The sun-filled days of summer will soon give way to fall and the Disneyland Resort will welcome the start of the season on Aug. 23. Relish in returning favorites and enjoy new offerings that will delight guests of all ages — from those seeking silly scares and frightful family fun to celebrations of time-honored traditions and beloved bonds.

A spectacular spell will be cast starting Aug. 23-Oct. 31, 2024, as Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort conjures spirited seasonal décor, Halloween-themed attractions, enchanting entertainment, a galore of specialty treats and more. At Disneyland Park, Mickey Mouse and pals will dress for the occasion and debut new looks for this year’s Halloween celebration. There’s even more not-so-scary family fun in store this season when “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” show debuts to guests at Disney California Adventure Park in the daytime for the first time ever.

Spirits and foolish mortals alike will be delighted when Haunted Mansion returns in time for the fall season with a merrily macabre look as Haunted Mansion Holiday. As the attraction’s reimagined queue experience continues to materialize, Haunted Mansion Holiday will be available via virtual queue only when it reopens.

Featuring the beloved songs and stories from Pixar Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning “Coco,” Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park, Aug. 23-Nov. 2, 2024, celebrates the spirit of Día de los Muertos with delectable Mexican cuisine and delightful decorations, as well as heartwarming music and entertainment offerings that pay tribute to the bonds of family and time-honored traditions at the core of the holiday. This year, the touching show celebrating “Coco” will feature a new name and storyline, along with newly designed costumes.

Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park
Adorned with seasonal décor and fall foliage, the Disneyland Resort takes on a wickedly wonderful transformation. The Main Street Pumpkin Festival brings a dazzling assortment of pumpkins to Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park, including the giant Mickey Mouse Pumpkin at the center of the spectacle. Clad in their new outfits at Disneyland Park, Mickey Mouse will sport a skeleton-inspired suit and Minnie Mouse and friends will don playful patchwork patterns. Earlier this year, eerie endeavors began to expand the grounds of the Haunted Mansion and the attraction will return as a merry manifestation with the fall season as Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” when Jack Skellington takes over with spirited surprises and thrilling twists.  At the center of the frightful fête’s ballroom scene is the gingerbread house and this year’s confection features an all-new design. Until the queue transformation comes to life from beyond, foolish mortals can enjoy Haunted Mansion Holiday with virtual queue. In the evenings, the haunting atmosphere at Disneyland Park culminates in “Halloween Screams” as the nighttime spectacular conjures visions of Disney villains, along with spooky projections and special effects in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it’s a small world,” façade and along the Rivers of America and Main Street, U.S.A. On select nights, sparkling fireworks seize the sky in a spellbinding spectacle. Plus, MagicBand+* adds an eerie element to the show as it lights up and pulses as if to send a sign from the spirits beyond.

For more Disney Halloween history, Disney’s Happiest Haunts Guided Tours** returns for a limited time during this season and offers a guided strolling experience through Disneyland Park with spooky stops along the way. Hair-raising highlights include a special Haunted Mansion photo opportunity featuring hitchhiking ghosts plus reserved viewing for “Halloween Screams.” Guests can visit Disneyland.com to book beginning Aug. 8, 2024.

Disney California Adventure Park
At Disney California Adventure Park, the décor is delightfully devious as guests are greeted by scarily splendid décor and the sight of the Headless Horseman statue on Buena Vista Street. When night falls, the atmosphere gets even more eerie with haunting projections casting strange shadows. Over in Cars Land, Radiator Springs turns into Radiator Screams as everyday objects like traffic cones, tires and tools are transformed with whimsical touches that celebrate the spirit of the season. Favorite characters like Lightning McQueen and Mater will be dressed in their Haul-O-Ween attire in celebration. Three attractions take on seasonal transformations for a Halloween twist with Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween and Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree. In nearby Avengers Campus, a thrilling mission in The Collector’s Fortress becomes menacing each evening on Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark.

This year, there’s even more festive family fun to be had when for the very first time, “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” makes its way to guests as a daily offering at the Disney Theater. Led by a host dressed as a mad scientist, this interactive show features Mickey and friends celebrating a not-so-scary Halloween as they tell spooky tales and brew up a magical potion. Guests will go batty as they sing and dance along to the whimsically wacky songs.

