As a former Disney employee, fall is the best time to visit the parks. Here are 9 of my favorite things to do there.

There is nothing like walking down Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA in the fall. It’s lined with pumpkins, seasonal drapes, scarecrows in funny outfits, and Mickey-shaped jack-o’-lantern wreaths. 

I like to grab a seasonal coffee at the Main Street Bakery (Starbucks) and spend time soaking it all in. 

The decorations make it feel so cozy and allow for some really cute photos. I make sure to have a little photo shoot in this area every year. 

I think Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the best special event at Disney World all year.

It runs from the end of August through October 31, and it requires a special park ticket, which is usually a little more expensive.

However, during this event, guests get the opportunity to trick-or-treat all around Magic Kingdom and feel like a kid again. 

There are also special entertainment offerings unique to the event, such as the “Boo to You” Parade, the “Hocus Pocus” stage show, and exclusive character meet-and-greets. 

“Boo to You” is my favorite. It features all the classic characters, including Mickey and friends, the Hundred Acre Woods gang, most of the princesses and their princes, Pixar stars, Haunted Mansion maids and butlers, and a wide range of villains. 

Typically, only children under 14 are allowed to wear full costumes at Disney World. But when special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are running, adults can go all out (as long as they’re still following park guidelines).

This is such a fun way to celebrate Halloween, especially because you can see all of the unique costumes that everyone comes up with. 

If you’re not into wearing a full costume to the parks, you can also Disneybound by using your regular clothes to match the color scheme or aesthetic of your favorite character in a more subtle way. Park employees and other guests will usually pick up on your outfits, too, which makes for some fun interactions with fellow fans. 

I love Disneybounding different characters all year, but it’s especially fun when the park is decorated for Halloween. 

Seeing characters is always a huge highlight of any Disney trip, but it’s extra special in the fall when you can see their Halloween outfits. It’s the cutest thing to see Mickey dressed as a vampire or Winnie the Pooh dressed as a bumblebee. 

You never know what your favorite character will dress up as, and it’s exciting to see them in something other than their typical outfit. 

I also love seeing all of the Magic Kingdom park employees in their festive Halloween uniforms.

Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios serves a buffet-style meal with character meet-and-greets. But in the fall, it typically transforms into a Halloween-themed dining experience. 

All of the classic Disney characters — Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald — are dressed up in their Halloween costumes. They also have Halloween-inspired desserts and festive decor throughout the restaurant. 

Out of all of the rides at Disney World, Haunted Mansion truly embodies the Halloween season.

If you’re anything like me and like to be spooked — but are also a huge wimp when it comes to anything scary — this is the perfect ride for you. It has such a good mix of scare and fun. 

Taking a ride always gets me into the Halloween spirit.

Fall isn’t complete unless I go to Food and Wine at Epcot, which usually runs from August to November.

It’s my favorite festival that Epcot offers throughout the year because it’s full of amazing foods and drinks inspired by cuisines from around the world.

The stands and offerings always rotate, but one of my favorites was Appleseed Orchard in the Canada Pavilion. It had an assortment of different beers and ciders along with sweet treats like a frozen apple-pie drink and apple-crumble tarts. 

One of my favorite things about the fall season is all of the amazing food, and the Garden Grill buffet reminds me of a Thanksgiving meal with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, a harvest salad, and a berry shortcake.

This restaurant, located in Epcot’s The Land pavilion, is another character dining experience featuring an all-you-can-eat, family-style meal.

Speaking of food, there are a lot of great seasonal Halloween-themed treats to be found throughout Disney World at the resorts, parks, and Disney Springs throughout autumn.

Although these tend to rotate, one of my favorites is the candy-corn milkshake at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Tomorrowland.

It’s candy-corn flavored and topped with a big Mickey-shaped marshmallow. Whenever it’s available, I’m sure to order one.

This story was originally published on September 19, 2024, and most recently updated on October 21, 2026.