Halloween Details Revealed for Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World has announced details about Halloween entertainment, decorations, snacks, costumes, and more at Magic Kingdom. The fall holiday will be celebrated from September 15 to October 31, 2020. In this post, we’ll share what was announced and offer some thoughts about visiting.
We’ve been anxiously awaiting this news, and are pretty excited. While the low crowds have been nice, Magic Kingdom really needs a shot in the arm to give it some life and character. This should offer exactly that, with the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, Pumpkin Citizens of Town Square, and Mickey Head Pumpkin Wreaths all returning to Main Street USA.
Equally as important (at least, from our perspective), is the food. All four parks at Walt Disney World will offer fall eats and treats, including all things pumpkin spice, apple sweets, and cinnamon delights. This is a small thing but should make a big difference in the guest experience as, frankly, the food has been lacking…
Let’s start our look at the fall offerings in Magic Kingdom, which is the host of spook season at Walt Disney World. The big surprise here is a special Halloween-themed cavalcade with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and pals wearing their favorite Halloween costumes.
Over in Frontierland, Chip ‘n’ Dale will appear in costume. We’re hoping they will be joined by the ghost Country Bears and that was just omitted from the press release (unless Disney is trying to keep attendance down and realizes that would cause a huge spike in crowds). Other Disney characters will be dressed up and riding the horse-drawn trolley down Main Street, USA.
To bring some Halloween party fun into Magic Kingdom this year, guests of all ages will be allowed to wear costumes into the park during regular operating hours from September 15 to October 31, 2020. (Normally, costumes are only allowed for adults during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and other special events.)
As an important reminder, costume masks are not permitted for adults; only children younger than 14 years old are permitted to wear costume masks. Costumes cannot be objectionable, obscene, or overly ornate–use common sense. In addition, all guests are required to wear approved face coverings during their visit.
Additionally, Disney PhotoPass Photographers will be available throughout Magic Kingdom for themed photo ops. These are probably many of the magic shots available at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and–good news–we got every single one of those last year but forgot to write a post about them all…so I guess now it’s the time to do that?
Halloween-themed merchandise will also be available in select locations around Magic Kingdom. Featured items include a new spirit jersey, Loungefly backpack, and candy-swirl Minnie Mouse headband, along with a selection of apparel inspired by Disney Villains and more.
It’s worth noting that at least some of the Halloween merchandise is already on the shelves (we saw it during our last visit to Magic Kingdom). I don’t keep track of Disney merchandise “drops” well enough to know whether this is everything, but the point is that Walt Disney World isn’t waiting until September 15 to debut the new items–meaning that other aspects of the Halloween season could likewise begin early. (Probably not the cavalcade, though.)
Finally, fall foods at Walt Disney World. While we’re pretty hyped about all of this, the food is definitely the highlight for us (because you can’t eat a cavalcade!). Here are the treats coming to each park, beginning September 8, 2020 unless otherwise noted…
Magic Kingdom
- Mickey Cinnamon Roll (Available at Main Street Bakery) — Mickey-shaped cinnamon roll drizzled with orange and white icing
- Cinnamon Donuts (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café) — Served in a Hitchhiking Ghost Novelty container
- Hades Nachos (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café) — Black bean nacho chips with “fiery” buffalo chicken, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa, and jalapeño
- Constance’s For Better or For Worse Wedding Cake (Available at Liberty Square Market) — Citrus cake with raspberry Bavarian cream, whipped cream flowers, and a chocolate axe
- Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Sundae (Available at Sleepy Hollow) —Pumpkin spice-flavored waffled topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and sprinkles
- Poor Unfortunate Souls Float (Available at Storybook Treats) — Cream cheese soft-serve, black raspberry syrup, and Coke
- Pumpkin Spice Milkshake (Available at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies) — Topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, sprinkles, and a Mickey-shaped marshmallow straw
- Pumpkin Spice Soft-Serve Sundae (Available at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies) — Served as a sundae topped with whipped cream, caramel, and sprinkles
- Mickey Monster Mash Burger (Available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café) — Burger with Meunster cheese, potato barrels, bacon, and sriracha aïoli
- Headless Horseman Rides Again (Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace) — Strawberry DOLE® Whip with Fanta Strawberry and a Headless Horseman Novelty Straw
- Not So Poison Apple Cupcake (Available at Pinocchio Village House) — A spiced apple cupcake with pecan crunch buttercream themed after a poison apple
- Orange and Black Sugar Churros (Available at Various Churro Carts and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café)
- Oogie Boogie Dice Novelty Glow Cubes (Available at Various Quick-Service Restaurants)
- Jack Skellington Sipper (Available at Various Quick-Service Restaurants and Outdoor Vending Locations)
- Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Various Popcorn Carts)
- Mickey Pumpkin Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Various Popcorn Carts)
- Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (Available at Various Popcorn Carts)
- Hitchhiking Ghost Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Liberty Square Popcorn Cart)
- Hitchhiking Ghost Sipper (Available at Various Quick-Service Restaurants)
- Madame Leota Sipper (Available at Sleepy Hollow)
Note that several items from Magic Kingdom are recycled from previous years, so if you’d like to get a jump-start on planning, consult our Halloween Snack & Dessert Food Guide to Magic Kingdom from last year.
