Halloween Time at The Disneyland Resort takes place September 3 – October 31, 2021. If you are heading to Disneyland with Kids during this time, you won’t want to miss these spooky fun offerings.
I was a guest of the Disneyland Resort on September 3, 2021. All opinions are 100% my own.
Halloween at Disneyland – Kid Favorites
Halloween Time is one of the most popular times to visit Disneyland with Kids. While there is a lot of spooky fun to be had, so it can be hard to prioritize your must-do items.
As a mom of 3, and a co-founder of the Disneyland with Kids group, I have compiled this list. My kids even helped.
Here are our top Halloween Time favorites when visiting Disneyland during Halloween.
Don’t Miss These Halloween Time Offerings at Disneyland with Kids
Remember, this list is just some of our favorites. There are so many things to see and do during Halloween Time at Disneyland that you will want to see my complete guide on This Crazy Adventure Called Life for more tips.
Haunted Mansion Holiday (Runs through Halloween Time and the Holidays)
This is the 20th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion Holiday, and I think this has to be first on the list because my kids who found the classic Haunted Mansion ride a bit too spooky for them, love this colorful Nightmare Before Christmas overlay.
Jack Skellington and his friends have decked the halls of the mansion as two holidays collide. From creepy gifts to ghoulish tunes, the ride has so much to see you will want to ride it more than once.
Of course, my family’s favorite part is the annual gingerbread house in the ballroom. Each year it is a new design, and this year it is the tallest gingerbread house they have made yet. It stands at nearly 13 feet tall.
The 20th-anniversary gingerbread house pays homage to all of the previous year’s houses. Can you tell what represents 2020?
Disneyland with Kids Tip: While many kids will find this version of the ride less scary, the jack-o-lanterns and lighting at night may be a bit much for some kids. Try this ride during daylight hours first.
Halloween Time Character Encounters
Mickey and his friends are out throughout the parks, but many of them are now in their Halloween Costumes. Whether you are finding Mickey as a vampire or Goofy as a skeleton, you will enjoy seeing these characters get in the Halloween Time spirit at Disneyland.
Character encounters are still distanced, but don’t let that detour you. The interaction with these characters is still great. Goofy acted like he wanted to eat me when I was wearing a Candy Corn patterned dress, and Miguel was amazed that my kids only made me Un Poco Loco.
Disneyland with Kids Insider Tip: We learned that Miguel speaks both English and Spanish when we met him in Frontierland. (I had a friend with me who is bi-lingual and was speaking Spanish to Miguel, the handler let us know Miguel is bi-lingual.)
A Musical Celebration of Coco at Plaza de la Familia
Coco is one of my favorite movies of all time, but even if it wasn’t, I would highly suggest the Musical Celebration of Coco at Plaza de la Familia in California Adventure.
Singer-narrator Mateo authentically dressed folklórico dancers, singers and musicians recount the adventures of young Miguel and his journey from the Land of the Living to the Land of the Dead.
You won’t be able to stop yourself from singing and dancing along to this show.
You can see the showtimes in the Disneyland App. The show takes place at the entrance of Plaza de la Familia
Make Alebrije Masks
Need a mid-day break? Head to Plaza de la Familia for food, music, and some great activities. My kids loved making their own alebrije (spirit guide) masks in 2019 so I am excited to see this activity return in 2021. Kids can color masks of Pepita or Dante.
Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land
Radiator Springs turns into Radiator Screams. Head to Cars Land with your kids for fun Cars themed decorations, our friends like Lightning McQueen in costume, and ride layovers.
One thing I love about Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land is seeing the creative way they decorate. From road cone jack-o-lanterns, to car spiders, and even more subtle details like the Halloween Movie Posters. Cars Land is a fun, whimsical area to get in the Halloween Spirit.
Both Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters receive special Halloween versions of the rides. Now Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.
All Things Pumpkin for Your Little Pumpkin
Nothing says Halloween and Fall quite like pumpkins and Jack-o-Lanterns and there are plenty to be found at Disneyland Resort.
Take your kids to see the Mickey Jack-O-Lantern on Main Street USA. Then head down towards Sleeping Beauty Castle where you will see Jack-O-Lanterns with some of our favorite characters carved into them surrounding the partners statue.
One often overlooked, but fun event is the all-new Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit.
From Disney –
Guests visiting the Downtown Disney District will have fun with a new pumpkin hunt. After purchasing a game board and stickers at select Disney merchandise locations, including World of Disney, families can hunt for hidden decorative pumpkins themed to Disney characters through the District, and then place the corresponding stickers on their game boards. Whether they choose to hunt for pumpkins or not, players can return their game board to a redemption location at World of Disney or Disney’s Pin Trader for a spooky surprise, while supplies last.
This is a great activity for an arrival day, departure day, or a day where you may be taking a break from the parks. I love seeing these activities in Downtown Disney.
Halloween Screams
We couldn’t end this list without including Halloween Screams. This is only the second time that Halloween Screams has been offered to the general public. Prior to 2019, Halloween Screams was only available to the Halloween Party Guests.
Halloween Screams is hosted by Jack Skellington and other Disney characters (some may call them villains) every night with projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street USA, and “it’s a small world” but on select nights (weekends) it also includes fireworks (weather permitting).
Which of these activities are your kids most looking forward to during Halloween Time at Disneyland?
