If you’re anything like us, then you love all things spooky-season. Whether it’s a pumpkin spice latte, or getting to see all the monsters and ghoulies surface, it’s such a fun time of year.
During the Halloween period, there’s no better place to be than Disney World. During Halloween, you have Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in Orlando and Oogie Boogie Bash in California.
The best part about it is undoubtedly the chance to see all your favorite villains in the flesh – from Maleficent, the Evil Queen, to Jafar, Oogie Boogie, Dr. Facilier, and more. You can even get to see the hero characters in Halloween costumes!
So, when does Halloween start at Disney World, and when does Disney decorate for Halloweeeeeen?
When Does Disney Decorate For Halloween?
Disney takes great pride in their ability to get decorations up, whether for Halloween, Christmas, or an anniversary event. They love to simply do it overnight, so you wake up, and one day it’s all of a sudden spooky season or the festive season!
But what if you want to visit Disney World during the spookiest time of year and want to ensure you see all of the pumpkins and characters in not-so-scary costumes?
When do they put up the Halloween decorations? Well, it’s actually earlier than you think.
Disney World and other Disney parks tend to put up Halloween decorations from the first half of August, which remain until October 31st. You can expect the Halloween decorations to creep in from early August until Halloween itself.
A good way to gauge when the Halloween decorations are up during the year you visit is to check when the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party is taking place.
If you look for tickets online, they typically start August 10th or 12th, so you know there will be all kinds of spooky, spectacular decorations and fun taking place at this time!
How Long Does Disney Have Halloween Decorations Up?
Once the clock strikes midnight on November 1st, just as the spooky clouds of Halloween clear, Disney workers spring into action and begin removing all pumpkins and replacing them with Christmas wreaths, mistletoe, snow, and all things festive. There really is no in-between break.
What Halloween Decorations And Events Are On In Disney?
One of the most iconic Halloween decorations at Walt Disney World is by far the pumpkins that hide and line Main Street, USA. You’ll also find fall pumpkin wreaths in orange all over the park.
These are at the entrance gates and on the streetlamps, and there are orange, yellow, and candy cane-colored banners all over the nostalgic, historic buildings of Main Street, USA.
Jack O Lanterns are stacked at every corner, making for the perfect picture spot! You will also find the mayor of Main Street, USA, in scarecrow form, all with a pumpkin for a head, of course!
There are beautiful orange and fall-colored garlands all over Main Street, USA, and its many shops and eateries with a pumpkin on nearly every rooftop.
You will also find meet and greets during this time with all of your favorite characters in their Halloween costumes.
For instance, Mickey wears his beautiful Halloween green and purple velvet suit and top hat, and you can meet Minnie in her witch costume.
In addition, you can meet Stitch in his Elvis costume- what a cutie, and Jack and Sally from the beloved Nightmare Before Christmas movie! You’ll also find the favorites Donald, Daisy Duck, and Goofy in their Halloween best outfits!
However, the outfits are subject to change every year depending on the Disney releases at the time. For example, Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle were dressed as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus recently!
In 2022, you could find the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular, where the villains like Maleficent, Dr. Facilier, and more joined the Sanderson Sisters to perform on stage. There are shows like this on the castle stage every year.
What is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?
Throughout the Halloween season, there is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party. On these days in the parks, you can expect full Halloween decorations and costumes, and you can also go trick or treating and collect candy from cast members and on the Trick Or Treat trails.
During the Not-So-Scary Halloween party, you can see the Boo-To-You Halloween parade, which happens twice during each party. Check out this clip from TPM vids for the whole parade!
In this parade, you’ll see many heroes and villains, along with the gravediggers from the Haunted Mansion and Constance Hatchaway, the ghostly bride. Just be careful you don’t take any hitchhiking ghosts home with you!
During the evenings, you can see Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular, which is the fireworks display featuring all of your favorite Disney characters.
This fireworks display is hosted by none other than Jack Skellingston from Nightmare Before Christmas, with lots of lasers, special effects on the Cinderella Castle, and spooky ghosts on the buildings of Main Street.
The Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties run all the way from mid-August to the end of October and take place from 7:00 pm until Midnight.
It is a ticketed event, so the Magic Kingdom will only be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm for non-party goers, and ticket holders can re-enter or head in early ready for the evening’s activities to take place.
Be warned, if you want to see Disney World in all its Halloween decorated gory, I mean glory… then you’ll have to plan ahead and get tickets early as they sell out quickly.
It could be a good idea to use a Disney World trip planner to ensure you can fit in all of the activities that you want to do during your Disney vacation.
Watch The Transformation
If you want to see the Disney World Halloween decorations, check out this video from 4K WDW to see Disney’s Florida Halloween decorations in all their glory!
Summary
To summarize, Disney is always on the early side when it comes to celebrating for Halloween.
The Halloween decorations at Disney go up from early August and remain up until October 31st until the clock strikes midnight, and on that same night – November 1st, the Christmas decorations go up.
Halloween is one of the most fun-filled seasons at Disney World. And if you don’t like Halloween at Disney, then Boo To You!
For more about family travel, check out these posts:
Printable Fall Activities and Games
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Disney Cruise Reviews
Which Disney World Park Is Best?
Disney World Itinerary Planning: What You Need to Know
Tips and Tricks for Disney World
Walt Disney World Vacation Planner
Games To Play In Line At Disney
How Many Days For Disney World?
Disney Genie Plus Review
What Time Are Disney Fireworks?
15 Best Family Activities In Orlando To Do On Your Travels
