Welcome, foolish mortals, to this year’s Disney Parks Halfway to Halloween celebration! Spring has sprung, which means the countdown to spooky season has officially begun and #HalfwaytoHalloween is underway at Disney. This week on Disney Travel News and our Disney Travel Professionals social channels, we’re celebrating all things Halloween with exciting news and content from Disney Parks around the world and a full celebration of the fan-favorite attraction the Haunted Mansion, plus limited-time specialty food and beverage at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
To begin your journey into the boundless realm of the supernatural, be sure to check out the trailer for Walt Disney Studios’ “Haunted Mansion” that premiers in theaters July 28. This comically creepy adventure is inspired by the classic theme park attraction and tells the story of a woman and her son (Rosario Dawson and Chase Dillon) who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts (Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, LaKeith Stanfield and Tiffany Haddish) to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.
Whether your Clients are at one of our parks, on a Disney Cruise Line ship or celebrating at home, there will be something for everyone to celebrate Halfway to Halloween this year. Join 999 happy haunts for this spellbinding celebration and follow along all week to see how to join in on the frightful fun.
We’re approaching six months to Halloween, and so Disney Parks are celebrating Halfway to Hallween! This week guests can find limited-time treats to celebrate the Halfway to Halloween season.
From a Disney Cast Member;
Welcome, foolish mortals to the latest Disney Eats Foodie Guide. The time has come once again to gather for some sinister sweets and delightful treats because Halfway to Halloween is here – and this year we’re celebrating the Haunted Mansion! We’re kicking off the frightfully fun festivities with all the tasty ways you can celebrate this year.
Walt Disney World Resort has been dusting off the cobwebs to bring to you some items you won’t want to miss – like the return of the Madame Leota Chocolate Cake at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the exciting offerings coming to Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs. Over at Disneyland Resort, you’ll be able to fill your candy basket with sweet treats like the Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat.
But there’s so much more than just food going on for Halfway to Halloween this year. Starting today, there is plenty of excitement happening, with much of it honoring the beloved attraction and soon-to-be-released Walt Disney Studios film – “Haunted Mansion.” Stay tuned all week on the Disney Parks Blog and our social channels for the latest and greatest halfway news.
Well, I think I’ve tempted you long enough. These bites are about to put a spell on you and your tastebuds. Welcome to the Foodie Guide to Halfway to Halloween 2023!
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney Resort Hotels
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Landscape of Flavors and Everything POP Shopping and Dining (Available April 20 through 23))
The Whoopie Monster: Spiced apple whoopie pie with marshmallow buttercream and caramel
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Contempo Café (Available April 20 through 23)
Madame Leota Chocolate Cake: Mini Devil’s Food Cake filled with dark chocolate ganache topped with chocolate glaze and marshmallow webs
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Gasparilla Island Grill (Available April 20 through 23)
Jack O’ Lantern Mickey Cake Pop: Jumbo pumpkin-spiced yellow cake pop enrobed in orange-colored white chocolate
Bewitching Minnie Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate cream sandwich cookies for ears, an edible witch hat, and Halloween sprinkles
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Pineapple Lanai (Available April 20 through 23)
Kakamora DOLE Whip Waffle Bowl: DOLE Whip served in a waffle bowl with Moana-inspired white chocolate and milk chocolate-covered pretzel sticks
Available at Various Disney Resort Hotels (Available April 20 through 23)
Donald Duck Candy Corn Sipper; available at the following (Available while supplies last.):
Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Everything POP Shopping and Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney Springs
Gideon’s Bakehouse
Pumpkin Cheesecake Snack Cakes: This hauntingly delicious gourmet treat features a layer of the softest spice cake topped with pumpkin cheesecake and dipped in high-quality dark chocolate (Limit two per person; available while supplies last) (New)
Gideon’s Trading Card Series: Be on the lookout for free trading cards hidden at the bottom of every medium and large cookie box! You will also get a free Halfway to Halloween Promo Card with purchase for your collection during the event.
Barnabas Mephistophelittle Merchandise: Don’t forget to check out new merchandise featuring Gideon’s Halfway to Halloween Ambassador, Barnabas Mephistophelittle, including a collector’s pin and temporary tattoo! (New)
Marketplace Snacks (Available April 20 through 23)
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
B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co.
Donald Duck Candy Corn Sipper (Available while supplies last.)
Magic Kingdom Park
Columbia Harbour House (Mobile order available)
Happy Haunts Milk Shake: Blackberry milkshake topped with a purple chocolate-glazed doughnut covered with black sprinkles
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Park
Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen and Pooh Corner (Available April 20 through 23)
Minnie Witch Apple: Granny Smith Apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in milk chocolate and dipped in white chocolate and orange M&M’S chocolate candies placed all over and rolled in purple sugar
Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat: Oogie Boogie-shaped crisped rice treat dipped in green, white chocolate with a dark chocolate face
Jack Skellington Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate face
Disney California Adventure Park
Trolley Treats and Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff (Available April 20 through 23)
Minnie Witch Apple: Granny Smith Apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in milk chocolate and dipped in white chocolate and orange M&M’S chocolate candies placed all over and rolled in purple sugar
Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat: Oogie Boogie-shaped crisped rice treat dipped in green, white chocolate with a dark chocolate face
Jack Skellington Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate face
Downtown Disney District
California Churro (Available April 20 through 23)
Halloween Churro: A churro rolled in cinnamon sugar, drizzled with peanut butter and chocolate sauce, and topped with peanut butter candy pieces
Marceline’s Confectionery (Available April 20 through 23)
Minnie Witch Apple: Granny Smith Apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in milk chocolate and dipped in white chocolate and orange M&M’S chocolate candies placed all over and rolled in purple sugar
Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat: Oogie Boogie-shaped crisped rice treat dipped in green, white chocolate with a dark chocolate face
Jack Skellington Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate face
As you can see, the Halloween happenings aren’t just limited to the fall! I hope you enjoy getting in the spirit early as much as I do. The festive fun and memories to be made are truly boundless at Disney Parks!
