Its the most wonderful time of the year: Halloween

Yup! You read that right. Christmas can suck it, it's all about Halloween. Here's what I am missing right now at Disneyland during the Halloween overlay.

I've always been a kid that loved Halloween more than any other holiday. In previous posts I talked about getting to go to the OG Mickeys Halloween Trick or Treat parties and those parties really left a mark on me. Since they came back, I've really enjoyed going as an adult.

The Treats.

Every year Disneyland has these amazing looking themed Halloween treats to munch on. Except... about 99% of the time they are not gluten free or vegan. BUT one treat each year never lets me down: the specialty mint julep!! Last year the flavor was...

Blackberry Midnight Julep – Blackberry, citrus and mint flavors with lychee “moon”

I love this drink so much. It was a bit too sweet for me to drink all by myself but Ren was ever so happy to help complete the task. Each year there are SO MANY fun and delicious looking food and beverage offerings during Halloween I really wish they started making a few GF and vegan! I mean... come on guys it's 2020. (that being said the last two years for the Christmas Holiday they have this BOMB vegan GF pozole at Harbor Galley. Chefs, please bring that back!! But taste it because 1 out of 4 ends up way too salty.)

Even though I can't partake, I do love looking at all the cute and spooky eats and treats the Disney Chefs come up with each year. (come on Disney TAKE MY MONEY!! Make some allergy-friendly treats for Halloween)

The tricks.

Last year (2019) there were the Halloween Screams Fireworks and it featured a projection show on Main Street USA. I absolutely loved this! Sure, for me the music can be a little to pop-ey, but the show is for sure a must see. You can see the projections on Main Street, the Castle, or even It's A Small World. The best place to see the fireworks is closer to the castle. My favorite place to see the projections is definitely in the middle of Main Street USA where you have projections ALL around you. Grab a yummy treat to eat and settle into a spot. The big bad wolf section of the show I find super cute. Here is a part of the big bad wolf section I recored on my phone last year. Look how cute!!

Of course, Halloween time is also when we get to ride the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion overlay: Haunted Mansion Holiday. Each year the gingerbread house in the dining room is different and it smells like gingerbread. This ride is a must. And I'm so happy it's that way all the way 'till Christmas so I can get a little Halloween in my Christmas... just the way I like it.

The tree.

Have you seen the Halloween Tree in Frontierland? It is truly my favorite decoration that Disney does during the spooky season. I love it so much because it is dedicated to author Ray Bradbury in honor of his 1972 novel "The Halloween Tree".

“Bradbury, a lifetime Disney fan and the author of classic American novels such as “Fahrenheit 451,” met Walt Disney in 1964. In the years that followed, Bradbury helped develop many attractions at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, most notably Spaceship Earth at Epcot. He also penned the screenplays for two Disney films, “Something Wicked This Way Comes” (1983) and “The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit” (1999). Bradbury’s novel “The Halloween Tree” tells the story of a group of trick-or-treaters who learn about the origins of Halloween while on an adventure to find their missing friend. Bradbury dreamed of having a Halloween Tree at Disneyland, and on the 35th anniversary of the novel, his dream was brought to life. “I belong here in Disneyland, ever since I came here 50 years ago. I’m glad I’m going to be a permanent part of the spirit of Halloween at Disneyland,” the author said at the tree’s dedication. Bradbury would visit the tree before he passed away in 2012.

Be sure to click the link in the picture to read a little more about the connection between Ray Bradbury and Disney.

Walt Disney World is open right now and has been sprinkling in some Halloween cheer. Even though the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is not going to happen you can still see some of the costumes from the party on cast members and characters alike.