Best Halloween Time Tips for Disneyland in October

Are you looking to plan a trip to Disneyland in October? It’s a busy time to visit but also one of the most rewarding. The weather is not quite as hot (usually), and the Halloween decorations are out!

Halloween time is my favorite at Disneyland Resort! As a Magic Key holder and a SoCal Disney-loving mom, I’ve made it a point to go to Disneyland in October almost every year. The decorations, the food, the merch, the ride overlays…everything is so well done and fully immerses you in the fall spirit.

I prefer the pumpkin-filled decorations in September because it’s less crowded but still fully decked out for the spooky holiday.

If you’re looking for the full scoop on what Disneyland Resort is like in October, or how to find some less popular Halloween time at Disneyland, this post is for you.

Halloween Time at Disneyland

Halloween is starting in August at Disneyland in 2024!!!

You heard that right, we are getting closer to Walt Disney World’s Halloween Time start date..although they have hurricane season as an excuse. 

California’s excuse for starting Halloween so early? My theory is that the Disneyland Half Marathon and 5k are coming back September 5-8, 2024, when Halloween time usually starts. 

I think Disney wanted some extra dates of normal Halloween days thrown in there because of this event and Oogie Boogie Bash. As a Halloween fan (and someone with a September birthday) I don’t mind. 

The official Disneyland Halloween time for 2024 is August 23 – October 31, BUT you will see some decorations go up the week or two leading up to the start date. I mean, that’s a lot of work to try and do all in one night, right?

Disneyland Resort Halloween Decorations

Disney goes all out for their Halloween decorations, but there are 2 areas that “take the cake” so to speak: Main Street USA in Disneyland and Carsland in California Adventure.

Walking down Main Street, you are immediately greeted with Winky Blinky, the giant Mickey-shaped pumpkin. Stop here early on or in the evening for amazing PhotoPass photos.

There are banners and pumpkins up and down Main Street, and as you turn into Frontierland, you’ll see the fun Halloween Tree which looks cool all lit up at night.

Carsland? Everything is themed! Look closely at the lights, traffic cones, the cars, the rides…it’s like the place transforms into a Halloweentown and I love it!

Buena Vista Street in California Adventure has spooky decor and fun photo ops. You may even see some photo op backdrops with Disney Photographers during the after-hours Oogie Boogie Halloween Party.

Disneyland Halloween Ride Overlays

It’s not just decorations, multiple rides get a Halloween makeover. 

Haunted Mansion gets a “Nightmare Before Christmas” overlay that’s to die for (see what I did there?). Jack Skellington and his crew take over, and it’s like getting two rides in one. 

California Adventure has a few ride overlays as well. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree turns into Mater’s Junkyard Jam-BOO-ree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadterns gets some spooky toons.

My husband’s favorite is Guardian’s After Dark. In the evening it switches from the normal track to a Halloween vibe with extra drops. He might convince me to go on it this year…we will see. Coasters I can do, but I don’t do well with drops.

Halloween Screams Fireworks

This villain-inspired nighttime spectacular has projections on the castle and fireworks synced to spooky tunes. 

I love the music and the eerie lights with the villain projections. You can view this in front of the Castle, Small World, or by the Rivers of America.

The first Fantasmic showing is at 9:00 pm, so you can stay where you are and wait 5 minutes for the Halloween Screams Fireworks show starting at 9:30.

It’s not the exact same as the castle view, but it still has projections on the water (similar to how Fantasmic and World of Color do theirs) with the fireworks right above Pirate’s Island (it’s technically Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer’s Island, but that’s a mouthful…).

We had a dining package for Fanstasmic with the premier seating (which was amazing being able to sit at a table while watching the show)! But showing up 30 minutes early for Fantasmic will also get you a great view in the non-reserved stand-by area.

My daughters (ages 7 & 5) were so tired after Fantasmic, but as soon as they heard Jack Skellington, they woke up and loved every minute of the Disneyland Halloween fireworks!

Villains Grove

Over in Disney California Adventure, you’ll find Villains Grove. It’s part of the Oogie Boogie Bash (a separate ticketed event), but it’s worth every penny. They transform the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail into this ethereal, misty wonderland inspired by Disney villains. 

If you’re a fan of Halloween decorations with lights, fog, and music then you can’t miss this. It’s not a haunted house (no characters), but it is super eerie in a cool way. We were there for the 2023 Oogie Boogie Bash and my 7-year-old loved it while my then 4-four-year-old slept through it (Oogie Boogie is from 6 pm-10 pm, well past bedtime).

