If you’ve never visited a Disney theme park between August and October, you may not realize that Disneyland and Walt Disney World take this spook-tacular holiday as seriously as they do Christmas. Oversized pumpkins decorate Main Street, USA, Disney Villains appear en mass and certain rides are overhauled to better fit the season.
It’s not just the ability to wear costumes and nab quick-to-sell-out seasonal merchandise that makes Disneyland and Walt Disney World worth visiting around Halloween. Both parks have spectacularly themed parties, which bring with them eerie entertainment and more Disney villains than you’ve ever seen in one night.
Whether or not you’re planning to attend the ticketed festivities — which, in our opinion, you should — here’s what spooks are in store from now until November at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.
Celebrations that will outshine other park visits
Disney’s Halloween parties are five-hour spectacles with themed entertainment including meet-and-greets with rare Disney characters, haunted parades and performances, fireworks, and other spooky surprises you won’t find at Disneyland Park or Magic Kingdom any other time. There are no gruesome sights or haunted houses (besides The Haunted Mansion) to deter young ones, either. Instead, it’s all about the theme and embracing kid-friendly fun. The parks, too, are closed to daily guests during each party, allowing for an immersive experience with the added bonus of shorter wait times for popular attractions.
Party tickets and park tickets are not the same thing
Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will take over Disney California Adventure park for more nights than ever before, bringing rare characters, villains and spellbinding experiences on 25 select evenings between Sept. 5 and Oct. 31, 2023. Kids and trick-or-treaters of all ages are invited to wear their Halloween costumes for a wickedly fun evening of attractions (some of which have shorter wait times!), themed food and beverages, and more. Admission to the after-hours event also includes entrance to Disney California Adventure park three hours before the party begins and unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party.
With treat trails and characters throughout the park, you may encounter new and familiar friends! Partygoers of all ages can also delight in special offerings just for Oogie Boogie Bash, such as “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” show, the “Frightfully Fun Parade” led by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, and the immersive Villains Grove.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 29 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT). On June 27 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), a limited amount of Oogie Boogie Bash tickets go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders at Disneyland.com/OogieBoogieBash. Tickets are limited and guests may check out the website for important details and availability for the 25 nights: Tuesday, Sept. 5; Thursday, Sept. 7; Sunday, Sept. 10; Tuesday, Sept. 12; Thursday, Sept. 14; Sunday, Sept. 17; Tuesday, Sept. 19; Thursday, Sept. 21; Sunday, Sept. 24; Tuesday, Sept. 26; Thursday, Sept. 28; Sunday, Oct. 1; Tuesday, Oct. 3; Thursday, Oct. 5; Sunday, Oct. 8; Tuesday, Oct. 10; Thursday, Oct. 12; Sunday, Oct. 15; Tuesday, Oct 17; Thursday, Oct. 19; Sunday, Oct. 22; Tuesday, Oct. 24; Thursday, Oct. 26; Sunday, Oct. 29; and Tuesday, Oct. 31, Halloween night.
If you are visiting Disney World in late August, September, or October, keep in mind that both California’s Disneyland and Florida’s Magic Kingdom closes early on park nights to daily guests — i.e. no fireworks — and party admission is an entirely separate fee from multi-day ticket admission, so plan your vacation accordingly.
How to Go to Disney’s ‘Halloweentown’ in Real Life: Even adults can wear costumes. Disney Parks famously don’t allow guests over the age of 14 to dress in costume, but an exception is made during Halloween Party nights at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Attendees of all ages are allowed to arrive as any character or princess they prefer, and families often attend Mickey’s Halloween Parties in elaborate Disney-themed costumes.
There are very specific rules on what can and cannot be worn, however, so be sure to check Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort websites for restrictions prior to arriving in that Cinderella ball gown, which better not touch the ground.
Trick-or-treating for Park Guests of All Ages
Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World are known for their unlimited “treat trails,” which off-load more sweets and surprises than you’ve ever gotten going door-to-door back home. Regular attendees know to bring their own bag (preferably pillowcase sized or larger) because adults and children alike take home piles of chocolate, candy, and allergy-friendly snacks with the only limit to one’s haul being how much you can carry.
In California, Oogie Boogie Bash treat trails have dedicated character appearances, while party-specific indulgences like themed cupcakes, graveyard sweets and spicy nachos will be for sale during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates in Florida. Have a sweet tooth that can’t be tamed by candy bars? Magic Kingdom also offers dessert parties with reserved viewing areas for nighttime shows and Cruella’s Halloween Hide-A-Way for themed snacks and interactions with the devilish outlaw, while Disney California Adventure’s Wine Country Trattoria offers a dining package with views of the Frightfully Fun Parade on a first-come, first-served basis.
