Halloween or Christmas: Which is the better time for a Walt Disney World vacation?

Top Picks for Halloween Treats at Walt Disney World Hotels

Christmas or Halloween? Which is a Better Time to Visit Walt Disney World. This question answered, plus Halloween foodie guides and recommended top pics for Walt Disney World hotels, Disney Springs and Downtown Disney.

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Christmas or Halloween? Which is a Better Time to Visit Walt Disney World

In Episode 143 of the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923 Main Street we discuss which of these two popular holiday periods is the best time to plan a vacation to Walt Disney World Resort.

Foodie Guide to Halloween Bites From the Resorts of Walt Disney World

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

World Premiere Food Court, Intermission Food Court, and End Zone Food Court (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available) 

• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
• Mickey Pumpkin Cheesecake: Pumpkin cheesecake and spiced chocolate cake with buttercream and chocolate décor (New)  >Amelia's Pick
  

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Landscape of Flavors (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• Spellbound Chicken Adobo Nachos: Blue corn tortilla chips with chicken adobo, toasted pumpkin seeds, roasted corn, black beans, and a zesty pumpkin cheese sauce finished with lime crema and a ghostly pepper salsa (New) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
• The Whoopie Monster: Spiced apple whoopie pie with marshmallow buttercream and caramel (New)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 

The Mara (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• Pumpkin Mickey Tart: Pumpkin cheesecake mousse, chocolate ganache and chocolate décor (New) 

Boma – Flavors of Africa, Victoria Falls Lounge, and Sanaa (Available October 1 through 31)  

• Doom-ela South African Margarita: Our Margarita featuring Patron Silver Tequila with a South African Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon floater (New)

Disney’s Beach Club Resort 

Beach Club Marketplace (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available) 

• Mummy Cookies ‘n Scream Trifle: Layers of chocolate cookies n’ cream mousse, chocolate cake, and whipped cream (New)
• Poison Apple Trifle: Layers of caramel crunch, apple mousse, caramel mousse, and vanilla cake with buttercream and fondant décor (New) 
• Mickey Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookie: Pumpkin spice sugar cookie with royal icing décor (New) 

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (Available October 1 through 31) 

• Butter Pecan Pumpkin Shake: Butter pecan ice cream with pumpkin flavoring, caramel, chocolate sauces and a vanilla cupcake with a Mickey pumpkin and sprinkle décor (New) (non-alcoholic)  >Amelia's Pick
  

Disney’s BoardWalk 

BoardWalk Deli (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• Boo Brownie: Mickey-shaped brownie topped with ganache and whipped cream ghosts (New) 
• Creepy Cupcake: Vanilla cupcake with blood orange curd filling, vanilla mascarpone cream, chocolate cookies crumbs, and sugar pumpkins (New) 

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort 

Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
• Topsy Turvy Chocolate & Cherries: Chocolate cake, salted caramel mousse and a tart cherry filling (New)

Disney’s Contemporary Resort 

Contempo Café (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)  

• Madame Leota Dark Chocolate Cake: Devil’s Food mini cake filled with dark chocolate ganache topped with chocolate glaze and marshmallow webs (New)  >Mike's Pick
  

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 

Barcelona Lounge (Available through November 30)  

• Caramel Pumpkin Pie Cold Brew: Joffrey's Cold Brew Coffee with caramel and pumpkin pie flavors topped with cinnamon whipped cream (New) (non-alcoholic) 

Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago (Available October 1 through 31)  

• Pumpkin Mickey Tart: Pumpkin cheesecake mousse, chocolate ganache, chocolate décor (New)

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa  

Gasparilla Island Grill (Available through October 31; Mobile order available) 

• Jack O ’Lantern Mickey Cake Pop: Jumbo pumpkin-spiced yellow cake pop enrobed in orange-colored white chocolate (New) 
• Black Flame Candle: Candy corn-colored vanilla sponge cake candle with caramel buttercream and white chocolate ganache (New)
• Bewitching Minnie Mousse Cupcake: Cookies ‘n cream-filled chocolate cupcake and ganache  >Amelia's Pick
  
• Hocus Pocus 'Amuck' Cakes: Chocolate Devils Food cupcakes filled with peanut “boo”tter mousse

Disney’s Old Key West Resort 

Good’s Food to Go (Available October 1 through 31)

• Mummy Mickey Blondie: Caramel blondie with caramel buttercream  >Amelia's Pick
  

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 

Capt. Cook’s and Kona Island (Available October 1 - 31; Mobile order available at Capt. Cook’s only)

