Halloween at Walt Disney World: A Beginners Guide

Spending Halloween at Walt 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 parade at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and the fall-themed treats all over the Disney Parks. So what can you expect if you’re visiting Walt Disney World during Halloween?

We write a lot about fall at Walt Disney World simply because we thinks it’s absolutely the most magical time of year! And it’s our favorite season. Hopefully this will help you take a quick look at all there is to offer and then choose what you think you’ll definitely want to make time for on your next trip!

Main Street Trolley Show at Magic Kingdom- Autumn Overlay

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

Cost: FREE with admission

If you’ve never been to this event, check out our Food and Wine Festival Tips and if you’re travelling with kids there’s a whole slew of things you should know 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, and take part in classes and presentations on food! Perfect for the family that cooks together.

Halloween Treats at all Four Disney Parks

Cost: Usually 8 bucks or less!

Nothing says fall like caramel apples, pumpkin lattes and hot cider. Luckily, every park usually has something special brewing in the kitchen for the fall menus and treat stations around the parks. Keep an eye out for new Disney Halloween Snacks on our Disney Snacks page.

Fall Decorations at Disney

Cost: FREE with Admission

We love vacationing in the fall at Walt Disney World. Decorations can be found in the parks, and at the resorts. And if you’re looking for a free Disney day, take trip around the Monorail Resorts, for a look at how things can get extra spooky. Almost all the Disney Resorts get new Halloween merchandise in the gift shops and new haunting treats in the bakery cases.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Cost: 75-110/ person depending on the date, Magic Kingdom.

We absolutely love this event. And even though prices tend to increase each year we simply cannot stop going! This hard ticket party closes Magic Kingdom to other guests who have not paid to be at the event at 6 pm on select nights throughout the fall months. So watch the dates if you’re vacationing in the fall. You don’t want to have your Magic Kingdom day on a day when the park closes early for this party.

For all the details read our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Guide! We share treats, parade info, and strategies to get you around to your favorite in-costume characters before the night is over. One of our favorite parts of attending this party is seeing the Boo to You Parade. If you’re lamenting being unable to visit this year, check out our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parade Photo Tour.

Halloween Fireworks Show

Cost: Included in your Mickey’s Not so Scary Halloween Party Ticket

This Fireworks show happens as part of the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. BUT, we pulled it out because you technically CAN see this without attending the party! If you want an up close shot just take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom gates. Once there, you can find a spot on the ground to relax while you watch and listen. You won’t get the view of the castle but you will get the view of the train station and all the fireworks and music. You can also head over to the Contemporary Resort. Guests can watch the fireworks from the balcony, or book an evening reservation at California Grill for ideal fireworks show viewing. A Brand New Fireworks Show debuted at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in 2019.

Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood Studios Hollywood and Vine

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.

Fall Flavors at Disney Springs

Cost: Usually 8 bucks or less!

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 out for the WonderFall Restaurant Crawl. You can usually grab a guide at the Information Center. Or just keep tabs with us, we track the New Disney Snacks here.

The Return to Sleepy Hollow Experience at Disney’s Wilderness Resort

Cost: Ranges between 22-60/ per person depending on chosen experience.

If you want to get cozy with the Headless Horseman and see the original Sleepy Hollow cartoon in the dark stables of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground then you’re in for a treat. A one-of-a-kind experience, this event is creepy, fun and since it’s at the campground far removed from the theme park hoopla. A definite treat if you’re looking for something unique.

Fall Merchandise during Halloween at Walt Disney World

The merchandise for Halloween begins arriving in early September, and comes in full force once October hits. Special tees, for the party, passholder merchandise, and the new Halloween season arrive alongside flavored popcorn, treats, decor, and stuffed animals. So spooky. So fun!

Disney at Halloween

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 and it changes every year. So, you’re always in for a surprise. Its also a great way to get everyone into costume, and out of the house! No matter what Fall events at Disney strike your fancy, you can be sure there is always something fun about being in the parks during the holidays. Try to visit in September before the crowds get crazy:)

And if you can’t make it out to Disney for the spooky season, check out our post on how to have a last minute Disney Halloween Party at Home and add our Disney Halloween Movie List to your fall activities.