Should I Wear a Costume to a Disney Halloween Party?
Does Everyone Dress up at Disney Parks Halloween Parties?
If you’re wondering whether to wear a costume to a Halloween party at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, here’s what you need to know.
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Disney World and Disneyland Halloween parties are fun events and it’s the one time of year when Disney allows adult guests to dress up a little more than usual. But if you’re heading to your very first Disney Halloween party and you’re wondering if you have to dress up… or if you should dress up… here is what you need to know.
Whether you are attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, or the Oogie Boogie Bash Disney at California Adventure at Disneyland, dressing up is a fun way to add to the Halloween spirit of the event.
A quick note to keep in mind is that even though Disney does allow adults to dress up during these events, they still have rules around what types of costumes are acceptable (and more specifically what is not acceptable). So be sure to check the official Disney website for the party you’re attending to review the costume rules (trust us, you don’t want to be stopped at the gate when you’re trying to get into a Halloween party).
Will I Feel Out-of-Place if I Dress Up (or Don’t Dress Up) for a Disney Halloween Party?
A common question for first-time guests of a Disney Halloween party is: “Will I feel out of place if I don’t dress up?” The opposite question is equally common: “Will if feel out of place if I do dress up?”
In both cases, the answer is no.
Disney encourages party guests to dress up because it adds to the festive atmosphere of the parties, but not everyone dresses up in a full costume. We have been to numerous Disney Halloween events at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World over the years, and in our experience it feels like it’s roughly a 50-50 split (give or take) between costumed and non-costumed guests on most party nights.
People attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World may be slightly more likely to wear a costume compared to guests at the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland, but either way, whether you go in costume or not is completely up to you.
Instead of a Halloween Costume, You Can Go with a Spooky Theme
Cast members and other guests love seeing the costumes that party guests wear. Some people really go over the top with their Halloween costumes and it is great to see. And they’re not all Disney related. You’re just as likely to see other famous characters, Harry Potter costumes and creative costumes about anything topical. But, remember to balance the practicality of the costume itself if you plan to go on rides or do anything other than posing with characters and trick-or-treating.
If you don’t want to go fully into costume mode, there are other options.
An easier way to get into the Halloween spirit of the Disney party vibe is to wear a graphic t-shirt or similar apparel that has a Halloween theme generally (or even a Disney Halloween theme, like Hocus Pocus or even a Haunted Mansion shirt).
This is easier to wear, can be more comfortable and won’t take up too much extra space in your luggage. Also, if you’re attending one of the Disney Halloween parties in August or early September, it can be hot and humid (and even stormy) at night, so that is something to consider no matter what you plan to wear.
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