Greetings, Amber! Sending you a warm welcome to planDisney and, soon, to Southern California, too! It's great that you want to fit a little Disney magic into your trip – I have a few ideas that I'm excited to share with you.
First, though – the bad news. Half-day or evening tickets are not currently available at the Disneyland Resort. To enter a theme park, you'd need to purchase a 1-Day ticket and make a reservation. This time of year, Disneyland closes at 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., depending on the day – you just wouldn't have enough time in the park. However, let's sprinkle some pixie dust and dream up other ways you can enjoy yourself at the Resort.
Amber, a Character Dining experience would be the perfect solution for you. You can savor delicious food at an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet while Disney pals take turns visiting your table. During Halloween Time,
Storytellers Cafe hosts Clarabelle's Enchanted Halloween Dinner. I just took a peek at the reservations, and at the time of writing this, I see some late-evening reservations available.
Goofy's Kitchen is also hosting Halloween-themed mealtimes. You don't have to have a theme park ticket or be a hotel Guest to dine at either of these locations, but reservations are highly recommended.
Let's pause for a quick storytime: There are times when my family's Magic Key passes are blocked, so we can't visit the parks together. When that happens, we plan fun outings in the Downtown Disney District. I have many happy memories there. Now, back to ideas for your visit!
- Check the Hours & Events Calendar for the day of your visit to see if there are any shows or atmosphere entertainment scheduled in the Downtown Disney District. If there is, choose a spot to enjoy the live music. The vibe is cool at night.
- There are quite a few Halloween-themed foods and drinks you can find throughout the Downtown Disney District. For the ultimate feeling of being in the park, head to Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel for a Dole Whip!
- World of Disney offers a wide range of souvenirs, apparel, and more. Disney Home and Disney Wonderful World of Sweets are two other great shops – between these three locations, you'll definitely find something special to bring home.
- If fireworks are scheduled, head to the area between the two parks, closer to the California Adventure end, and get a taste of the show!
I hope you'll be able to visit the Disneyland Resort for a more extended time someday, Amber! The
70th Anniversary Celebration will continue through summer 2026 – there's a lot of fun waiting for you, including some of my favorite nighttime spectaculars, festive food, and beautiful merchandise collections, in addition to the attractions we all know and love. Keep an eye on the
Offers & Discounts page, and follow the
Disney Parks Blog to stay in the know.
Amber, I'll wish upon a star that you'll have a chance to visit the Disneyland Resort during your upcoming vacation, perhaps for one of the experiences I highlighted above. If you have any other questions, please let us know. We're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Your pal,
Kriss