Disneyland Halloween 2021 is officially in full swing. Halloween has always been one of my absolute favorite times to visit the Disneyland Resort.
There are plenty of special experiences and attractions to get excited about, including the return of the Oogie Boogie Bash, the Dia de los Muertos celebration at the Plaza de la Familia, and the 20th time the Haunted Mansion has been transformed into Haunted Mansion Holiday.
You might be wondering, when does Disneyland decorate for Halloween? Well this year, the Halloween Time fun begins on September 3rd and carries all the way through the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration through November 2, 2021.
Disneyland Halloween Fun at Oogie Boogie Bash
On select nights throughout the Halloween season, The Oogie Boogie Bash, takes over Disney California Adventure during the evening. During these special nights, the park closes early to regular guests, allowing ticket holders to enjoy Halloween Disney style.
Note: The Oogie Boogie Bash requires a separate ticket and is already sold out for 2021.
Numerous Trick or Treat trails will be dishing out enough candy (and healthy alternatives) to keep your kids deliriously happy until the wee hours of the night. Various character encounters and rare photo ops take place around the park, as well as a Frightfully Fun Parade, Mickey’s Trick & Treat show, and Villains Grove located in teh Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Is this your first trip to Disneyland? Haven’t been in a while? Check out all our Disneyland tips.
Good-to-Know Tips for Oogie Boogie Bash
- Since Disney only sells a limited number of tickets to each party and there are so many fun distractions to enjoy, the lines for rides are actually much shorter than normal! So be sure to buy your tickets in advance as dates sell out quickly. 2021 dates are already sold out.
- Dress up! Disneyland Resort typically limits costumes to kids under 14, but at Oogie Boogie Bash, everyone can join in the fun, regardless of age. Check Disney’s website for rules on costumes as there are restrictions for guest safety.
- Lines to take pictures with rare characters can be long, but die-hard fans will say it is worth it to snag a pic with the likes of Claude Frollo or the Sheriff of Nottingham. Bonus! PhotoPass downloads are included with your ticket to the bash.
- Come early. Tickets to the Oogie Boogie Bash actually get you in the park up to three hours before the party begins. Use this extra time to explore even more of the park’s seasonal offerings (see below).
Halloween at Disney California Adventure
Halloween decor weaves throughout Disney California Adventure. Starting from the entrance to the park, guests are met with Halloween-themed fun from a giant Oogie Boogie. A 10-foot statue of the Headless Horseman holding his jack-o’-lantern head dominates the scene on Buena Vista Street.
The facade of Carthay Circle’s tower is transformed with swirling, spooky bats in the belfry. Spooky-fun music, Halloween window displays, and Mickey and friends ready for pictures in their Halloween costumes round out the experience near the park entrance.
Haul-O-Ween at Cars Land
Speaking of costumes, the residents of Radiator Springs are joining in the “Haul-O-Ween” fun by dressing up in “car-stumes” to go “trunk-or-treating!” I know!
You won’t want to miss pictures with these vehicles. Mater is dressed as a “van-pire”, Lightening McQueen is a super hero (no surprise there), Red the Fire Truck is a clown, and Cruz Ramirez is a pirate.
The streets of Radiator Springs have also been covered in automobile themed-decor. Near the entrance to Radiator Springs, Sarge’s Pump-kin Patch is filled with “pump-kins” and the yard art at Fillmore’s includes a variety of Halloween-inspired items, including a spinning mobile of “jack-oil-lanterns”.
There is a themed miniature model of the Cozy Cone Motel made out of seasonal candy near at the lobby of the Cozy Cone Motel.
The music playing in the background is Halloween-themed, helping set the mood. There is a Scare-car (the Radiator Springs version of a scarecrow), a Zombie Car, and a Spider-car in front of Flo’s V8 Cafe.
As a matter of fact, there are 30 car-achnids lurking around Radiator Screams! Don’t miss Old Witchy Miss Lizzie and her curiosity shop filled with special Haul-O-Ween souvenirs.
Ramone is celebrating the Day of the Dead in his auto-detailing shop with special painted hoods, an ofrenda, and even a sugar car (reminiscent of sugar skulls).
During the evening, be aware of the supernatural spirits that have taken over the town. The Sheriff’s voice can be heard over the loud speaker in a attempt to restore order in town.
Cars Land rides also boast a few Halloween updates. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree has transformed into Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree with Mater singing Halloween-themed songs like “Monster Truck Smash” and “Purple Fender Bender” while you spin yourselves silly on the mini tractors.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters celebrates Haul-O-Ween with their “Terror-antella” and transforms into Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.
Dia De Los Muertos at Plaza de la Familia
Back by popular demand, Paradise Pier’s Plaza de la Familia celebrates Dia del los Muertos with some help from characters from the film Coco.
Don’t miss the massive ofrenda like the one Miguel built in the film and appearances by Migel himself. You will also want to seem the impressive Arbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) and Plaza de la Familia Memory Wall. There are crafts for the kids, like making “alebrije” spirit guide masks.
You definitely will make time to see the live music and dance show, “A Musical Celebration of Coco.” I love watching the folklorico dancers twirl in their beautiful dresses. In addition, the Mariachi Divas will be playing in the Plaza de la Familia, along with Mariachi Espectacular.
Food for sale at Paradise Garden Grill is Mexican-themed and includes a traditional tamale plate, tortitas de papa, polle verde wet burrito, tacos estilo callejero, Mexican hot chocolate, and a “Coco” cake.
Guardians of the Galaxy- Monsters After Dark
Guardians of the Galaxy gets in on the Halloween fun by transforming into Guardians of the Galaxy– Monsters After Dark.
The exterior facade of the ride transforms, as does the theme of the ride itself. This Halloween-themed ride which follows the premise that the power breakers go out letting all of the monstrous creatures out of their cages while Rocket asks you to help him find and save baby Groot. There is even a fun song to get you in the spirit of the season.
Halloween at Disneyland
Every nook and cranny of Disneyland Park is enveloped with Halloween and fall decor. I love spotting the individually carved unique pumpkins along Main Street and snapping pics in front of the giant winking Mickey pumpkin.
Park visitors looking for a touch of Día de Los Muertos in Disneyland park will find skeleton figurines, flowers, and decorative items in Frontierland, just outside the entrance to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
2021 the 20th time that the Haunted Mansion has been transformed into Haunted Mansion Holiday. This special ride transformation brings Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas to life
My kids find this version of the ride less scary than the original and love to see their two favorite holidays, Christmas and Halloween, blended together in such a whimsical fashion.
The Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house has become a beloved tradition and this years’s house has elements representing the 19 prior gingerbread houses.
Halloween at Disneyland: Food and Drink
Now to my favorite part. Food. I love Disney food and it is such a huge part of the #HalloweenTime experience that we had to share. Candy treats and a variety of fall-themed churros fill both parks. Must-try treats include macarons, candied apples, and churro fries.
Disney Parks Blog has an excellent guide highlighting all the special food offerings throughout Disneyland Resort.
Check out amazing deals on family-friendly hotels near Disneyland.
Disclosure: The author attended a media event highlighting Halloween offerings at the Disneyland Resort. All opinions are her own.
Special thanks to Katie Bodell who wrote the first version of this article.
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