Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

[Malin]

Just been finishing todays Why For article over at JimHillMedia where he discusses the possibity of Disney Hollywood Studios having its own Halloween event to rival that of Universal Horror Nights. The proposal calls for them to introduce an alternative to the Magic Kingdom's popular family Halloween event. Like the Magic Kingdom Tokyo Disneyland also stages a family Halloween event, through it should be noted that TDL events are free while you are required to pay an additional fee for the Magic Kingdoms event. Anyway the idea of an alternative to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Night involving characters from the Tim Burton Movie Nightmare before Christmas movie is an interesting concept. And its got me thinking why doesn't Tokyo Disney Sea try doing an alternative more teen and adult related Halloween event. I think its safe to say the A la Carte stuff while its probarely sold a ton of merchadise is not the draw that TDL Halloween event is. Hong Kong Disneyland this year has done a mixture of both family and adult related stuff for its Halloween event, to positive reviews. Is it time for TDS to enter the Halloween market too?

[TDR_Fan]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

I don't think it suits the park's atmosphere. Epcot doesn't have any Halloween celebrations, and it's doing just fine.

[mouseinphilly]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

Well, I see the story's up on the site.

[Malin]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

I'm sorry TDR_FAN but Tower of Terror is an haunted attraction, you have one Halloween related attraction right there. Your right in saying some areas of the park wouldn't work but its the same with TDL. And thats why those kind of areas are left alone during Halloween. And we are not talking about Epcot here so please refrain from mentioning it. But seeing that you seem to be soo against the Halloween idea I'd be interested to know any other ideas you have for events that could be done for this park, that would draw in the crowds?

mouseinphilly what are you going on about

[TDR_Fan]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

I'm sorry TDR_FAN but Tower of Terror is an haunted attraction, you have one Halloween related attraction right there. Your right in saying some areas of the park wouldn't work but its the same with TDL. And thats why those kind of areas are left alone during Halloween. And we are not talking about Epcot here so please refrain from mentioning it. But seeing that you seem to be soo against the Halloween idea I'd be interested to know any other ideas you have for events that could be done for this park, that would draw in the crowds?

mouseinphilly what are you going on about

The only place I could see Halloween decorations fitting in would be in American Waterfront. Anywhere else would be stretching it and ruin the classy atmosphere. Look at Disneyland Paris during Halloween. :yuck:

If I remember correctly, the character events (Little Mermaid and Aladdin) they had were very popular. Maybe something like that would work well. Personally, I have little interest in events like these, but it seems to draw in lots of people.

[DisneySeaFan]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

It would have to be a very alternative Halloween event but it could work.

[TDLFAN]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

I don't think it suits the park's atmosphere. Epcot doesn't have any Halloween celebrations, and it's doing just fine.

I agree. TDS is intended to be a more sophisticated ambiance for adults.... and Halloween would seem a bit out of place here.

[Malin]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

Why I agree it may seem a bit out of place in certain places in the park, I do think TDS should still consider leaning towards doing a similar event in future years. While the a la carte event offered a few cute decorations, it was mainly a food and merchadise event. And it failed to draw in attendance like the popular Halloween event does each year.

[JoeInJpn]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

I know I talked to someone regarding this subject just recently.

I can totally picture a haunted town area in Cape Cod focusing on an abandoned ship that washed up along its shores. The local townspeople think the ship arrived empty of its crew, but in reality, the ghosts of the crew are already taking over "Aunt Peg's", "City Hall", "Donald's Boat Builders", etc.

Then celebrating the "Dia de los Muertos" in Lost River Delta featuring the "Mystic Spirits" show at Hangar Stage, a special ceremony at the foot of the Temple of the Crystal Skull and a "holiday makeover" of "Raging Spirits" using ghostly images on curtains of mist/smoke along the attraction.

[Malin]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

I know I talked to someone regarding this subject just recently.

I can totally picture a haunted town area in Cape Cod focusing on an abandoned ship that washed up along its shores. The local townspeople think the ship arrived empty of its crew, but in reality, the ghosts of the crew are already taking over "Aunt Peg's", "City Hall", "Donald's Boat Builders", etc.

Then celebrating the "Dia de los Muertos" in Lost River Delta featuring the "Mystic Spirits" show at Hangar Stage, a special ceremony at the foot of the Temple of the Crystal Skull and a "holiday makeover" of "Raging Spirits" using ghostly images on curtains of mist/smoke along the attraction.