EPCOT
- Halloween Cupcake (Available on Halloween Day Only at Sunshine Seasons) — Choice of vanilla or chocolate cupcake with buttercream and a Mickey Pumpkin garnish
- Nemo & Squirt’s Noggin Concoction (Available on Halloween Day Only at Coral Reef Restaurant) — Chocolate brownie stuffed with a chocolate chip cookie topped with white chocolate-covered pretzels and a Mickey Pumpkin Garnish
- Halloween Sugar Cookie (Available on Halloween Day Only at Traveler’s Café and Garden Grill) — Sugar cookie topped with Halloween Sprinkles
- Liquid Nitro Cake Pop (Available on Halloween Day Only at Desserts & Champagne Marketplace in World Showplace for EPCOT Taste of International Food & Wine Festival) — Liquid nitro chocolate cake pop with Halloween sprinkles
- Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available Canada Popcorn Cart and Fife & Drum)
- Green Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Eats at EPCOT Experience and Mission Space Popcorn Cart)
- Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (Available at all EPCOT Popcorn Locations)
- Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Available at Sunshine Seasons and Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue)
Animal Kingdom
- Scar Cupcake (Available at Creature Comforts, Flame Tree Barbecue, and Restaurantosaurus) — Red velvet cupcake with toasted marshmallow filling, chocolate marshmallow frosting, chocolate pebbles, white chocolate flames, and an edible icing image
- Spooky Apple Punch Specialty Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) (Available at Flame Tree Barbecue and Isle of Java) — Sprite with Monin Apple Syrup poured over ice, garnished with a rocky candy apple straw, a gummy worm, a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube, and a sugar lime rim
- Rotten Apple Punch Specialty Beverage (Alcoholic) (Available Flame Tree Barbecue) — Angry Orchard and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky over ice, garnished with a rocky candy apple straw, a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube, and gummy worms
- Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Available at Tamu Tamu, Trek Snacks, Restaurantosaurus, TriloBites, and Outdoor Vending Ice Cream Carts)
- Purple Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Trek Snacks)
- Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (Available at Trek Snacks)
Hollywood Studios
- Poison Candied Apple (Available at Trolley Car Café) — Apple and caramel mousse covered in red glaze with a crunchy candy base
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Cannoli (Available at PizzeRizzo) — Pumpkin cheesecake mixed with a hazelnut praline crunch in a cannoli shell
- Pumpkin Tiramisu (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café) — Layers of cream mascarpone and spiced pumpkin cake
- Box of Bones Chocolate Éclair (Available at Backlot Express) — Chocolate éclair with dark chocolate mousse and white chocolate bones
- Frozen Apple Cider (Non-Alcoholic) (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, and PizzeRizzo) — Served with a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube
- Frozen Apple Cider with Crown Royal Regal Apple (Alcoholic) (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, and PizzeRizzo) — Served with a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube
- Orange Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Anahiem Produce, Hollywood Popcorn, and Animation Popcorn)
- Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, PizzeRizzo, and Anaheim Produce)
Ultimately, this announcement about fall and Halloween at Walt Disney World has us really excited. Not so much about the substance of the entertainment or decorations (although the food lineup does look formidable), but the fact that Walt Disney World is doing something–and it’s more than just decorations on Main Street USA. After Walt Disney World cut fall park hours, we weren’t expecting much for Halloween–and it’s still disappointing that Magic Kingdom won’t be open after sunset at all in September or October.
For the last couple of weeks we’ve been fretting about Walt Disney World entering a cost-cutting spiral, with reductions in hours and entertainment resulting in reduced attendance, resulting in more cuts (and so on). This puts some (not all) of those concerns to bed. Granted, a lot of this is merchandise and food–things Disney can sell to guests–but it still amounts to a win-win, rather than a lose-lose. With the Christmas season on the horizon–normally Walt Disney World’s big holiday season–this news has us feeling at least somewhat reassured. Here’s hoping our renewed sense of confidence ends up being justified.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of this news of Halloween festivities at Magic Kingdom? Excited for the cavalcade, character costumes, PhotoPass magic shots, or food? Planning on going in costume to Magic Kingdom in September or October? Think this will provide a nice shot in the arm for Magic Kingdom? Does this likewise have you optimistic for Christmas season at Walt Disney World? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
How ironic you have to wear masks, yet you can’t wear a mask!! O_o
This gives me some reassurance for Christmas. I have been anxiously awaiting news for that season so I can decide if we will still go this year. This makes me so happy!
