Partners, the copper statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse holding hands, is the central point of initial attention at Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California. Photo: Rama Gaind.
Celebrating Halloween at the Disneyland Resort, in the US, is still among my best travel memories. How quickly did the day evolve into festive gatherings, an evening of merriment, participating in activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o’-lanterns, donning costumes and eating delicious treats. Sweet indulgences were the order of the day … against parents’ advice, of course!
Opened in July 1955, it is one of the oldest and largest theme parks, and the only one designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, a pioneer of the American animation industry.
Delight and excitement go in tandem as you step into this resort in Anaheim, California. Happy, carefree, entertaining times on family vacations. The happy mood swing is instant. It really is ”the happiest place on Earth”!
Reminiscing about those magical days is now rife as details emerge of a special Halloween time of festive frights and fun that await you at the Disneyland Resort until 31 October. Holiday packages are also available for Christmas.
Imagine a vacation destination renowned for its world-class amusement parks and iconic characters that transform into a thrilling Halloween wonderland where every detail is designed to engage you in a spectacular, spooky adventure. Thrills are guaranteed in Anaheim with jubilant parades and parties for the whole family, not to mention the haunted-house tours.
You might be wondering what percentage of Australians celebrate Halloween. The answer may well surprise you. Australians are getting into the scary-season spirit this year, with retailers set to enjoy a $450 million boost from Halloween spending!
The fun that is Halloween. Photo: Disneyland Resort.
New data from Roy Morgan shows 21 per cent of Australians say they are planning to celebrate the event, and that of those participating, each person will spend an average of $93. Australians aged 35-49 are the most likely to celebrate Halloween (34 per cent), followed closely by under 35s (25 per cent).
Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra says Halloween has cemented its status as an important seasonal event for Australian retailers in recent years.
“From costumes to cosmetics to confectionary, Australians are enjoying getting ghoulish during the lead-up to Thursday, October 31,” Mr Zahra says.
“Halloween is a wonderful opportunity for families with many parents choosing to dress up with their children for trick-or-treating, or host costume parties with friends and relatives. Many adults are also getting into the spooky season and hosting adult parties.
“We’re continuing to see softened discretionary spending habits in line with the cost-of-living crunch. Despite this, Australians continue to get into the spirit of these celebratory seasonal moments, and many retailers are well poised to take advantage of those opportunities.”
While the cash injection will provide a much-needed retail boost, Mr Zahra noted that spending on Halloween this year was down $40 million compared with last year’s $490 million.
Disneyland fun times at the Anaheim Halloween Parade. Photo: Supplied.
The sprawling Disneyland Resort, consisting of the original Disneyland Park and the adjacent Disney California Adventure Park, is divided up into themed ‘’lands’’ with related rides, shows and numerous attractions. Rising beyond Main Street, Sleeping Beauty Castle is the distinctive beacon at the heart of the theme park, with its turquoise-tiled towers, golden turrets and working drawbridge.
You’ll find an abode of an entirely different sort in the Adventureland Treehouse, which is inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson. The treehouse is bigger and more impressive than ever after an extensive reimagining of the 1962 original.
The enchantment is palpable in this dreamlike complex that sprawls across more than 200 ha. There are many pinch-me moments, feeling one’s never too old to get excited about meeting Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck, with the list of characters growing. Wistfulness abounds when reflecting on the joyful experiences on the classic Disney rides, at the theme parks, viewing other unique attractions, going souvenir shopping, watching shows and restaurant dining.
At Disneyland Park, you can enjoy the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and meet all your favourite Disney characters on Main Street, USA. Then head over to Disney California Adventure Park and check out the Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark. Knott’s Scary Farm is the longest-running and most haunting Halloween theme park event in southern California. Also check out the Halloween spooktacular at Anaheim Town Square and the Witches Brew Night Market.
Immerse yourself with gay abandon in the ultimate realm of make-believe … kind of … that is Disneyland!
