Spending Halloween at Disney World is always a good idea. Unlike the later part of the holiday season, you don’t have so many crowds, you still have decent weather and frankly, it’s when the things that are MOST FUN finally happen. While we love all of Disney’s festivals and parties year-round, there’s nothing that quite compares to the outdoor kitchens at the Food and Wine Festival, the Halloween events at Magic Kingdom, and the fall-themed treats all over the Disney Parks. Here’s everything you can do for Halloween at Walt Disney World.
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Halloween at Walt Disney World Details
If you’re headed to Orlando, Florida for Disney World and Halloween, know that it’s one of the best times of year to visit Disney World. It lasts about 3 months, from the second week in August through October, and covers the entire fall season with pumpkins, fall flavors and spooky nights! That said you can expect the gamut of crowds, weather, and activities. But, in general, Halloween at Disney World begins starting with the arrival of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, at Magic Kingdom, starting in early August.
When does Halloween at Walt Disney World Start?
Halloween at Walt Disney World typically starts the second week in August. 2026 dates TBD.
Halloween at Walt Disney World Decorations
We love vacationing in the fall at Walt Disney World. One of the best things about a Disney World Halloween is that decorations can be found in the parks and at the resorts. And if you’re looking for a free Disney day, take a trip around the Monorail Resorts, for a look at how things can get extra spooky. Almost all of the Disney Resorts get new Halloween merchandise in the gift shops and new haunting treats in the bakery cases.
Halloween Decorations to oogle include the Pumpkin People, Scarecrows, and Stacked Pumpkins on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom. Both the Mickey and Cinderella Carriage Pumpkin Wreaths, a slew of handcrafted Halloween Chocolate displays at select Deluxe Resorts.
When Does Disney World Decorate for Halloween?
If you’re planning a Fall Vacation at Disney World, then you’ll be happy to know that chances are, decorations will be everywhere by the time you arrive. Halloween Decorations at Walt Disney World go up at different times depending on the park.
Magic Kingdom typically has decorations up by mid-August, to accommodate for the early Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween crowds. While EPCOT aims for a September 1st date, with Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit as part of the Food and Wine Festival. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom don’t have a strong Halloween presence but you can typically see fall wreaths show up in September. Disney Springs, on the other hand, establishes fall with the Fall into Magic decorations and snacks, also in early September.
Halloween at Walt Disney World Activities
Of all the Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom celebrates our favorite spooky holiday the most. With Halloween decorations in the Parks up in early August, you know you can count on a long season of various surprises. New Halloween Snacks, special events, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and new Halloween merchandise arrive throughout the 3-month Halloween season. In contrast, the other Disney Parks don’t celebrate Halloween at Walt Disney World with such fervor or zest. But, as all the parks get into the Fall spirit, there is always something fun to be had.
Halloween brings special overlays, decorations, snacks, and more that you can’t experience any other time of year. As such, we thought it would be helpful to break them down for you, so you can pick and choose what to add to your next Disney Halloween vacation. Complete with Park location and Cost, hopefully, this guide to Halloween at Disney World gets you ready!
Main Street Trolley Show Autumn Overlay | Magic Kingdom
Cost: FREE with admission
The Main Street Trolley singers get a magical fall overlay to their usual dance and song with fall-themed songs, costumes, and decorations for the trolley. This is a free show that pops up on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom every day. Check out the Main Street Trolley page for the details and add this to your plans. It’s totally worth it, cool to see, and a nice more up-close treat than the larger-than-life castle shows.
Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival | EPCOT
Cost: FREE with admission
Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival combines 20+ outdoor kitchens serving up cultural cuisine and foodie experiences, shows, and more. The Food and Wine Festival runs August 28– November 22, 2025. This festival is best when you visit during the day, Monday-Thursday. Absolutely one of our favorite experiences for the family that cooks together. If you’ve never been to this event, check out our Food and Wine Festival Guide and if you’re traveling with kids there’s a whole slew of things for kids at EPCOT to make sure they have a great time with all the kid-specific perks of this event. You can also see the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, play the Remy Hide and Squeak Game, and take part in classes and presentations on food! Perfect for the family that cooks together.
Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit | EPCOT
Cost: $9.99 plus tax.
New to Walt Disney World this Halloween is Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit! Starting September 29 and running through October 31st at EPCOT Park, guests can grab a scavenger hunt map and go on a hunt for pumpkins across the park. This game is in tandem with the already present Remy’s Hide and Squeak Game which also happens this time of year at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival.
Squad Ghoul Live Music | Disney Springs
Cost: FREE
Listen to live music at Disney Springs’ Waterside Stage Friday through Sunday, Sept. 29 to Oct. 29. Featuring Squad Ghoul for seasonal music and free fun at Walt Disney World.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party | Magic Kingdom
Cost: $119-229/ person depending on the date, Magic Kingdom.
One of our favorite things to do when visiting Florida both Disney World and Halloween time is attending the Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party arrives mid August and features a variety of exclusive entertainment, meet and greets, shows, treats and more. You can grab a Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Ticket typically in May each year. Here’s a lineup of some of the things offered at MNSSHP.
- Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular!
- Disney’s Halloween Fireworks: Not-So-Spooky Spectacular
- Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade
- Halloween Ride Overlays at select rides
- Trick-or-treat Trail
- Meet Disney Characters in Halloween Costumes
- Opportunity to buy exclusive Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Snacks
- Opportunity to buy Exclusive Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Merchandise
Fall into Magic | Disney Springs
Cost: Snacks usually cost 8 bucks or less!