Me too! I immediately thought “yay! This bodes well for Christmas!” 🙂
I’M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!
I am not seeing the great pricing that you keep mentioning? I just priced out a vacation between Christmas and New Years and it was 8k for family of 5. Keeping in mind this includes no dining and no airfare. We are able to keep our vacations under 10k including airfare, dining plan, and deluxe resort during normal, non pandemic times. What are your thoughts?
I’m not sure where you are getting $8,000. I just looked and a 5 night, 6 day ticket trip for 2 adults and 3 kids can be done for around $5,300.
Kasie,
Directly on the WDW website. I priced out 6 nights at Bolder Ridge 12/27 – 1/2. It is showing $710/night plus park passes. That pricing is ridiculous considering the experience will be limited.
Well, yes, for a deluxe resort you will pay deluxe prices. Caribbean beach with a 5th sleeper is available for less than half that price per night for those same dates. I guess it’s just about what you are looking for, deluxe accommodations or low price. The resort experience is not all that limited, and that is what you are paying the higher price for. The real injustice is that ticket prices are not discounted.
If you read my original comment, we always stay at Deluxe resorts. We have never stayed at anything less than a Deluxe, always do the dining plan, and always fly, always for under 10K. Just the room and park tickets are 8k, after airfare and dining we will be way over 10k. So again, I am not seeing the deep discounts that Tom keeps mentioning…it’s more expensive than ever with a subpar experience.
I’m not quite sure to what you’re referring. Almost all my mentions of discounting are that Walt Disney World needs to get aggressive with deals–not that they already have.
Right now, there are only AP and Florida Resident special offers, and even those mostly end by October.
Thanks Tom! Maybe I misunderstood! I didn’t realize the deep discounts are only FL residents! I hope the discounts for FL residents continue and I hope they expand them to out of state as well, otherwise it will be a very long time before my family goes again:(
You know that is the most expensive time of the year to go–between Christmas and New Years.
Oh yay! Thanks Tom for the update! This has me excited for Christmas this year and that they will be doing similiar things with Christmas theming. This makes me very happy!
We planned a trip from October 31st – November 8th specifically to try and hit both MNSSHP and MVMCP. Since the Halloween party isn’t happening (and who knows about the Christmas party), I reserved our park pass for EPCOT on the 31st, since we will not be arriving until about 3:00 anyway and I thought we would do Food & Wine for dinner. We have 2 other MK days planned. I assumed they would expand Halloween costume rules to the other parks, since there is no party at MK. Is that not going to happen? Will we not be allowed to wear our family costume to EPCOT?
thank you for all your posts and giving those of us who can’t visit right now a glimpse of fun. Today is my birthday and while I was sitting at my home office this morning I was reflecting on where I was a year ago. Well last Aug 27 was a special day. It started at the Crystal Palace with Winnie and friends and ended in the evening at the Halloween party. I was sad for all of a minute that this year was quite different, but then I remembered I am home and I’m safe and I have all the memories to think about and pictures to look at and plans to make for when it is safe to visit. At night I pull up your new posts and you put a picture in my head of those fun times from the past and the fun to be had in the future. You are giving me ideas for things to do when I go back. That last trip was a whirlwind where I never had time to just walk around and experience the parks and their beauty as I was running from ride to ride to event. I know my next trip (whenever that is), I will be adding days for just meandering in the out of the way spots, sitting on a park bench and just being part of the magic and standing watching for some magical bears. Thank you to you and your wife for always painting a beautiful picture for our minds. Please keep safe and please let us know if there is a way for us to repay you for adding a little brightness to our time right now.
Lisa,
What a lovely post. Thanks for reminding us to be thankful to be safe at home with wonderful memories.
AW nuts, does this mean they won’t start decorating until the 15th? We’re going from the first to the eighth and I’m afraid we’ll miss it.
Oh well, hard to complain considering the circumstances!
I too was going the 7-14, I think I can change dates to be there for Halloween festivities
We’re going November 1-8 with Magic Kingdom days being the 2nd and 7th. Any guesses what sort of decorations we’ll see, if any?
If precedent from recent years is any indication, you’ll see some Christmas decorations. In relevant locations, they’ve replaced Halloween with Christmas decorations in the same night–it’s simply easier.
However, I wouldn’t expect the Christmas tree to be up by then.
