Wondering how long Disneyland is decorated for Halloween? Let’s Delve into the spooky season at Disneyland!

Disneyland train station Disneyland in the fall

Quick Guide: How Long is Disneyland Decorated for Halloween?

Disneyland Halloween Time is always eagerly anticipated. This year, the celebrations will kick off earlier than ever, running from August 23 to October 31.

Both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park will be bedecked with classic Halloween and fall decor, and, in my opinion, Disneyland does Halloween better than any other park!

Iconic Disneyland attractions get spooky makeovers, like the Haunted Mansion Holiday at the Haunted Mansion, and newer attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy- Monsters After Dark at Mission Breakout. The entire resort, from the Downtown Disney District to the Disneyland Resort Hotel, gets into the Halloween spirit.

But the fun doesn’t stop at the decorations and ride makeovers. There are also special shows throughout the season, including the Halloween Screams fireworks. Moreover, guests can enjoy a range of themed treats, drinks, and exclusive merch.

How Long is Disneyland Decorated for Halloween?

Disneyland Halloween Balloons

In 2024, Halloween at Disneyland starts early (on August 23rd), breaking with tradition. Before, the season typically began in early September. But now, fans can anticipate festivities kicking off sooner, as Disneyland seems to be taking a page from the Florida Disney parks playbook!

Expanding to Late August

This decision to start in late August, in part, came about because of increasing popularity and attendance.

The ever-popular Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure runs on select nights during the Halloween season, from late August to October. The early start allows for more dates for this party.

Additionally, from August 23 through November 2, the Plaza de la Familia and Día de los Muertos festivities will be back. These events bring a cultural flair to the Halloween experience, embrace the bonds of family, and honor the traditions of this holiday with special food, music, entertainment, and crafts.

What’s happening for Halloween 2024 at Disneyland?

Minnie in Halloween costume

Disneyland is not only starting its Halloween celebration earlier in 2024 but has also announced some new and special additions to the season’s festivities.

New for Halloween 2024 at Disneyland

Disneyland is upping its game for Halloween 2024, and here’s what’s new:

New costumes for Mickey and Minnie and friends that look adorable, featuring skeleton and patchwork patterns
There will be a new character breakfast and brunch with the characters in their Halloween outfits at Storybook Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, as well as new autumnal decor at the cafe.
The scavenger hunt, Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, will now be offered at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (it is a paid activity but super fun).
The Coco show, which is full of music and characters from the Coco movie, is being reimagined at Disney California Adventure.
Mickey’s Halloween Trick and Treat Show, which was formerly only available at Oogie Boogie Bash, is now playing for all guests during the day at Disney’s California Adventure Park.
And, not new but happily returning after an extended closure, will be Haunted Mansion Holiday. This Haunted Mansion takeover features the crew from Nightmare Before Christmas, replacing the 999 Happy Haunts. Expect amazing Nightmare Before Christmas decor, with the highlight always being the Halloween-themed Gingerbread house!

What Decorations Can You Expect?

Disneyland Pumpkins at entrance

The Halloween season offers a range of decorations and experiences, and none of them are scary at Disneyland! Each part of the Disneyland Resort, from Main Street’s Pumpkin Festival to Cars Land, is filled with special themed decor, making the entire resort feel like a Halloween wonderland.

Main Street Pumpkin Festival

The Main Street Pumpkin Festival is a well-known part of Disneyland Park’s Halloween decorations. A highlight is the giant Mickey Mouse pumpkin surrounded by smaller festively decorated pumpkins. These decorations bring an even more charming air to Main Street, U.S.A., and it’s a fabulous photo spot! The festival also features hand-carved pumpkins and pumpkins shaped like your favorite Disney characters.

Buena Vista Street and Cars Land

Disney California Adventure undergoes a spooky make-over, too.

Buena Vista Street takes on a magical atmosphere with Halloween decor and touches, and the Headless Horseman (the statue, that is) comes alive after dark with Magic Band+.

Cars Land becomes “Radiator Screams,” with Lightning McQueen and friends wearing Halloween costumes, Luigi’s Honkin Haul-o-ween, and Mater’s Junkyard JamBOOree!

The Oogie Boogie Bash: A Must-Attend Event?

