Hi Alyssa,
Welcome back to planDisney! What a treat to have Disneyland Resort tickets in hand and the exciting decision of when to use them! Choosing between Halloween Time and the Holidays is a tough one, but pretty much a win-win, in my book. You truly can't go wrong, and it may come down to which is your personal favorite holiday to celebrate.
A few things are guaranteed with both
Halloween Time and the
Holidays, from festive decor to seasonal, limited-time sweets and treats to characters dressed for the occasion. Here, I would say it's a personal preference of pumpkins over gingerbread in theme and flavors! Also, Jack Skellington's once-a-year takeover of Haunted Mansion Holiday can be enjoyed throughout both seasons, which is a must-do during this time of year!
When it comes to entertainment, parades, character calvalcades, and nighttime spectaculars will shift between seasons. For Halloween Time, you can enjoy the daytime Mickey and Friends Halloween Cavalcade and an evening filled with the 70th Anniversary's Paint the Night Parade and the Halloween Screams projection show, which includes fireworks on the weekends. At California Adventure, the annual Oogie Boogie Bash is sold out for this year, but you can explore special entertainment featuring
Coco and festive bites at Plaza de la Familia in honor of Día de los Muertos, along with some very frightfully fun attraction overlays from Guardians of the Galaxy - Monsters After Dark to Luigi's Honkin' Haul-o-Ween! The Holidays will pause cavalcades and Paint the Night for A Christmas Fantasy Parade, which typically strolls down Main Street twice a day and will end the evening with the Believe...In Holiday Magic Fireworks spectacular! Several attractions will have a holly jolly touch from "it's a small world" Holiday to Mater's Jingle Jamboree! And, of course...you'll be able to see and meet Santa himself.
Seasonal character dining is also something to take into consideration. Do you love meeting characters in costume or all dressed up for the holidays?
Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel is hosting a Halloween Celebration with your favorite pals dressed in costume. For the holidays, Goofy and friends will be decked in their holiday finest as you dine on Mickey waffles and all the treats from the buffet.
Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian is offering some special seasonal dining as well. If I were heading to the parks, I would definitely check out Clarabelle's Enchanted Halloween Dinner. Once the holidays arrive, get ready to don your best pajamas at Daisy's Holiday Pajama Party Breakfast! Perhaps one of the most highly anticipated experiences to date is Mickey's Christmas Carol Feast with characters dressed in costume from this classic holiday tale. Hard to pass up a photo opp with Scrooge McDuck!
Alyssa, it's so hard to choose! I will say that with Halloween in full swing and winding down on October 31st, you may want to plan to visit during the holidays this year, which kicks off on November 17 and runs through January 6th. This will give you time to plan, reserve any must-do dining, and, honestly, just have a longer runway to feel the pixie-dusted anticipation! Some of the special holiday dining experiences open up reservations on October 2nd, so you are right on time; otherwise, dining reservations can be made 60 days ahead of your visit.
Good luck, Alyssa!
Magic awaits!
Tara