With summer sadly waning in northern climes, Walt Disney World is unveiling the flavour of fall, not least with the kick-off Halloween festivities, which are already under way at the Orlando theme park/resort. But that’s not all. Here is an overview of festive fall offerings guaranteed to turn guests into pumpkins (in a good way) at WDW as the leaves begin to fall:
Halloween
The return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks is a special ticket event is offered at Magic Kingdom Park on select nights until Oct. 31 after normal park hours from 7 p.m. to midnight.
• Guests can dress in their happiest or most-haunted Halloween costumes to get in the spirit of the season
• Frightfully fun entertainment abounds in “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show featuring the Sanderson Sisters, and “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular” nighttime extravaganza hosted by Jack Skellington, featuring fireworks, projections, iconic Disney characters and more.
• New for 2022, partygoers awaiting “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” can ‘Stand Out’ and dance their way onto Main Street USA, with an awesome 90’s crew led by Max Goof cosplaying as Powerline – his favourite pop superstar.
• Also new this year, guests can join Zombies and Cheerleaders at the ZOM-BEATZ BASH! as they BAMM out to music inspired by the ZOMBIES original movies on Disney Channel.
• Several classic Magic Kingdom attractions will be costumed for Halloween including Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
• Guests can trick-or-treat their way through the park and indulge in delicious sweets like SKITTLES, SNICKERS and M&M’s.
• The most wicked snacks of the season with specially themed fall and Halloween treats are available to savour throughout the park.
• Guests can bring home the memories with an event-exclusive, step-in photo experience, plus a reusable trick-or-treat bag and commemorative print that all guests will receive to round out the special Halloween offerings.
Fall-Festive Décor
Summer transforms to the spooky season with festive fall decor at Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can stroll down Main Street, USA where pumpkins and scarecrows are seemingly everywhere and where Disney characters are dressed in their Halloween best. Shops are festooned with fall foliage and garlands, and there are plenty of tricks and pumpkin-spiced treats making the season feel even more magical at this Walt Disney World theme park. Guests can enjoy festive fall decor through Oct. 31 and other autumn-themed offerings at select locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Through Nov. 19, guests can sip, savour, and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. The festival offers new experiences for foodies and families alike as part of the “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honouring the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary.
• More than 25 festival food and wine marketplaces located throughout EPCOT celebrate the best in global food and drink.
• This year, the creative Disney culinary teams have dreamed up unique dishes as nearly one third of the menu offerings are new.
• Guests can enjoy live musical performances at the America Gardens Theatre as part of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare. Internationally recognized artists perform Friday through Monday and local bands rock the house Tuesday through Thursday.
• New this year, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 31 (or while supplies last), special Halloween fun for the whole family is available in Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit. With the purchase of a map and stickers, guests can search around EPCOT for hidden decorative pumpkins themed to Disney characters. Whether they search for the pumpkins or not, guests can return their maps to redemption locations in the park to receive a festival keepsake.
runDisney
The 2022-23 runDisney race season kicks off Nov. 3-6 with the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. The popular race weekend features a 5K, 10K and half marathon, as well as the Disney Two Course Challenge (10K and half marathon) and Post-Race Party.
• Guests can experience the blend of music, stories, and culinary delights found during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration.
• The weekend features a Coco-themed 5K, a Raya and the Last Dragon-themed 10K and a half marathon celebrating the music and magic of Soul.
• Guests can also experience the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, including the opportunity to buy merchandise and gadgets for runners.
• Olympic track and field champion and reality TV star Sanya Richards-Ross will be among the thousands of competitors at this year’s race weekend.
• The magical weekend will be capped off with a unique Post-Race Party at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Half Marathon and Challenge registration includes entry to this after-hours event. Friends and family can purchase Post-Race Party tickets to join in the celebration with their favorite runners.
• The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is the first of four race weekends during the 2022-23 runDisney season. Next is the 30th anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (Jan. 4-8), the 15th anniversary Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (Feb. 23-26), and the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend (April 13-16).