Oogie Boogie Treat Trail Disneyland Halloween

For extra Halloween fun, you can attend the paid after-hours Halloween bonanza that is Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure. That is if you were lucky enough to get a ticket, which proved to be a bit easier this year due to the extended Halloween season.

This exclusive Disney Halloween party features five hours of Halloween-themed entertainment, treat trails, villainous meet-and-greets, and specially-themed attractions. It runs on select nights (27 to be exact, more than any other year prior) from August 25 to October 31, 2024. At the time of this writing, the party is officially sold out.

Dates and Ticket Information

Prices for the 2024 Oogie Boogie bash range between $134 and $189, and guests can buy up to eight tickets.

Dates for Oogie Boogie Bash 2024 are:

In August: Sunday, August 25th, Tuesday, August 27th, Thursday, August 29th
In September: Tuesday, September 3rd, Tuesday, September 10th,Thursday, September 12th, Sunday, September 15th, Tuesday September 17th, Thursday September 19th, Sunday September 22nd, Tuesday September 24th, Thursday September 26th, Sunday September 29th
In October: Tuesday October 1st, Thursday October 3rd, Sunday October 6th, Tuesday October 8th, Sunday October 13th, Tuesday October 15th, Thursday October 17th ,Sunday October 20th ,Tuesday October 22nd, Thursday October 24th, Sunday October 27th, Tuesday October 29th, Thursday October 31st

The Halloween festivities also include special performances (like Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show), the Frightfully Fun Parade, special party treats, and so much candy!

It’s important to note that this party is from 6 pm to 11 pm on the above nights, and regular guests without a party ticket must leave by 6 pm. If you have an Oogie Boogie Bash ticket, you can enter California Adventure as early as 3 pm the day of the party.

oogie boogie bash halloween

Special Attractions at California Adventure

As mentioned above, Radiator Springs becomes “Radiator Screams,” and Luigi gets spooky with the Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween. Mater’s JamBOOree adds eerily fun music and decorations, and typical Mater humor!

There’s also Guardians of the Galaxy—Monsters After Dark, which transforms Mission Breakout into a Monster Bash every night after twilight.

Plaza de la Familia and Día de los Muertos Celebrations

The Plaza de la Familia at Disneyland offers a captivating experience for guests by turning into a vibrant homage to Pixar’s “Coco.” It runs from August 23 to November 2 and showcases festive Coco-themed celebrations. These include decorations, musical performances, and beautiful tributes to ancestral bonds.

Visitors get a chance to dive into Día de los Muertos traditions mixed with Disney magic. The musical celebration of Coco is a favorite highlight. It features colorful performances that bring the film’s spirit to life.

How to Enjoy Halloween Screams Fireworks

The Halloween Screams fireworks at Disneyland feature awesome special effects, even more so if you have a Magic Band +! The displays involve eerie projections and an awesome soundtrack.

Fireworks Schedule

The fireworks run on Fridays and Saturdays from August 23 to October 31. On weekdays, you can catch a Halloween-themed projection show. Since the fireworks are weekend-only, getting there early is super helpful!

Best Viewing Spots

The top viewing spots fill up quickly. Here’s where you should aim to be:

Sleeping Beauty Castle: Positioned at the heart, the space in front of the castle and the castle hub offers a full view of the spooky display, but you will need to get there early, and you will have lots of company! But don’t sit in the benches at the beginning of the hub that face each other, you will get kicked out, unfortunately. The hub and castle area start to fill up 2-3 hours before the fireworks start.
Main Street, U.S.A.: Dive into the Halloween spirit in this lively, central area. You won’t need to get there as early, maybe 1-2 hours before to get the best seats, and you can enjoy the projections along Main Street.
Space Mountain or it’s a small world area: Enjoy the show with fewer people for a unique perspective. You won’t see the projections, but you won’t be packed like a sardine, either. If you watch them by it’s a small world you can see the projections on the facade of the attraction also!

To get a prime spot, arriving early is crucial, especially during the Halloween fireworks.

Tips for Avoiding Halloween Crowds at Disneyland

The Halloween season at Disneyland attracts a lot of visitors, so if you are looking to avoid the big crowds yet still get your Halloween fix check out these ideas:

Best Days to Visit

If you want to avoid the Halloween rush, late August or early to mid-September is a good time. The park is less crowded than it was during the month of October.

