Halloween Time at Disneyland draws crowds and revenue

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On the fifth anniversary of its Halloween celebration, Disneyland in Anaheim reported an overall increase in attendance of at least 40% since the park began to redecorate for the holiday in 2005.

During a news briefing Friday, Disney officials declined to say how many people enter the park during its Halloween Time events, but they noted that the celebration has grown in attendance and sales of merchandise and food.

In the past, summer, springtime and the Christmas holidays were the peak seasons for the theme park. Today, the Halloween Time events, from Sept. 17 to Oct. 31, are fast growing in popularity.

Since 2005, Disneyland has expanded the Halloween events by 12 days, added new costumed characters, a costume parade, themed attractions and dozens of merchandise and Halloween-themed food.

This year, the special event was moved from Disney’s California Adventure park to Disneyland to accommodate more visitors.

During Halloween Time at Disneyland, the park is redecorated in Halloween themes and guests can dress in costumes. The Mickey Mouse character, for example, dresses as a warlock.

On Tuesday and Friday nights in October and on Halloween night, the park is closed to the general public and opened only to guests who buy tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party. During the party, kids and parents can trick-or-treat throughout the park and ride the attractions.

Since 2005, revenue from merchandise sales alone has increase 20% during Halloween Time and 104% during Mickey’s Halloween Party, according to Disneyland officials. Food sales during Halloween Time have also increased about 12% annually, Disneyland officials said.

--Hugo Martin