I think Disney is doing a horrible job. They’ve been mistreating guest with special needs, ignoring CDC protocols (because “they are a private company and do as they wish” – heard that from a GR), keep on putting cast members on furlough (while their execs salaries are being fully reinstated). In the meantime, Disney treats passholders as trash and breach all sorts of contracts guidelines. Bob Iger’s admin is a cancer that should disappear. It breaks my heart to see that a lot of ppl still think that whatever Disney does is “magical”. Walt would be broken-hearted.
Tom do you think the tree will be up by the week by Thanksgiving week ?
Definitely.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s up by the Monday after Veterans Day (but I also wouldn’t bank on that).
Thanks Tom! Appreciate the quick response!
Ok so is this going to make my sept 27-oct 2nd trip more crowded?
Probably on weekends, otherwise I wouldn’t count on it. By and large, it’s too late for anyone to plan trips (aside from a few last minute ones) around this and most locals work during the week. Just avoid Magic Kingdom on Saturday and you should be fine.
I would love to enjoy all of this but sadly 2 of our family members have annual passes and 2 do not. We were trying to spread them out and BAM! no more annual passes. We were trying to decide whether to go in Fall or Winter and now they are both out and we will probably miss out on the low crowds as there is NO WAY I’m paying over $100 a day for 2 people in my party. The sad part is, we would have gone many times since the parks re opened an potentially stayed on site more than once but this annual pass thing has us just sitting here. Any word on a work around for that or when they are bringing the AP back? I just got a standard script of “we understand, its a unique time,” etc.
“Any word on a work around for that or when they are bringing the AP back?”
Sadly, I do not. They’ve been getting much better about replenishing Park Pass availability for APs…hopefully that’s a precursor to resuming sales of them.
Thanks for adding a smile to our inboxes today!!!
You’re welcome!
Any news on AP or Florida resident discounts in hotel rooms for the fall?
I looked for October and all rooms are full price
Not yet. Any day now, I’d assume.
Hey do you have any idea whatsoever, if they will increase hours to include night hours, since with Halloween the best part is all the glowing lights
Seems highly unlikely. They only reduced park hours a few weeks ago, and this has been in the planning stages since July.
Tom or anyone in the know: how much does the fireworks show cost each evening? My old man thought after watching fantastic alone that it must be hundreds of thousands. Any proof to support this? It’s got to be crazy money.
It’s really exciting to be able to wear a costume during the day and get some absolutely unique photographs like that! Except…wait. It’s in September and October, and the heat isn’t gone and the masks won’t be gone. I don’t want the masks gone, but as a once-avid costumer this has me really torn!
We attended Mickeys Halloween Party 5 years ago and kids could wear costumes. When did it change?
“To bring some Halloween party fun into Magic Kingdom this year, guests of all ages will be allowed to wear costumes into the park during regular operating hours from September 15 to October 31, 2020. (Normally, costumes are only allowed for adults during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and other special events.)”
Brenda, I think they mean that, normally, adults are not permitted to wear costumes to the parks, but small kids can. So for these dates, adults will also be permitted to wear costumes during regular park hours since there isn’t any party for adults to wear costumes.
Tom, how will this impact crowds? I’ll be there September 13-19 and I’m basing the trip solely on the low crowds. Thanks!
Yes me too, what’s the crowds looking like?
Does anyone know what hotels have done in the past, or might do this year for Halloween? If there is some form of trick or treating, or scavenger hunt (anything really), that would be perfect. I guess we can always bring our own candy. We’re supposed to be arriving at the Grand Floridian on 10/31, and won’t be at MK that day. Thanks!
Usually the hotels would offer a trick or treating activity. We stayed at the Pop last year, and there was 1 character (I think goofy?) who came and they set up stations around the pool for a costume parade and chances to stop and get candy. Our kids were happy and there was plenty of candy. Hopefully they will be able to modify it to accomodate social distancing??
I believed they said the treats will start on September 8th, unless otherwise noted. Is that true? Forgive me if I missed it in this post!
You are correct–I just updated the post with that date!
I’m disappointed. Our trip is Sept. 5-12, and originally we had tickets for the MNSSHP. I wish they would have started the celebration earlier so that those of us who are coming earlier and missed out on the party could still enjoy the season.
You’ll catch at least the food and merchandise–potentially more. I wouldn’t be surprised if everything quietly debuted the day after Labor Day. Here’s hoping! 🙂
the magic shots with the lower crowds would be nicer than the halloween party. the lines last year for those were unbelievable. i wonder if they will be the same in the daylight hours though.
Some of them definitely wouldn’t work during daylight hours (like the full moon one in this post), but others would end up looking better because the photographers won’t be fighting against lighting limitations and washing everything out with flash.