• Tamatoa: Chocolate chiffon cake with Hawaiian Chantilly filling and shiny sprinkles (New)  >Amelia's Pick
  

Pineapple Lanai (Available October 1 through 31) 

• Not-So-Scary Pumpkin Soft-serve: Pumpkin spice flavored soft-serve and coconut haupia with caramel drizzle, graham cracker crumbs, and a white chocolate Mickey-shaped pumpkin (New)

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Everything POP Shopping and Dining  (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
• The Whoopie Monster: Spiced apple whoopie pie, marshmallow buttercream and caramel (New)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside  

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory and Riverside Mill Food Court (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
• Tombstone Sweet: Chocolate cake, caramel mousse, caramel milk chocolate mousse, coffee dark chocolate mousse, and a salted milk chocolate ganache (New) 

Scat Cat’s Club – Café (Located at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter; available October 1 through November 27) 

• Pumpkin Spice Beignets: Mickey beignets dusted with powdered sugar and pumpkin spice

Disney’s Riviera Resort 

Le Petit Café (Available October 29 through 31) 

• Monster Mousse: Pistachio mousse, morello cherry, and milk chocolate crumble (New)

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa 

Backstretch Pool Bar (Available October 1 through 31)  

• Bewitched Cherry Cone: Cherry soft-serve and chocolate bat wings in a chocolate-dipped waffle cone (New) 

The Artist’s Palette (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available) 

• Mummy Mickey Blondie: Caramel blondie with caramel buttercream

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge 

Geyser Point Bar & Grill (Available October 1 through 31)

• Halloween Drink Flight: Flight with all four holiday drinks 
  • Blood Orange: Tequila, blood orange, and simple syrup with lime juice
  • Black Magic Margarita: Tequila, blue Curaçao beverage syrup, green apple syrup, grenadine, and sour mix
  • Around the Pumpkin Patch: Tequila, pumpkin spice, lime juice, and sour mix
  • Poison Apple: Tequila, green apple syrup, lime juice, and sour mix

Roaring Fork (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available) 

• Haunted Forest Apple Mousse: Green cake with cookies n’ cream mousse, and not-so-poisoned sour apple mousse with dark chocolate tree branches (New)

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 

The Market at Ale & Compass (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available) 

• Mummy Cookies ‘n Scream Trifle: Layers of chocolate cookies n’ cream mousse, chocolate cake, and whipped cream (New)
• Poison Apple Trifle: Layers of caramel crunch, apple mousse, caramel mousse, and vanilla cake with buttercream and fondant décor (New) 
• Mickey Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookie: Pumpkin spice sugar cookie with royal icing décor (New)

Available at Select Pool Bars and Lounges at Walt Disney World Resorts (Available October 1 through 31) 

• Seawitch's Brew: Lunazul Reposado Tequila, blackberry purée, and sour mix rimmed with black salt and topped with fresh blackberries (New) 
• Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry, and salted caramel with a candy-shaped glow cube  >Mike's Pick

Foodie Guide to Halloween Treats at Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks and Disney Springs

EPCOT

Connections Café

• Caramelized Apple Liege Waffle with caramelized white chocolate and graham cracker streusel (New) (Available October 4 through 31)
• Dark Chocolate Halloween Cupcake with dark chocolate mousse (New) (Available October 28 through 31) 

Connections Eatery

• Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue

• S’mores Brownie with a pumpkin Mickey (New) (Available October 28 through 31)  >Mike's Pick
  
• Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Sunshine Seasons

• Monster Mousse: Caramel mousse and apple-caramel filling on a shortbread cookie (New)(Available October 28 through 31)
• Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Available at Fife & Drum and Popcorn Carts near Canada, Journey Into Imagination With Figment, Creations Shop, and Mission: SPACE

• Glow-in-the-Dark Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

ABC Commissary (Available October 1 through 31)

• Black Widow Tart: Spiced milk chocolate tart filled with orange curd, pomegranate molasses whipped cream, candied orange peel, and a dark chocolate spider (New)
• Frozen Apple Cider: Frozen apple cider topped with green apple boba balls
• Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel
• Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Backlot Express (Available October 1 through 31)

• Graveyard Cupcake: Fudge-filled Chocolate cupcake topped with cookies and cream buttercream, chocolate cookie tombstone, white chocolate bone, and Halloween sprinkles
• Frozen Apple Cider: Frozen apple cider topped with green apple boba balls
• Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel
• Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Catalina Eddie’s (Available October 1 through 31)

