Mickey's Halloween Party Fun (and GIVEAWAY Tickets!)

Last Friday we had the chance to check out opening night of Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland and it was so much fun!  Each year Disneyland adds additional features to the event that really make it a unique experience for all different types of people. 

This year I really noticed a large number of dance parties with great music that had you wanting to get out there and dance with the characters!  One fun one we happened by was Pirate palooza located at the outside eating area of Rancho del Zocalo.  We saw Pluto rocking out dancing with toddlers and adults, it was somewhere I could have stayed all night!

There were many other dance parties and so much to catch during Mickey's Halloween Party, I think it is impossible to catch all of it!  With Ghost Galaxy (Halloween overlay at Space Mountain), Haunted Mansion Holiday (Nightmare Before Christmas), Halloween Screams firework display and more treat stations than you will have time to catch (but you don't have to go to many before your bags will be full of great candy!).

One of my favorite additions (not sure if it is new or just the first time I saw it!) was the light show set to music on the Castle, my favorite was the skeletons dancing up the side of the castle, but the Heffalumps dancing around were very neat too!

Mickey's Halloween Party is the place to be for Halloween fun!  Want to go?  I've got two tickets to the Mickey's Halloween Party on October 9th to giveaway to a reader!  It gains you entry to Disneyland at 3pm and until the event ends at 11pm!
 
I'll be picking a winner at 8pm Pacific time on Friday October 5th from the comments below this post (so I have time to get the tickets to you!).

Here's how to enter:  Comment on this blog post telling me why you are the biggest Disneyland fan!  I will count one entry per day per person, keep it original and keep it fun!

 

 Winner will be drawn using random.org and I reserve the right to draw another winner if I am not able to get mailing address information in a timely manner. Giveaway is only open to residents of the contiguous US. Please ensure I have a way to contact you to notify you if you have won (leaving a decipherable email address in your comment is a great way). I highly recommend you become a fan of OCMomActivities on Facebook as that is where the winner will be announced first.

 

Note:  My family was invited to attend the Mickey's Halloween Party to facilitate the writing of this post, but we are annual premium passholders and already LOVE Disneyland 8;o)

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Mickey's Halloween Party is Almost Here!

 

We are entering my favorite time of year!  The holidays at Disneyland are magical and full of fun.  Mickey's Halloween Party at the Disneyland Resort is a family favorite of ours! 

Space Mountain has been converted to Ghost Galaxy, Haunted Mansion has been converted to the Nightmare Before Christmas, there are special Disney haunts spread out through the park and not to forget the copious trick or treat stations throughout the park - you are sure to have a fantastic time at Mickey's Halloween Party. There is a special Halloween Screams firework spectacular, dance parties, cavalcades, and your favorite villains wandering around the park!

One of my favorite recent additions to the Mickey's Halloween Party has been the healthy treat options at the trick or treat stations.  In past years we had come home with A TON of candy and it was fantastic to be able to have my children alternate healthy carrot sticks, apple slices, raisins, craisins and other healthy snacks between candy snacking!

Couple of tips:  Initially I was intimidated by the length of the lines at the first candy stations we found. But what I quickly realized was that was apparently the first station everyone went to. So if you see that line... just skip it and move on to the next! Another HUGE trick we figured out is there are two lines going in opposite directions for each station (think cars on a two lane road), so if you see a long line on one side, check the opposite direction and I bet you'll see little to no line, so flip around and come at the candy station from the other way. This is a particularly useful tip for the treat trails. Everyone ends up in the same line... so by going in the opposite direction... let's just say you save a TON of time and can get more rides in!

Mickey's Halloween Party requires a special event ticket (even if you are a passholder), but allows you access to the park for up to three hours in advance of the event beginning.  For times and days of the event (it runs September 28th through end of October).  To purchase tickets, click here.

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Disney Magic at Night ~ Semi-Wordless Wednesday

With all of the excitement of the new Cars Land being opened at California Adventure, it's easy to let some of the classic favorites get overlooked.  So we decided we were going to focus on some of our favorites over the next few trips.  I snapped the above picture at the Dumbo ride and the below picture at the Mad Tea Party.  There is just a magic in the air in Fantasy Land at night...

