We are halfway to Halloween, can you believe it? That means it’s time for Disney to announce what’s to come for fall in Disney World! We got all the Mickey’s Not So Scary and Food & Wine announcements this week. Although I am just excited for summer and what’s coming in May, it’s fun to look forward to fall and start planning. Let’s jump in and check out all the fall fun!
Food & Wine Festival
This years Food & Wine Festival is being held August 27-November 21 in EPCOT. Although this technically starts in the summer it’s considered part of fall in Disney World. Along with the dates, we got a sneak peek at some returning favorites to this festival. Three favorite foods we will see again this year at the global marketplaces are:
- Street Corn-style Dumplings: Chicken Dumplings with tomatillo salsa verde, street corn salad, cotija, lime crema and cilantro at Gyozas of the Galaxy
- Grilled Bushberry-spiced Shrimp Skewer: with sweet-and-sour vegetables and coconut-chilie sauce at the Australia booth
- Kirschwasser Torte: with cherry-brandy buttercream, fondant, sugared almonds and cherry compote at the Alps booth
We don’t have all the details on every booth, menu or new foods and booth coming just yet. But they did tell us that some booths will have a phased opening. I feel like this one is due for some new foods this year!
The Food & Wine Festival will also have Emile’s Fromage Montage returning. This is the food stroll in the back of the festival passport that you can get stamps for trying different cheese dishes and get a completer prize once you have stamps. Remy’s Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt will also be returning so get ready to find Remy throughout World Showcase! No EPCOT festival would be complete without a concert series! Eat to the Beat will be returning, although no artists have been announced yet. This is typically when we get to see Boys 2 Men so hopefully they made the cut again this year!
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Fall in Disney World is not complete without Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! The spooky soiree will kick off on August 7th and run on select nights though October 31 from 7pm – Midnight. Tickets go on sale for resort guests on May 5th and the general public on May 12th. You can get your tickets here! Now we didn’t just get date announcements, we also got new and returning entertainment details and a sneak peek at some merch!
New & Returning Entertainment
Stitch will be taking over Tomorrowland with a new kind of party! On the Rockettower Plaza Stage Stitch will host a party that is continuously changing based on his costumes. He has found Lilo’s costume trunk and with each costume change the vibe and theme of the party changes. He will have a little help from friends like Angel and Lily as well.
Trick or Treating
In addition to this new party with Stitch, we have some returning favorites! Trick or Treating will return throughout Magic Kingdom during the party but with a new villainous twist. Disney teased that along each trail guests might find some fiendish friends surprising guests. This should make for some really fun character interactions!
Characters
Speaking of characters! Jack and Sally will return and meet guests at the Town Square Theater, along with Mickey and Minnie in their Halloween best. It was mentioned that we may see some royal couples throughout the parks as well as some villains roaming the parks. I love when the characters are walking around and not just standing in one spot with a line of people.
Boo to You Parade
The Boo to You parade will of course be returning. What would Mickey’s Not So Scary be without that?! They are keeping the multiple performance times this year with an earlier option for younger guests at 8:15. This is always a highlight for me, so much fun!
Hocus Pocus Stage Show
The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular will also be returning to the castle stage. Our favorite three witches will greet all their villainous guests multiple times each night. If you time things just right you can get one good spot in front of Cinderella Castle and watch the parade, stage show and fireworks back to back! This stage show is not to be missed, it is incredible!
Fireworks Spectacular
Finally, the Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular fireworks show with be returning. This spectacular is hosted by Jack Skelington and if you have never seen a life sized Jack Skelington walking around on the castle stage, your life is incomplete! Not only are the fireworks amazing in this show, the projections are fantastic and the storyline is super cute. Oh! The Cadaver Dans are also returning this year, the spooky version of the Dapper Dans! One of my favorite things about this event!
Merchandise & Treats
We got a few teasers this week of what’s to come for food and merchandise at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party but stay tuned for more announcements as they come. The merch at this party is always so cute, I can’t wait to see more! Food wise, I hope they step it up a little this year. More themed treats and insta worthy menu’s please!
Ride Overlays
While there is nothing too crazy happening here, there are a few Halloween overlays that happen inMagic Kingdom. Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party and Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor all get a little spooky upgrade during the party. Special lighting, soundtracks and theming give these three a fun and spooky vibe for the night.
Conclusion
Halloween is one of my most favorite times of the year and no one does it better than Disney! Fall in Disney World is so much fun and these two events really are a huge part of that. EPCOT will have been in a festival drought for almost three months when Food & Wine Festival starts so we will all be ready for the food booths to be back and for Garden Theater to be rocking again. And Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is really the start of all the holiday fun in Magic Kingdom.
We get to celebrate Halloween early and often before the park is transformed again for Christmas. As much as I love Christmas, the Mickey pumpkins are it for me! If you are planning a trip this fall, these are don’t miss events, with lots of fun for everyone. Thanks for reading along and since we are halfway to Halloween, I’ll wish you a magically spooky day!