Best Resorts for Halloween at Disney World

If you’re headed to Walt Disney World for the spooky season, then there are plenty of disney resort halloween activities to keep you busy. Whether you’re looking for the best resort to stay at for mickeys not so scary halloween party or simply a list of which resorts are decorated for halloween ( P.S. all of them!), you’re in the right place. In this post, we’re going to share our tried and true Best Resorts for Halloween at Disney World. Lasting from mid-August through October, there are a slew of events this time of year. As we travel to Disney World every fall to kick off the Halloween season, we’ve gathered up years of experience on this one. Sit back and settle in for all the details.

Okay, everyone knows the best park for Halloween at Disney World is Magic Kingdom. the decorations, the party, the snacks! With so much to do at Walt Disney World during Halloween, it’s one of our favorite times to go!

But there is also Fall into Magic at Disney Springs, and the Food and Wine Festival to fill your time. Not to mention Halloween Snacks can be found at all the parks during this time of year. Whether you’re headed to Disney Springs for Fall into Magic, Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival or Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Not so Scary Halloween Party there are tons of choices. But, dare we say, some are just better than others? If you’re planning on attending MNSSHP, hanging our at the Food and Wine Festival, or just staying in the parks longer to enjoy the better fall weather, we have you covered.

Does it Really Matter Where you Stay for Halloween at Disney World?

Um, yes. Yes, it does. We’re sharing out best Disney World Hotels for Halloween in this post, because believe it or not we’ve found that it does matter! Do you want to be waiting for the Disney busses at 1 AM when Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party is over, only to stand in a crowded bus for 40 minutes on your way back to Art of Animation? For us, that’s a No. As such, there are better options. Here are our picks to help make your Halloween trip to Disney World easier. 

Disney Resort Halloween Activities

While Magic Kingdom Park is the place to be if you’re looking for Halloween vibes this fall, know that EVERY Disney Resort has some sort of something for Halloween. While all Disney Resorts have Halloween decorations, know that they usually also have spooky films for Movies Under the Stars playing each night through October, as well as Halloween Snacks in the food commissary. Plus, every resort gets the new Disney Halloween Merchandise in the gift shops, starting in August, so there is plenty to see, no matter where you stay!

In addition to Halloween movies and snacks, you can usually take part in Spooky games at the pool, led by cast members each day, Halloween crafts, and S’mores at the fire pit too! Because yes, every resort has a campfire experience in the evenings, perfect for fall.

Best Resort for Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party

Okay, to be frank, the Best Resort to Stay at for Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party is any of the Magic Kingdom Area resorts. This includes resorts accessible by walking path, monorail and boat ride. Therein lies the benefit of staying close to Magic Kingdom. Why? Well, we’ve mentioned it already, but it bears repeating. If you’ve ever been to MNSSHP, you know there is nothing worse than waiting for an hour after the party for your resort bus to show up, wherein you then wait another 40 minutes on the bus, cramped in with about 50 other people, your candy, and costume, wondering why the air conditioning is so high at 1 AM in the morning.

As a result, you want to get as close to Magic Kingdom Park as possible. With this in mind the best hotel for mickey’s not so scary halloween party is Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which is a 10 minute walk away from the park. No bus required. That said, the Conemporary Resort is pricey and one of our worst Disney Resort stays to date. Luckily there are other options! ( The Fort Wilderness Cabins and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are our favorites on this list).

Halloween at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds

Considering a Fort Wilderness Halloween? Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is the ultimate place to stay at Walt Disney World during Halloween.  Disney doesn’t really do too much on their end, but the campers here are what makes this place really stand out! Campers all around the campground decorate their sites and RVs in full Halloween decor. And if you’re lucky enough to be at Walt Disney World on Halloween, they even have a Halloween parade where the campers decorate their golf carts and have a Halloween Parade! We are huge fans of Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground any time of year! You can bring or rent an RV, stay in a cabin, or camp traditionally at a campsite. They’re all great options. And all give you a different way to experience a Disney vacation. 

Why we Love it? Plus, it’s just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom, if you’re attending the party. So you can avoid the crowded buses. 

Word to the wise though. Depending on how busy the campground gets, they sometimes issue wristbands to guests of the campgrounds and don’t let outside guests into the resort at a certain point. So if you’re not staying there, it’s possible you may be turned away from visiting. This usually only happens on Halloween. But be aware if you’re an outside guest.