• Pumpkin Patch Cookie: Pumpkin spice snickerdoodle cookie topped with pumpkin spice buttercream and pumpkin candies (New)

Dockside Diner (Available October 1 through 31)

• Mickey Mummy Cookie: Mickey-shaped chocolate cookie with white chocolate mint frosting

Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge (Available October 1 through 31)

• Sweet Poison: Coconut rum, blue curaçao beverage syrup, rum, and pineapple juice
• Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel

Hollywood Scoops (Available October 1 through 31)

• Candy Corn Milkshake: Candy corn ice cream shake topped with a vanilla cake doughnut, whipped cream, spooky sprinkles, and candy corn

Oasis Canteen (Available October 1 through 31)

• Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel

PizzeRizzo (Available October 1 through 31)

• Halloween Candy Cookie Pizza: Sugar cookie “pizza” topped with strawberry jam, white chocolate, Halloween candy, and sprinkles (New)
• Frozen Apple Cider: Frozen apple cider topped with green apple boba balls
• Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel
• Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Rosie’s All-American Cafe (Available October 1 through 31)

• Mickey Mummy Cookie: Mickey-shaped chocolate cookie with white chocolate mint frosting (New)
• Frozen Apple Cider: Frozen apple cider topped with green apple boba balls
• Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel
• Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Sunshine Day Bar (Available October 1 through 31)

• Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel

Tune-In Lounge (Available October1 through 31)

• Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel

The Trolley Car Café (Available October 1 through 31) 

• Pumpkin Mousse: Pumpkin cheesecake with a cinnamon sugar dusted apple cider cake, raspberry dark chocolate stem and purple buttercream (New)

Woody’s Lunchbox (Available October 1 through 31)

• Pumpkin Lunch Box Tart: Pumpkin pie filled pastry tart with marshmallow fondant, candy corn,and Halloween sprinkles (New)

Available at Various Food Carts Throughout the Park (Available October 1 through 31)

• Mickey Brownie: Chocolate brownie with Halloween sprinkles
• Halloween Popcorn sponsored by Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween

Available at Animation Courtyard, Hollywood Boulevard, and Hyperion Theater Popcorn Carts (Available October 1 through 31)

• Glow-in-the-Dark Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Available at Mahindi, The Feeding Ground, Corn-Ivores, and Trek Snacks

• Glow-in-the-Dark Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket

Disney Springs

Amorette’s Patisserie

• Black Flame Candle Petit Cake: Devil’s Food biscuit, apricot jam, brandy simple syrup, caramel mousse, and candied pecan crunch (New) (Available September 30 through October 31) 
• Pumpkin Apple Tart: Pumpkin spice mousse, red wine poached apple, and hazelnut crunch (Available September 5through October 31)
• Pumpkin Crème Brûlée: Pumpkin crème brûlée, cranberry compote, cran-cherry yogurt cream, and a spiced sable cookie (Available through October 31)

Dockside Margarita (Available through October 31)
Monster Margarita: Patron Silver Tequila, Grand Marnier, sweet-and-sour, black cherry, green apple, and lime juice

The Ganachery

• Minnie Ghost Pinata: Dark chocolate pinata filled with treats (Available through October 31)
• Sisters’ Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb: Dark chocolate cauldron filled with house made cocoa mix and marshmallows(Available September 30 through October 31)
• Caramel Skulls: Dark chocolate filled with caramel ganache (Available through October 31)
• Pumpkin Chai Latte Ganache Squares: Pumpkin chai latte ganache enrobed in milk chocolate (Available through October 31)
• Apple Whiskey Ganache Squares: Apple whiskey ganache enrobed in milk chocolate (New)(Available through October 31)

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (Available through October 31)

• Autumn Smash: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, pear nectar, lemon juice, simple syrup, and cinnamon stick garnish

Marketplace Snacks (Available through October 31)

• Jack Skellington Bubble Waffle Sundae: Chocolate soft-serve, marshmallow fluff, hot fudge, orange sprinkles, chocolate shavings, chocolate pocky sticks, and a chocolate Jack Skellington garnish (New) 

Outdoor Vending Throughout Disney Springs (Available through October 31)

• Sour Apple Margarita: Patron Silver Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, sour apple pucker, Granny Apple Smith, sweet-and-sour, and lime juice
• Ghoul Juice: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Blue Curaçao, sweet-and-sour, cranberry juice, and grenadine

Swirls on the Water (Available through October 31)

