Don’t Miss Out on Halloween Fun at the Disney Resorts this Weekend

Halloween is very much upon us, and we’re so excited to celebrate the spookiest day of the year. While we’re all putting the last few Halloween decorations up in our own homes, carving pumpkins, preparing our costumes, and getting the candy ready, the Disney Parks are well underway with the celebrations. In fact, the Walt Disney World Resort has been ready for this spooky time of year since early August.

Magic Kingdom Park was decorated for Halloween in the first couple of weeks of August in preparation for the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on August 12. Since then, we’ve seen the popular ticketed Disney Park event sell out across all evenings. The Disney Halloween Party that is set to take place on Halloween night sold out early on in the year, so, unless you have already secured your tickets for the evening, you are guaranteed not to have entry to the Magic Kingdom from 6 p.m. on All Hallow’s Eve. 

Don’t worry though, there is plenty of Halloween fun to be had around the Walt Disney World Resort over the next 3 days. We’d argue that you’re missing out on the fun by attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on October 31. We prefer to trick-or-treat around Magic Kingdom in the days leading up to Halloween, and then be a part of all of the fun that happens in the Walt Disney World Resort hotels on Halloween night.

So, whether you haven’t yet made plans, or have something in mind for All Hallow’s Eve, let’s take a look at all that there is to experience around the Walt Disney World Resort during this weekend…

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Just across Bay Lake from the Magic Kingdom, there’s plenty of spook-tastic fun happening in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Throughout October, the Villainous Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt has been available for Guests to take part in. Stop by the Front Desk to pick up your Clue Guide before exploring Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, in search of 13 pumpkins that are decorated with the silhouettes of favorite Disney Villains. Once you’ve found all 13, return to the Front Desk where you can receive a prize to celebrate your hard work.

The rest of the Halloween fun at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge takes place on October 30 and 31. The festivities are inspired by Tangled (2010) this year, which calls for plenty of film-inspired costumes!

If you’re a Guest at the Disney Resort hotel, be sure to spend some time at the pool during the afternoon of one of these days. Sunday brings a Fall Pool Party at the Copper Creek Springs Pool, and Monday brings the Halloween Pool Party. You’ll want to spend time at the pool between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to take advantage of the parties.

If arts and crafts are more your thing, then there are plenty that are taking place at The Salon by The Springs. These paid activities allow you to decorate your own:

• glowing floral Lantern (Sunday)
• ceramic Jack-O-Lantern (Sunday)
• Snuggly Duckling Tavern Stein or Tumbler (Monday)

These arts and crafts are available between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Alternatively, you can stop by The Salon by the Springs between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to create your own Mickey Tie Dye. Whilst reservations are recommended to take part in this, they are required if you’d prefer to enjoy the Speciality Pumpkin Designs.

Ahead of Tangled (2010) showing at the Movie Under the Stars at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Guests can enjoy Corona’s Royal Harvest Party near Geyser Point Bar and Grill. Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be crafts, games and a whole lot of fun, including a pumpkin decorating contest and a Harvest cake walk. This is also the place to indulge in some Fall-inspired treats, including Pumpkin Spice S’mores and Apple Cider. 

Monday’s Movie Under the Stars will showcase Hocus Pocus (1993) at 8 p.m. Before then, we’d recommend stopping by the Reunion Station Lawn, to begin the Snuggly Duckling Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail. Not only is there candy up for grabs but there’s plenty of games to take part in too. Sounds like fun for the whole family! The Trail runs from 5:30 p.m. through to 8 p.m., offering plenty of time to take part. The evening ends with the Lakeside Campfire at 8:15 p.m., where Guests are treated to complimentary trick-or-treat s’mores.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness

A little further across Bay Lake is where you’ll find a weekend full of Halloween activities and events at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.  Throughout October, Guests have been able to complete a Treasure Map Puzzle Hunt around the Disney Resort. There’s still time to take part if you haven’t already done so; stop by the Bike Barn between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to pick up your activity packet. Once you’ve completed the hunt, return to the Bike Barn to collect your fun prize.

Ever heard of Geocaching? If not, then you have now! This outdoor recreational activity requires participants to use a receiver or mobile device, as well as other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers known as ‘geocaches’. Through the use of coordinates, the specific locations of the treasure can be found all over the world. And right now, Walt Disney World is joining in the fun. Running from October 28 through to October 31, the Golden Doubloon Geocaching Challenge is taking place at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. The challenge begins and ends at the Bike Barn. Find all 20 geocaches to be entered into a draw to win a special prize. 

Whilst you may not be a Guest staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness over this year’s Halloween weekend, you can definitely stop by to enjoy the Halloween decorations placed by Guests at the Cabins and Campground. There is a site decorating contest throughout the Resort, and judging is taking place on October 28 and 29. We definitely recommend taking a stroll around Disney’s Fort Wilderness over the weekend.

If you enjoy a Disney parade, then you won’t want to miss the Halloween Golf Cart Extravaganza that is taking place at Disney’s Fort Wilderness on October 30, beginning at 5 p.m. Guests who have decorated a golf cart will be arriving at the Hitch and Unhitch area by 4:30 p.m. From there, they will be judged before the Disney parade travels around the Disney Resort. You’ll be amazed by the creations in this unique Halloween parade!

