Much to our dismay, Disneyland Halloween Time was cancelled in 2020 due to ongoing restrictions surrounding COVID-19. But with vaccinations on the rise, Disney is able to bring back the spooky magic with Disneyland Halloween Time 2021.
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When Is Disneyland Halloween Time 2021?
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The beloved Halloween-themed fun returns to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, as well as Downtown Disney District, from September 3 through October 31, 2021. For 2021, Halloween Time includes uniquely themed attractions, your favorite Disney villains, autumnal décor, and, of course, scrumptious sweets and treats. Plus, Disney is introducing Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, a brand-new Halloween pumpkin hunt.
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Halloween Time at Disneyland
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Disneyland, the park that started it all, offers a wide array of entertainment during Halloween Time. For the 2021 Halloween season, you’ll want to stick around until late into the evening for “Halloween Screams,” a supernatural projection with special effects. Even better, be there on the weekends as “Halloween Screams” lights up the sky with a fireworks display.
Perhaps the biggest news regarding Disneyland Halloween Time 2021 is the much-anticipated return of the Haunted Mansion Holiday, a special Nightmare Before Christmas overlay for Haunted Mansion. Sadly, this overlay has not yet made it to our home park of WDW. (WDW does have After Hours Boo Bash, a new Halloween party this year.)
Kids will love meeting their favorite characters in their special Halloween costumes. The magic starts as soon as you saunter down Main Street, U.S.A, taking in the site of the beautiful pumpkins and that welcoming Mickey Mouse jack-o’-lantern.
Halloween Time at Disney California Adventure
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California Adventure hosts an even bigger bash for Halloween. Multiple attractions get special spooky overlays, including Radiator Springs in Cars Land (transformed into Radiator Screams). Take the little ones here to see how all the residents of the Springs decorate their homes to celebrate the holidays—like Luigi’s Rolickin’ Roadsters (now Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween) and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (transformed into Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree).
You’ll find a new adventure awaits you at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, which morphs into the nighttime Halloween adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark.
Buena Vista Street will be screaming with decorations, including the towering Headless Horseman statue, stretching 10 feet up and dangling his ominous jack-o’-lantern toward the ominous fall sky.
Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party
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If that’s not enough to get you in the Halloween Spirit, Disney California Adventure offers a separate-ticket event, from September 9 through October 31, called Oogie Boogie Bash. It’s an after-hours event (yes, stay in the park after closing!) that lets kids—and the kids at heart—go trick-or-treating throughout the park.
Other highlights of this event include the “Frightfully Fun Parade,” treat trails, the “Mickey’s Trick & Treat” show, and the Villain’s Grove at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
This is a limited-capacity event, so make sure to get your tickets ASAP. They go on sale starting Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
Plaza de le Familia
Photo courtesy of Disney
Disneyland Halloween Time 2021 is coming back strong at California Adventure, which also hosts a special Dia de los Muertos celebration that runs from September 3 through November 2. Fans of Coco will be entranced by the live musical performances and entertainment. You can also enjoy food, crafts, and other immersive experiences.
A must-see for fans of Coco is “A Musical Celebration of Coco.” But if that’s not enough entertainment for you, carve out more time for the The World of Coco art exhibit, mariachi music at Paradise Gardens Bandstand, and several photo ops.
What’s your favorite way to celebrate a Disney Halloween? Tell us your favorite traditions with a comment on our Facebook page!
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