Disney Halloween

This separate-ticket event takes place on multiple evenings in October -- and even in September* -- at Walt Disney World. Such special "parties" (-- several other types are offered through the year--) are a terrific way to enjoy Magic Kingdom: with a festive atmosphere; no crowds; chance to ride popular attractions without line-ups; and special events.

Halloween is a big event at the original Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, which gets a Halloween makeover with lots of decorations, especially at "Haunted Mansion Holiday". Other fun includes Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, Halloween Screams Fireworks, and a special behind-the-scenes-tour, Disney's Happiest Haunts Tour. Meanwhile, at the Disney California Adventure Park, a special exhibit called "The Art of Frankenweenie" has sets, props and puppets used to create the "Frankenweenie" film.

The classic Haunted Mansion attraction gets taken over by Jack Skellington and other characters from Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas. Typically, the special decorations start in early October, and continue through the Holiday Season. "Haunted Mansion Holiday" -- the name for the Haunted Mansion attraction once it gets its makeover-- happens only at Disneyland in Anaheim California and in Tokyo.

This separate-admission Disney Halloween party happens on multiple nights in October* in the Disneyland Park in Anaheim. (There are two theme parks at Disneyland Resort in California: one is the original Disneyland Park, and the other is California Adventure. Formerly the Halloween party was in California Adventure and was called Mickey's Trick or Treat Party.) Party highlights include "Halloween Screams" fireworks, hosted by Jack Skellington, Treat Stops, “Mickey’s Costume Party” cavalcade.

Something extra, and part of "Halloween Time" at Disneyland in Ahaheim: the traditional Mexico Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in Frontierland at the Zocolo Park, through November 2nd. (Check web site for updates.)

Halloween at Disneyland Hong Kong is a major event. In 2010, an angry Maleficent -- the Mistress of All Evil -- was a featured character, and Sleeping Beauty's Castle was aflame, as part of a “Nightmare in the Sky” Pyrotechnics Show. Also for Halloween: “Main Street U.S.A. – Ghost Town”; zombies at the Tribal Burial Ground in Adventureland; Inferno Dance Party in Tomorrowland... And guests can get their own Halloween makeover at the Boo-tique. Check the Hong Kong Disneyland site for these events and more.

Disneyland Paris - aka Euro Disney- has major events throughout October and is in fact one of most festive places to go for Halloween in France, where Halloween is not widely celebrated (yet.) Highlights include special ‘Halloweenmosphere’ decorations and meet-and-greets with Disney Villains; a new show, Maleficious Halloween Party (featuring Maleficent, who plans to cast a spell over Sleeping Beauty Castle, and new villain, Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog); Mickey’s Halloween Treat in the Street! interactive show; (special-ticketed) Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on several nights in October, and grande finale "Disney's Halloween Party" on October 31; late-night Terrorific Night on Oct. 29 and 30. Check the Disneyland Paris site for latest events.