Each year from September onwards, the grounds of Disneyland Resort light up with the spooky spirit of Halloween.

While Halloween is traditionally a time of frights and ghouls, Halloween - Disney-style - is full of fun and excitement!

Those who enjoy Halloween will fall in love with Disneyland at this time of year as it goes all out in celebration of this spooky seasonal holiday. Halloween is one of the most special times of year to visit Disneyland Resort, as the Disney villains descend on the park along with Mickey and his friends in enchanting Halloween costumes. In addition, some of the park’s most popular rides and attractions are transformed. If those weren’t reasons enough to take a trip, then add in the amazing Halloween themed food treats on offer and the Halloween-only merchandise for sale!

The following is our list of seven reasons why Halloween is the most fantastic time of year to spend at Disneyland:

Halloween Décor

While the ambiance at Disneyland is always amazing, it is particularly enjoyable at Halloween.

During September and October, Disneyland is ‘dressed’ with Halloween decorations and fall décor - with every corner of the park covered in amazing seasonal embellishments. This makes the whole experience even more thrilling, as there is so much detail to take in while you make your way around the park.

The most famous Halloween decoration to adorn the streets of Disneyland is the giant pumpkin Mickey Mouse head which occupies Main Street U.S.A at this time of year. This decoration makes a fantastic photo opportunity!

Disney Villains

At Halloween, all of the Disney Villains come out to play.

While character spotting within the parks has become quite a sport for some families, Halloween can be a fantastic opportunity to catch a glimpse of some of the villains who are not often seen within the parks – and you may even be able to get a photo! If you love to see the characters when you visit Disneyland, make sure you go when they are out in full force – at Halloween!

Pumpkin Festival

At Halloween, Main Street, U.S.A is inhabited by hundreds of pumpkins!

While Main Street is always a visual treat, it is particularly enjoyable at this time of year, as the entire street is transformed for the annual Pumpkin festival. These hand carved pumpkins cannot be missed – they run straight from the entrance of Disneyland through to Sleeping Beauty’s castle, and no two pumpkins are the same! Have fun spotting all your favorite characters on the pumpkins and be sure to spend some time there in the evening, as some of the pumpkins light up!

Ghost Galaxy

Tomorrowland takes on a spooky identity at Halloween when Space Mountain is transformed into ‘Ghost Galaxy’. While Space Mountain can be terrifying for some people at other times of the year, in the fall this ride is haunted! At Halloween, you will sit in the car and allow yourself to be chased around the galaxy by ghosts who will appear out of the darkness and attempt to ‘grab’ riders.

While this ride is a fantastic, spooky treat for adults, be warned - children might be frightened by the haunting music and spooky special effects!

Haunted Mansion Holiday

The Haunted Mansion also gets a makeover at this time of year, and it is one of the most radical Halloween transformations that you will experience in the park!

Themed from top-to-toe in The Nightmare before Christmas, the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square is inhabited by Jack Skellington and his friends who have completely redecorated the mansion, inside and out. While this ride is normally thoroughly spooky, at Halloween it is filled with the eeriness of Halloweentown as well as Christmas cheer.

Look out for: the Gingerbread House in the ballroom of the mansion. The design for house changes every year and its scent fills the room with the smell of warm gingerbread as you pass by.

 Halloween Carnival

One area of the park that really knows how to put on Halloween is Big Thunder Ranch, which hosts the ‘Halloween Carnival’ each year.

 The Halloween Carnival is the perfect place for families and children to hang out as it’s filled with fantastic fall decorations and activities for small children. The Carnival also features a magic show and lots of fun character sightings! This attraction is the most popular for those who love fall, as it is thoroughly themed with seasonal autumn décor.

Halloween Food

Eating at Disneyland is a particularly fun experience at Halloween. In addition to all the extra fun and decorations the park puts on, is a fantastic variety of edible treats in every area of the park.

 Look out for these extra-spooky treats during September to October:

•  Minnie and Mickey Caramel Apples
• Jack Skellington Cake Pops
• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Candy Corn Cotton Candy
• Ursula Cupcakes
• Mickey Bat Cookies
• RIP Cupcakes
• Pumpkin Fritters
• Pumpkin Cheesecake

 Disneyland’s best chef’s and food preparation staff work hard to create this amazing collection of Halloween inspired treats so be sure to try some of them out – they are only available for two months of the year!

If you love Halloween, click here to view our hair-raising range of chilling Halloween figurines!

Look out for our next article: 7 MORE reasons to visit Disneyland at Halloween!