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The Perfect Iced Mocha - Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop at California Adventure

Lots and lots of changes are happening at the Disneyland Resorts in Anaheim, CA.  I'm a huge Disneyland fan and spend way more time at the parks than I would ever admit!  One of my favorite new additions at California Adventure is the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop (in what used to be the Tortilla Factory in the Pacific Wharf Area).  I'm bummed to see the Tortilla Factory go (we loved getting the free samples fresh from the ovens!), but I have to admit I am IN LOVE with the iced mochas at the Ghirardelli Shop!  Hands down they are  simply amazing and the best I have ever had and I've had a lot of mochas... 

I've already been there three times since it opened for a mocha!  My boys have also tried the S'mores Kids Sundae and the ice cream scoops.  There are countless choices and all super yummy (with a fun flashback to my San Francisco/Bay Area home town roots!).

I also love how the castmembers hand out a complimentary Ghirardelli chocolate square as you enter.

Stay tuned for more fun finds with all the changes at the parks!  Have any you'd like to share?  Email me!

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Disneyland Monorail - Wordless Wednesday

Happy Leap Day!

In honor of Leap Day Disneyland is staying open 24 hours and in honor of that I wanted to share this very recent picture we took while riding in the front cabin of the Monorail at Disneyland for Wordless Wednesday.

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Friday Night Family Fun - ElecTRONica at the Disneyland Resort

Ok, so maybe we don't have the most normal Friday nights around our house.  We might have family movie night, family video game night or our other favorite is Disneyland Resort fun.  We love heading to ElecTRONica (I personally love the music and the club feeling) and the kids love hanging out over at Flynn's playing the old school video games like Galaga, Rampage, Donkey Kong, and others.  Well, I might have enjoyed re-living some of those games too, but don't tell my husband!  I let him think he's the "old school" arcade game expert.

There is so much fun to have over at ElecTRONica for all ages (check the Disney Resort website for times), you just can't help but have fun!

Don't have passes to the Disneyland Resort?  Be sure to take advantage of the special running now through June 9th, 2012 for Southern California Residents.  You can purchase a 2-day pass to the parks for only $99 - a HUGE savings!  (Note you can only enter one park each day).  Check the website here for more information or purchase at your local Albertsons.  There is also a fantastic deal for military families that has been extended through till September (3 day park hopper for $99), check the website for details.

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Star Tours Returns!

We're excited... Are you?

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A dubious honor at Disneyland Resort ...

Only one ride at the Disneyland Resort deserves this dubious honor. Who knows which ride I snapped this picture on?

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Make Your Own Pizza at the Storyteller Cafe - Disneyland Resort

We recently had the chance to stop in and have a dinner at the Storyteller Cafe (inside the Grand Californian Hotel at the Disneyland Resort).  The kids were both mesmerized by being able to make their own pizza's for dinner.  

If you haven't been there yet I highly recommend it!   It's a great break from the crowds and provides a number of more elegant dishes than you find at most of the other eateries inside the parks, although the Village Haus inside Disneyland is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine for it's BLT (with applewood smoked bacon) thin crust pizza.

The kids pizzas arrive on a Mickey Mouse shaped palette for the kids to add the sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni toppings.  Once you are done, the waiter/waitress takes it back to the kitchen to finish cooking.

Check out the pepperoni topping pattern my oldest came up with...

What's your favorite place to eat at the Disneyland Resort?  Why?

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The Magic, The Memories and You! premiers at Disneyland

Did you see it?  

Tonight Disneyland started using the Small World as a canvas for 'The Magic, The Memories and You!'

Every night Small World will be full of the colorful display of photos, videos, animation and music.  There are thousands of photos and will include 500photos from guests at the park the very same day.  The presentation begins at sundown. 

As we know Disneyland always adds a bit of magic to everything, so of course you can expect magical effects and a small fireworks display. 

Have you seen it yet?  What did you think?

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I Found a New Delicious Menu Item at Disneyland!

You may or may not have noticed the Village Haus restaurant at Disneyland (in Fantasyland) was closed for renovations.  We happened to pop in last Wednesday to eat dinner on the re-opening day and check out this delicious flat bread pizza I ordered!  It was beyond delicious!  I think this is my new favorite dish at Disneyland!  (and HUGE kudos to the supervisor for checking the ingredient list for me to be sure there wasn't the dreaded oat fiber I'm allergic to in the pita dough!)

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Why I LOVE rainy Wednesdays...

And this is why I love rainy Wednesdays during the school year at Disneyland... The ride wait times are hard to beat!

