Halloween at Walt Disney World in Florida is just bewitching, however there are various issues you must have in mind as you’re planning your journey. 

For starters, you’ll need to plan early because the theme park tends to kick issues off in mid-August, reworking the Magic Kingdom right into a festive Halloween city. 

Not solely are there particular treats and character experiences galore to plan for, however there’s additionally Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion, a separate ticketed occasion that enables Disney followers entry to unique experiences comparable to Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade and character meet-and-greets. This yr, particularly, the celebration runs from Aug. 11 to Nov. 1, 2023. 

To organize you on your subsequent journey, PEOPLE spoke with 4 Disney consultants — planDisney panelist Prince Stychnicki-Saquian, Depraved Journey Concierge proprietor Amy Garner, content material creator and The Fundamental St Dish co-host Bethany Vinton and Very Amusing podcast host Carlye Wisel  — about their greatest suggestions and methods for celebrating the vacation at Disney World. 

Right here’s how they advocate you propose on your subsequent journey. 

When must you begin planning your Disney World Halloween journey?

As Halloween at Disney World often kicks off in August, Stychnicki-Saquian notes it’s by no means “too early to plan” your journey. 

Should you’re an enormous foodie, Garner recommends planning at the very least 60 days prematurely of your go to when eating reservations open to be able to safe the most effective choices. Vinton provides that with regards to Halloween treats particularly, Disney Parks Weblog often releases its “foodie information,” which may also help you higher plan your journey, round July.

Whether or not you’re planning manner prematurely or doing a last-minute journey, all of the Disney consultants agree an important factor to do is be sure your itinerary is all set, from precedence meet-and-greets to researching park hours.

“Plenty of instances, individuals going to Disney World [around Halloween time] do not realize that Magic Kingdom closes early on celebration nights to day company,” Wisel factors out. “So I at all times advise that you just need to test Magic Kingdom hours earlier than you propose your journey, regardless of once you’re planning it since you do not need to purchase admission after which not be capable of see fireworks with everybody else.” 

As you’re doing all of your analysis, Stychnicki-Saquian suggests “going straight to the supply” by trying on the Disney Parks Weblog, whereas Garner provides that the My Disney Expertise app is useful as you construct out your plans as “you are going to be utilizing the app already once you’re within the park” for issues comparable to digital queues and eating reservations.

When is the most effective time to go to Disney World throughout Halloween?

With regards to celebrating Halloween at Disney World, the Disney consultants unanimously agree that September is the most effective time to go as children are often again at school, that means there are fewer crowds within the parks. Plus, at that time, the climate is just not as sizzling in Florida. 

Vinton additionally factors out that, along with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion, there are different festivals to get pleasure from throughout this time such because the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant, which runs from July 27 to Nov. 18, 2023. 

“September actually is a good candy spot,” Garner provides. “You are not competing with the individuals who need to be first to expertise the Halloween stuff for the yr, and also you’re additionally not competing with the people who find themselves there for precise Halloween.” 

The place must you keep throughout your Disney World Halloween journey?

With regards to choosing a Disney Resort resort, all of it comes all the way down to what works greatest for you. If you wish to accommodate an enormous household, Garner recommends Disney’s Artwork of Animation Resort, which incorporates household suites and Skyliner entry to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Plus, the resort is “closely themed with enjoyable characters” which is a “feast for the eyes for the children.”

Wisel additionally recommends Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, noting that “it provides numerous what the deluxe stage resorts provide whereas additionally being a reasonable [hotel], so it is priced proper within the center.” 

“I really like that you just’re in a tower, so you possibly can take an elevator to your room,” she provides. “The buses come proper there or you possibly can simply get an Uber. I simply suppose it provides the most effective of each worlds when it comes to worth and lodging.” 

Numerous resorts even have Halloween-themed actions, together with The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, which often has a golf cart parade, a pumpkin adorning contest and a particular trick-or-treating occasion nearer to Halloween. Whereas others have Halloween treats to get pleasure from, comparable to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, which has a Haunted Mansion beignet. 

