A few weeks before Halloween, many stores started selling simple costumes and Halloween themed candies. Although the quantities were small compared to what we're used to in the States, it's considerably more than we experienced last year in Macau. We found some basic costume props and the kids dressed up as witches and skeleton ghosts.
On the Saturday before Halloween, our apartment complex hosted a Halloween party in the club house. There were different booths and stations with Halloween themed activities. Of course, being Hong Kong, there were lots of people and long lines for all the activities. My boys enjoyed getting scared in the haunted houses and playing a few silly games for Halloween prizes while my girls made a flying bat at the arts and crafts station and had fun in the bouncy house/slide.
Even with their costumes on, my kids still stood out in the crowd. I'm not sure if it's their blonde hair or fair skin or what but there were a few people that took their pictures at the party. One woman even had Leah and Abby stop and pose for her so she could get a good picture with her phone.
On the day of Halloween, we went to Disneyland to experience their Haunted Halloween. The park is transformed into a haunted land with ghosts, monsters, pumpkins, cobwebs, spooky trees and they "dare you not to scream". For every scary or haunted thing in the park you see or ride and don't scream, you get a sticker.
Our favorite scary addition was the Baby Head from Toy Story. We also explored Disneyland's newest land, Mystic Point, which is home to the eccentric explorer Lord Henry Mystic. His collection of ancient artifacts comes to life with an enchanted music dust on the ride Mystic Manor.
The girls got a little scared in this ride but didn't scream so they could earn a sticker.
We also enjoyed some of the other favorite and less scary rides and lands, like Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.
While waiting in line for a ride in Fantasyland, we were again reminded how much of a novelty our kids are here in Asia. Four Chinese adults (who are at least my parent's age) made their way through the line acting like they were trying to meet up with some friends but stopped in front of us and behind an Australian family (cutting in line is common practice here and there are many signs and often pamphlets passed out to discourage the practice). After a few minutes of staring and admiring the kids, one man became even more bold and started gently petting Ian's arm. Ian rolled his eyes while the rest of us tried to disguise our laughs. The man giddily smiled and then made hand gestures to show me he was impressed that all 4 kids were mine. We're still surprised by the reactions to our family.
Trick-or-treating was not part of our Halloween activities but we still had some Halloween fun this year.
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