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Best Halloween Events for Families in Southern Callifornia

We are now entering in to my favorite time of year - Halloween and Christmas!  It's easy to get overwhelmed with the number of family fun Halloween events we have in Southern California, so here's a quick list of fun events to help you not miss out on some of the biggest ones. 

Brick-or-Treat at Legoland California

• Brick-or-Treat at Legoland California (in Carlsbad).  Runs weekends in October.  Admission is included in admission to the park (but the event runs from 5-9pm).  There are treat stations as well as fun Halloween themed events throughout the park. You can go here for more information.

Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego

• Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego.  We attended this one last year and love it (check out the post here).  Admission is included with entrance to the park.  There are trick or treat stations (with fun not just your normal candy handouts), activity stations, and several of the shows have Halloween spin to them. You can go here for more information on it.



Mickey's Trick or Treat at Disneyland

• Mickey's Trick or Treat at Disneyland.  There's little doubt that Disneyland knows how to go all out for holidays and Halloween is no exception.  With ride theme overlays on Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion and more, you're sure to have an amazing time trick or treating through the park. This is a special event and special tickets must be purchased (even passholders must purchase).  It runs most Tuesdays & Fridays throughout October. Read my post about it here or go here to buy tickets.

Knotts Halloween Haunt


• Halloween Haunt at Knott's "Scary" Farm (in Buena Park). Running on select nights starting at the end of September through the end of October, you can find everything from mazes and other spooks to get your Halloween thrills.  (Note this is not an event recommended for kids under 13). You need to purchase a separate event ticket for this and you can go here to learn more.




Snoopy's Costume Party


• Snoopy's Costume Party at Knott's Berry Farm. Running weekends in October and it's included with park admission.  There are special shows, trick or treating, dance parties and more.  You can go here for more information about it.



© Discovery Science Center

• Spooky Science - Bug Invasion at the Discovery Science Center (Santa Ana). Running through October, you can find giant bugs (animatronics), remote controlled bugs, learning stations and more.  This is included with the price of admission.  Go here for more information.

• Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.  Running now through the end of October there is the Terror Tram, ScareZones, mazes and other spooks throughout the park.  This is not included with regular admission to the park but is also not recommended for kids under 13.  Go here for more information.



Spooky Sleepover at the San Diego Zoo

• Spooky Sleepovers at the San Diego Zoo. Running special Saturday Nights at the Zoo you can purchase tickets to sleep over at the zoo where you will have the chance to trick or treat, have a costume parade, sit around the campfire and take special adventures throughout the Zoo.  You'll even get a special goodbag on your way home the next day.  This is not included with admission to the park.  You can go here for more information.




San Diego Safari Park Pumpkin Parties


• Roar & Snoar Pumpkin Parties at the Safari Park (formerly known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park).  They have a number of family Halloween sleepovers scheduled throughout the month go here for more information about the evenings.  The Safari Park is also hosting a creepy crawly festival on select days throughout October. The sleepovers are not included in regular admission.  You can go here for more information.

 (If I've missed your favorite or you you know of one you want added to this list, send me an email OCMomActivities [at] gmail [dot] com).

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The Happiest Race on Earth!

I'm so excited to share this guest post from Julie Campbell...

14,000 runners from all 50 states and 15 countries participated in Disneyland’s 5th Annual Half Marathon on Sunday, September 5th. The weekend kicked off with a Health Expo held at the Disneyland Hotel where participants picked up their packets including shirts and D tags for timing purposes.

My family and I drove over from Phoenix, Arizona to meet up with my sister’s family, my brother’s family and our extended family (about 30 in all) on Friday. On Saturday, our family explored California Adventure and then had an awesome dinner at Goofy’s kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel where Disney characters mingle and take pictures with everyone.  The food was great and it was very kid friendly!  I highly recommend it!

The morning of the race, I met up with my brother and sister in the hall of our hotel, Disneyland’s Paradise Pier Hotel at 4:45a.m. to walk to the start of the race near Downtown Disney. A lot of runners dressed up as Disney characters. Krisse and I dressed as Minnie (me)and Cinderella (Krisse). The race started at 6:00a.m. with Mickey and Minnie waving us on! Our brother, Matt, was in the first wave of runners, Corral ‘E’. My sister, Krisse, and I were in Corral ‘E’. We met a lot of really nice people and had such a great time! The course took us through Disney’s California Adventure Park, Disneyland, and the Anaheim A’s ball park. The crowd support was amazing! We even stopped along the way to have our pictures taken with Lilo & Stitch and Cruella DeVille.  With half a mile to go, Krisse and I spotted our families sporting their personalized Mickey shirts reading “Mom’s ChEAR Squad”.  The finish line was near Downtown Disney and everyone that finished the 13.1 miles in under 3 ½ hours received this awesome, commemorative finisher’s medal. 

