What to Expect From Halloween at Disney World

in Walt Disney World

Halloween

Credit: Disney

This is Halloween, This is Halloween! 

Halloween at Walt Disney World is like no other — From special spooky decor to after-hours events to delicious and unique food offerings, the Walt Disney World Resort really knows how to celebrate the spooktacular Halloween season.

Related: Here’s why you should take a Halloween-themed Disney Cruise

Halloween
Credit: Disney

But, with so much to see and do during this time of year, we decided to put together a guide to everything Guests can expect during Halloween at Walt Disney World. From the decorations Disney World puts up to the special events offered during these months to the spooktacular food items Guests can try, here is a complete guide to Halloween at Walt Disney World Resort.

Please keep in mind that due to the current pandemic, some of these offerings may not be available. Inside the Magic will keep you updated on Halloween season at Disney World as we get information. 

halloween disney world
Credit: Inside the Magic

How is Disney World Decorated for Halloween?

Walt Disney World decorates its theme parks for the spooky season every year. At Magic Kingdom, for example, Guests can see beautiful fall leaf wreaths hung on the train station as well as spot Mickey Jack-O-Lantern wreaths along Main Street U.S.A.

Additionally, Guests will be able to take a picture in front of the iconic pumpkins out front of the train station, near the gates to enter Magic Kingdom (see the photo below.)

halloween disney world
Credit: Inside the Magic

But that’s not all because the famous Dapper Dans at Magic Kingdom are taken over by their undead alter egos The Cadaver Dans — these spooky incarnations of the popular Main Street, U.S.A. performers are dressed in ghoulish costumes and put on a spooktacular performance for Guests.

And, over at Disney Springs, the shopping and dining district decks out in adorable fall decor for the Autumn months. You can spot fall leaves, pumpkins, and other beautiful decorations while enjoying the outdoor shopping and dining district.

disney springs fall
Credit: Disney

As seen in the photo above, Disney Springs “falls into magic” every year with beautiful rustic decor, including real pumpkins and seasonal fun.

Halloween Events at Disney World

During the spooky season at Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom hosts one of its most popular events — Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Disney World Fall 2020
Credit: Disney

In case you aren’t familiar, the Walt Disney World website describes this special ticketed event as:

Join some of your favorite Disney Characters for an evening of spirited fun at this spook-tacular celebration.
Get your favorite costume ready and make your plans to live it up—collecting candies, sweets and delightful treats—all while Magic Kingdom park thrills and chills you electrifying entertainment and eerily fun activities.

  • Set your sights on a group of sinister sisters as they bewitch and bedazzle the residents of Magic Kingdom park at the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular.
  • Don’t miss Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular*—a wickedly wild fireworks display featuring some of your favorite Disney Characters.
  • Collect a bag full of candy as you roam the trick-or-treat trails in search of some of your favorite sweets.

Best of all: since this event is “not-so-scary,” children of every age can enjoy the fun!

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Credit: Disney

Bewitching surprises and spellbinding enhancements await at select attractions during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

Along with devilish Halloween décor, special entertainment and fireworks, you’ll have access to dozens of popular attractions throughout Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

What should you expect at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party?

Guests can see and do so much while visiting Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. You can dress up as your favorite Disney character (no matter what your age is — Yes, adults can dress up, too, but be aware of any costume guidelines!) and go trick-or-treating in Magic Kingdom, watch a one-of-a-kind fireworks spectacular, meet some of your favorite Disney pals who are also in costume, and more!

tinkerbell at boo to you parade walt disney world
Credit: Disney Parks

Here are more details for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party according to the Disney World website:

  • Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular: Watch the skies come alive with a Halloween spectacular featuring lasers, fireworks and more!
  • Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular: Chills, thrills and villains await during a wickedly fun celebration hosted by the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus.
  • Boo-to-You Halloween Parade: Masquerade with costumed Characters—including stars from the Haunted Mansion—for a night of family-friendly frights.
  • Trick-or-Treat Throughout the Park: Get your fill of Halloween sweets and snacks as you gather up goodies from land to land.
  • Come in Costume for the Occasion: Looking forward to dressing up? Learn which kinds of costumes you can wear to this event—and which you can’t.
  • See Favorite Characters All Dressed Up: Meet many of your favorite Disney Characters—some dressed in their own special Halloween costumes!
halloween dine
Credit: Disney

Disney After Hours BOO BASH

For 2021, Walt Disney World Resort has announced that, instead of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a brand-new Disney After Hours event will be debuting at Magic Kingdom in 2021 called Disney After Hours BOO BASH!

