According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 41 million potential trick-or-treaters this year, and that’s just children ages 5 to 14. Good thing kids of all ages can still trick-or-treat at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Back in October 1977, Snow White, with dwarfs Sneezy, Bashful and Dopey, looked ready to trick-or-treat on Main Street, U.S.A., at Magic Kingdom Park.

Walking so close to the Main Street Confectionery, Snow White better be careful the only apples offered to her are of the candy variety. Happy Halloween!


Check out these posts for more “Vintage Walt Disney World“:

• Vintage Walt Disney World: Celebrating Food at Epcot
• Vintage Walt Disney World: The American Adventure Pavilion is Dedicated at Epcot
• Vintage Walt Disney World: It’s Halloween Time

Tagged: Halloween, MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

With Halloween a little over a week away, I’m making final adjustments to my new costume for this year. I’ve always enjoyed dressing up for Halloween ever since I was a little boy. There is one thing, however, that I love slightly more than a fun costume – treats! I’m still a fan of making healthy choices (fruits like strawberries, pineapple, and black raspberries are particular favorites), yet Halloween seems like the time to moderately indulge in a yummy treat. My fellow author Michelle Harker recently told you about some oooey-gooey treats found at the Disneyland Resort. I visited Candy Cauldron, a show kitchen consumables location at Downtown Disney West Side, to see how some Halloween icons have inspired delicious creations.

Halloween is filled with images of pumpkins and ghosts bathed in the colors of orange, black, brown and white. Therefore, I wasn’t surprised to see display cases filled with treats shaped like these Halloween icons (I will take one of each please!). I learned from Patrice Guy, merchandiser for consumables, that adding a touch of Disney Parks to these treats is an important part of her role.

“We continually look for ways to connect what we offer to the guest experience at Disney Parks,” explained Patrice. “Last year, we introduced ghost cupcakes, which were enhanced this year with some chocolate mouse ears. We also introduced a character cookie and apple that were inspired by Minnie Mouse’s witch hat from the new Halloween artwork this year.”

You can find these treats at a variety of locations at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. In California, stop by Marceline’s Confectionery at the Downtown Disney District; the Candy Palace and the Candy Kitchen in Disneyland park; or Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure park. In Florida, I also saw these treats at Goofy’s Candy Company in Downtown Disney Marketplace, Beverly Sunset in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and even inside Big Top Souvenirs at the Storybook Circus area of New Fantasyland.

Happy Halloween!


Check out these posts to read more about Halloween at Disney Parks:

• Wildlife Wednesdays: Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Batty about Bats on Halloween and Every Day
• Behind the Scenes: Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House at Disneyland Park
• Halloween in Hawai`i! Aulani Offers Spooky Fun for All Ages

Tagged: Dining, DLR, Halloween, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Think bats are scary? The scariest thing about bats is not having them around. Do you like bananas, cashews, cotton t-shirts, pickles or peaches? If so, you can thank a bat. From pest control to pollination, bats worldwide are important to people and nature.

Guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom can get to know bats better during a celebration on Halloween (what better day to celebrate bats?) devoted exclusively to this special-not-spooky species.

At Conservation Station, guests can discover what bats like to eat and where they live. By participating in a variety of games and activities, they can learn cool bat facts and what all of us can do to be sure that bats “hang around.” Guests also can meet our bat keepers and find out how we care for the bats (Malayan Flying Foxes and Rodrigues fruit bats) that make their home on the Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Did you know?

• Contrary to popular misconceptions, bats are not blind and do not become entangled in human hair.
• As the only mammal capable of true flight, the more than 1,200 species of bats range in size from the world’s smallest mammal, the tiny bumblebee bat that weighs less than a penny, to giant flying foxes with six-foot wingspans.
• Many bat species consume vast quantities of insects, including the most damaging agricultural pests. For example, a single little brown bat can eat more than 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in just one hour.
• Loss of bats increases demand for chemical pesticides. As insect-eating machines, bats save farmers billions of dollars annually.
• From deserts to rainforests, nectar-feeding bats are critical pollinators for a wide variety of plants of great economic and ecological value.
• For 20l2, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund is supporting a Bat Conservation International project that is protecting an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats in Africa during their seasonal migration.

Tagged: Conservation, DAK, Halloween, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

If you’ve seen Haunted Mansion Holiday this year, you know how impressive the 9-foot-tall gingerbread house, which Pam first told you about in August, has turned out – and if you haven’t, you still have until January 6 to check it out! Today we’re taking you behind the scenes of the creation of Jack’s gingerbread house with Brian “The Pumpkin King” Sandahl, Senior Designer for Disney Entertainment Creative Development. See how his team of talented designers and bakers brought one of our tallest gingerbread houses to life for the Halloween and Holiday seasons.

Look below for more posts about Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort:

• Wicked Good Halloween Treats at Disneyland Resort
• Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort
• Celebrate Día de los Muertos During Halloween Time at Disneyland Park

Tagged: BtS, DL, DLR, Halloween, Video

Filed: Behind the Scenes, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Even people on a Hawaiian vacation like to get dressed up and go trick-or-treating for Halloween. The Halloween season arrives at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai`i, this weekend, with special activities for guests of all ages through the end of the month.

Between now and Friday, November 2, Aulani will offer “Happy Halloween Hawaiian Style!” featuring Disney characters in costume, Halloween arts and crafts and, on select days, trick-or-treating around the resort, Halloween parties for the kids in Aunty’s Beach House, spooky family film nights and, for older kids, “Hallow Teen” events on the beach and in the Painted Sky teen spa.