I will definitely run the Disneyland Half Marathon again next year! It was so much fun that I’m trying to convince my sister to come with me to Florida to run the Walt Disney World Marathon in January . What do you say Krisse?

More about Julie Brock Campbell:

Julie went to the University of Arizona, where she studied Media Arts and Spanish. She is the co-creator/owner of Kids Love Spanish, the award-winning DVD series teaching children Spanish (check out her website here). She is business partners with her sister and best friend, Krisse Brock Kelly. Julie is the proud Mommy of four beautiful boys: Brock, Morgan, Hayden and Keegan. Julie resides with her family in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Wordless Wednesday... A Disneyland Treat

Wordless Wednesday...

One of our favorite treats at Disneyland - the Cinnamon Crisps from Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland.  What's your favorite treat at Disneyland/California Adventure?

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Wordless Wednesday ... Lego Space Shuttles?

Wordless Wednesday...

Well... because I have been given due notice that the above is the Lego holiday project this year to assemble (spotted at the Lego Store in Downtown Disney).  Believe me... I'll have my bulk supply of crazy glue ready to go.

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Have you see the Zoetrope at California Adventure?

Easily missed... this gem of an attraction is hidden in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area of California Adventure (in the same building as Turtle Talk with Crush.  Have you ever stopped to watch it?  It runs every couple of minutes and the special effects are guaranteed to make you gasp!  

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Disney Purse Giveaway!!!

I wrote about my favorite new find at Disneyland here and it's only fair that I give one away, it was certainly clear you all wanted one!  Okay... the time is here and without any further fanfare... let's get started!

The giveaway will go until August 20th, 2010 at 12 am midnight and is only open to residents of the contiguous U.S.  When leaving comments, be sure I have a way to contact you, I reserve the right to pick another winner if I am not able to contact the winner in a reasonable amount of time.  The winner will be picked using Random.org. Let's have some fun with this one, I'm giving lots and lots of ways to enter!!!

How to enter:

• Let me know why YOU are the biggest Disney fan (one new comment per day allowed on this one until the giveaway closes) or tell me where your favorite spot is at any of the Disneyland parks and why.
• Subscribe to email feed or other feed subscription for OCMomActivities.com (or if you already are, just say that) 
• Become a Fan of OCMomActivities on Facebook or say so if you already are (1 extra recommendation for each friend you recommend OCMomActivities)
• Follow OCMomActivities on Twitter (1 extra entry)
• Mention/link this giveaway in a blog post or tweet about it (1 extra entry each allowed once per day until the giveaway ends) 
• Go comment on another post on OCMomActivities.com then come back and comment on this one saying you did it (this is an unlimited number of extra entries as long as you do the extra commenting!)

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Miniature Splash Mountain -Wordless Wednesday

I've always loved miniature and small scale replicas. The above is on display outside the President Lincoln show at Disneyland.

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This Disney Purse is an Amazing Deal - Fabulous Yet Frugal Friday

Fabulous Yet Frugal Friday...

Okay... so I burn through purses like there is no tomorrow.  I'd love to go back to having the ultra fancy purses... but I've come to terms with the fact that until the kids are older, my fate is sealed.  There is a limited edition Dooney & Bourke Mickey Mouse/Disneyland purse that I have been eying at the Disneyland stores.  But the other day as I was eying it... I saw the above purse on one of the racks.  I WAS FLOORED.  It is cute (definitely a different style than Dooney & Bourke, but still way cute).

But the absolute best part is the purse pictured above is only $25 (with passholder discount).  Um... talk about deal of the century.  They have a number of styles, the above just happens to be the purse I bought.  

So... if this purse only lasts me a couple of months I am totally cool with that, but I've had it for a couple weeks and it is holding up great. 

Now... if I get let's say 50 comments on this post... I might just have to go buy one to do a giveaway on here... :)  Convince me to do a giveaway guys! 

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