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
A California woman was hospitalized in December after another Disney-goer bit off part of her middle finger during a brawl at EPCOT, according to a sheriff’s report.
Orange County Sheriff’s Report released the heavily redacted incident report recently, nearly four months after the December 13 fight happened.
At 9:45 p.m. that night — as Harmonious was being performed — a physical altercation broke out between the California woman’s family and a 26-year-old woman named Emily from Pennsylvania.
Emily appeared to be blocking them during the show and then elbowed someone in the group. When Emily was confronted, Emily “proceeded to get irate,” lunged at one of them, and scratched the unidentified person in the face, the report said.
At one point, the unnamed California woman “attempted to separate her relatives away from Emily. As (she) pushed Emily away from her and her family, Emily bit (her) middle finger and proceeded to kick, yell, and scream at (her) and her family,” the heavily redacted report said.
Emily tried to leave the scene, but the family notified a Disney employee and followed her.
The California woman later noticed she was bleeding, and a sheriff’s deputy “observed a chunk of the meaty portion of her middle finger was missing,” the report said.
Even in the heavily redacted report, it is clear the fight was a dramatic one. Emily tried to attack someone, the report said, and one person pushed Emily to the ground. Emily kicked somebody between the legs and flipped that person over, according to the report.
Some of the people involved in the fight — Emily included — had scratch marks.
When questioned by law enforcement, Emily denied doing anything wrong.
“Emily stated she was beat up by multiple people. She stated she was the one beat up and did not know why she was the one in handcuffs,” the report said, noting Emily was being restrained because she was making comments about hurting herself and “her uncontrollable manner.”
Emily, who had a history of mental health issues, later asked for mental health help, the sheriff’s report said.
Ultimately, Emily was Baker Acted, which is an involuntary hold for up to 72 hours for people to receive emergency mental health services.
The sheriff’s office filed charges for aggravated battery and simple battery to the state attorney’s office, but nobody appears to have been charged with a crime.
The state attorney’s office said last week it did not have any public documents to release on the incident. Orange Circuit Court online records do not show any criminal charges filed against Emily.
Calling all foodies: The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE will begin dishing up delights at Walt Disney World Resort starting July 27 and continuing through November 18, 2023.
Get ready to sip and savor at more than 25 Global Marketplaces throughout EPCOT including returning favorites such as The Fry Basket, Flavors from Fire, Canada, India and Spain. Several new Global Marketplaces will open later during the festival as summer turns to fall.
The fun doesn’t stop with the food, however. It extends to exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy!
Fans of fromage can take part in Emile’s Fromage Montage, a fun way to try tasty cheese dishes from around the world. Grab your Festival Passport and purchase any five cheese dishes listed in the back of the Festival Passport to collect a stamp. Once you’ve collected five stamps, head to Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE to redeem a sweet treat unique to the festival.
Families can embark on Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak – a Ratatouille-inspired adventure that’s très magnifique! Guests of all ages can search for Remy throughout World Showcase and the Global Marketplaces.
And to celebrate the Halloween season grab your gourd-eous group and partake in Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, a special pumpkin scavenger hunt from September 29 through October 31.
The festival will also welcome back the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare at America Gardens Theatre. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details about this year’s lineup.
And don’t forget to commemorate your EPCOT visit by bringing festival magic home with official event merchandise including apparel, home décor, trading pins and more.
Hopefully this update satisfies your craving for now, and keep an eye out for more news here or on TasteEPCOT.com. Can’t wait to see all of your clients there!
The official Disney Parks Twitter account just dropped the big news: new sales of the Walt Disney World Annual Pass and fans are already thrilled at the prospect of being able to purchase an Annual Pass once again.
Not only do we know when Annual Passes sales will resume (April 20), but we also know the updated prices:
Disney: "As we look to provide a great experience for our Passholders, the quantity of passes will be limited and passes, or a pass type, may become unavailable for purchase at any time."
At the highest tier, the Disney Incredi-Pass will cost $1,399.
The Disney Sorcerer Pass (Florida Resident and Disney Vacation Club Member only) will cost $969, the Pirate Pass (Florida Resident only) will cost $749, and the Pixie Pass (Florida Resident only) will cost $399.
M,ost Disney fans will know that these new Annual Pass sales are returning for the first time in forever, making this more exciting than usual!
Not only that, but Annual Passholders are now able to access certain Disney PhotoPass benefits, and beginning on April 18, Annual Passholders will be able to visit the Parks after 2 p.m. without a Park reservation (except for the weekends at Magic Kingdom). That being said, blockout dates will still apply.
