After a year off due to COVID-19, the Halloween season will once again come to life at the Disneyland Resort. Disney Parks announced on Thursday that Halloween Time would return to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure from September 3 through October 31, 2021. From transformed Halloween-themed attractions Haunted Mansion Holiday and Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, to sightings of favorite Disney characters and villains, beloved seasonal décor including the Mickey Mouse jack-o’-lantern and delightfully delicious treats, there is family-friendly fun for every ghoul or goblin to enjoy at the Disneyland Resort. Downtown Disney District gets in the spirit as well, from September 9 through October 31, with delightful décor, seasonal treats and an all-new Halloween-themed pumpkin hunt, Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit.
Disneyland
At Disneyland park, the Main Street Pumpkin Festival returns, and you’ll be greeted as you enter the park by a giant Mickey Mouse jack-o-lantern with additional carved pumpkins adorning the rest of Main Street, U.S.A. Here you’ll also find Mickey and friends in their Halloween best with Minnie as a witch, Donald dressed as a pumpkin and the rest of their pals adding to the Halloween family-friendly fun. Other characters found throughout the park include dastardly Disney villains who have come out to cause some mischief.
In New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion will get a merry makeover as Jack Skellington once again takes over The Haunted Mansion for Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Dedicated fans of the holiday house will look forward to spotting the annual bespoke gingerbread house on its precarious perch on the ballroom table, making its 20th appearance for this collision of two holidays. Other favorite sights await, including Sally, Zero and other characters from the movie.
And last but not least, every night during Halloween Time at The Disneyland Resort, Disneyland will host “Halloween Screams,” a supernatural projection and special effects show. On weekend nights, “Halloween Screams” will take to the skies and enhance the mischief with fireworks. Guests will be able to view the spectacular from several different locations throughout the park, including Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and near “it’s a small world.”
Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure park will again be transformed for the Halloween season with influence from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” baddy Oogie Boogie. In Cars Land, Radiator Springs will again become Radiator Screams, where residents decorate their homes for a unique Haul-O-Ween makeover. The land’s attractions will also undergo a Halloween overhaul, with Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becoming Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, and Luigi’s Rolickin’ Roadsters changing into Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.
The façade of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will spark a state of total emergency as the attraction is transformed at night into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, offering an exciting Halloween adventure filled with creepy creatures and thrilling drops. While the Guardians of the Galaxy have successfully escaped The Collector’s Fortress, Groot was accidentally left behind. Guests can successfully complete their rescue mission to save Groot by helping Rocket distract creatures from around the galaxy that have gotten loose. By teaming up with the Guardians, every guest can find their inner hero this Halloween season.
Buena Vista Street will again be decorated like the Halloweens of old, with Mickey Mouse and his friends sporting old-fashioned Halloween costumes to match. Guests of all ages will enjoy seeing fortune teller Minnie Mouse or taking a photo of Daisy for a be-witch-ing family keepsake. Donald is also looking devilishly handsome and Goofy has a ghostly grin that is ready for any picture. Buena Vista Street will also be home to the 10-foot-tall Headless Horseman for a spooky seasonal photo op.
Plaza de la Familia
Disney California Adventure’s Paradise Gardens will again transform for the season into Plaza de la Familia, a limited-time celebration inspired by the tradition of Dia de los Muertos featuring live entertainment, themed foods, crafts, and interactive experiences. “A Musical Celebration of Coco” will also return with several show times throughout the day. The Dynamic street show honors Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” and the everlasting bonds of family. Plaza de la Familia will take over the gardens through November 2.
Oogie Boogie Bash
And finally, Oogie Boogie Bash will return to The Disneyland Resort as a separate-ticket, after-hours Halloween party. On 25 select nights, beginning on September 9 through October 31, guests will get a unique Disney California Adventure park Halloween experience that includes immersive treat trails, “Frightfully Fun Parade,” Villain’s Grove at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, “Mickey’s Trick & Treat” show and more. Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash will go on sale beginning Tuesday, July 13, 2021 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) at Disneyland.com/OogieBoogieBash. The number of tickets for this year’s event is limited and start at $114 per person.
For more information on Halloween Time at The Disneyland Resort, visit the Disneyland Resort website.
*This article has been updated to add further details around character sightings in both parks and the 20th anniversary of the gingerbread house in Haunted Mansion Holiday that was made available through an official press release from the Disneyland Resort.