Check out these posts for more news from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa:

• Starlit Hui is Back! And New Programs Delight Aulani Guests as Work Continues on Resort Expansion
• A Mini-Indulgence from Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
• Celebrating One Year at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Tagged: Aulani, DVC, Halloween

Filed: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts

This time of year, the Disney Villains seem to be in the spotlight more than ever. Even at Disney Parks, where we like to keep things happy and light, the occasional baddie pops in to stir things up. Here are some of my favorite Disney Villains you can see around the Walt Disney World Resort this fall:

1. Headless Horseman – Nothing says Halloween quite like “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and no villain is more ominous than the Headless Horseman, who makes special appearances during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park. He gives me chills every time I see him galloping down the street with his glowing jack-o-lantern.
2. Maleficent – During Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey’s dream turns into a bit of a nightmare when the Disney Villains take over, and none is more foreboding than Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty.” When she transforms herself into a dragon and sets the river on fire, it’s one of the most awesome moments in the entire nighttime spectacular.
3. Captain Hook – Hook is as suave and sophisticated as he is scheming and maniacal. He’s one of many things which have always made “Peter Pan” my favorite Disney animated film. The Captain is especially delightful during his appearance in Dream-Along with Mickey at Magic Kingdom Park, as he and Mr. Smee face off against their old nemesis.
4. Ursula – Before New Fantasyland, we’ve been able to go “Under the Sea” with Voyage of the Little Mermaid at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Ursula has loomed large for the past two decades. As she floats out from the shadows, the sea witch captures the attention of Ariel – and us – with her wriggling tentacles and glowing eyes.
5. Jafar – The Sultan’s evil vizier from “Aladdin” slinks down the street during the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade at Magic Kingdom Park. Luckily, the Genie is always close by, ensuring Jafar doesn’t get out of line.
6. The Queen – In Fantasmic!, the wicked Queen has more to be jealous of than just Snow White. Belle and Ariel also inhabit Mickey’s imagination, and she’s not having it! The Queen casts a magic spell in the black of night, calling forth the forces of evil from her Magic Mirror and transforming herself into the Hag in the process.
7. Governor Ratcliffe – Another infamous scoundrel appearing during Fantasmic! is the self-serving Governor Ratcliffe from “Pocahontas,” interested in little more than forcing others to dig, dig, dig for his own gold and glory.
8. Lady Tremaine – Cinderella’s stepmother may not be as flamboyant as Ursula or Captain Hook, but she’s just as evil. Lady Tremaine’s piercing stare in the shadow of Cinderella Castle is tempered only by the ridiculous antics of her two awkward daughters, Anastasia and Drizella.
9. Lotso – Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear ruled Sunnyside Daycare with an iron fist in “Toy Story 3.” Luckily, he seems to be “reformed” after spending time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where you can catch him in the Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun! Parade.
10. Gaston – This man among men may not seem to be a traditional villain, but he is definitely the antagonist in the “tale as old as time.” Gaston takes part in Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and beginning this fall, you’ll actually have a chance to meet him when he begins making regular appearances outside Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland.

Tagged: Gallery, Halloween, WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Ah, Halloween Time is upon us, with so many excuses to scare up some scrumptious fun with spook-tacular eats in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks. There are so many treats – plus a few kitchen tricks – to whip up these ghoulish-ly fun favorites that are on menus through November 4.

At Café Orleans in Disneyland park, the featured dish is Haunted Chicken – pan-seared chicken breast dressed with forbidden chili cream sauce, served with purple garlic mash and sautéed carrots. Two devilish sweets are pumpkin patch crème brûlèe topped with cinnamon whipped cream, and pumpkin beignets with vanilla cream anglaise.

At Blue Bayou, the pan-roasted wild boar chop gets a “frightful” blood orange fruit reduction with a tri-color layered potato stack and fresh veggies. And the Midnight Chocolate Tart Temptation is a sweet-salty indulgence with milk chocolate budin filling, caramel popcorn ice cream, olive oil and a flourish of Down Under flake salt.

A favorite dessert served at several restaurants is the candy corn cupcake – chocolate with white chocolate mousse frosting, white chocolate ears, chocolate crunch balls and silver “disco dust.”

And only at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, they’re serving a special Dia de los Muertos dessert – a ring-shaped cream puff with dulce de leche filling and sprinkles. Diabolically delicious!

Over at Disney California Adventure park, ‘tis the season for fall beverages at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café – pumpkin spice latte, salted caramel mocha and Tazo chai tea latte. Pair with a salted caramel cake pop.

And Award Wieners appropriately pays homage to the new animated film “Frankenweenie” with a bacon-wrapped hot dog served in a cheesy jalapeño roll with grilled onion and barbecue sauce. Thrill and chill your tastebuds with a Frankenfusion – a blend of Minute Maid light lemonade, wild grape syrup and blackberry syrup topped with lemon-lime foam.

What have you tried that’s frightfully delectable at the Disneyland Resort?

Here’s a look at more of the fun happening during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort:

• Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort
• Celebrate Día de los Muertos During Halloween Time at Disneyland Park
• Top Tips for Mickey’s Halloween Party from the Disneyland Moms Panelists

Tagged: DCA, Dining, DL, DLR, Halloween

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disney Dining, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort