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Disneyland to Offer New Family-Friendly Halloween EventBut "Mickey's Halloween Treat" will be at California Adventure, not the original Disneyland park. Will families go?
By Robert Niles Just got this blast e-mail from Disney:
Disney's run a highly successful "Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party" at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for years, positioning the park to attract family customers, while teens and older visitors head to the much-more-scary Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. In Southern California, Knott's has pretty much had the Halloween market to itself, with the industry-leading Halloween Haunt. Six Flags Magic Mountain, north of the area in Valencia, has also offered Halloween events. Universal Studios Hollywood dropped its event several years ago, due to concerns about liability and disruption of business at the adjacent CityWalk entertainment district. Knott's has reached out to families with young kids by offering "Camp Spooky" events in its Camp Snoopy kids' area during regular operating hours. And Legoland California has also offered themed Halloween events. But Disney's long-awaited entry into the market should impact both those efforts. The question remains, however, will families flock to this event given that it is slated for California Adventure, rather than the much more popular and kid-friendly "Magic Kingdom"-style park across the esplanade? Readers' reviews: Comments:From Robert Niles
The links in the e-mail for more information and to buy tickets, unfortunately, do not work, as of noon on Aug. 11. Posted via 69.234.141.122 on August 11, 2005 at 12:25 PM (MST)
From Jason Moore
If done as well as MNSSHP in is done here at WDW I don't see why it wouldn't be a success. I know plenty of teens and adults who prefer the less scary, more participitory nature (dressing up) of Disney's event to the Horror Nights at Universal. You do raise a good question though about it being in DCA instead of DL, but I think they can overcome that. Posted via 24.227.42.142 on August 11, 2005 at 1:44 PM (MST)
From Michael Kostrikin
I don't think this is as "new" as they claim. In past years, Disneyland has held a similar sounding event with the same name, "Mickey's Halloween Treat." Google-ing the phrase leads me to believe it was started in 1995.Posted via 204.108.96.10 on August 11, 2005 at 4:45 PM (MST) I truly doubt it will have much (if any) impact on other parks. Halloween just isn't Disney's thing.
From Jason Lester
This isn't going to affect the Knott's night Haunt at all, but the daytime kid's one...Posted via 66.214.87.109 on August 11, 2005 at 6:58 PM (MST) Maybe. I said it in the Princess Tea Party thread and will say it here. Disney's a name. Who cares about quality when it's at Disney?! Knott's isn't as popular a park and Cedar Fair isn't the best-known name in the business. Can Knott's keep it's attendance for Camp Spooky up? Only time will tell...
From rick stevens
I've been going to Knott's Scary Farm with my church youth group for around 10 years now. It is definitely not for little ones even though I see them there. It is geared for teens and up, NC-13 stuff with the mazes and shows. We really needed something for the little ones. I think that, even though it is in DCA, it will be a success. Since halloween haunts are not really about the rides, but instead the ambiance (except Six Flags where they have Colossus going backwards), Disney has the upper hand with it's characters and their rapport with children. Posted via 66.214.17.56 on August 11, 2005 at 10:33 PM (MST)
From Jason Lester
Church groups at Knott's? Not to be offensive, but isn't the Church against such things as witchcraft and violence? Knott's is a big celebration of all things horrifying and evil. I love it personally, but I'm just wondering.Posted via 66.214.87.109 on August 11, 2005 at 10:48 PM (MST) Also, I started going when I was about 10 and have loved it since. So I guess it all depends on the kid. I mean, that's also the age when I saw Pulp Fiction, so I was already a bit exposed to violence, but mature enough to handle it.
From J. Dana
Hey, we church folks love good scares too...Universal Orlando's event has been a mainstay for me and my "churchy" friends, so I'm looking for a good alterantive now that I'm here in Southern California (last year I flew back to Orlando). Glad to know that Knott's is edgy and not for the faint of heart...Posted via 70.34.222.94 on August 11, 2005 at 10:54 PM (MST) Disney will do great with it's celebration...it will take a few years to catch on like the one in Florida, but if they've got the patience, they should do fine...besides, Anaheim is more of a "locals" hang-out, so the Halloween market should do well there.
