Richard Kaufman - All Comments

re: The Folks Who do it Right: The Tokyo Disney Resort at Halloween

YUMI — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:01:45 GMT

I saw your reports and piscures and I feel happy. I love parade of Disneyland. I am a Japanese gilr. I sometimes go to Tokyo Disneyland and I have been to Disneyland in California twice. I would like to go to Disneyland around the wold. Which Disney land have you been to?

re: The Folks Who do it Right: The Tokyo Disney Resort at Halloween

magic hand — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:24:20 GMT

nice article - BUT the facts are anything but correct regarding Disneyland Paris!

a. Disneyland Paris is celebrating Halloween since the mid 90s - and not just in the last two years (a little research can help before publishing, you know?)

b. DLP has a combination of the TDR and the US approach. Meaning: there is the upcharge event(s) and there is the free for every guests of the Disneyland Park season - however, with various events.

The main event is "Disney's Halloween Party" in Disneyland on the 301st of October after park closure (32 EURO per guest). It takes place only once and has special decorations / atmosphere, streetentertainment, show performances and a sound & lights / fireworks spectactular at midnight. They used to hold this party several nights in the past, but limited it to once per year now.

The second year in row there is now also an adult-oriented, scary event party in the Walt Disney Studios at one night, this year on the 30th October after park closure (29 EURO per guest). There is special atmosphere in the park, extra streetentertainment, a show and scary lay-overs for some attractions.

Also returning for 2010 was "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" which took place at several evenings after park closure in the Disneyland Park and was a family-friendly upcharge event with extra decorations, atmosphere and entertainment.

However in addition to these three different parties (a choice that NO other Disney resort offers) there is also the regular Halloween season which is a staple at DLP since tghe mid-90s. It takes place inside the Disneyland Park and is included in park admission. It includes limited decorations on Town Square and a fully decked out Frontierland transformed into Halloweenland. Also there is a special segment (one major, one minor floats, characters & dancers) added to the daily parade, a large Halloween show performed several times daily on Central Plaza, special Character Meet'n'Greets (e.g. Jack & Sally, the fab five in Halloween costumes, the Disney Villains), free candy at parades and meet'n'greets and entertainment (e.g. free face painting) - mostly in Halloweenland.

re: The Folks Who do it Right: The Tokyo Disney Resort at Halloween

Dan Kuipers — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:45:04 GMT

My wife and I went on a 3 stop trip in Asia for our honeymoon, and Tokyo and Tokyo Disneyland were our first stop. This was in mid September, and we were ecstatic to see the Halloween decor setup, as we had never been to the Florida or California parks at this time of year. After reading the descriptions for the US parks, I totally agree with your opinion of Tokyo's handling of this holiday. We had a blast, and in addition to it being a new Disney park for us to visit, we felt it extra special with the detail and added "cuteness" they put into the park. One added detail that I feel worth mention in your article. In Tokyo Disneyland specifically, hundreds of Japanese show up to the parks in full Disney costume. These costumes are not something easily picked up at a local Walmart, but very intricate and probably expensive costumes, ranging from every Disney princess to smaller characters such as the Mad Hatter and Bert from Mary Poppins. I think that would be a very interesting article to read if you were able to get enough pictures and subject matter to write about. Thanks again for this piece, and all of the work you do.

re: The Folks Who do it Right: The Tokyo Disney Resort at Halloween

TellinItLikeItIs — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:54:49 GMT

TDL gets to do it better mostly because their Guests spend WAYYYY more than American audiences do. The stores there are incredibly packed because every time they come to the park, they always buy gifts for their family/friends. So because they're spending all that dough on junk - OLC can spend spend spend way more than the american parks do.

re: The Folks Who do it Right: The Tokyo Disney Resort at Halloween

curmudgeon — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:29:11 GMT

and no matter how much you hear in advance, when you're there, it's still better than you heard. In mid-October, I watched people run from one viewing of the parade to the next - yes, it was that good. A Halloween parade that will only be performing for two months. By the way, if Donald waves from the parade float, the kids wave back. If Mickey waves, Everybody waves back! No matter how many pictures you see online of Disney Seas, you will still find yourself standing slack-jawed when you arrive. No matter how many you tube videos you watch of Pooh's Honey Hunt, you still bounce off the ride with a huge smile.

re: The Folks Who do it Right: The Tokyo Disney Resort at Halloween

Tony Davis — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:03:30 GMT

Sea World Orlando does a fine job of doing some Halloween theming, the Sesame Street Halloween show, a walkthrough attraction for little ones, and free candy- all included with regular admission. Disney's candy isn't costing them $70 a person, that's for sure.

re: The Folks Who do it Right: The Tokyo Disney Resort at Halloween

FrenchMouse — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:36:24 GMT

TDL does it better !

We know that for quite some times (ever since they gave the go to TDS ?)

But i think you forget Hong Kong DL in a big way.

(you know? The beautiful resort, gorgeous hotels & awful park... )

Well I was fortunate to visit their halloween a few days ago and I think they really pushed some boudaries (for a disney ).

Besides DLP' "Terror Night" at the WDS, they really gave a scarier Halloween...

Especialy when you mention their spooky Main Street, the haunted hotel & Demon Jungle...

re: The Folks Who do it Right: The Tokyo Disney Resort at Halloween

Pam Falcioni — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:09:58 GMT

Thanks so much for sharing this story! I've never had much of an urge to visit Tokyo Disneyland, but this has changed my mind!

I love it when Imagineers are left to their own devices and are allowed to create all the incredible images they have in their very fertile minds. To heck with candy - I can buy that at Walmart, show me the fantasy and beauty that's made Disney so wonderful to kids and parents alike!