Guests of the Walt Disney World Resort will also be able to take part in a pumpkin decorating contest. Decorated pumpkins will be available to view between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. At this time, visitors can cast their vote for their favorite pumpkin.

Guests can stick around at Disney’s Fort Wilderness through to 10 p.m. The Halloween Beach Bash is taking place at Clementine’s Beach from 7 p.m. It’s sure to be a blast!

The fun continues at Disney’s Fort Wilderness until 9 p.m. on October 31. If you love to see pets dressed up, then you’ll want to check out the Halloween Pet Parade at the Campfire Theatre from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Halloween. Additionally Camp-or-Treat runs throughout the day, beginning at 6 a.m. Be sure to stop by your fellow campers tents, RVs or cabins to fill up on candy.

Disney’s BoardWalk

The famous Disney dueling piano bar, Jellyrolls, is joining in the Halloween fun on October 30 and 31. Open from 7 p.m. through to 1:45 a.m., the Guests in your party who are young at heart (aged 21 or over), are encouraged to don their own spooky Halloween costumes each evening. Entertainment begins at 8 p.m., but arriving early are advised to secure yourself a seat, ready for an evening of fun, music, and drinks!

Disney Springs

The Halloween celebrations are already in the swing of things at Disney Springs. Running from October 25 to 31, Guests will be able to enjoy entertainment throughout Disney Springs from 6 p.m. through to 10 p.m. each evening. A 4-piece Zombie ensemble known as Zombeats will make their way through Disney Springs, performing a percussion street party. Also look out for skeleton stilt walkers that will be wandering the shopping and dining district, featuring pumpkins, skeletons, bats, tricks and treats. 

Other Disney Resorts

There’s plenty of other fun that takes place throughout the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Generally, the Halloween activities take place on October 31, and are available for all Guests to enjoy. The fun includes:

• Trick-or-treat trails around the Disney Resorts. Whilst not all Resorts will offer a full trail, Resorts that have offered them in previous years include: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; Disney’s Art of Animation Resort; Disney’s Contemporary Resort; Disney’s Polynesian Village; Disney’s Pop Century Resort; Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort; and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
• Costume Cavalcade. Generally, every Disney Resort hotel offers some sort of costume cavalcade. Be sure to stop by the Front Desk of your Resort or check the activities calendar to find out the times it will take place.
• Halloween Scavenger Hunts take place in some Disney Resorts, throughout the day of All Hallow’s Eve. Check your Disney Resort activities calendar to see if there is one to take part in. Resorts that have been known to offer a scavenger hunt in previous years include: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; Disney’s Pop Century Resort; Disney’s Coronado Springs; and Disney’s Riviera Resort. 
• Who doesn’t love a good Dance Party? It’s even more fun when you’re dressed up too! Disney’s Polynesian Village has been known to host a glow-in-the-dark dance party later on in the evening of Halloween, so if you’re stopping by the Disney Resort, then make your way to the lawn outside of the Great Ceremonial House to join in the fun!
• If you’d prefer to chill out later on in the evening, then the Movie-under-the-Stars is a great way to end the Halloween celebrations. Each Disney Resort will be showing a favorite Halloween movie.
• Keep your eyes peeled as you’re exploring the Disney Resort hotels on Halloween as you may see a Disney character or two. Favorite Disney characters have been known to don their own Halloween costumes to greet Guests whilst they are trick-or-treating!
• If you’re planning on spending the day making your way around the Disney Resorts, you’ll find that there are plenty of Halloween Crafts taking place for a small fee. Stop by the Front Desk of each Resort to see where the arts and crafts are taking place.
• Some of the Disney Resorts will host decorate-your-own-pumpkin. There is a small fee for this activity, but it’s a great way to get into the Halloween spirit, especially if you haven’t had chance to carve your own pumpkin at home this Halloween. Ask at the Front Desk of the Disney Resorts to see where you can take part.
• If you’re planning on visiting Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, then be sure to stop by the hallway that used to provide the entrance to 1900 Park Fare. Cast Members have taken part in a Pumpkin Decorating Content, and the pumpkins are on display for Guests to view and vote for their favorite. If you wish to vote, all you need to do is scan the QR code that is on display. The winner will be announced on Halloween. May the best pumpkin win!

Top Tips

• The good news is, you don’t have to be a Disney Resort hotel Guest to take part in all of the Halloween fun.
• It’s a good idea to travel around the Walt Disney World Resort using Disney Transportation, as parking may be limited to Disney Resort hotel Guests during the evening.
• If there is a particular Resort that you wish to visit, it may be an idea to secure an advance dining reservation in one of the hotel’s restaurants, which will allow you to park at the Disney Resort. 
• You can still don a Halloween costume to take part in the fun around the Walt Disney World hotels.
• There’s so much to enjoy that you won’t miss out if you choose not to enter a Disney Park on October 31. 

Now, all that’s left to do is go and have all of the Halloween fun! You’re in for a Disney vacation like no other! We certainly wish we could spend Halloween in the Walt Disney World Resort hotels this year!