As part of Disney Springs’ FREE Fall into Magic event, there is always a slew of snacks special to the season. And fall decorations begin to show up around the shopping center too. No matter what Halloween treats you are hoping to find, Disney Springs will have it. From caramel-flavored, pumpkin flavored, cinnamon-flavored and more, if it’s a fall flavor, you can find it. We like Sprinkles for cute cupcakes, Amorette’s Patisseries for fancy desserts, and The Ganachery for the best chocolates. Keep an eye out for the WonderFall Restaurant Crawl. You can usually grab a guide at the Information Center.
Halloween at Walt Disney World Food
From specialty dining at Minnie’s Halloween Dine to Fall into Magic at Disney Springs, there are loads of things you can add to your Halloween Snacks goals. With loads of new Disney World Snacks showing up at the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs, there are plenty of fall foods to be had.
Disney Halloween Snacks
Cost: Usually 8 bucks or less!
Nothing says fall like caramel apples, pumpkin lattes, and hot cider. Luckily, every park and resort ( and Disney Springs) usually has something special brewing in the kitchen for the fall menus and treat stations around the parks. Even regular treats like caramel apples and ice creams all get a fall twist. Check out all the New Halloween Snacks at Disney World.
Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood and Vine | Hollywood Studios
Cost: ~60+/person
This Halloween character meal is a buffet; all you care to enjoy. We love the extra fun of our favorite characters in costumes. Much like Akershus in Epcot Norway and Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom, the thrill of getting all the character photo ops without having to wait in line for them at the Halloween Party is HUGE! You’ll get to see the Fab Five at Minnie’s Halloween Dine. So plan to see Mickey, Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy. Absolutely makes it worth it. Dining options are available in mid-August. Check out all the details for Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood Studios.
Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar at Disney Springs
New to the Halloween at Disney World lineup is a Halloween Overlay at Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar! Known for it’s Christmas overlay, we now get classic, if not vintage, Halloween decor, drinks and food to go with our season of spooky. A specialty menu includes everything from Snake Egg Surprise, to Alien Invader Sliders. Be sure to stop by for a drink and a look at this haunting new space. And take a look at Jock Lindseys Hangar Bar Menu for all the ghoulish delights!
Halloween at Walt Disney World Tips
While visiting Disney World during Halloween is nothing short of magical, there are a few tips we just have to share. Because while there is so much to do, see and eat, we can make it all a bit easier, and more fun.
Add a Disney Halloween Outfit
If you’re going to Disney for Halloween, you’ll want to make sure your dressed for it. Perhaps you’ll want to grab a cute Disney Halloween Shirt from our shop, cause we have so many! While Disney World in the fall months have slightly better weather in the mid 80’s- 90’s, a t-shirt is usually our go to for theme park trips. Or maybe you just want to try out a Haunted Mansion Outfit for a spooky Disneybound. We pulled together a cute maid outfit with an apron, and a tightrope walker outfit. And if you’re headed to the Halloween party you can check out our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Costume Ideas. We love adding a bit of fun to our packing efforts for a Halloween trip.
Visit Earlier in the Season
If you want to get a feel for the crowds during the Halloween Season, know that they run the gamut. August typically sees everyone fixated on “getting there first” for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and as a result sees high crowds the week the party starts, typically the second and third weeks of August. Lighter Crowds can be found in September after Labor Day and offer one of the best times of year to visit Walt Disney World, both in terms of lower crowds and costs. October brings heavy crowds late in the month as people really dive into the Halloween season, and has quickly become one of the busier months at Disney World. As it brings cooler weather and some of the best events of the year.
If you attend Mickey’s Halloween Party, Skip the Park Ticket
Our #1 TIP for sticking to your Disney Budget is to skip the park ticket and get a MNSSHP Ticket instead. We’ll be honest and say that if you’re headed to Disney World in the Fall, you will want to attend Mickey’s Halloween Party. But you don’t have to break the bank as the Halloween Party Ticket is about the same price as a Park ticket. And getting into the park as early as 4PM, means that you can simply start your day a bit later, since you’ll be up late, and enjoy the morning and lunch hours at the resorts instead.
Stay Close to the Parks
If you’re attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, or the Food and Wine Festival, consider at staying at the the Best Disney Resorts for Halloween time in the parks. The Disney hotels closest to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT get you within walking distance of the parks. Or access to easier transportation than the buses. And believe us, waiting for your Disney Resort bus at midnight, after being in costume for 6 hours in the crowds is tough. Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Grand Floridian and Disney’s Contemporary Resort are our top picks to stay close to Magic Kingdom.
Halloween at Walt Disney World Merchandise
Cost: Varies
The merchandise for Halloween begins arriving in mid-August and comes in full force once October hits. Special tees, for the party, pass holder merchandise, and the new Halloween season arrive alongside flavored popcorn, treats, decor, and stuffed animals. So spooky. So fun! Check out all the New Disney Halloween Merchandise for the season!
Halloween at Walt Disney World Review
There you have it! If you’re looking for an extra special way to build a new Halloween tradition in your family, add a Disney Vacation to your list. There is so much to do and see during the fall months that it is truly worth the visit. From the Food and Wine Festival, to the decorations, seasonal snacks, and a reason to pull out your Halloween costume, there is no shortage of Halloween feelings to be had. It’s our absolute favorite time of year to visit. Of course, if you can’t make it to the parks for the spooky season, check out our Disney Halloween Movie List and all our Halloween posts for a some extra Halloween fun at home.
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she’s watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
