Eileen Ogintz, nationally syndicated columnist of “Taking the Kids,” reviews the many fun family events taking place this autumn in Orlando for sponsor, Walt Disney World Resort.

By Eileen Ogintz

Pumpkins, scarecrows, Halloween treats, decorations and not-so-scary thrills are part of the festive fall fun at Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney World Resort is decked out for fall through Halloween, Oct. 31, 2022. At Magic Kingdom Park, stroll down Main Street, U.S.A. where pumpkins and scarecrows are everywhere. How many can you count?

Festive autumn decor arrives in spooktacular fashion as the fall season descends on Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on August 10, 2022 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Courtney Kiefer, photographer)
Festive autumn decor arrives in spooktacular fashion as the fall season descends on Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on August 10, 2022 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Courtney Kiefer, photographer)

Look for your favorite Disney Characters dressed in their Halloween best. Shop for your own Halloween garb – we love the Mickey Mouse Jack-o’-Lantern Light-Up Necklace available across Walt Disney World Resort and shopDisney- and stop for a pumpkin-spiced treat.

Fall is a great time to visit Walt Disney World Resort because it’s less crowded, the weather is cooler and there’s plenty to experience for all ages.

The return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicked off a fall full of fun. The special Ticket event (Theme Park admission before 7 p.m. is separate) is offered at Magic Kingdom Park on select nights, after normal Park hours, from 7 p.m. to midnight through Oct. 31.

Ghosts and ghouls of all ages line a festively fall-decorated Main Street, U.S.A for “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” during the first night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, August 12, 2022, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Ghosts and ghouls of all ages line a festively fall-decorated Main Street, U.S.A for “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” during the first night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, August 12, 2022, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

New for 2022, partygoers awaiting Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade can ‘Stand Out’ and dance their way onto Main Street U.S.A. with a majorly awesome ‘90s crew led by Max Goof cosplaying as Powerline, his favorite pop superstar!

Tip: The planDisney team suggests families with young children sleep late, spend the day enjoying their hotel and take an afternoon nap to prepare for the night’s exciting events.

 Also new this year, Guests can join zombies and cheerleaders at the ZOM-BEATZ BASH! as they BAMM out to music inspired by the ZOMBIES original movies on the Disney+ streaming channel.

Several classic attractions at Magic Kingdom Park will be colorfully costumed for Halloween during the festivities. If you have tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, be sure to check out Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion and the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.

Guests can trick-or-treat their way through the Park and indulge in delicious sweets.

For 129 delicious days, guests can sip, savor and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. From July 14 through Nov. 19, 2022, more than 25 festival food and wine marketplaces located throughout EPCOT celebrate the best in global food and drink. The entire family can also enjoy live musical performances by internationally recognized artists, participate in fun activities and scavenger hunts, and shop at Festival Markets showcasing official event collectibles, keepsakes, apparel, kitchenware items and more. (Matt Stroshane, Photographer)
For 129 delicious days, guests can sip, savor and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. From July 14 through Nov. 19, 2022, more than 25 festival food and wine marketplaces located throughout EPCOT celebrate the best in global food and drink. The entire family can also enjoy live musical performances by internationally recognized artists, participate in fun activities and scavenger hunts, and shop at Festival Markets showcasing official event collectibles, keepsakes, apparel, kitchenware items and more. (Matt Stroshane, Photographer)

Foodies of all ages, meanwhile, won’t want to miss EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival[ES1]  presented by AdventHealth going on until Nov. 19, 2022. Park-goers strolling through six continents at EPCOT enjoy an eat-a-thon with global eats, fine wine, craft beer and cocktails. It’s the place for all ages to sample everything from Belgian waffles to Canadian cheddar and bacon soup to Mongolian Beef Bao Bun, Impossible meatballs, Lamb gyro, a Chesapeake Crab Slider… come hungry!

Keep all ages engaged with plenty of special festival activities for junior foodies. New this year (available Sept. 29 to Oct. 31 or while supplies last), join Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit. With the purchase of a souvenir map and stickers, Guests can search around EPCOT for hidden decorative pumpkins themed to Disney Characters. Whether they search for the pumpkins or not, Guests can return their maps to redemption locations in the Park to receive a festival keepsake.

Embark on a Ratatouille-inspired adventure searching for Remy on a scavenger hunt around the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival[ES2] . Purchase your map and stickers (while supplies last) from select festival merchandise locations. When you find a statuette, match the sticker to the location on the map. When you have found them all, bring your map to Disney Traders or World Traveler at International Gateway for a festival souvenir.

Fall decor in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort
Fall decor in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort

Love cheese? Use your Festival Passport to find Emile’s Fromage Montage menu items from select Global Marketplaces. Purchase any five of the featured dishes: Perhaps Mac and CheesePassion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macademic Nuts from Hawaii, or Brazilian Cheese Bread, for example. Don’t forget to collect a stamp with each purchase. After you’ve collected the stamps, bring your stamped Festival Passport to the Shimmering Sips marketplace for a special dessert served in a festival cup.

Fall into magic at Disney Springs. Discover new fall menu items like the colorful Oogie Boogie DOLE Whip Nachos available at Swirls on the Water until Oct. 31. Enjoy live, nightly entertainment by the Zombeats and Skeleton Stiltwalkers from Oct. 25 – 31. And, shop for Halloween and Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary gear and souvenirs at World of Disney.

Happy shopping — and eating.