Halloween at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

By far one of our favorite Disney World Resorts, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge brings the cozy autumn vibes, complete with Disney’s S’mores Coffee and fireplace nooks throughout the resort. Plus, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has easy access to Magic Kingdom with its boat transportation too! Seriously like a 15 minute boat ride after a long night at MNSSHP is what every family needs. So much better than the crowded busses!

Why we Love it? Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is also just a boat or bus ride away from Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground! So you can enjoy all of the fun Halloween displays put up by campers at the resort nest door and then be surrounded by all the Halloween magic on your Magic Kingdom days. Plus this resort just screams fall to us! What better way to spend fall in a hot place like Florida, than pretending you’re actually somewhere cozy? We love it, and we hope you do too!

Halloween at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Right next door to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is our next pick for Halloween at Walt Disney World. While the resort itself is nothing fancy for Halloween, and can be crazy expensive, the idea that you can just walk home after Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a godsend. The convenience of Magic Kingdom just can’t be beaten. Not only is the Contemporary located on the monorail loop, making it easy to get to both Magic Kingdom and Epcot for the International Food and Wine Festival.

Why we Love it? After a long night of partying, you can just walk home! It’s easy to go to and from the hotel and Magic Kingdom in under 10 minutes, making the Contemporary Resort one of the best places to stay at Walt Disney World during Halloween. Busses can get super packed after late nights at the Halloween Party. Lines can be super long for the monorail. Plus, you can view the Halloween Party fireworks from the viewing deck on level 4, so even if you can’t make the party, you can still enjoy the show. 

Halloween at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is another one that we love for the convenience of Halloween. A little further away than the Contemporary Resort, but still walkable, and on the monorail line, this is another great resort in a location that won’t force you to take Disney transportation on your way home from the Halloween Party. And will give you an advantage to getting to Magic Kingdom early to see all the fall decor before the crowds start rolling in. Last year, the Grand Floridian even had a huge chocolate sculpture of the Haunted Mansion hearse!

Why we Love it? You can grab the monorail back to your resort after the party, or take a late night stroll back to the resort along the pathway; about a 20 minute walk. Plus, Gasparilla Island, the quick service restaurant here, always has fun Disney Halloween Snacks and Treats too. So grab something from the pastry case and head to the beach to watch the fireworks on Halloween Party nights. Plus, if you’re someone staying for the holiday transition from Halloween to Christmas, you’ll be in a prime location to see Magic Kingdom decorated the next day!

Halloween at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Not just visiting Magic Kingdom for Halloween? While Saratoga Springs may not be the most obvious choice, and definitely not our top pick, hear us out! Saratoga Springs is located so close to Disney Springs and that’s a win for Halloween. Unfortunately, Magic Kingdom is the only Disney Park that really does much for the Halloween season at Walt Disney World, so staying close to the other Parks isn’t going to do you much good in terms of convenience to spooky season fun. But Disney Springs is a great place to visit during the fall at Walt Disney World. 

Enjoy all kinds of Spooky Treats, do some Halloween merch shopping, or stop by Gideon’s Bakery, which always has a slightly spooky vibe. As it gets closer to Halloween, there’s usually Halloween music being played throughout Disney Springs as well. Saratoga Springs makes it convenient to visit!

Why we Love it? You can take a ferry from Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs, or you can walk over. Depending on where you’re staying, you can expect anywhere from a 10-minute to 25-minute walk.

Best Resort for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival

Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is a major part of any Halloween Trip to Disney World. With the amazing foods from around the World Showcase, and Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, there are plenty of reasons to spend some time in the park. If this festival is part of your Halloween Plans, any of the Disney Boardwalk Area Hotels will do. All accessible via the Monorail, you also get easy access to Mickey’s Not so Scary Halloween Party ( with a monorail change at the TTC), making it a great option if you’re trying to fit in both events, without late night bus drama.

Best Resorts at Walt Disney World for Halloween

As you can see there are a lot of great options! While most of these are deluxe resorts, if your budget allows, they are the most convenient and the most fun for the Halloween season. If they’re a little out of reach price-wise, consider a split stay. Or just a day visit if you have the time! Be sure to check out everything you can do for Halloween at Walt Disney World.