Halloween at Disneyland

Halloween is not just a day it is a SEASON at Disneyland.

It starts September 1st and runs until October 31st. While the Oogie Boogie Halloween Party is fun and popular (we will cover that another time)-You don't need to buy a special event ticket to enjoy Halloween at the park. Not only is there decor all around the Parks, from Mickey Pumpkins to banners, there are also themed rides, treats and merchandise.

Here is a list of our favorite things to experience WITHOUT buying a ticket to Oogie Boogie:

• Probably the biggest attraction is the Nightmare before Christmas Overlay to the Haunted Mansion Ride. This fan favorite makes the ride feel like an all new attraction. You will also find Jack and Sally wondering around New Orleans Square and interacting with guests. You won't want to miss this ride!

• A great photo spot can be found at The Halloween Tree. This tree was dedicated in 2007, the 35th Anniversary of the Ray Bradbury bookby the same name.Walt and Ray worked together on several projectstogether.It can be found in Frontierland across from the shooting Gallery. It is decorated with lights and a few ornaments for the season.It makes a great photo spot!

• Carsland Halloween - This area is the most detailed of the lands for Halloween decorations. Done in the fun spirit of Carsyou will findthe town fully decorated for the Holiday with plenty of photo ops with spiders, pumpkins and characters in costume. The Cars charactersare out in costume for photos as well. At night this land is especially spectacular as it lights up in a special way for the holiday.

• Treats, treats and more treats! You will find all sorts of Halloween decorated treats - from cookies and cupcakes to their artisan crafted carmel apples. We love stopping at one of 3 locations to watch them making these ordinary apples into works of art! You can visit Marcelines in Downtown Disney, The Candy Shop in Pooh Corner near the exit to the Winnie the Pooh Ride, or on Mainstreet at the Candy Palace Store. However, our favorite treat of the season is the Mickey Skeleton Gingerbread Cookies! They are adorable and tasty!

• Merchandise Galore! There are always many options for clothing and home décor at the shops around the resort. There are too many to mention here and they are always changing stock - but you can get simple t-shirts, or elaborate jerseys and loungeflys. The selection of MickeyPumpkin containers is fabulous! Big or little, glass or plastic you aresure to find one that suits your spirit!

• Halloween Screams - after you have enjoyed all the fun and Halloween spirit at the Disneyland Resort be sure to see one of the best night time spectaculars –Halloween Screams –a fireworks and projection show. The show includes many villains and characters from Nightmare before Christmas and is very well done! The show can be seen from the Castle and down main streeat teht orcan also be viewed from Small World and the Rivers of Americaareas of the park. Thisis no ordinary fireworks show, it is one of the biggest and original projection 'Nighttime Spectaculars' at the park. The perfect way to end your day at Disneyland at Halloween.

So don't feel left out of the Halloween Party just because you didn't get a ticket to Oogie Boogie - you can still have a great day filled with Halloween fun at the Disneyland Resort.