What are the most important perks of attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion?

On the fence about whether or not Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion is best for you? The Disney consultants be aware that the most important draw of celebration is getting unique alternatives you wouldn’t get on a daily park day, comparable to character meet-and-greets with Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas, seeing Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade and particular fireworks. Plus, the celebration permits company to decorate up in costumes and trick-or-treat! 

“The Halloween celebration is the most effective celebration that Disney throws at the moment,” Vinton says. “The standout to me [is] the ‘Boo-to-You’ Parade that you just will not see on the parks through the day. They’ve a fireworks present that’s only for the Halloween celebration as effectively. And in case you are a foodie, they do numerous party-exclusive meals that you would be able to solely get there” 

The place is the most effective place to get a Halloween picture at Disney World?

Should you’re hoping to get that good Halloween picture throughout your keep, most of the Disney consultants advocate heading to the Haunted Mansion. “They’ve that fog that rolls in and it is so spooky,” Vinton notes. For individuals who buy Reminiscence Maker with their theme park tickets, she provides there are numerous Halloween-themed Magic Pictures close to the journey, which add enjoyable particular results to your images.

“There are tons and tons of Magic Pictures out there all through the park the place the Magic Shot will embrace the Hitchhiking Ghosts and issues like that,” Garner provides. “So making the most of these Magic Pictures, trying within the app forward of time to see the place they are going to be, will certainly yield some actually, actually cool footage.”

What are the most effective treats at Disney World throughout Halloween?

With 30 specialty treats for Halloween this yr, you’ll need to be sure you depart loads of room for snacking. The Disney Parks Weblog already has a full record of things out there within the parks and through Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion and the Disney consultants have already anticipated which objects would be the viral treats this yr.

Along with much more savory objects on the menu, Stychnicki-Saquian and Vinton be aware {that a} sizzling ticket merchandise is sure to be the Zombie Fingers at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café throughout Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion, which the Disney Parks Weblog says is made up of “almond cookie fingers, key lime pie white chocolate ganache, salted caramel crisp pearls and sugar eyes.”

Garner additionally anticipates the Hades Cone at Storybook Treats throughout Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion can be one other standard choice. The cool snack is made up of “DOLE Whip mango and habanero soft-serve topped with blue raspberry shell and chili-lime seasoning,” per the Disney Parks Weblog web site.  

Should you’re in search of a personality eating expertise, Wisel notes that Minnie’s Seasonal Eating at Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios is “a good way to expertise Halloween with out going to the celebration and in the midst of a daily park day.” The lunch and dinner buffet options Minnie and her mates dressed up in seasonal Halloween costumes. 

Wisel provides that there are additionally “actually good character costumes” at Breakfast à la Artwork with Mickey & Associates at Topolino’s Terrace, which options Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck. Although they don’t don Halloween-specific appears to be like, she notes that “come fall, any character in any type of enjoyable outfit does really feel a little bit like a fancy dress.” 

The place is the most effective place to get Halloween merch at Disney World?

One other perk of visiting the parks through the Halloween season is stocking up on all of the seasonal merch, together with enjoyable Mickey ears, Loungefly luggage, buying and selling pins and popcorn buckets. Should you’re desirous to snag a collectible merchandise, the Disney consultants advocate heading to the World of Disney Retailer in Disney Springs earlier than your park days to scope out the objects you need forward of time.  

Garner provides that the Emporium Store at Magic Kingdom at all times has “the widest collection of Halloween merch so that’s positively your one-stop store for the limited-edition pins or spirit jerseys and non popcorn bucket and sipper–associated merch.”

For this yr particularly, Stychnicki-Saquian teases that followers ought to hold a “ghoulish eye out for” enjoyable Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas merch, as each movies have a good time their thirtieth anniversary this yr.