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.)
This past weekend many announcements came out of Star Wars Celebration 2023. One of those announcements was that at Disney Parks around the world, Star Tours is set to get updates next year.
From a Disney Cast Member;
Bright Suns! I’m writing to you from London, where we just wrapped our Walt Disney Imagineering panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023. I was thrilled to join Imagineers Ann Morrow Johnson and Asa Kalama, as well as Matt Martin from Lucasfilm as we talked about how Star Wars comes to life at Disney parks. This was the first Celebration in Europe since 2016, so I really enjoyed spending the weekend here reconnecting with Star Wars and Disney fans from this part of the world (and beyond).
Today we made several exciting announcements related to Star Wars and Disney parks, so I wanted to make sure you heard all the news … beginning with the attraction that started it all for us in this galaxy far, far away …
In 2024, we’re going to add more stories and characters to Star Tours at three of our destinations around the world – Disneyland park in California, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, and Disneyland Paris in France. Since it debuted at Disneyland in 1987 as the first Star Wars attraction in a Disney park, Star Tours has traveled to new places as this galaxy of stories expanded. We’re looking forward to continuing that tradition next year with all new adventures … but I can’t reveal just where we’re going yet – or those we may meet along the way – because … well … some surprises are best experienced as part of the upcoming Star Wars content also announced this weekend. Here’s hoping C-3PO’s piloting skills have improved!
And speaking of Starspeeder pilots, be sure to check out the new playlist from DJ R3X we just released, featuring more of his favorite tracks you may hear when you visit Oga’s Cantina on Batuu. Turns out R3X may just be a better DJ than pilot … but don’t tell him I said that.
We also announced a new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser playlist will launch next month on streaming platforms to celebrate May the 4th. This soundtrack includes songs from galactic superstar Gaya, who performs aboard the Halcyon starcruiser as part of that amazing, fully immersive experience.
We’re also working on a special 12-inch vinyl pressing of Gaya’s music, so be on the lookout for that.
We had such a great time on the panel and meeting fans this weekend. We work hard to create all of these experiences for you because … we’re Star Wars fans, too! We look forward to the places we’ll go and the stories we can explore together next. So hopefully I’ll see you somewhere out there on the hyperspace routes.
During the Disney Parks panel at Star Wars Celebration Europe, Imagineer Scott Trowbridge teased new characters coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Though the panelists could not confirm who would be appearing, it was hinted to be related to upcoming media. It’s possible characters from “Ahsoka,” “The Skeleton Crew,” or other new Disney+ original series may visit Black Spire Outpost.
In the past, new characters only appeared at Disneyland park, but recently The Mandalorian and Grogu were added to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The pair also made a brief appearance in Disneyland Paris.
Boba Fett and Fennec Shand were mentioned in the panel, but so far they have only appeared at Disneyland. It’s possible they may be added to Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well.
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.