Walt Disney World is bringing Guests a brand-new Disney After Hours event to celebrate the spooky season as the theme parks continue to offer Guests magical experiences while navigating operations during the pandemic.

Disney After Hours BOO BASH will be a special three-hour event and begins when the theme park closes! Guests will experience party music, decorations, and character cavalcade to celebrate Halloween. But that’s not all because Guests of all ages will be able to dress in costume for the occasion and even get their fill of Halloween candy, exclusive food offerings, spooktacular entertainment, experience favorite attractions, and more!

This year, Disney After Hours BOO BASH will run select nights from August 10 through Halloween night, October 31, 2021.

boo bash
Credit: Disney

Disney Parks Blog shares:

“Disney After Hours BOO BASH” will take place on select nights, Aug. 10 – Oct. 31, from 9 p.m. to midnight*. Spooky festivities will include Halloween-themed cavalcades, character sightings throughout the park, special performances by the Cadaver Dans, décor, lighting, music, treat stops with plenty of candy and so much more!

“Disney After Hours BOO BASH” tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom Park as early as 7 p.m. without the need for a day park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation, giving you time to enjoy even more of your favorites.

Guests young, old and immortal can dress in costume for the occasion and get their fill of Halloween candy. As an important reminder, costume masks are not permitted for adults; they can only be worn by children younger than 14. In addition, all guests are required to wear approved face coverings during the event. Before you arrive, check our Know Before You Go page and Costume Guidelines.

disney boo bash
Credit: Screenshot Disney/ITM

In case you aren’t familiar with Disney After Hours, it’s a special event that’s open to a limited number of guests, after normal park operating hours. The experience offers low wait times at more than 20 attractions from classics like the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain, to newer favorites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s a ghostly good time for all!

Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Click here for more information and stay tuned for more details to come. We’ll share additional information about “Disney After Hours BOO BASH” as it becomes available, so keep checking Disney Parks Blog for more tricks and treats.

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog to learn more about Halloween offerings coming to Disney Parks around the world.

For more information, visit Disney Parks Blog here.

Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

But that’s not all because the Halloween spirit is also in the air over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Minnie’s Halloween Dine takes over Hollywood & Vine. Guests can indulge in a monster feast and see favorite Disney friends including Minnie Mouse, dressed as a happy witch, Goofy as a spooky cowboy, Mickey Mouse as a vampire, and his best pal, Pluto, who is decked out in an adorable Halloween collar.

Where can you see the Halloween fireworks at Disney World?

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Credit: Disney

Guests can catch a one-of-a-kind fireworks show at Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Watch the night sky light up before your eyes as you go on a spooktacular adventure featuring some of the most iconic Disney Villains!

Disney World describes the Halloween fireworks as:

Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular

Watch the skies come alive with a Halloween spectacular featuring lasers, fireworks and more!

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Credit: Disney

What are the best Disney World Halloween events for adults?

Even though Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is geared towards children, that doesn’t mean adults will not enjoy this special ticketed event either! Disney World specifically hosts this annual Halloween event for families everywhere. From special fireworks to a one-of-a-kind parade, adults, too, will enjoy Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

As for other events that happen at Disney World during the fall that are geared towards adults, even though it is not necessarily Halloween-themed, be sure to check out EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival, which happens during the fall months every year. Adults (and kids) can try different food and beverage offerings, but for those of you who are 21 years and older, you can choose from a wide selection of wine, beer, and specialty cocktails from various countries.

Halloween at Walt Disney World
Credit: Disney

What are the best Disney World Halloween events for families with young children?

As mentioned earlier, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is geared towards families of all ages — No matter how old any family member is, they will get a kick out of this special ticketed event.

Children will love to go trick-or-treating at Magic Kingdom and see some of their favorite Disney characters dressed up in costumes while adults will love the special layovers that some of the attractions have during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party as well as some of the specialty food options.