• Witch’s Flight: Pumpkin soft-serve, purple cheesecake soft-serve, and DOLE Whip (New)
• Oogie Boogie DOLE Whip Nachos: Pistachio soft-serve, whip cream, raspberry boba pearls, and waffle chips (New)
• Angry Orchard Pumpkin Float: Angry Orchard Apple Cider topped with pumpkin soft-serve (New)

Vivoli il Gelato (Available through November 1)

• Jack O Lantern Float: Vanilla gelato, Fanta Orange, and whipped cream
• Monster Shake: Mint chocolate chip shake, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream
• Vampire Float: Vanilla gelato, Sprite, and whipped cream

Various Carts Throughout Disney Springs 

• Glow-in-the-Dark Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket

 
Celebrate Halloween Time in Downtown Disney District and at the Disneyland Resort Hotels

Hunt for pumpkins! Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit has returned to the Downtown Disney District! If guests would like, they can purchase a map and stickers at select Disney merchandise locations such as World of Disney or at Disneyland Resort Hotel gift shops, and search for 13 hand-painted pumpkins hidden throughout the district, each inspired by a different Disney character. Whether they choose to hunt for pumpkins or not, they can return their map to redeem one of four mini pumpkin pails.

While searching for pumpkins, guests can also see Downtown Disney’s beautiful flower beds along the way. Our Horticulture and Resort Enhancement teams have been busy bringing in more than 5,000 plants across 14 planters in rich autumnal colors of russet red and harvest orange.

Spine-tingling songs! As six of the 999 Happy Haunts, The SCAREolers are a frightfully fun a cappella group. This ghostly glee club sings Halloween songs from “I Put a Spell on You” to tributes to our favorite Disney Villains. Enjoy their performances Friday through Sunday evenings, Sept. 30 through Oct. 31, 2022, before they return to their crypt! Halloween carolers can also be heard roaming on select afternoons in October at the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
 
Picture yourself in “Hocus Pocus 2”: If guests are visiting Downtown Disney District between Sept. 20 and Oct. 31, 2022, look for a special photo opportunity celebrating the upcoming Disney+ Original movie, “Hocus Pocus 2,” streaming Sept. 30, exclusively on Disney+. This photo op will be located between Splitsville and Tortilla Jo’s.
 
Love at first bite! Guests can sink their fangs into fall flavors and enjoy pumpkin-spiced treats, savory dishes and clever concoctions throughout Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes, La Brea Bakery Cafe, Ballast Point Brewing Co., Naples Ristorante e Bar, Marceline’s Confectionery, Kayla’s Cake, Sprinkles, Jamba, and Salt & Straw are just a few of the many restaurants and snack stops to get their Halloween goodies fix. At the hotels, the GCH Holiday Cart, Hearthstone Lounge, GCH Craftsman Grill and the Coffee House are also featuring tasty treats and drinks.
 
It’s Oogie Boogie! And he’s chillin’ like a villain! Stop by the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and see this annual confectionery masterpiece from our pastry shop, made with all these ingredients!

• 160 pounds of powdered sugar
• 180 eggs
• 110 pounds of rice cereal
• 95 pounds of marshmallow
• 80 pounds of butter
• 120 pounds of dark chocolate
• 80 pounds of white chocolate
• 480 pounds of fondant
• 370 hours of planning and hands-on work
• 13 hidden Mickeys!

 

• Hotel guests enjoy special festivities! Watch a professional pumpkin carver etch works of art on real pumpkins at each of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, the last week of October. Gourd-geous!

 

• If guests are staying overnight at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, they are invited to enjoy exclusive, complimentary trick-or-treating, from Oct. 28-31, 2022. Each hotel will have a treat map of locations, so little ghosts and goblins (and their parents) can visit all three hotels. Hotel guests are encouraged to sign up at any Disneyland Resort Hotel Front Desk. On Halloween night, Oct. 31, they can take part in a costume contest and movie night on the Adventure Lawn at the Disneyland Hotel. Visit the Front Desk for the latest hotel activities guide.

Disney KiteTails Takes Last Flight on September 30

As you know, Disney KiteTails debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for the launch of the 50th Anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort. After this first year, we will transition the entertainment on Discovery River Lagoon to the Flotillas. The last flight for Disney KiteTails will be September 30, 2022.

We look forward to seeing our guests continue waving to their Disney Friends cruising by on Flotillas, embracing Disney pals with up-close encounters, and more to come as we introduce our Festive holiday season offerings in the months ahead.

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Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic