Melissa no Meritto メリッサのメリット: Halloween at Disneyland USA

Halloween time at Disneyland Park

Disney fans will never forget March 14, 2021: the day Disneyland and California Adventure parks in Anaheim, California closed for a record 412 days due to the COVID pandemic.

Over a year later, Disney reopened both its California parks to a very different experience that involved mandatory masking, mobile ordering, and the loss of several staples including parades, fireworks, and the beloved FastPass and single rider programs.

Fast forward to my birthday this year when I got the best gift of all: an annual pass to Disneyland, USA! Luckily my birthday is in the fall, and I was just in time to check out the Halloween season at the resorts. Some things were improved since the last time I visited in June 2021, and I had an amazing experience I can’t wait to share with you, including Halloween décor, food, characters, and shopping; Avengers Campus; Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge; and the brand new Main Street holiday store Plaza Point!

To Wear or Not to Wear?

While COVID rules have been relaxed, note that you are required to wear a mask inside, including on rides – which basically includes all of them. It was a lot of taking it off and putting it on, but it's a small price to pay to enjoy Disneyland again. You do not need to have been vaccinated, nor will you be asked for your vaccination status. You no longer need temperature checks, but you do need both a theme park ticket and a reservation for the day.

Mobile ordering is also still going through the Disneyland mobile app, but you can now sit down and order as well. Allow ample time for orders during peak meal times or you may find yourself waiting 1 or 2 hours! You can check out the rest of Disneyland's COVID rules here.

Disneyland Park

One of the best things about visiting the parks during the fall and winter season is the seasonal decorations! There’s plenty of Mickey pumpkins all over the park, including a giant one on main street that’s Insta-worthy in every way. It lights up at night for an even cooler picture, too! I wanted to get straight to the rides during the sacred early morning hours of the day, so I deferred waiting in line for a photo-op.

All of main street is decorated in orange and gold for a festive feel.

I noticed this mailbox on main street, which you can really send letters from!

I made a beeline right away for the Haunted Mansion after a quick stop at Space Mountain, which becomes the Haunted Mansion Holiday from early September through early January!

As you can see, it's decked out for the "Hallow-days" thanks to Jack and his friends from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

I particularly liked this spooky holiday wreath.

I also found a cute little bird house!

Inside you'll find NBC has taken over the usual stretching portraits.

And also the changing portraits when you walk through the hallway to board your "doom buggy."

I managed to get a few good shots inside the ride which is tough since it's dark.

My favorite part is the banquet hall where there's a real gingerbread house that you can smell from your buggy!

Here are some more shots from throughout the day.

I brought my new Ariel nuiMO to pose for a picture. Awesome point: the single rider lane at the Matterhorn has reopened!

Tarzan's Treehouse is currently under construction, as was Big Thunder Mountain.

I loved the Mardi Gras-themed decorations in New Orleans square!

Also in this area by the Haunted Mansion you'll find an adorable Ooogie-Boogie in the popcorn stand.

Parade fans will be happy to see some action again, although times are not listed on the guide or in the app.

Coco lovers, you can enjoy the Plaza de la Familia to celebrate Dia de Muertos. There's a tribute to it next to Rancho del Zocalo and Thunder Mountain, plus more festivities over at California Adventure.

Also note: Thunder Mountain had been closed but reopened as of Nov. 5.

I did my nails special for Halloween and it matched perfectly 😀

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

If you haven't checked out the new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, it's awesome! I couldn't get on the newer Star Wars ride "Ride of the Resistance" as they are still doing a lottery system using a virtual queue twice a day, but if you can make it on you're in for a treat!

Check out Ronto Roasters for grilled meat and wraps.

The Millennium Falcon ride is a must-do!

Inside you can pose for photos.

The ride itself is similar to Star Tours except you are assigned a role like engineer or pilot to press the buttons and pull the levers as instructed. Sit on the right pilot seat if you want to pull the lever to lightspeed!