disney halloween parties + family friendly costume ideas

My husband and John have in the past run the runDisney Tower of Terror the first weekend of October.  While they did go primarily to participate in the runDisney events they somehow found some time to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party .

Of course you go for the trick-or-treating, the parade and the fireworks but remember you need to get in the mood for the party.  And for most that means dressing up!!!  The best part is that everyone can dress up. Even adults. So, now what to wear?

first you need to understand the rules

At all other times the official Walt Disney World policy on adult costumes or clothing is that anything viewed as representing an actual Disney character is NOT allowed to be worn in the theme parks. But for the party Disney encourages everyone to dress up.

Adults can dress up too. From Phineas and Ferb it’s Phineas and Isabelle (photo credit: Rolling With the Magic)

For 2016, some of the guidelines have changes.

Costumes Should be child-friendly

Costumes Should Not:

• Be obstructive, offensive or violent.
• Drag on the ground.
• Contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
• Contain any weapons which resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
• Masks (masks may be worn by guests under the age of 13, but they must not obstruct vision and eyes must be visible at all times.)
• Layered or have props that surround the entire body (may be subject to additional security screening)
• Capes that go below the waist.

Guests wearing costumes may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests

Disney reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests.

option 1: off the rack costumes

At these events you are going to see a lot of princesses and pirates. Many of the outfits come straight from the Disney store or the Disney Store Outlet (Hint: they have sales on costumes right now!)

Many come in costumers bought onsite in the gift stores or at the Disney outlet. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

These are easy costumes that you can find on property or at the local outlets.  They will also have all of the accessories you may need. You can also try the Disney Store online.

If you are on property you may also want to schedule a trip to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for your princess or The Pirates League for your little pirate.

This will make it extra special and who doesn’t want their hair and makeup to match their costume.

My friend Lisa of Home is Where the Mouse is leveraged a store bought costume and added her own touches. Now don’t you think that is the cutest Peter Pan ever!

Make a store bought costume your own: Peter Pan and Tinker Bell (photo courtesy of Home Is Where the Mouse Is)

option 2: homemade costumes

Many kids come in homemade costumes. Everything from Big Hero Six to a Disneyland Churro. It’s all in fun and the more creative the better.

John chose to go as characters from his favorite movie (at the time), Ratatouille.  It was quite an easy costume.

The Luigi outfit was created from a chef’s hat, apron and coat from Amazon (Hint: the real kids apron cost less than the costume one). Then we added a stuffed Remy. Voila! Luigi it was.

Dress like a not so like likely character: Luigi and Remy

My husband tossed around the idea of joining in with the chef theme. In keeping with the cooking theme he was thinking the Muppets Swedish Chef. But in the end chickened out.

But don’t be scared to be original and use what is around it. It is all in fun.

Another year it was a Disney Railroad Conductor. A pair of overalls, a safety lantern and a conductor hat is all you need.

Use clothes from the closet. Disney Railroad Engineer.

Technically this idea is ok for younger kids at the park but I probably would not recommend it.  But it is oh so cute and perfect for neighborhood trick or treating.

Take a whole bunch of spare boxes and create your own TestTrack car.  It really isn’t as hard as you think.  Just a bit of patience and a lot of hot glue (turns out duct tape is not great for making cardboard box cards).

What other ideas can you find laying around the house?

option 3: matching costumes

Families have the most fun as they can choose matching outfits. My favorite example of this is Beth of Pursuing the Magic. Her family went to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party as the cast of Toy Story. Even her husband got into the spirit!!

A Toy Story family costume ideas. Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Woody and Little Bo Peep (courtesy of Pursuing the Magic)

Another friend of mine, Becca of Love Our Crazy Life, shares some of her favorite Father-Son costumes.

Father-Son ideas: Russel and Mr. Fredrickson from UP (photo courtesy of Love Our Crazy Life)

Fabulous Father-Son idea: Fix-It-Felix and Wreck-It-Ralph.

And finally Lin of The Disney Mamas shares her Father-Son costume idea of being Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

Don’t forget to look at TV shows for inspiration: Jake and the Neverland Pirates (photo courtesy of Disney Mamas)

where to look for more inspiration

If you still need help you can check out this search for Disney Halloween Party Costumes on Pinterest. You will certainly find an idea, or two, or a hundred there.

I use the search terms DISNEY HALLOWEEN COSTUMES and the search comes up with some good options. I know it is simple. 🙂

now let’s talk party logistics

Walt Disney World’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 

Held on select nights from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM, September 2 to October 31, 2016 in the Magic Kingdom. The tone of the party is not so scary so it is good for children of all ages.

Mickey’s Boo To You Parade (photo credit: wdwnews)

In addition to park entrance (starting at 4 PM) you will also be treated to great Halloween themed entertainment:

• Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular  In front of Cinderella’s castle the Hocus Pocus sisters have conjured up a Hocus Pocus Party Potion. Along with some of their villainous friends they use visual projections and otherworldly special effects to cast a spell on everyone in the park. (8:00 PM, 9:20 PM, 10:40 PM, 12:00 Midnight)
• Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade  The Headless Horseman leads the parade with a run down main street followed by floats carrying Disney Characters in Halloween costumes. The grave diggers from the Haunted Mansion cannot be missed! (8:15 PM and 10:30 PM based upon 2013 schedule)
• Happy HalloWishes Fireworks  The Ghost Host from the Haunted Mansion invites you to be dazzled by their fireworks filled with creepy colors and ghoulis background music. This is not to be missed as it is the largest fireworks display they do all year.  (9:30 PM based upon 2013 schedule)
• Happy Hallowishes Dessert Premium Package  If that is not enough than you need to treat yourself to the ultimate dessert party with premium viewing of HalloWishes.

Cost: $72(+ tax) and up ages 10+, $67(+tax) and up ages 3-9 depending on dates

Disneyland’s Mickey’s Halloween Party

Held on select nights from September 23 to October 31, 2016. The tone of the party is not so scary so it is good for children of all ages.

Mickey’s Costume Party Parade (photo credit: Disneyland PR)

In addition to park entrance (starting 3 hours prior to start of the party) you will also be treated to great Halloween themed entertainment:

• “Halloween Screams” FireworksHosted by “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington
• Dance Party
• The Cadaver Dans ghoul Quartet Hear Halloween-themed tunes aboard a drifting graveyard-themed raft on the Rivers of America
• Haunted Mansion Holiday Jack Skellington has transformed the Haunted Mansion in a mix of Halloween and Christmas in this “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” inspired overlay. (September 12 through October 31 2014)
• Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy Space Mountain is taken over and will launch guests into a haunted section of the universe where ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and the exhilarating drops are punctuated by piercing screams and haunting music. (September 12 through October 31 2014)
• Mystical Spirits of the Blue Bayou Dining Experience that includes dinner, live entertainment with Dr. Facilier and priority viewing of the Halloween Screams fireworks.

Cost: $72(+ tax) and up ages 10+, $67(+tax) and up ages 3-9 depending on dates

For more Disney themed Halloween costume ideas,
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!

• Disney with Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers : Choosing A Disney Themed Halloween Costume

• Capturing Magical Memories : Choosing the Right Costume for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party