Disney Halloween season starts

As the sun sets later this week, the caskets will open and traffic will begin to back up near Knott’s Berry Farm as Halloween season begins at local theme parks.Knott’s Berry Farm’s Halloween Hauntopens Thursday at the Buena Park theme park, while Disney’s two parks in Anaheim plan to start Halloween Time on Friday. Both seasons run through Halloween weekend.The two offer drastically different experiences. Knott’s attracts thrill-seeking guests, especially teenagers, with monsters jumping out from the dark, and gory scenes and costumes, meant to really scare visitors. Disney, however, touts a more family-friendly feel with cartoon Disney villains, pumpkin and candy decorations and trick-or-treat nights for kids.

Knott’s Scary Farm, as it is renamed for the season, will host hundreds of roaming monsters in and around 13 mazes, four of which are new. One of the new mazes, Terror of London, features new special effects like Knott’s own brand of London fog. The maze even has a harbor with water and a boat.One corner of the park will sport a Stepfather theme, featuring part of the set from the upcoming movie of the same name.For the younger crowd, Snoopy’s Costume Partywill be open in Camp Snoopy during Knott’s regular daylight hours during weekends in October. The costume party has mazes of its own, trick-or-treat stations, and much friendlier monsters.Knott’s offers a “boo-fet” to hungry visitors before each evening of Haunt. Boo-fet attendees are among the first to get into the park when the Haunt opens each night.

The Haunt runs daily (except Mondays and Tuesdays) from Sept. 24 through Oct. 31. It begins at 7 p.m. each evening.This is the fourth year for Halloween Time at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, but Disneyland is offering a few firsts.For the first time, Space Mountain is getting a makeover with a spooky theme, called Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. (Check back Friday for more on the new Space Mountain ride.)Also, a new fireworks show, called “Halloween Screams – A Villainous Surprise in the Skies,” is set to debut Friday. (We’ll tell you more about the new fireworks show next week.)Disney’s California Adventure will close early for Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party on 12 nights when special admission is required. The first night is Oct. 2. The events often sell out, said Michele Himmelberg, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.