I’ve always loved Halloween, but now that we have a child in the family, dressing up to go out trick-or-treating (or attend a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party) makes the holiday even more exciting.

Over the years, I’ve become quite good at pulling together fun costumes but I can always use some help with the makeup, which really brings a costume to life.

Here’s a video from the Walt Disney World Resort Cosmetology team, with tips on how you can create cute or scary Halloween looks this year.

What (or who) will you dress as this Halloween?

Take a look at the posts below for a more on how we’re celebrating Halloween at Walt Disney World Resort:

• Making Halloween Memories With Duffy the Disney Bear at Epcot
• A Spooktacular in the Sky at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts
• Our Favorite Disney Sweet for National Cookie Month

Tagged: Halloween, Video, WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier this week, we shared a peek at Hong Kong Disneyland decorated for their unique Halloween celebration – today it’s Disneyland Paris. This year’s Halloween Festival has a few new surprises, including Disney’s Maleficious Halloween Party and Mickey’s Halloween Treat in the Street. Our friends in Paris have shared some images from the festivities.

As you can see, characters like Cruella De Vil, Captain Hook, Jafar and the wicked witch from Snow White are part of the celebration. And in this “Halloweenmosphere,” you’ll also see some really cool Mickey-shaped pumpkins in Town Square. Check the Disney Parks Blog tomorrow for more on those pumpkins.

Tagged: Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Park Paris, Halloween

Filed: Disneyland Paris

Welcome, foolish mortals. This year I have a Halloween treat and not a trick for all of you vintage fans out there. Here is a look at The Haunted Mansion while it was still under construction on February 24, 1971.

A look at this photo begs to have the following question answered… have the 999 happy haunts already taken up residence, or are they waiting for the mansion to be complete before inhabiting it? If only I could get in touch with Madame Leota. Have a Happy Halloween!

Tagged: Halloween, MK, WDW

Filed: Disney History, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Leigh-Allyn Baker and Bradley Steven Perry from the Disney Channel hit series “Good Luck Charlie” scared up some fun with Mickey Mouse and Goofy at Disneyland park last week.

Bradley’s real-life mom, Kim, was also on hand and this was the first time any of them had experienced Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. In addition to seasonal favorites like Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday, both of them were most excited about checking out Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.

Bradley and Leigh-Allyn also told me they have their own family traditions for Halloween. Bradley and his family head to his aunt’s house for a homemade chili dinner, and Leigh-Allyn said she creates her own unique candy combination: candy corn and M&M’s!

TV’s Duncan family already has big plans for another holiday season. Disney Channel has just announced that “Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!,” a Disney Channel Original Movie, premieres Friday, December 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tagged: DL, DLR, Halloween

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

In an industry where a singer can be on top of the charts one week and nearly forgotten the next month, it’s quite an achievement to have the talent and dedication to succeed for even a few years. But how about 20?

On Monday night, music legends Boyz II Men celebrated their 20th anniversary following a performance as part of the “Eat to the Beat!” Concert Series during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Mickey Mouse joined the trio on stage and helped them celebrate with a two-tiered cake.

In the early 1990s, Boyz II Men exploded onto the music scene with “Cooleyhighharmony,” the debut album that featured smash hits like “It’s Hard to Say Goodbye To Yesterday” and, in a nod to their Philadelphia background, “Motownphilly.” That album vaulted the group into superstardom and they would go on to sell more than 60 million recordings and win multiple Grammy Awards.

Two decades later, they are now more “Men” than “Boyz,” but still producing hits, performing live concerts and gaining a new generation of fans. This week also marks the release of their new studio album, “Twenty,” which features brand-new songs and some of their biggest chart toppers from the past 20 years.

Today (Oct. 26), Boyz II Men will perform their final concerts for this year’s “Eat to the Beat!” performance series. If you’re heading to Walt Disney World Resort this afternoon, be sure to try and catch their show in the America Gardens Theatre at Epcot. Performances are scheduled (subject to change) at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m., and the concerts are included in regular admission to Epcot.

Tagged: Epcot, International Food and Wine Festival, Video, WDW

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

This fall make sure you take time to get warm and Fozzie! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. As you may know, November 23 marks the return of the ever-lovable and oh, so popular Muppets. Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang return to theaters in their newest feature film, Disney “The Muppets.” I don’t know about you, but I’m counting down the days.

In celebration of the release of this highly anticipated film, Noah along with two of his favorite collaborative artists, Dez Einswell and Jon Chase, will bring these amazing characters to life on an array of clothing, original and limited edition artwork, skate decks and Vinylmation.

The Muppets have impacted each one of us, in different ways. Growing up, I think we can all remember watching the show, laughing at the characters, their jokes, mannerisms and even the music. I was chatting with Noah just the other day about this new collection and I think he summed it up best. “Being given the unique opportunity to bring such nostalgic, everlasting characters to life, for others to enjoy, was Muppet Mayhem at its best. All three of us have incredible creative outlets in art, apparel and toys. At the heart of each is art and storytelling, which is also the core of Noah Fine Art Collective. This collection embraces that philosophy and allowed each of us to celebrate our favorite characters, and showcase them in non-traditional formats, all while staying true to the personalities of each character and each artist.”

This program will make its debut at D Street in the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, to a limited number of invited guests on November 17. We welcome everyone to come out for the public launch on Friday, Nov. 18, when artists Noah, Dez and Jon will be on hand for demonstrations and signings. Be sure to check ArtofDisneyParks.com for details and appearance times.

Wondering what other Muppets merchandise you should add to your “must have” list … I can definitely recommend the new film soundtrack, officially called “The Muppets.” With well-known favorites and all-new songs recorded by The Muppets and cast, it’s destined to be a classic! Look for it at select Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort merchandise locations starting November 21.

Are you excited to see the film and this trendy new take on Muppets merchandise?

See the posts below for more from the Art of Disney:

• Celebrating Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary
• You’ll Be ‘Drawn’ To Our Artist Sketch Program at the Disneyland Resort
• More Room For Haunted Mansion Event at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Tagged: DLR, Downtown Disney

Filed: Art of Disney, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District

“Water will also serve as a ‘stage’ in Walt Disney World. Lakeside and on the lagoon, fireworks shows and water spectacles will be presented – even including special ‘parades.’”

These words printed in the 1970 “Walt Disney World Preview” book certainly ring true when you think of the Electrical Water Pageant, which launched in 1971 and marks 40 years of shows today, Oct. 26.

When Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971, a series of grand-opening ceremonies took place: One for Magic Kingdom Park, one for each resort (then the Contemporary Resort Hotel and Polynesian Village) and one for the Polynesian Luau show. The Electrical Water Pageant, originally called “Electrical Pageant,” debuted as a part of these various grand opening celebrations.

Much like today, the first pageant consisted of 14 barges that pull 25-foot-tall floats across Seven Seas Lagoon. Each float features illuminated characters, such as a whale, turtle, sea horse and a multi-float sea serpent. During the second half of the show, these floats switch to display illuminated American flags and stars.

Not only did the pageant wow guests, making it a regular sight on Seven Seas Lagoon, but it’s success also inspired the creation of another innovative guest draw – the Main Street Electrical Parade, which opened at Disneyland in 1972. Incidentally, the parade’s signature track “Baroque Hoedown,” was originally featured in the Electrical Water Pageant. A compilation of music by Georg Freidrich Handel, and several other tracks, later replaced “Baroque Hoedown” in the pageant.

Today the show can be seen by guests (weather permitting) at resorts along the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake: Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

All entertainment is subject to change without notice.

Tagged: WDW

Filed: Disney History, Walt Disney World Resort