Your Guide to Celebrating Halloween at Disney World

Now that the summer crowds are gone, it’s one of the best times of the year to visit Disney World: Halloween. The decorations should be showing up any day now, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party kicks off next week. Here’s a look at Halloween at Walt Disney World:

®Mary Yanni Liebman Malefecient and Captain Hook on stage during the Mix  and Mingle show, part of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween  Party. After the show, they’re available for photos.

Not So Scary Halloween Party: The annual party at the Magic Kingdom is certainly the headline event of the season — and also the big-ticket item. The party, which requires purchase of a separate ticket, includes the Boo To You parade led by the Headless Horseman, special Halloween fireworks and, of course, trick-or-treating. The party happens on selected nights from Sept. 11 through Nov. 2 and costs $50-$70 (depending on age, the date of the party and when you buy your tickets. Here are the details. One of the great things about the Not So Scary Halloween Party is that the elusive Disney Villains are out in force for photos with guests. This year Disney is adding a twist to the Boo To You parade, trying to get visitors warmed up for a Not So Scary Street Jam, a line dance that will be performed to the song “Calling All the Monsters” by China Anne McClain. See the dance and learn the steps before your trip. 

The weather: When the Halloween celebration starts in Disney World, the average high temperature is around 90 degrees and the average low is a still-balmy 72. By the end of October, the averages are down to a much more comfortable 81/61. But the weather can be unpredictable — the records on Halloween in Orlando are 91 for a high and 44 for a low. So keep that in mind when you’re planning your costume. Speaking of which …

®Mary Yanni Liebman Themed statues of some Disney favorites are displayed in front of the castle.

Costumes: The Not So Scary Halloween Party is the only time of year when adults can wear costumes to the Magic Kingdom, so if that’s your thing, you’ll have to take the plunge for the Halloween party. If it’s only the kids who want to get dolled up, they can do that anytime. Two things to consider when you’re thinking about costumes: Unless you’re serious about packing — and wanting to carry an elaborate costume — think light and foldable. Also: You’re still going to have to do a whole lot of walking, so be sure your costume includes comfortable shoes. (Here’s an idea: Go as Linguine from “Ratatouille” — comfy shoes are a must for any chef!)

Trick-or-treating: Disney discontinued its trick-or-treating at Downtown Disney last year — it had gotten too crowded. Personally, I’d rather indulge in some of Disney’s own Halloween-themed sweet treats from the Main Street Bakery at the Magic Kingdom — maybe a mummy cookie, a wicked witch cupcake or a Jack Skellington candy apple. But if you want to collect your 10 pounds of free candy, there’s still the Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Holiday merchandise: Some of us are Disney Shopaholics. Why fight it? Disney always has theme t-shirts for the holidays as well as packaged treats to take home as souvenirs, but I love their home decor — flags, candelabra, even holiday ornaments. Can’t get away this season? Many theme park products are available online.

Also not-so-scary: Can’t get enough of the villains? The Fantasmic show over at Hollywood Studios features villains invading Mikey’s dreams. Pair that with a trip or two through the Tower of Terror, and you’ve got a spine-tingling night.

©Mary Yanni Liebman More decorations at Magic Kingdom.

Fort Wilderness: If you really want to immerse yourself in the holiday, consider staying at Fort Wilderness, which typically holds a range of activities for the holidays. This year’s schedule won’t be released until mid-October, but last year’s events included a pet parade, a golf cart parade, site decorating and pumpkin decorating, dance parties and pool parties, crafts and trick-or-treating. Most resorts have special events on Halloween, but Fort Wilderness is by far the most festive.

What else is going on: October might be the best time of the year to make last-minute plans for Disney. Any other time of year, dining reservations are snapped up six months in advance. But October? During October, you can do all your eating at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. And back at the Magic Kingdom, the Country Bear Jamboree is reopening Oct. 16 after a lengthy refurbishment. Disney hasn’t shared details but rumor has it the show will be shortened. Hopefully, it will also be improved — the original show could never hold a candle to the late, lamented Country Bear Christmas.

What you can’t do this year: We’ve already mentioned that Downtown Disney’s Halloween trick-or-treating was cancelled last year — and presumably will stay cancelled this year. This year, Disney also has called off its popular Haunted Carriage Rides at Fort Wilderness. Disney hasn’t said why, but fans are speculating that DVC construction is to blame.

How have you celebrated Halloween at Disney World?