One tip though – Villains Grove gets PACKED. Either go towards the end of the night or right when it opens at dusk. 

The line moved pretty quickly, but you still don’t want to wait over an hour for this.

Halloween Characters

During Halloween Time, Mickey and friends are in their Halloween costumes! Seeing Goofy dressed as a skeleton or Donald as a pumpkin? Priceless. 

If you want to meet the villains, Oogie Boogie Bash is the place to be, but you can run into villains like the Evil Queen, Captain Hook, and Cruella de Vil during normal park hours.

The best way to get quality time with Halloween characters outside of Oogie Boogie? Book a character meal at Goofy’s Kitchen. 

You get a PhotoPass picture with Goofy in his Halloween costume with a cute kitchen backdrop. During the buffet meal, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale, and Pluto come around to say hi for photos, hugs, and autographs. 

Pluto loved the ears my daughter had on the hood of her Zero dress. It was such a cute moment!

Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit

For the first time in forever (see what I did there?), Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit is in Disneyland AND California Adventure alongside the normal Downtown Disney pumpkin hunt.

This makes sense because there are already 3 different egg hunts for the spring.

I like having the option of participating in the seek and find in whichever park I’m in for that day- we don’t always hang out in Downtown Disney.

On the flip side, having a pumpkin search in Downtown Disney is perfect for a non-park day! Or before Ooggie Boogie bash. 

You can find more info on prizes and if the scavenger hunt is worth it in my Disney Pumpkin Hunt review.

Dia de los Muertos

Disney California Adventure celebrates Día de los Muertos with the Plaza de la Familia. 

This area has storytelling, live music, and activities inspired by the film “Coco.”

You can color your own alebrije mask and write a memory about a loved one to hang up on display.

My daughters always love to sit and color, and it’s a great way to get off your feet for a while. Walking around Disney is no joke.

There’s also a Coco meet and great with Miguel, music, and more! It’s a great corner of California Adventure to hang out during the Halloween season.

Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party

Oogie Boogie Bash is a separate ticketed event in Disney’s California Adventure after hours.

California Adventure closes at 6:00 pm on these days (usually Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays throughout Halloween time at Disneyland).

The party then goes from 6:00 pm-11:00 pm, and tickets are around $120-$180 per person, depending on the date.

The tickets for Oogie Boogie usually go on sale in late spring or early summer, but they sell out fast!

Now, is Oogie Boogie Bash worth the extra money? In my opinion, absolutely! 

You get exclusive character meet-and-greets (the villains are so interactive with what they say to you!), special shows, and shorter lines for rides. 

Plus, there’s trick-or-treating for all ages. You know I love my candy.

Weather and What to Wear

The weather at Disneyland in October is not consistent. One year it’s cold with a chance of rain, another year it’s as hot as mid-summer. 

Daytime high temperatures in Anaheim are usually around the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit.

Nights cool down to the upper 50s or low 60s, so bring a sweater for the evening!

Rain at Disneyland in October

Does it usually rain in October at Disneyland? No. Can it? Absolutely!

And the rain will affect what’s open at the parks. If there’s a chance of lightning some outdoor rides will temporarily close down, and the characters won’t do their normal meet and greets (they may be under an overhang for a selfie moment).

So what do you wear to Disneyland in October?

Check the weather, but comfortable shoes and layers are your best bet.

I wear a base layer long-sleeve shirt I can just put in my Loungefly backpack if it warms up. A sweater is good to have for when the sun goes down.

Heat Waves at Disneyland in October

Southern California has been developing a bad habit of going through a heat wave around Labor Day each year (around the first weekend of September).

We were there for my birthday weekend (the beginning of September), and it was over 100°F!!!

No sweaters were needed. Just wear tank tops, shorts, and pool time to survive.

If the weather is saying HOT for your Disneyland vacation, then make a dining reservation at an indoor Disney restaurant and spend some time shopping or checking out the Disney hotel lobbies for some air conditioning.

Halloween Costumes at Disneyland

If you want to wear Halloween costumes, there are rules.

No full-face masks for adults, nothing too gory or scary, and no weapons (real or fake). 

You also can not wear anything floor length, so if you’re dressing up like a princess, your dress can’t touch the ground. Disney doesn’t want any confusion between their characters and guests with amazing costumes.