Your ideas sound great. I could see it working but I would personally like to see it presented differntly to how TDL do there family friendly Halloween events. And I would like to point out the idea for a Halloween event for TDS is completely Joe's idea as he spoke about it to me last month.

I only decided to run it as a thread after reading about the plans for a Halloween event for the Disney Hollywood Studios from reading Jim Hill's article on Friday. And it made me think that offering an alternative version for TDS would also be a good idea.

[steamboat will]

[TDLFAN]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

JOe, your comments have changed my mind in regards to this... Those are wonderful ideas to be explored. I hope the OLC people are reading this...

[Malin]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

Personally I like Hong Kong Disneyland's Halloween event. Its a lot more darker than the TDL version and I think if TDS were to offer an event similar it would be a hit. Offering walk through attractions like The Haunted Hotel would really set this park apart from the family fluff that happens next door.

I kind of disagree about offering it as a ticket event as I think all events should be part of admission.

[steamboat will]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

Disneyseas is a family park, while the dark scary offerings of Universal Studios Horror Nights is more suitable for a young adult audience.

The moment you start offering a "dark" more sinister Halloween offering you change atmosphere of the park and that is not the right thing to do IMHO. If you want a more extreme Halloween offering it should be restricted to after hours when your guests know what to expect.

[DisneySeaFan]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

I know I talked to someone regarding this subject just recently.

I can totally picture a haunted town area in Cape Cod focusing on an abandoned ship that washed up along its shores. The local townspeople think the ship arrived empty of its crew, but in reality, the ghosts of the crew are already taking over "Aunt Peg's", "City Hall", "Donald's Boat Builders", etc.

Then celebrating the "Dia de los Muertos" in Lost River Delta featuring the "Mystic Spirits" show at Hangar Stage, a special ceremony at the foot of the Temple of the Crystal Skull and a "holiday makeover" of "Raging Spirits" using ghostly images on curtains of mist/smoke along the attraction.

There are certainly areas where a more adult (after-hours) event could worked in. Corpse brides in masquerade masks in Mediterranean Harbour, or the crew of Davy Jones Locker in Mysterious Island, Lost River has the opportunity for all kind of wild animals or dinosaurs running loose, or gastly undertakers in the streets of American Water front.

Yes gorgeous ideas. Certainly this is the sort of thing I imagined.

[Malin]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

Disneyseas is a family park, while the dark scary offerings of Universal Studios Horror Nights is more suitable for a young adult audience.

The moment you start offering a "dark" more sinister Halloween offering you change atmosphere of the park and that is not the right thing to do IMHO. If you want a more extreme Halloween offering it should be restricted to after hours when your guests know what to expect.

I'm not saying TDS needs to do an event on the same level of Universal or Knotts. I think Hong Kong Disneyland is a perfect example of offering something a bit differnt but still keeping its family image in tact. Except for the Haunted Hotel walk through, but its clearly warned what to expect from that attraction. Below I'm going to post videos of the two differnt parades this year offered by both Hong Kong and Tokyo. You will notice a big difference in how both are presented.

Tokyo Disneyland: Disney's Halloween Happy Haunted Parade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRY_YLpVP24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grK4_i11arU

Hong Kong Disneyland: Glow in the Dark Parade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mji1DnjHAJ0&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DihB07pbgMI

[steamboat will]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

it seems the japanesse love many things American, i guess that is part of Disney's sucsess in Tokyo and part of what makes Halloween and Christmas such big hits.

I can't think of any other big American Holidays which would be suitable to adapt to theme park events. Thanksgiving is an obvious choice but as that fall during the already popular Christmas time that's not really a option.

I like the al-la-carte idea (which i guess is based on the EPCOT food event) and i guess it will run for many more years to come

[Malin]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

An Easter event would be a good idea for the park to try sometime. I could see an Easter parade and CastMembers handing out free easter eggs to guest.

The a la carte event is designed to take money off you without giving you anything in return. I hope it never returns...

[TDR_Fan]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

I thought the Valentine's event was pretty cute and very romantic.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Tokyo Disney Sea Halloween

JOe, your comments have changed my mind in regards to this... Those are wonderful ideas to be explored. I hope the OLC people are reading this...

Oh my gosh, you're not as stubborn as I thought you were, TDLFAN