Halloween is in full swing as Tokyo Disneyland celebrates its 35th Anniversary in style. From parades to detailed décor, from foods to unique merchandise, we bring you the details in our thorough articles from the Tokyo Disney Resort.
Tokyo Disneyland is known for its attention to detail and enthusiasm in celebrating each season. Halloween is no exception. And, as always, there is no extra cover charge for holiday festivities. It’s all included in your entry ticket.
Abundant Seasonal Entertainment at Tokyo Disneyland
In this article, we highlight the 2018 Halloween season at Tokyo Disneyland themed: ‘Welcome to a Spooky Land!’ This year marks the premiere of the Spooky “Boo!” parade, as grinning ghosts and pumpkins take over the Park.
It is almost overwhelming the amount of entertainment scheduled daily at Tokyo Disneyland. Every day, the “Spooky Boo!” Halloween parade runs twice, in addition to the 35th Anniversary “Dreaming Up!” parade, and the nightly “Electrical Parade Dreamlights.”
Then there’s the new 35th Anniversary castle projection spectacular: “Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland” that is shown twice each evening. Plus, the fireworks. We took each as an extra opportunity to bring you amazing photos from the Tokyo Disney Resort (TDR).
This is our second Halloween season at the TDR. See more of our coverage from Halloween 2016 in the “Ghoulishly Delightful Halloween Experiences” articles Part 1 (Tokyo Disneyland) and Part 2 (Tokyo DisneySea).
Halloween Overlay to Tokyo Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary
Earlier this year, we brought you a series of articles from the 35th Anniversary “Happiest Celebration!” at Tokyo Disneyland that began on April 15, 2018. The 35th plays a large role in all of this year’s seasonal festivities, as the entrance Mickey statuary has not been changed out to Halloween décor.
In 2016, we had seen the World Bazaar completely transformed with pumpkins. This year, we have the colorful “Happiest Celebration!” centerpiece, with some hints of Halloween colors.
After dark, however, guests are treated to a spooky Halloween light and projection show.
Spooky “Boo!” Parade
The new Spooky “Boo!” parade has strange but friendly ghosts looking for new friends at Tokyo Disneyland. The floats feature classic Disneyland attractions inhabited by Mickey and his pals – as well as some new eerie buddies.
Before the parade, cast members teach hand motions to go along with the choreography. This is very culturally popular amongst guests, as many participate during the parades. You’ll see the Disney characters in some of these poses as well in the photos below.
The Spooky “Boo!” parade has start and stop segments, with different musical themes for each segment. Your viewing experience will differ depending on which float stops in front of you. As always, the details on the floats and costuming are beautifully executed.
Zombies, ghost soldiers, and skeletons make this a slightly darker parade, but still full of Disney fun. After all, “Every ghost is now a friend.” Max opens the parade on the Disneyland Railroad float with Huey, Dewey, and Louie in tow.
Here is a video of the opening segment of the Spooky “Boo!” parade.
Supporting dancers include acrobatic skeletons, zombie pirates, and more.
Smaller ‘vending’ push carts had creative snacks such as “PopBone” skulls – instead of popcorn.
Goofy captains the Jungle Cruise float with Pluto.
Ghost soldiers protect Mickey on the Castle float.
Minnie’s float features a haunted Carousel and Clarice.
Donald and Daisy host the Mark Twain-inspired float. Their ghosts are having quite a jamboree as the Country Bears have joined them (in pumpkin form).
Chip and Dale dance on the Splash Mountain float. There are even little pumpkins riding in a log about to go down the big drop.
Here’s a view of the Spooky “Boo!” floats in a moving segment of the parade.
Halloween Decorations in the Hub
Alongside the 35th Anniversary symbol in the hub were scenes of happy ghosts in graveyards with pumpkins and 35 black cats. Even trash cans were decorated for the season.
Ghosts were happily reading, playing with their cats…
or snapping selfies.
Some were playing chess…
Or taking a nap.
Banners in the hub featured these grinning ghosts…
as well as Mickey and friends in their Halloween costumes.
Halloween Décor in Toontown
Toontown had particularly whimsical decorations this year. Here is pumpkin Goofy…
…and his house, complete with a Goofy topiary.
Pumpkin Donald seems to be in a great mood in front of his boat.
Mickey’s House featured a pumpkin Sorcerer Mickey.
Pumpkin Minnie was particularly fashionable.
Even the Toontown Trolley got in on the fun.
Uniquely flavored popcorn is a huge part of the culture at TDR. It seems only fitting that the popcorn carts were also outfitted for Halloween. See the little ghost cranking the popcorn?
Halloween in Fantasyland
A centerpiece in Fantasyland behind the castle featured Mickey and Friends in one large statue.
The statue became a great photo op with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Chip and Dale.
Playful ghosts were sprinkled throughout Fantasyland. Some were familiar faces in new locations. Others were new to us.
Even some of the buildings put on ghoulish grins.
Wild, Wild West Pumpkins in Westernland
Toe-tapping ghosts created a festive environment on a wagon in Westernland.
The Country Bear Jamboree (running their Summer Vacation show) was also transformed for the Halloween season.
Jack Skellington returns in “Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare”
Combine Disneyland Anaheim’s Nightmare Before Christmas overlay with Disney World’s version of Haunted Mansion, and you have Tokyo Disneyland’s “Haunted Mansion Holiday.” Only, it’s in Japanese.
We shared some attraction photos in our 2016 article (Sally sitting in the conservatory with Teddy playing piano. Zero trimming the tree in the library.) Here are a few more unique features that you won’t find at Anaheim Disneyland’s Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion.
Jack and Sally greet guests at the entry after the safety bars go down. (This is a really tough photo to get, since the room is pitch dark).
The séance room with Madame Leota has a few extra visitors: Lock, Shock, and Barrel. Madame Leota doesn’t float, as at Disneyland.
The gingerbread house looked delightful in the ballroom scene. It does not appear to change every year, as they do in California.
Jack and Sally exchange gifts in the window of the ballroom scene (in place of the twirling Christmas tree)
The snake in the attic eats a ‘naughty and nice’ list of names in Japanese and English.
Lock, Shock, and Barrel “follow you home,” popping up in the mirrored exit hallway. No Oogie Boogie here.
Sally looks on as Jack flies away in his Sandy Claws sleigh. This pose is similar to her new full-sized addition in the graveyard scene in Anaheim.
Do you love Halloween? What features did you find most interesting about Tokyo Disneyland’s Halloween? Follow us as we continue review Halloween at Tokyo DisneySea, and see the seasonal food and merch of the Tokyo Disney Resort!