Using Genie+ (soon to be Lightning Lane Multipass) and Mobile Ordering

At Disneyland, being efficient is essential, especially on crowded days. The paid Genie + soon-to-be Lightning Lane Multipass is a game-changer, cutting down wait times at favorite attractions. At the time of this writing the new Multipass system hasn’t started so there is more info to come on how well it works, but it will allow you to prebook 3 attractions at least 7 days prior to the first day of your visit.

Don’t overlook mobile ordering for saving time on food and snacks. Ordering via the Disneyland app can save you a decent amount of time and gives you more time to soak in the Halloween vibes. Be sure to get acquainted with the Disneyland app before your trip so you know how to use it.

When planning your day, arriving early and/or staying late can also help you make the most of your Halloween season trip. Mornings are perfect for beating the crowds and enjoying shorter lines. Try to get there for rope drop (early entry if you are staying at one of the Disneyland hotels is even better) and check out my Rope Drop strategy for more tips!

Evenings, during or after the fireworks, provide another opportunity for shorter lines on some of the most popular attractions.

Exploring the Downtown Disney District can also offer a break from the Halloween hustle. It’s close by and (usually) less crowded, with plenty of fun things to do and see. You can grab a meal, a sweet treat, and/or explore some really fun Disney and non-Disney themed shops.

Seasonal Treats and Special Merchandise

Disneyland Halloween treats cake pops

Disneyland’s Halloween season also offers seasonal treats and unique merchandise. Check out the Disneyland website for the full and up-to-date details on the yummy snacks and unique themed merchandise.

Must-Try Halloween Foods

Several one-of-a-kind desserts and snacks are coming for the Halloween seasonal treats at Disneyland.

Here are some yummy desserts to check out:

Minnie Witch Caramel Apple- cute dipped caramel apple featuring M&M’s and even a chocolate witch hat!
Skull Apple- another yummy dipped apple with marshmallow ears with a green-colored white chocolate skull face.
Candy Corn Minnie Apple- another apple dipped in caramel, vanilla, chocolate, orange-colored, and yellow-colored chocolate topped with a yellow chocolate bow and marshmallow ears!
Minnie Cake Pop- this one is a cake pop topped with chocolate Minnie ears and a white chocolate bow!
Candy Corn Cake Pop—This is a candy-corn-shaped vanilla cake pop dipped in white, yellow, and orange chocolate!
Pumpkin Mickey Cake Pop—Another cake! It’s chocolate dipped in orange, yellow, and white chocolate with chocolate Minnie ears.
Halloween Marshmallow Wand: Marshmallows on a stick dipped in caramel and milk chocolate and drizzled with orange and purple white chocolate!

Halloween treats at Disneyland

Other savory and sweet options include Vampire Alien Macarons, Chocolate-ginger-blueberry mousse, a spicy chicken sandwich, Darth by Chocolate Parfait, Rest in Chocolate Sundae, Pecan Pie Sundae, Red pepper cheese onion rings or cheese fries, Pumpkin Churro Funnel Cake, and even chai-spiced Pumpkin Iced Tea!

These are just some of the festive treats; others include a variety of cute Halloween-themed cookies, pumpkin cold brew, cakes, tarts, specialty drinks, and more!

Collectible Popcorn Buckets, Sippers and Novelties

Disneyland fans are always on the lookout for collectible popcorn buckets and the Halloween season is no exception. This year, watch for glowing designs like Skeleton Mickey and Witch Minnie Mouse, or the Nightmare Before Christmas Mayor’s Car Bucket.

Sippers/mugs include the iridescent poison apple mug or the Minnie Mouse Hocus Pocus Halloween Dress-up sipper. There are also special novelties like Mickey Mouse Pumpkin Glow Cube and Mike Wazowski Pumpkin Bottle topper.

Conclusion

Disneyland’s Halloween Time is an experience unlike any other. It’s filled with magical and festive decorations, thrilling rides, and specially-themed entertainment.

This year is special; the fun kicks off on August 23, earlier than before. This change means more days to enjoy the spooky festivities and fewer crowds as they spread out. As it ends on October 31, with some events going until November 2, guests can enjoy this either during the lesser crowded months of August or September, or jump into the busy season in October around Halloween time.

Either way, it’s a truly fun time to be in both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure!