Scaredy-Parks: 2008 Halloween Events at California Theme Parks

Disney's HalloweenTime and Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party

• September 26 to November 2
• Cost: Included in Disneyland admission. Advance tickets for Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party at Disney's California Adventure, a separate nighttime event, costs $29 and $37 on October 31.
• For more info: (714) 781-4400

For the third year, Disneyland is adding some jack-o-lanterns and cobwebs to the resort and offering its own Halloween event--albeit a considerably tamer one than the gross-out freak-fests at Knott's, Universal Studios, and other parks. Disneyland park will once again transform its classic Haunted Mansion attraction with a Halloween-meets-Christmas theme into Haunted Mansion Holiday. By overlaying the characters from "Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas," the attraction is able to maintain its haunted aura while introducing some off-kilter Yuletide cheer. It's a unique way to celebrate two holiday seasons. The park will also present Woody's Halloween Roundup with storytelling, crafts, and Halloween treats.

Throughout the two California parks, Mickey and the gang will be decked out in their Halloween finest. Also, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which terrorizes guests year-round at Disney's California Adventure, is accessorized for Halloween and all the spookier.

Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party

• Disney's California Adventure, Anaheim, CA
• 2008 dates: October 3, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, and 31.
• Cost: $29 in advance, $37 for October 31. 2 and under free.
• For more info: (714) 781-4400

In addition to the seasonal fun Disney will be conjuring during the day, it will stage an extra-charge nighttime Halloween event, Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party at Disney's California Adventure, that will include live music, trick-or-treat stations, craft-making, activities, and other mildly spooky fun for tykes, as well as selected rides and attractions.

Fright Fest

• Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia (near Los Angeles), CA
• 2008 dates: Oct. 4, 5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 and 30-31.
• Cost: Included in Six Flags admission
• For more info: (661) 255-4100

Other than the dates listed above, Magic Mountain's 2008 info was not available at the time I wrote this. The following is info from the 2007 event:

There will be four mazes, including Deadman's Bog, Willoughby's Haunted Mansion, and Brutal Planet. Riders will be able to brave the dark on Six Flags' popular coasters, including Scream!, Tatsu, and Colossus--which will run backwards during Fright Fest. Younger kids and their parents will probably want to avoid the gory, PG-13 attractions and head for Bugs Bunny World where the park will have more mild "Twick or Tweat" crafts, games, street entertainers, and a stage show.

Fright Fest

• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo (near San Francisco), CA
• 2008 dates: Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 24-26, and 31. Nov. 1 and 2.
• Cost: Included in Six Flags admission, (with the exception of haunted houses, which require an extra fee.)
• For more info: (707) 643-6722

Haunted mazes will include Kamp Khaos and Tinseltown Terror (for an additional fee). The park will offer scare zones as well. There'll be a nightly funeral procession to kick off Fright Fest as well as an illusion stage show. During the day, Discovery Kingdom will cater to younger kids with Halloween-themed sea lion and dolphin shows, a magic show, a costume parade, and a trick or treat trail.

Brick-or-Treat Trail and Brick-or-Treat Party Nights

• Legoland California, Carlsbad (near San Diego), CA
• 2008 dates for Brick-or-Treat Trail: Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26.
  2008 dates for Brick-or-Treat Party Nights: Oct. 4, 11, 18, and 25.
• Cost: Daytime Brick-or-Treat Trail events and Brick-or-Treat Party Nights are included in Legoland admission. The price for Brick-or-Treat Party Nights tickets only are $35.
• For more info: (760) 918-5346

During the day, Legoland will be adding some Halloween fun to its regular attractions and shows. Features will include in-park trick-or-treating, a Brick-or-Treat trail with Lego-themed spooky (but not that spooky) houses, a candy corn scavenger hunt, and a costume contest for kids. The nighttime party will include a costume contest and a stage show.

Halloween Haunt and Nick or Treat

• Great America, Santa Clara, CA
• 2008 Halloween Haunt dates: Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, and 31. Nov. 1.
  2008 Nick or Treat dates: Oct, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26.
• Nick or Treat cost: Included in Great America's admission
  Halloween Haunt is a separate admission, nighttime event. At the time I wrote this, details were not available.
• For more info: (408)-988-1776

Great America, which has been featuring Nickelodeon-themed fun for its Halloween event, will continue the family-friendly fun this year. Kids 12 and under can trick-or-treat for goodies along with Nickelodeon characters. But, new for 2008, the park will also bring on the gore with its separate nighttime Halloween Haunt. At the time I wrote this, details were not available, but it's likely to include haunted mazes, scare zones, and special Halloween shows.

Halloween Spooktacular

• SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, CA
• 2008 dates: Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, and 31. Nov. 1 and 2.
• Cost: Included in SeaWorld admission
• For more info: 800-257-4268

SeaWorld will present special shows and offer family fun at its G-rated event.

Halloween Treasure Hunt and Scarecrow Alley

• Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy, CA
• 2008 dates: Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26.
• Cost: Included in Gilroy Gardens admission
• For more info: (408) 840-7100

Gilroy Gardens will feature a bevy of scarecrows and a pumpkin patch, both of which fit into its garden theme. It will also offer a treasure hunt with prizes for all. Community organizations design the pirate-themed scarecrows. The pumpkins will be available for sale.