Hey guys and ghouls! Halloween is officially our favorite time of year at the Disney theme parks! As self-proclaimed spooky season superfans, we love visiting Disney during autumn. There’s something extra magical about Disneyland during Halloween. The giant Mickey pumpkin? Classic. The characters in all of their Halloween costumes? Adorable. The seasonal food? Delicious. And the fall vibes? Immaculate.
Today, we’re taking you on a virtual trip to Disneyland and sharing our top recommendations for planning your Halloween trip to the happiest place on Earth. Only this time, we’re sharing our best tips for visiting Disneyland Resort by yourself and taking a solo Disney trip. Of all the Disney theme parks to tackle alone, Disneyland is our favorite. So, in honor of the spooky season, here are our top tips for a solo trip to Disneyland for Halloween. Happy haunting!
Is it Easy to Visit Disneyland Alone?
The choice to visit Disneyland alone is entirely up to you. Only you can judge your comfort level, and if heading to a theme park by yourself isn’t your thing, then no worries, friend. But if you’re interested in giving solo travel a try, then a trip to Disneyland for Halloween could do the trick!
If you are considering a solo theme park trip, Disneyland is a great place to start. The park is much smaller than its Florida counterpart, Magic Kingdom, and Park Hopping over to Disney California Adventure is a total breeze. The California Disney parks are so easy to navigate that it takes less time to walk from Disneyland to Disney California Adventure than from Main Street to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Seasonal events at Disneyland Resort typically mean that the parks are more crowded. However, there is something so cozy about visiting Disneyland during the fall, even on a packed day. So, if you plan to take a solo Disney trip this season, be sure to, as always, do what you need and meander the parks in a way that feels most comfortable for you. (As a side note, we highly recommend checking out Maxwell Glick, AKA MrCheezyPop’s videos on sensory break areas at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.)
Use Single Rider as Often as Possible
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure offer several Single Rider lines. These attraction queues allow parties of one to bypass the standby line and have essentially have zero wait — but unlike the Disney Genie+ service, Single Rider is completely free. Using the Single Rider line won’t cost you any extra money, so if you’re visiting Disneyland by yourself, it’s a great perk.
However, there is one catch: there is no guarantee that all of the Single Rider lines will operate every day. The only way to determine if a Single Rider queue is running is by heading straight to the ride and checking with a Cast Member. It’s not exactly convenient, but it’s worth it when Single Rider is in service. Below is a list of the attractions that offer Single Rider:
- Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland
- Splash Mountain at Disneyland
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disneyland
- Grizzly River Run at Disney California Adventure
- Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure
- Goofy’s Sky School at Disney California Adventure
- Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure at Disney California Adventure
Also, it may not have a Single Rider option or zero waits, but riding the Haunted Mansion (specifically the seasonal overlay, Haunted Mansion Holiday) will always be worth it, in our opinion. Grab a snack, head to the line, and even pop on some headphones if you want. This ride has our hearts, especially during spooky season!
Mobile Order and Chill
While you can grab a table-service reservation as a solo Disney visitor, it isn’t always the vibe. We usually love taking advantage of Disneyland’s mobile order offerings, especially since so much is available. Our tips is to pick up a seasonal meal like the Oktoberfest-inspired Burger from Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland, a go-to classic like the Gumbo in a Bread Bowl from Royal Street Veranda, or even some seasonal treats like the Pumpkin-spiced Mickey-shaped Beignets from Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square. Then, head to a peaceful spot to chill out and escape the crowds. We love the new Pelican’s Landing seating area along the Rivers of America.
During the Halloween season, we prioritize shows — specifically, the Halloween Screams fireworks. As a solo traveler, finding a good spot for the fireworks is much easier. So, we love mobile ordering a good meal or grabbing a dessert from the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe or the Candy Palace on Main Street before finding a spot to sit and wait for the fireworks to begin. The spooky season is the perfect time of year for some Spicy Firefly Chips from Refreshment Corner or a Pumpkin Spice Churro from the Tomorrowland Churro Cart. Grab something to eat, wait for Halloween Screams, and enjoy the show!
Being Alone Isn’t Always Lonely
Although you’ll be at Disneyland alone, you might not actually feel lonely. Disneyland has some of the friendliest employees anywhere in the world. Disney Cast Members are friendly and kind and ensure that everyone who walks through those park gates feels welcome, whether you’re visiting the parks with your friends and loved ones or solo.
Packing List for Your Solo Trip to Disneyland This Halloween
Our recommendations for what to bring to Disneyland as a solo traveler don’t change too much from season to season, but in honor of Halloween, we thought we’d (pumpkin) spice it up. Here are some products we’d suggest bringing for your Disneyland solo trip this spooky season.
Portable charger
We never want our phones to die at the parks, especially if we visit alone. A portable charger is an absolute must. You can always use the Fuel Rod system in Disneyland (more on that here). Or, you can order one in advance on Amazon. Just make sure you charge the charger in advance!
Small bag for all your essentials
We always bring a small bag with us whenever we go to the parks, and if you’re visiting Disney alone, then it’s a must. Bring something compact yet stylish so you can hold everything you need. Bonus points if it’s a festive Halloween Loungefly bag like these!
Halloween accessories at Disneyland
We love dressing up for the Halloween season at Disney parks. Festive Mickey ears or hats aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but sometimes, leaning into the pumpkin, skeleton, and candy corn themes is just what it takes to get us into the spooky spirit. Plus, you can always pick up these things in the park once you arrive!
Tripod for self-timer photos
Is it overkill? Maybe a little. But a mini tripod is ideal if you want that perfect self-timer selfie with all of the adorable pumpkins on Main Street. Prop it up on one of those iconic Disney trashcans anywhere in the park and have your own photoshoot.
Stay Tuned for More Tips
We love sharing our best Disney recommendations with you, from the best Halloween food to fall Dapper Day outfit ideas. Follow Perfecting the Magic on Instagram and TikTok for more tips and tricks to navigating the Disney theme parks this season and beyond.
