Don’t tell me it’s too soon! This is a travel blog and Disney and Universal have been doing their Halloween parties since August! Walmart put out the Halloween decorations right after Fourth of July, and those Spirit stores have been open for months! NOW is the time for you to plan your adventure for Halloween weekend! October 31st is a Monday, so we need to come up with some ideas for you to look into for that weekend. In my house, major holidays don’t have a day—they have a season! Nothing “just happens” in this world, and I need time to plan and execute things, especially when I want to get the full effect of holidays in several different locations. This year, Halloween will happen for me multiple times, through different activities, and that’s what I’m hoping you’ll take away from this week’s travel blog.

So get yourself some witches brew…and read on…

I Love Halloween

Halloween is awesome now that I’m an adult. I didn’t have many friends when I was young, and some of the “normal” growing up scenarios didn’t happen for me, so I’ve worked hard to make up for things in my adult life, and for my own kids. Halloween falls into that category, but it doesn’t outwardly show. I don’t really decorate the house much—despite my love of The Old Hag from Snow White, and my fascination with Disney Villains in general. I don’t really dress up for school, and we don’t go to Halloween parties every year.

All I do is sit in the driveway. With my Bestie Boo and a pitcher of adult beverage. And hand out candy. Lots and lots of candy to lots and lots of kids. 

But in the month BEFORE Halloween? Halloween travel! I travel for at least one weekend in celebration. Every year.

And I celebrate. I freaking love Halloween. 

Staying At Home Options

Halloween doesn’t always have to be a travel holiday. That said, trick-or-treating has been under attack in recent years, so let’s talk about some of the alternatives for young families that might be happening right in your own neighborhood.

Staycation Options

Want to make it a special occasion? Head to a local hotel for a nice weekend of relaxation! You might even luck into some decorations and a planned event or two for the kids. It’s a great alternative if you have tender children who worry about the scary elements of Halloween—you can make it a special weekend without the costumes and ketchup blood.

Events Around Town

I know of one town in Pennsylvania that schedules trick or treating on a prescribed evening before October 31. If I were a young kid, I’d be hitting that town and then hitting my own town on the actual day! This is a great alternative if your child might need a “practice run” in her costume, or getting over the shyness of talking to adults on their doorstep.

Fall events

Here in the Las Vegas desert, we have a working orchard about a mile away. Not kidding–www.thegilcreaseorchard.org and they do all types of fall activities leading up to the beginning of November. Look for events near your area that offer hayrides, apple picking, choosing a pumpkin, or other activities like the ones at Gilcrease. It’s a great alternative leading up to the holiday to really get everyone in the spirit. 

Who’s decorating?

I’m positive there are people in your town who go all out with the Halloween decorations—drive by their house! Or make a visit to the nearest mall or Halloween store to get some decorating ideas. Lastly, for those of you with those pesky “too cool for the room” teenagers…drive through a cemetery to get them thinking about the spirit of Spirits!!!

Let’s Do A Theme Park!

Now, for all of you who like to get outta Dodge to celebrate any season! I’m all in! Fortunately, theme parks are “all in” for holidays months in advance, which allows people like you and me to extend things quite a bit. While I’m sure regional theme parks have a fabulous plan for celebrating this spooky time of year, I’ll comment only on the large theme parks that have cornered the market on scary, not-so-scary, and just plain fun activities. Check out some of the best Halloween travel destinations:

Halloween Horror Nights

Universal patented the horror movie (they really did…) and they wrote the book on scary villains. They are the masters of the Halloween genre IF and only IF you want to be scared. (I don’t want to be scared) A trip to Universal Hollywood or Orlando would be a dream come true for those teenagers who love the feeling of getting scared out of their Nikes. Absolutely not for the young (or smart!!!) or easily frightened, HHN is the absolute mecca for anyone enamored with the horror genre of films. Consider this as a present for your teen and his friends…just leave me off the guest list! 

Knotts Scary Farm

With Snoopy as their mascot, Knotts Berry Farms is quite a huge step down from Universal in the “horror” field, but puts on a great Halloween party. The least expensive of all of these theme park options, this would be an excellent tester to see how much horror your teenagers can really handle. Best part of this trip—the famous chicken dinner at the restaurant! 

Disneyland/Disneyworld

I’ve done the Halloween parties on both coasts multiple times, and there is nothing scary about these evenings! The absolute, undisputed King of all Holidays, Disney knows how to celebrate Halloween for the entire family. While The Cadaver Dans (Dapper Dan singing group in ghost costumes) might make a toddler hide behind your legs, there isn’t really anything at a Disney Halloween party that will keep your kids up at night. There is, however, something unbelievably special about trick-or-treating at a theme park that I hope you and your kids get to experience at some point.  

Dressing Up?

I’ve done Halloween in every possible costume situation: I’ve gone to school dressed like a regular day, and I’ve gone in full green face paint and witches costume. Last visit to Disney’s Halloween party, Bestie Boo and I went in one of our outfits from a Disney Half Marathon and prepared to still be runners. Hanging out in the driveway, I might don a hat or a Halloween type of shirt, but I don’t actually dress up. 

The important thing, in my opinion, is that you celebrate the holiday in a way that is satisfying to you. I can’t wait until 6 pm to get out there on my driveway, but my Mom always hated Halloween and was quick to turn the duties over to me. Sweet Husband teaches little kids—yes he’s going to be dressed up! 

So my only suggestion to you is to make a decision. The toughest years were the ones when my sassy pre-teens swore they were “too grown up for trick or treating” and were running around the house frantically trying to find a costume that night. Just like everything I do, Halloween season takes some planning. 

No Matter What You Do

Go all in, no matter what that happens to mean to you. Get out there and enjoy.  Whether you are in your own house that night, walking the streets with your young ones, or enjoying the night on Main Street in Disneyland, make it the best Halloween you can remember. Greet everyone you see, comment on every costume, even the teenagers who didn’t really try, and spread the holiday spirit.  

You can always come on over to my neighborhood…we’ll be waiting for you in my driveway with a heaping handful of chocolate candy!

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR

Thank you for reading all about Halloween Travel!!

Hey, since you’re here! You may as well check out some other tips, like Labor Day travel, here, or how to see Mexico, here! Or, check out our other topics here! Either way, I appreciate you!

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