terror, with ghoulish delight!
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The evening started at Tour Gardens, after checking in, we were given our name badges and asked to have a seat while we waited for our tour group to assemble. Soon, our tour guide came over and introduced herself. She would be our guide and gave us an audio-enhancement device with an ear piece. (Tip – you can bring your own headsets as long as they have a 3.5m plug which we recommend since the earpiece Disney provided wasn’t comfortable).
Our tour began by walking through Main Street USA. We learned about the early history of the Park and some of its haunting inhabitants. There are several stops on Main Street USA and the audio system helped substantially with hearing our tour guide. We also got to listen to several audio-clips from Walt and his imagineers on the development of Disneyland. Several windows on Main Street were pointed out as we learned about those men and women who were responsible in creating the magic for all of us.
The tour continued into Frontierland. Here we learned about the Halloween Tree, which has a rich history behind it. To many guests, it looks like a normal decorated tree.
The tree is near the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, with glowing orange lights and hand-painted jack-o’-lanterns hanging from its branches. The tree, which is inspired by Ray Bradbury’s 1972 fantasy novel “The Halloween Tree,” was dedicated to the author on Halloween night in 2007.
We then headed into New Orleans Square to hear how the Imagineers have included the Haunted Mansion storytelling outside of the mansion as well as inside. We ended up with a good view of the Haunted Mansion and were escorted inside to experience the attraction. Since it’s Halloween Time, the mansion’s makeover is inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Once inside you experience all your favorite frights plus scary seasonal surprises, all thanks to Jack himself. Sally, Oogie Boogie and other Nightmare nasties will also be on hand to wish you Season’s Screamings!
After Haunted Mansion Holiday, we headed back to Frontierland to check-out Día de los Muertos and learned about this annual Mexican celebration which remembers loved ones that have passed while embracing an eternal connection.
Located in Zócalo Park, this features a musical trio of iconic skeleton figurines called calacas, brightly colored flowers and other decorative items commemorating the occasion. It was a beautiful sight to see. We also got the opportunity to try a taste of Mexican Tradition with our first treat.
After our comfort break, we headed to Fantasyland to learn more about bewitching happenings, then it was off to Disney California Adventure Park. In past years, only Disneyland park was part of the tour. Since Halloween Time has been extended the 2nd park, the Tour now includes some fun Facts and a new treat to try.
At the end of the tour, we headed back to Disneyland Tour Gardens where one more surprise was waiting for us. I’m not going to give away anything here, but let’s just say, don’t let these spirits follow you home.
I enjoyed the tour though I can honestly say that I did not find much new information shared on the tour. Anyone interested in the Haunted Mansion and other spooky stories about the resort would easily be able to find the same information on the internet, but it was a wonderful experience all the same. Sadly, the tour does not go into any behind the scenes areas and it was still light out when we did the tour.
Pricing Details: $85 per person aged 3 years and older (discounts are available for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members). Admission to Disneyland is required and not included in the price of the tour. Be aware, this tour is not suitable for young children. It is a lot of walking (2.5 hours) and talking and looking at things.
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