Downtown Disney District
The Downtown Disney District will delight with Halloween décor, special entertainment and themed offerings from select locations. This year’s gourd-geous installations feature oversized pumpkins in colorful hues for perfect fall photo backdrops. For scary good family fun, guests can enjoy a spirited hunt for hidden Disney character-themed pumpkins with Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit*** beginning in September by purchasing an activity map for their search to claim a collectible keepsake. And for the first time, guests may also peruse for pumpkins at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, with each park offering their own separate activity maps for purchase.

Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Fearsome fun is underway at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort with spirited décor and themed activities—guests can enjoy pumpkin decorating demonstrations, live entertainment and other seasonal offerings. Dine at Goofy’s Kitchen and delight in the themed décor and meet favorite characters in their Halloween outfits. This year, Storytellers Cafe will also get spooky with a new breakfast and brunch dining experience with seasonal decor and characters in new Halloween attire. This Halloween season at the Disneyland Resort, guests can enjoy new selections and returning favorites like the Halloween funnel cake at Stage Door Café.

As the weather gets chillier and the atmosphere gets creepier, guests can find startlingly stunning looks like the latest Disneyland Resort apparel, accessories, headwear and an array of other bewitching merchandise.

Plaza de la Familia honoring Día de los Muertos
With colorful decorations, lively entertainment and family activities for all ages, Plaza de la Familia returns to Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure Park from Aug. 23 to Nov. 2, honoring the Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and paying tribute to the memories of loved ones. Paradise Garden Grill returns with a limited-time menu inspired by Mexican cuisine with selections like al pastor tacos.

This year’s heartwarming show will celebrate “Coco” with a new name and storyline, along with newly designed costumes. Plaza de la Familia will also offer colorful photo opportunities, plus crafts and other activities that celebrate the holiday and the spirit of remembrance.

Celebrations of Día de los Muertos can be found across the Disneyland Resort. In Frontierland at Disneyland Park, the area near Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante is adorned with skeleton figurines, brilliant marigolds, brightly colored florals plus other decorative items that are typically displayed on ofrendas. Several times a day, Miguel from “Coco” can be found at this location to meet with guests.

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party
The separate-ticket, after-hours event Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party**** returns with more nights than ever before to take over Disney California Adventure Park on 27 select nights from Sunday, Aug. 25 to Halloween night on Thursday, Oct. 31. At this ghoulishly great event, guests of all ages are invited to wear their Halloween costumes**** and enjoy an eerie evening full of festivities with attractions, themed food and beverage, special entertainment offerings and more. Guests will enjoy entrance to Disney California Adventure Park three hours before the party begins, plus highlights like the immersive Villains Grove walkthrough experience, presented by Citizen, tasty treat trails, special sightings of dastardly characters and the “Frightfully Fun Parade.” A limited amount of pre-sale tickets for the 2024 Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will go on sale for Inspire Magic Key holders beginning June 25, 2024, no earlier than 9 a.m. PT and for all Magic Key holders beginning June 26, 2024, no earlier than 9 a.m. PT. Oogie Boogie Bash tickets will be available for all guests beginning June 27, 2024, no earlier than 9 a.m. PT on Disneyland.com. The online queue to purchase tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash will now open at approximately 8:45 a.m. PT on those aforementioned dates. Oogie Boogie Bash tickets often sell out quickly. As a reminder, guests waiting in the online queue to purchase tickets can choose the “notify me” option by entering their email address to receive an email notification when it’s their turn to enter the ticket store by following the online instructions.

There is so much fall fun underway with both wicked Halloween festivities and heartwarming Día de los Muertos celebrations at the Disneyland Resort. Delight in scary good savings and enjoy the start of the season with the 2024 summer ticket offer for visits through Sept. 26, 2024.***** With this 3-day, 1-park per day ticket, guests can enjoy the Disneyland Resort for as little as $50 per day, per child (ages 3-9) for a total of $149 and $83 per adult, per day (for a total of $249) for a limited time on Monday – Thursday visits.  Upgrades such as weekend visits, Park Hopper tickets and Disney Genie+ service are also available at the time of purchase. Park reservations required.

Related Articles

About author View all posts Author website

Jerry Paxton

A long-time fan and reveler of all things Geek, I am also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of GamingShogun.com