Villainous Parades, Fireworks, and Entertainment: Fireworks feature evil beings, performances recall 90s witchy favorites, and parades get bone-chilling additions during Disney’s Halloween parties. Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, for example, is an annual stage show at Walt Disney World helmed by the Sanderson Sisters and starring a handful of nefarious favorites like Maleficent and Dr. Facilier. Disney California Adventure offers Mickey’s Trick & Treat, a new stage show on party nights that’s perfect for kids, and a “Descendants”-themed dance party at both coasts’ celebrations.
And though Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang don delightful costumes, Disney villains also come out en mass at both coasts’ events. This is when you’ll have a chance to face Jack Skellington, The Queen of Hearts, and Cruella de Vil at all-night meet-and-greets, while a special Halloween parade is kicked off on both coasts with a spellbinding ride by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
Don’t leave these parties early, because you won’t want to miss the haunting rendition of each park’s nightly performances. New to Disney World in 2019 is Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular, a riveting extravaganza hosted by “The Nightmare Before Christmas'” Jack Skellington with sky-high explosions and castle projections that replaces Happy HalloWishes. Villainous! World of Color, the all-new show, debuts in 2019 as well as part of California’s Oogie Boogie Bash.
Season-long Halloween Decorations and Merchandise
Both Walt Disney World as well as Disneyland are transformed by decorations, themed food (think: Haunted Mansion cakes and chocolate Mickey Halloween Cupcakes with purple marshmallow fluff), and drink specials in the weeks leading up to Halloween — not to mention some of the best souvenirs you’ll find all year. And you don’t even need to pay extra admission to the parties to experience the chilling fun.
There are Hocus Pocus-themed T-shirts and trinkets featuring the dysfunctional sisters, a limited-edition Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Magic Band that comes in a chocolate-scented box, and Jack-o’-lantern Mickey Mouse mugs that are an Instagram favorite. (It’s no surprise Halloween must-haves are known to sell out quickly.)
All of the seasonal food at Disneyland Resort is offered all day at both theme parks, and due to Mickey’s Halloween Party switching parks to become Oogie Boogie Bash, Disneyland’s Halloween Screams nighttime show is available to all guests, with the addition of fireworks on select evenings.
And as always, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” lands at Disneyland Park with Jack Skellington’s annual full-fledged takeover of Haunted Mansion. With a new gingerbread house each year that fills the attraction with a sugar-tinged scent in the air, 2019’s creation honors Haunted Mansion’s 50th anniversary, complete with a gingerbread hatbox ghost, “stretching room” tightrope walker and a full detailed recreation of the mysterious house.
Tips for Parents Visiting Disney at Halloween
If you’re a parent planning to visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World during the spooky Halloween season, we’ve got some tips to ensure your visit is nothing short of enchanting. Disney’s Halloween festivities are not just for kids; they’re a treat for all ages. Here’s how you can make the most of your visit:
Plan Ahead: First and foremost, plan your visit well in advance. Disney’s Halloween parties are ticketed events, so be sure to secure your tickets early. These parties are highly popular and tend to sell out, especially closer to Halloween night.
Costume Creativity: One of the unique aspects of Disney’s Halloween parties is that adults can wear costumes too. So, embrace your inner child and dress up! However, there are costume guidelines you should review on the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort websites to ensure your attire is compliant. Remember, comfort is key; you’ll want to enjoy the festivities without any costume mishaps.
Treat Trails and Bags: Disney’s Halloween parties are famous for their “treat trails.” These are a candy lover’s dream, offering heaps of chocolate, candy, and allergy-friendly snacks. To make the most of this sweet experience, bring a large, sturdy bag. A pillowcase-sized bag is ideal because, trust us, you’ll be collecting a treasure trove of treats.
Villainous Encounters: One of the highlights of Disney’s Halloween parties is the chance to meet Disney villains. Encourage your little ones to interact with these iconic characters; it’s a unique opportunity that doesn’t come around often.
Stay for the Fireworks: Don’t leave the party early because you won’t want to miss the haunting rendition of the nightly fireworks. “Halloween Screams” at Disneyland and “Happy HalloWishes” at Disney World are exclusive treats for party-goers. Stick around and let the spooky skies above Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella Castle cast their spell on you.
Enjoy the Exclusive Shows: Take advantage of the exclusive shows at Disney’s Halloween parties. Whether it’s “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” or “Mickey’s Trick & Treat,” these performances add an extra layer of enchantment to your visit.
Collect Souvenirs: Disney’s Halloween parties offer unique souvenirs and merchandise that you won’t find at any other time of the year. From themed T-shirts to collectible Magic Bands, these make for fantastic mementos of your Halloween adventure.
Experience the Ghoulish Rides: Disney goes all out in transforming some of their beloved rides for Halloween. From special lighting effects on the Mad Tea Party to Halloween soundtracks on Space Mountain, there’s magic in every corner. Be sure to take your kids on these revamped rides for an extra dose of Halloween fun.
With these tips in hand, your visit to Disneyland or Walt Disney World during Halloween season is bound to be a memorable and enchanting experience for the whole family. Embrace the spirit of the season, enjoy the festivities, and savor the magic of Disney like never before.