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Disneyland Halloween with Kids: What Our Family Learned

Disneyland Halloween with Kids: What Our Family Learned

Our family’s earlier Halloween visit to Disneyland · Full film (6 min 43 sec)

▶Watch full film 6 min 43 sec

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Halloween is right up there with Christmas as one of my favorite holidays. A Disneyland Halloween night feels like bonus family fun: we get to dress up, be a little silly, and enjoy the decorations together. We went to a Halloween party at Disneyland Resort twice, and I still smile when I think about those nights.

We have always been a costume family. One year we dressed as Snow White and the crew, and I have been collecting costume memories since Lucy was tiny. I love the little extra permission Halloween gives you to be silly together.

What the Halloween party felt like for our family

The party had its own time period and wristband checks for access to certain areas. As regular park guests began leaving, we watched the ride lines thin out. On one visit, we rode Splash Mountain twice and could have gone again without much of a wait. We also remember Indiana Jones having an approximately five-minute wait. That was our experience on those particular nights.

We also loved the trick-or-treat stations. They were set away from the busiest walkways, and our kids could make a little route of collecting treats. The small bags supplied at the entrance filled up quickly for our enthusiastic candy collectors, so next time I would bring a larger bag if the current event rules allow it.

Trick-or-treat memories · Scene from our earlier visit (57 sec)

▶Watch scene from our earlier visit 57 sec

Costumes, characters, and the parade

Many families dressed up, and seeing everyone’s ideas was part of the fun. We remember meeting villains including Jafar, Gaston, Dr. Facilier, Cinderella’s stepfamily, Ursula, and Cruella. We saw the villain parade on an earlier visit. The entertainment lineup is one of the things I would check for your date.

Fireworks were part of one of our visits on select nights. They made a fun finish to the evening. If fireworks matter to your plans, check the calendar for your date.

Meeting Disney villains on our earlier visit · Scene from our earlier visit (33 sec)

▶Watch scene from our earlier visit 33 sec

Little things that made the night easier

For our family, costumes were part of the fun, but comfortable shoes mattered once we were walking all evening. The treat bags Disney handed out were small for our crew, so we would bring a roomier bag if allowed. I would also mobile-order food when that option is available and decide ahead of time how we are getting back to the hotel after a late night.

Our favorite part was not getting every attraction in. It was dressing up, seeing the kids take in the decorations, and sharing a night that felt different from an ordinary park day. If you have been to a Disneyland Halloween event with your family, I’d love to hear what became your favorite memory.

Lucy’s princess preparation · Scene from our earlier visit (1 min 58 sec)

▶Watch scene from our earlier visit 1 min 58 sec

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