Fall Fun at Walt Disney World!

Posted:  Holidays Parks Parties

Now that the summer fun in the Florida sun is wrapping up for the year, it’s time for, in my opinion, the best season of all: Fall!

An orange Mickey-shaped pumpkin surrounded by a wreath of leaves hangs on a light post at the Magic Kingdom under a blue sky. Main Street U.S.A. and other Halloween decorations can be seen in the background.

I am such a big fan of a chill fall morning, the leaves changing colors, and eating enough pumpkin treats that I practically turn myself into one! That’s where Walt Disney World comes in, as they deliver two great events to celebrate the season.

For those looking for great eats, EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival is the place to be, with all of its delicious culinary offerings from around the world. And of course, for a spooky-good time, you cannot miss Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! 

2 large jack-o’-lanterns are displayed in front of the entry to Magic Kingdom at night. There is blue fog and green lighting, as the park is decorated for Halloween.

First off, let’s chat about EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival. I had the chance to attend for the first time last year and enjoyed it so much! The energy is great, and there are so many different food offerings to choose from; I didn’t even scratch the surface of delicious bites! There are over 30 booths located around the park offering specialty food and drink items to purchase and try!

The purple and lime green sign for Brew-Wing at the Odyssey sits on the grass in front of the white building at EPCOT under a blue sky.

Each of the Festival Marketplace booths offers unique dishes bursting with flavor. The first highlight for me last year was Forest & Field. I LOVED the Pumpkin Mascarpone Ravioli! This was a new menu offering in 2024, and it was so tasty and light. 

Pumpkin Marscapone Ravioli from the Forest & Field booth at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival is served in a white bowl.

Another menu item I thought was great last year was the Adobo Yuca Fries with garlic-cilantro aïoli at the Fry Basket. They were so yummy! For our vegan friends, these are plant-based, and the garlic-cilantro aïoli is especially delicious! I wish I had a bottle of that sauce at home! I’d also suggest pairing it with a sweet treat from the Shimmering Sips booth for dessert!

A hand holds a basket with a serving of Adobo Yuca Fries topped with garlic-cilantro aioli from the Fry Basket booth in it at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

Along with all the fantastic dishes offered around the park, there’s also plenty of entertainment for guests to enjoy! You’ve got the Eat to the Beat Concert series, featuring lots of amazing acts, along with fresh local artists to jam out to during your food crawl. 

A white and blue sign reading “Eat to the Beat Standby Entrance” in colorful lettering is displayed at EPCOT during the Food & Wine Festival.

If you’re into some fun facts and an educational but entertaining experience, you’ve also got to check out Living with the Land! You’ll be able to see some of the ingredients featured in the Festival’s dishes being cultivated and learn more about agriculture and farming as well. If you’re headed to EPCOT this fall, be sure to check it all out!

Different types of plants including Allspice are grown and on display in a large greenhouse as part of the Living with the Land attraction at EPCOT.

 

It’s now time to chat about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party! It’s a fan favorite among many, and one of the best events at Walt Disney World!

“Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!” is displayed in a white light projection on a wall at Magic Kingdom.

A hand holds a guide map for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. In the background there is an omnibus decorated for the event entrance.

Last year was also the first time I ever got to experience this party, and I have been dying to go back! It was one of the most fun experiences, with entertainment and things to do all over the park. On top of the existing rides, there were special shows at the castle, meet and greets with unique characters, an amazing parade, and even trick-or-treating! I know I say it a lot, but there really is something for everyone here to celebrate the spooky season!

The Headless Horseman is illuminated with red light as he rides down Main Street U.S.A. as part of Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade.

Let’s start with the entertainment. When you think of Disney, you can’t help but think of those show-stopping fireworks displays, and this Halloween party has its own devious display! Mickey and friends are exploring a spooky haunted house, filled with dancing skeletons, waltzing ghosts, and a mix of your favorite Disney villains. The cherry on top? Jack Skellington himself kicks off the show, and this was one of the highlights of the party for me. You also have the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, which is an amazing stage show featuring the Sanderson sisters running amuck with beloved Disney villains!

Jack Skellington performs in front of the fireworks during Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular ahead of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. Projections illuminate the castle with Halloween images.

The Sanderson Sisters characters from Hocus Pocus perform on stage at Cinderella Castle during the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular show.

Next, we’ve got to chat about the Boo-To-You Halloween parade! A guest who happened to sit beside me during last year’s party told me this was one of the best parades for any Disney event, and I have to agree. This parade is just so much fun, and all of the themed floats bring something so special to the event. If you’re planning on attending this party, I highly recommend making time for the parade and securing a good spot, too!

Performers and Disney characters in Halloween costumes get Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade started as they make their way down Main Street U.S.A. with Cinderella Castle lit up blue in the background.

Finally, some of the rides also have some spooky-themed Halloween overlays, and you may even see some villainous characters in the ride queue as well to really bring the whole experience together. In between rides and entertainment, there’s also some exclusive party-themed treats to celebrate the season, all of them to be frightfully delicious. 

Haunted Mansion characters in spooky costumes interact with guests waiting in queue for the attraction at Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

If you’re looking for more sweet treats, there are also loads of trick-or-treat stations all over the park, so you can load up on candy to eat for the trip back home. Honestly, the free candy was one of the best souvenirs from this party, and they even have some allergy-friendly options too!

A hand holds up a trick-or-treat bag in front of Cinderella Castle. The bag is purple with drawings of Mickey and Minnie in costumes in front of the castle and reads “Boo to You” in orange and purple writing.

I don’t know about you, but now that we’ve familiarized ourselves with these amazing events, I am so ready for autumn! There’s no better way to celebrate than to head to Walt Disney World for some delightful fall fun! 

~Elyse

Carved pumpkins spelling out “See Ya Real Soon” are lit up and displayed over the exit from the Magic Kingdom.

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