California

New at Disneyland: ‘Frightfully Fun Parade'

The special spooky procession will be seen during Mickey's Halloween Party.

Mention the word "ballroom" at Disneyland Resort and just one place waltzes into mind: The Haunted Mansion, and its shadowy spectral center space, the one filled with the not-quite-there revelers dancing the night away (and, yes, giddily swinging from the chandelier, too).

Disneyland's beloved ballroom ghosts have been relegated to the "Ear-ie" attraction since its opening 47 years ago, but they'll spring out, along with a few Hitchhiking Ghosts, when the planet's best-known theme park debuts a new spooky-flavored parade in time for Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort.

There are a few things to know from the get-go: The "Frightfully Fun Parade" is indeed a seasonal treat, but, even more than that, it is taking place soully — er, solely, rather — during Mickey's Halloween Party, the trick-or-treat to-do that happens on select nights during September and October.

So while Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort haunts the parks daily from Friday, Sept. 9 through Monday, Oct. 31, you'll want to buy that separate ticket for the party should you want to catch this spirited strut.

Also? You're right, Walt Disney World Resort does indeed boast "Boo-to-You," a nighttime eek-out procession. While regular visitors to both Florida and Anaheim may keep an eye out for similarities and differences, those at the California ghost gathering can expect a caboodle of villains, The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, and the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington. (True story: Disney World also offers a line-up of celebrated scalawags in its Halloween parade.)

Dr. Facilier of "The Princess and the Frog" is the enchanter doing the villain summoning, and a host of classic characters will turn out to lend fairy tale-type terror to the on-the-move show (it's a bit scary, yes, but not too goose-bumpily).

Atmospheric, beautifully costumed, and awash in Gothic and mysterious music, the "Frightfully Fun Parade" will glower, gleefully, for a total of 17 nights, from Sept. 23 through Halloween itself.

Just remember... no Doom Buggy can whisk you from your spot alongside the parade should you wish for one, nor will any good witches be nearby to send the villains running.

Can you be brave? (You can be.)

So best hurry back, hurry baaaaack... (or just hurry to get your ticket to Mickey's Halloween Party, as they do sell out in scary-fast fashion).

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us