Halloween at Walt Disney World: Beyond the Magic Kingdom and MNSSHP

Although the premier event for celebrating Halloween at Walt Disney World Resort is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) at Magic Kingdom Park, that after-hours event is not the only way to observe the fall holiday. There are several other smaller event for guests who want to enjoy some of Disney’s lesser-known fun, family-friendly Halloween happenings.

Interested in reading more about 2010 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party? This article provides information about dates and prices.

Disney Haunted Carriage Rides at Fort Wilderness
Fort Wilderness offers 25-minute narrated Haunted Carriage Rides. Carriage tours leave Crockett’s Tavern at Pioneer Hall and tour the Fort Wilderness grounds and Bay Lake shore.

The rides are themed to the sights and sounds of “Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” featuring the pre-recorded Disney version of the Washington Irving short story featuring Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. The ride is slightly spookier than most Disney Halloween fare, and may frighten young children. (For a review, with spoilers, check out this DISboards thread.)

Carriages can accommodate up to 4 adults, or 2 adults with 3 children (ages 9 year and younger). Rides take place on the half hour, and depart between 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. on the half hour. There are three carriages available at each departure time.

• Dates: Oct. 1 – Nov. 1, 2010
• Price: $60 per carriage

Call 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529) to book Fort Wilderness Haunted Carriage Rides up to 180 days in advance. Full payment is made at the time of booking and a 24-hour cancellation policy applies. Calling in advance is recommended as carriage rides do sell out, particularly close to Halloween.

Downtown Disney for Happy Haunting, a Halloween trick-or-treat event
As in past years, guests can visit Downtown Disney to celebrate the Happy Haunting holiday with live entertainment and trick-or-treat opportunities for children. This is a great opportunity for WDW Resort guests, offsite guests and locals to enjoy a bit of the Halloween spirit outside the theme parks. The Halloween event goes on from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.

Children are welcomed to attend Downtown Disney Marketplace and collect candy from several stores. In addition, live entertainment has included a dance party with a DJ; storytelling, magic acts; and stilt walkers.

For guests visiting Downtown Disney via car, remember that parking is free but Downtown Disney tends to be be crowded during Halloween events.

Halloween for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests
Halloween is also celebrated at some of Walt Disney World Resorts. Programs are intended for guests, particularly children, of those resorts. Activities vary with resort, but common activities include daytime crafts, games, costume contests or parades, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and cupcake decorating, pool parties, movies and campfires.

Two highlights worth mentioning from past events:

• At the BoardWalk, activities have included character greetings and a DJ.
• At Fort Wilderness, Halloween activities are the most extensive, and a golf cart parade, costume parade and the Campfire Sing-a-long. Many campers extensively decorate their cabins, RVs and tents. (For an inside look at guests decorations at Fort Wilderness, check out Amanda Tinney’s 2009 video at Disney Every Day.)

Note: With the exception of Port Orleans and Fort Wilderness, Halloween activities are generally not scheduled for Disney’s Value and Moderate Resorts. Nor has Halloween celebrated at all Disney Deluxe Resorts in the past; call your resort for this year’s activities and more information.

For the 2010 schedule of Halloween activities at Walt Disney World hotels, see the Mouse for Less.

For Walt Disney World on-site guests looking to treat members of their party with Halloween surprises – treats, not tricks – Disney's In Room Celebrations can also create spooktacular gifts to be delivered to your resort room.

Related Disney Halloween articles:

• Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a Walt Disney World event (hub article)
• Walt Disney World announces dates for 2010 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
  
• Walt Disney World prepares for Halloween at the Magic Kingdom, a Media Monday report
  
• Disneyland's Mickey's Halloween Party opens ticket sales, makes changes to holiday event
  
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend releases course descriptions and medal designs

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