Then, come together to watch a one-of-a-kind fireworks spectacular and a spooktacular Halloween parade to end your evening!

hollywood & vine
Credit: Disney

Additionally, families should visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios to experience Minnie’s Halloween Dine where they can enjoy a monster feast and see favorite Disney friends dressed up in costumes, including Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto.

Which Disney World Rides and Attractions are Highlighted for Halloween?

Walt Disney World is filled with several attractions and rides that operate year-round, but for Halloween ghosts and ghouls tend to take over some of the most popular ones!

Keep in mind attractions and experiences are subject to change, but here’s a list of what attractions were available at Disney World’s 2019 Not-So-Scary event so you can get an idea of what to expect in the future. Those attractions that are bolded had special Halloween overlays specifically for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

george the pirates ghost
Credit: Disney Parks

Main Street, U.S.A.

Adventureland

  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • Pirates of the Caribbean (Halloween overlay)
  • Swiss Family Treehouse

Frontierland

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Splash Mountain
haunted mansion ghost
Credit: Disney

Liberty Square

  • Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland

  • Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Mad Tea Party (Halloween overlay)
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Storybook Circus
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • The Barnstormer
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
Credit: Disney

Tomorrowland

  • Astro Orbiter
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (Halloween overlay)
  • Space Mountain (Halloween overlay)
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Halloween Foods at Disney World

disney halloween food
All Images: Credit Disney

The Disney Parks are also filled with unique and delicious Halloween foodie items that Guests fall for year after year. From the classic Hades Nachos to the delicious Halloween Cinnamon Roll, there are so many different items Guests can choose from.

Where can you find Halloween foods at Disney World?

Disney World sells these specialty food items all over property, including at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and even at the Resort hotels.

What are the best Halloween foods at Disney World for kids?

For children, we recommend a wide variety of different options. These items listed below are not only tasty but creatively inviting which will get kids excited to take a bite!

disney halloween food
Credit: Disney
  • Magic Kingdom
    • Mickey Cinnamon Roll (Typically available at Main Street Bakery) – Mickey-shaped cinnamon roll drizzled with orange and white icing
    • Constance’s For Better or For Worse Wedding Cake (Typically available at Liberty Square Market) – Citrus cake with raspberry Bavarian cream, whipped cream flowers, and a chocolate axe
    • Mickey Monster Mash Burger (Typically available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café) – Burger with Meunster cheese, potato barrels, bacon, and sriracha aïoli
    • Orange and Black Sugar Churros (Typically available at Various Churro Carts and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café)
  • EPCOT
    • Halloween Sugar Cookie (Typically available at Traveler’s Café and Garden Grill) – Sugar cookie topped with Halloween Sprinkles
    • Liquid Nitro Cake Pop (Typically available at Desserts & Champagne Marketplace in World Showplace for EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival) – Liquid nitro chocolate cake pop with Halloween sprinkles
disney halloween food
Credit: Disney
  • Animal Kingdom
    • Spooky Apple Punch Specialty Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) (Typically available at Flame Tree Barbecue and Isle of Java) – Sprite with Monin Apple Syrup poured over ice, garnished with a rocky candy apple straw, a gummy worm, a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube, and a sugar lime rim
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios
    • Frozen Apple Cider (Non-Alcoholic) (Typically available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, and PizzeRizzo) – Served with a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube
    • Poison Candied Apple (Typically available at Trolley Car Café) – Apple and caramel mousse covered in red glaze with a crunchy candy base
disney halloween food
Credit: Disney

What vegan and vegetarian options are offered at Disney World during Halloween events?

If you are on a vegan or vegetarian diet, sometimes it can be a bit stressful trying to plan events as you always want to make sure there will be options for you while attending. Well, we can guarantee you that Disney World is great at accommodating those on a special diet and there are plenty of options while visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth during Halloween.