From Sid Ryan
Not all churches are against Halloween.Posted via 64.236.243.16 on August 12, 2005 at 8:05 AM (MST) Heck, I even remember when the Christian college group "Campus Life" used to sponsor the "Scream In The Dark" Haunted Houses... Now they don't even want to talk about those times...! -cid.
From Jason Lester
Kind of a stereotype then. Well, I hope you enjoy Knott's Haunt this year. It's the best Haunt event around.Posted via 66.214.87.109 on August 12, 2005 at 9:01 AM (MST) Don't kill me Halloween Horror Nights fans.
From rick stevens
We not only go to Knott's for the Halloween Haunt, we do a Spring Carnival with a youth sponsored haunted house. The Kids love it. We do a lights on version fo the little ones, and a lights out version for the older ones. I get ideas from the mazes at Knott's. They enjoy setting it up as much as working it. I even have a few that have gone on to work the Knott's event, one is in charge of a couple of mazes. Posted via 66.214.17.56 on August 12, 2005 at 10:57 PM (MST)
From rick stevens
We not only go to Knott's for the Halloween Haunt, we do a Spring Carnival with a youth sponsored haunted house. The Kids love it. We do a lights on version fo the little ones, and a lights out version for the older ones. I get ideas from the mazes at Knott's. They enjoy setting it up as much as working it. I even have a few that have gone on to work the Knott's event, one is in charge of a couple of mazes. Posted via 66.214.17.56 on August 12, 2005 at 10:57 PM (MST)
From rick stevens
We not only go to Knott's for the Halloween Haunt, we do a Spring Carnival with a youth sponsored haunted house. The Kids love it. We do a lights on version fo the little ones, and a lights out version for the older ones. I get ideas from the mazes at Knott's. They enjoy setting it up as much as working it. I even have a few that have gone on to work the Knott's event, one is in charge of a couple of mazes. Posted via 66.214.17.56 on August 12, 2005 at 10:57 PM (MST)
From rick stevens
Sorry about the triple response, my laptop went a little haywire last night. Posted via 66.214.17.56 on August 13, 2005 at 10:22 AM (MST)
From Jason Lester
That's cool. I'd love to work at Knott's some day during Haunt. Of course, I'd want another job the rest of the year, but come October... Posted via 207.200.116.74 on August 13, 2005 at 11:19 AM (MST)
From rick stevens
I agree, I love the haunt. It is not about the rides, but the mazes and monsters that really make it enjoyable. You have to make sure you go with someone that the monsters will pick on, it is much more fun. I miss the really tall monter that would slide on kneepads with noise making cans. When he would slide up and stand up towering over the park patrons, it was priceless! Hope to see you all at the haunt! Posted via 66.214.17.56 on August 18, 2005 at 12:46 AM (MST)
From Jason Lester
What monster was that? I have to say my favorite is Dusty, don't know if you know who he is, but he's in Ghost Town and is hilarious. He roams around the ultimatehaunt.com boards sometime you should check it out if you love Haunt. Of course, if you love Haunt, you've probably already been. Posted via 63.202.129.90 on August 18, 2005 at 5:32 PM (MST)
From Jon Faaborg
I heard that tickets for Disney's not so scary party are selling out. Can anyone confirm this??? Posted via 70.179.1.126 on September 12, 2005 at 9:46 PM (MST)
From David Michael
I can, the original 4 nights have sold out.Posted via 24.165.3.191 on September 15, 2005 at 11:43 AM (MST) But two new dates have been added. Thursday, October 27th Sunday, October 30th. Of course, this requires that DCA closes at 6 PM instead of 9 PM to the General Public on October 30th. General Ticket sales have already started ($18), so order as soon as possible. You can get tickets at the Main Entry Plaza Ticket Booths, or by calling (714) 781-4400.
From Anthony Murphy
I am surpised that Disneyland has not been doing this in the first place. I guess the celebration and DCA is breathing much needed life in that area! Posted via 130.126.194.248 on September 15, 2005 at 12:00 PM (MST)
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