Halloween Time officially started this past Friday, September 3rd at the Disneyland Resort. Haunted Mansion Holiday has returned, the Dapper Dans have returned, the Halloween Screams firework show has returned, and there’s a brand-new Halloween mini-parade. We were there both Friday and Saturday to try many of the new foods and drinks, as well as experience the shows and experiences. While many of the foods and drinks we tried were hits, several items were a “miss” for us. We are only one opinion, but hopefully our compilation will help you as you try to navigate what foods and drinks you should try on your next visit.
The Shows & Experiences
Haunted Mansion Holiday 2021
At park opening on Friday morning, guests rushed over to the Haunted Mansion to experience this year’s Nightmare Before Christmas holiday overlay. The 20th anniversary version of the overlay did not disappoint. Every year it is a treat to see what new wrinkles they add to the attraction. This year the gingerbread house is a “Franken-house” which stitches together favorite elements from the previous 19 gingerbread houses. What a full ride through of the attraction below.
The Dapper Dans Return
For the first time since March 2020 guests were treated to the soothing harmonies provided by the Dapper Dans. Smiles were aplenty as they did two types of performances. The first type, which is captured in the video below, is them riding the Trolley car down Main Street singing a song in each direction. The second type is them coming out in front of the Main Street Fire Station for a performance (I watched that version on Saturday). It was fantastic seeing them in action again – WELCOME BACK!
Halloween Cavalcade & Disneyland Band
Guests are treated to brief entertainment experiences throughout the morning and early afternoon on Main Street. The Disneyland band marches down the street, playing their tunes while Mickey & Minnie lead the way. About thirty minutes after I witnessed the band, a Halloween cavalcade (mini-parade) came down Main Street. Both experiences were fun and are something we recommend experiencing if you’re able.
Halloween Time Foods & Drinks
The Misses
Not every food or drink can be the best thing we’ve ever eaten. I’m a “give the bad news first” type of person so that we end on a positive note. So here are the misses, and we will save the best for last (at the bottom of the article).
The Cold Brews
Honey Cream Cold Brew ($4.99)
Hungry Bear Restaurant is serving up a Honey Cream Cold Brew. For me, it tasted overly, artificially sweetened. The coffee was a touch on the bitter side while the honey integration into the thick cream tasted a touch artificial. It reminded me of a Vietnamese cold brew, but you can find a better version of that style cold brew in DCA at Lucky Fortune Cookery.
The Candy Apple Cold Brew ($5.99)
The Candy Apple Cold Brew from Red Rose Taverne in Disneyland was also a miss for me. It really is pretty to look at, but ultimately we don’t judge drinks on how they look, but rather how they taste. If looks were everything, this would be a 10/10, but unfortunately it was bitter and the sweetness was very bizarre to my palette. Thankfully, the drink improved when I swirled the whipped cream topping into the drink with vigor. It still was only so-so at that point. I would recommend skipping this one and grabbing a Black Caf Cold Brew from Docking Bay 7 instead.
The Groom Churro ($5.75)
The Groom Churro can be found at the Critter Country churro cart in Disneyland. The churro comes covered in a combo of milk chocolate and dark chocolate powder. I found this churro to be among the worst churros I’ve ever eaten at the Disneyland Resort. The chocolate dusting tasted like unsweetened Hershey’s Cocoa cooking powder. Thankfully, the Bride Churro from the nearby New Orleans Square churro cart was much better. It even helped the groom churro taste better when I took a bite of both at the same time. The Bride Churro is a churro dusted with vanilla sugar powder. You’d be better off getting the Maleficent Churro near Sleeping Beauty Castle if you’re in the mood for a chocolate flavored churro. That one is a chocolate cookie churro covered with cookie crumbles and fun sugar (and you can get a side of marshmallow dip to enhance it further).
The Hits
Pumpkin Cheesecake Funnel Cake ($8.99)
The Pumpkin Cheesecake Funnel Cake from Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland was among the best funnel cakes I’ve ever eaten. It’s a gloriously fluffy funnel cake topped with Pumpkin Cheesecake filling, a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, and comes topped with whipped cream. The flavor profile is all things fall, and is one of the better values when you consider how much dessert you are able to eat. You could easily cut it into 4 pieces (or more) and satisfy an entire family or group of friends. I’ll definitely be eating this one again before it leaves. Hopefully it lives up to the deliciousness of the first one I consumed. Highly recommend this one!
Spicy Chicken & Fries ($11.99)
The Spicy Chicken & Fries from Flo’s V8 Cafe in DCA was another favorite of mine. It consists of a bed of Flo’s Steak Fries topped with cheddar cheese, a drizzle of ranch dressing, and chicken tenders coated in Mango-Habanero Sauce with celery bits. This dish definitely gave me Orange County Fair vibes with the fun combo or the spice with the coolness from the ranch in the simple brown carton.
Ghost Pepper Potato Bites ($10.49)
The Ghost Pepper Potato Bites are Potato Bites topped with a Ghost Pepper Cheese Sauce, Bacon and Pickled Jalapeños. These were pretty spicy for me. I needed several swigs of ice water throughout the dish, but I was really enjoying the flavor and nicely cooked tots. If you’re not afraid of a little spice, then you should definitely check this dish out over at the Studio Catering Co food truck in DCA.
The Candy Kitchen Treats
The candy kitchens have really done a great job this year. Whether it is a Mummy Marshmallow wand, a Minnie Cupcake (dressed like candy corn), or a spiderweb rice crispy treat. You’re sure to find something to satisfy your sweet tooth at the candy stores. In Disneyland, Candy Palace and Pooh Corner are your options. In DCA, Trolley Treats and Bing Bongs Sweet Stuff are your options. In Downtown Disney, you can find treats at Marcelines Confectionery. Here a are a few of the treats we’ve tried so far.
We will continue to visit the Disneyland Resort during Halloween Time in hopes of finding more great eats, treats, and drinks. Stay tuned for more updates. Make sure you are following us – FoodAtDisneyland on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for more content.
The chx & fries at Flo’s makes me think of Brew Wings. Food truck that used to be at Downtown Disney. I miss them. *sigh*