During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Guests can go trick-or-treating around Magic Kingdom. And if you are on a vegan, vegetarian, or any other special diet, fear not because you, too, can still go trick-or-treating as well! In fact, Guests who are looking to accommodate their specialty diet can request a token at each candy spot inside Magic Kingdom, which can later be redeemed for vegan treats!

halloween food
Credit: Disney

And if you are looking for some specialty food or drink offerings to enjoy while at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary, these past party options have all been confirmed as vegan-friendly (but as recipes tend to change over the years, be sure to double-check with a Cast Member before ordering):

  • Pirates Horizon – Featuring orange juice, passion fruit, and pineapple juice garnished with a pirate sword skewered pineapple wedge.
  • Berry Blaster – Sip on this refreshing drink – blue curaçao, cherry lemonade, and Sprite topped with a lemon wheel and raspberries.
  • Maleficent Cone – If you’re looking for a refreshing treat, check out the Maleficent Cone. This black waffle cone is filled with lime soft-serve and topped off with a pair of chocolate horns and sprinkled with purple sugar. (Ask for this treat without the chocolate horns and it will be vegan!)
  • The Headless Horseman Rides Again — A delicious Dole Whip that Guests will fall in love with. Disney Parks describes this treat as “Strawberry DOLE® Whip with Fanta Strawberry and a Headless Horseman Novelty Straw”.
Maleficent Dole Whip
Credit: Kelly Coffey/ITM

Additionally, Disney revealed that ALL of the major quick and table service restaurants now serve vegan options on both coasts — Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. And the best part is that there is a new vegan and plant-based menu icon that has been added to Disney dining so those who are on a plant-based diet can easily find options that will suit you. Guests can choose from hundreds of both sweet and savory dishes, including several brand-new dishes as well, all-year-round!

Halloween-themed Keepsakes at Disney World

minnie halloween candy ears
Credit: shopDisney

What are some Halloween-specific souvenirs you can find at Disney World?

Disney World always debuts brand-new Halloween-themed merchandise each and every year. Guests can typically find specialty souvenirs at the gift shops located throughout Disney World property. If you are visiting during Halloween, be on the lookout for candy bowls, coffee mugs, kitchen towels, candle holders, doormats, pillows, wreaths, pajamas, baby clothes, spirit jerseys, Minnie Mouse ears, and more!

What are the most popular Halloween souvenirs at Disney World?

Among the most popular Halloween souvenirs that Guests die for are the various Halloween-themed popcorn buckets and glow cubes.

Jack Skellington Sipper
Credit: Bailee Abell/ITM

In the past, these are some of the designs Guests have seen:

  • Oogie Boogie Dice Novelty Glow Cubes (This has been available in the past at Various Quick-Service Restaurants)
  • Jack Skellington Sipper, pictured above (This has been available in the past at Various Quick-Service Restaurants and Outdoor Vending Locations)
  • Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket (This has been available in the past at Various Popcorn Carts)
  • Mickey Pumpkin Premium Popcorn Bucket (This has been available in the past at Various Popcorn Carts)
  • Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (This has been available in the past at Various Popcorn Carts)
  • Hitchhiking Ghost Premium Popcorn Bucket (This has been available in the past at Liberty Square Popcorn Cart in Magic Kingdom)
  • Hitchhiking Ghost Sipper (This has been available in the past at Various Quick-Service Restaurants)
  • Madame Leota Sipper (This has been available in the past at Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom) 
  • Purple Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (This has been available in the past at Trek Snacks in Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Additionally, Disney World always debuts brand-new Halloween-themed merchandise, but there are some items that typically disappear from the shelves first. If you are wanting to add some Minnie Mouse ears, spirit jerseys, trading pins, or house decor to your collection, be sure to act fast as these are the more popular items.

halloween spirit jersey
Credit: shopDisney

What is the price range for Halloween souvenirs at Disney World?

Prices always depend on what type of souvenir you are looking for. For example, home goods and decor typically range from $20-$60 while Minnie Mouse ears are, on average, priced at $29.99.

Spirit jerseys at Disney World are usually priced at about $65 while other clothes, such as pajamas, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and others could range from $20-$60.

magic kingdom halloween face masks
Credit: Disney

Planning a Disney Vacation?

If you want to visit Walt Disney World on your next family vacation, but aren’t sure where to begin planning then don’t hesitate to contact our friends over at Academy Travel. They will be with you every step of the way! Get your free quote today.

in Walt Disney World

View Comment (1)