Disneyland Resort Update: 2021 Halloween Time (DCA Edition)
Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, CA
Welcome to part two of our Disneyland Resort Halloween Time coverage! Yesterday, we cruised through Downtown Disney, and Saturday, we’ll hit up Disneyland, but today, we’re shifting into the parks with a look at Disney California Adventure.
It was only four years ago that Halloween swept into DCA, boo-tifying Buena Vista Street, enchanting Cars Land, transforming Guardians of the Galaxy, and pumpkin-fying Paradise Park (well, more like Plaza de Familia-fying). The park has followed the same template, but given that it’s only been running for a few years, and last year was a wash, it still feels fresh. So lets take a picture stroll through DCA to check out how Halloween Time has spooked up Disneyland’s second gate!
An Oogie Boogie Buena Vista Street
I did mention that overall, most of the decorations and Halloween theming at California Adventure remains unchanged from the past few years, but there is one immediate difference—the Oogie Boogie scene over the DCA entry gates has as totally new look, with a slightly more colorful and detailed silhouette of Oogie Boogie and a some accompanying jack-o-lanterns. Though the posing and juxtaposition of elements is the same, the look is updated, and it looks pretty neat!
Inside, familiar purple bunting drapes the street lamps and storefronts. Behind the Storytellers Statue, the Headless Horseman has returned, striking a sinister figure. And Carthay Circle Restaurant once again has bats flying out of its bellfry. It’s a lovely, spooky ambiance, mixing the classic, 1920’s L.A feel of Buena Vista Street with a bit of Oogie Boogie mischief.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark
When the Monsters After Dark overlay first appeared for Guardians of the Galaxy in 2017, it was a special evening attraction. Every day, around 5pm, the regular Mission: Breakout ride is switched over to a scarier, more monstrous version. And it was awesome. With a brainlessly catchy rock soundtrack and a silly “find the Baby Groot before the monster does” storyline, Monsters After Dark was an instant hit.
This year, that transition time has been moved up a few hours. At 2:00, Mission: Breakout takes a break. At 3:00, the monsters take over—not quite after dark, but it’s okay, because the more opportunity to ride, the better! Just don’t look too delicious in front of the monsters.
Haul-O-Ween at Cars Land
Over in Cars Land, Radiator Springs once against transforms into a cornucopia of visual puns—all related to the fall holiday. Reimagining cars and car-related parts and road accessories into various Halloween decorations and disguises, “Radiator Screams” presents an absolutely adorably clever Halloween makeover that is full of great little details that guests can admire.
Plaza de la Familia at Paradise Park
Finally, over at Paradise Park, Plaza de la Familia returns to the park, infusing this part of DCA with a Coco vibe. The ambiance is festive and colorful, paralleling the vibrance associated with Día de los Muertos, and guests have a chance to meet Miguel, write a remembrance note to loved ones, enjoy a seasonal menu at the Garden Grill, or take in lively music at the Paradise Garden Grandstand. It’s a great, celebratory atmosphere all around!
And that rounds out this tour of DCA. We’re slowly returning back to normal with our Halloween sequence. Disney first, then Universal, and then the of the mainstays will round out from there. If you go out to enjoy the spooks, stay safe, stay considerate, and have a fun time! And swing by the site too. We’ll be having plenty of ghoulish content this season!
Architect. Photographer. Disney nerd. Haunt enthusiast. Travel bugged. Concert fiend. Asian.