Try a Disney-bound outfit if you’re unsure about wearing a full costume. Disney bounding is when you dress in the colors or style of a character without going full costume. 

Remember, comfort is key. You’re going to be walking, standing, and possibly dancing. So dress for a full day of fun, and be ready for anything. 

That’s the magic of Disney – and October weather – in a nutshell!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Crowd Levels and Wait Times

Everyone always wants to know the perfect day to avoid crowds at Disneyland.

The closer you get to Halloween, the more crowded the theme parks will be.

Generally speaking, plan on a weekday instead of a weekend or a Sunday over a Saturday.

Just remember during the Disneyland Halloween season, California Adventure closes early for Oogie Boogie Bash.

I always plan to go for Halloween festivities in September since Disneyland in October can get more crowded. (Although I usually also plan an early October Disney Day…the perks of being a Magic Key holder!)

Pro Tip: check the individual ticket prices on the Disneyland website. The cheaper ticket days will be the “off-season” times. These are typically less crowded (hence the lower per-ticket cost).

Pro Tip 2: Check the Magic Key blackout date calendar. If a season pass holder is blocked out every Saturday in October, it’s a good bet Disney is expecting more non-pass holder guests on those days.

Seasonal Food and Beverages

The Halloween treats at Disneyland are amazing, but for 2024 they went all out with so many apple-themed desserts- my favorite!!!!

You’ll find pumpkin-shaped Mickey beignets in New Orleans Square and Halloween cake pops at candy shops on Main Street. 

Jolly Holiday Bakery usually offers themed pastries and cookies that are so pretty and yummy. We always get a few of the seasonal items here.

Many restaurants have more savory Halloween food options. 

My husband loved the Dark Matter pizza at Pizza Planet, a quick-service restaurant in Tomorrowland. We both enjoyed the Apple & Pecan Salad, and the girls devoured the Alien Buzz Macaron.

California Adventure usually offers themed cocktails at Lamplight Lounge and Carthay Circle. 

Non-alcoholic options like the delicious Oogie Boogie Lemonade and various cold brews can be found everywhere.

This food section would be too long if I included everything we tried, so I’ll have to make a separate Disneyland Halloween food review.

Money-Saving Tips for October Visits

October visits to Disneyland can be more budget-friendly than peak seasons like summer and Christmas time.

Check Disney’s Good Neighbor Hotels for deals. Sometimes they run a buy 2 nights get 1 free promotion.

The best place to look for these Disneyland package discounts is through our friends at Get Away Today.

You might find a great deal on an off-site hotel, but after taxes and fees, it’s about the same as Get Away Today’s rates (or more).

I use them if I’m getting a multi-day ticket discount (like their buy 4 days get one free promotion), and bundle it up with a hotel.

If I’m going for a cheap, offsite hotel, then I’ll check Booking.com which has great budget hotel options like the Kings Inn or Motel 6.

Buy your Disney Halloween shirts and jewelry before going to Disney. Walmart and Amazon have great options!

Share each Halloween treat to save money (and stomach space!), and pack a PB&J if you are trying to cut down on food costs.

Here are more of my money-saving tips at Disney.

Disneyland in October Summary

From the giant Mickey Halloween Jack-o-lantern on Main Street to Oogie Boogie welcoming you into California Adventure, Disneyland in October is a can’t-miss experience!

To make the most of a Disney Halloween trip, plan out which events or rides you’re most excited to experience.

My suggestions:

• Visit the Grand Californian Hotel Lobby Halloween Display
• Pick 1-3 Halloween Treats to Try
• Find Pumpkins for Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit
• Enjoy Carsland Decorations and Spooky Ride Overlays
• Go on Haunted Mansion for the Nightmare Before Christmas Overlay
• Plan to watch the Halloween Screams Fireworks 

Of course, speaking to Disney villains and getting a picture with Mickey and Friends in their Halloween costumes is always a fun seasonal experience!

If you want to level up your fun at Disneyland this October, buy a ticket for Oogie Boogie Bash and make a Halloween Character Meal reservation at Goofy’s Kitchen or Storyteller’s Cafe.

Other fun October events in Anaheim are photo ops and entertainment at the Garden Walk nearby Disneyland or checking out more Southern California theme park Halloween fun.

Reach out on Instagram if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help!

Have a spooky and magical time! See you in the parks.

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