Why We Fell in Love with Walt Disney World in October: A Mix of Disney and Halloween Magic

Why October Is Such a Great Time to Go

October turned out to be one of our favourite times of year to visit. The weather is still warm enough for pool days and evening fireworks without the intense summer heat, which makes walking around the parks and queuing for rides far more comfortable. The whole resort is dressed for autumn, with pumpkins and Halloween touches on Main Street U.S.A., so even a simple stroll through the parks feels extra special.

On top of that, the Halloween season brings added entertainment like Mickey’s Not‑So‑Scary Halloween Party, special treats and limited‑time shows that you simply do not get at other times of the year. It feels like you are getting an extra layer of Disney magic on top of the usual rides and experiences.

We chose Port Orleans Riverside for its convenient location close to the parks via the bus network, and the added bonus of a short, scenic boat ride along the river to Disney Springs. The well‑appointed rooms that can accommodate up to five people were also a big factor for us: it can be difficult to find this when you are a family with three children.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is themed around the sleepy charm of the American South. Think leafy riverbanks, white‑columned mansions and quaint bayou lodges linked by winding pathways. It feels a little like stepping into a peaceful waterfront town tucked away along the Mississippi, yet you are only a short boat or bus ride from the heart of the Walt Disney World parks.

The Magnolia Bend area has elegant, plantation‑style buildings with manicured lawns and pretty courtyards, while Alligator Bayou feels more rustic and lodge‑like, with lush greenery, wooden walkways and a slightly more laid‑back “backwoods” vibe. Around the resort you will find gentle river views, old‑fashioned lanterns, bridges and quiet corners where you can sit and exhale after a full park day.

Our Night at Mickey’s Not‑So‑Scary Halloween Party

Another reason for visiting at this time of year was the opportunity to go to Mickey’s Not‑So‑Scary Halloween Party and wow, what a night it was. It is a separate ticketed event which includes immersive ride overlays, special Halloween‑themed shows, an amazing parade and a fireworks spectacular, as well as trick‑or‑treat spots all around the park. Guests are encouraged to dress up and there are lots of limited‑time themed food and drink options to try.

We arrived at Magic Kingdom at around 4.30 pm and managed to fit in a few rides before the party officially started at 7 pm. Once the event began, we visited a number of trick‑or‑treat stops and somehow came away with a suitcase (yes, a whole suitcase!) full of sweets and chocolate.

After that we stopped for a few snacks and found ourselves a spot for the first parade. It was fantastic, as Disney parades always are, with that perfect mix of spooky and fun. We then squeezed in a few more rides, which had much shorter queue times thanks to the limited number of party tickets available.

Later in the evening we watched the incredible fireworks spectacular hosted by Jack Skellington, which really was a showstopper. Afterwards we made our way over to the Disney Junior Halloween dance party, where the children loved dancing along with Vampirina, Max, Timon and more. It also gave us a chance for a well‑earned rest and, of course, a few more Halloween‑themed snacks.

Before the night was over, we headed back to the castle area to watch the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular show, which was the perfect way to round off the evening. Finally, we made our way out to catch the bus back to our resort. We arrived back in our room at around 1 am, absolutely exhausted but buzzing from what had been such a fun, memorable night.

Balancing Resort Days and Park Days

The rest of our trip was a mixture of both resort and park days. Staying on‑site meant we did not feel we had to spend long, solid days in the parks. It was so easy to do a few hours in the morning, then head back to enjoy the resort’s pools and facilities before returning to the parks in the evening for the shows, parades and fireworks.

One of the perks of staying at Riverside is that you can also enjoy the facilities at the nearby Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. We spent many happy pool days there, as well as sampling the delicious beignets at Scat Cat’s Café. We also enjoyed chilled evenings watching “Movies Under the Stars”, which are put on during selected evenings, and toasting marshmallows at the firepit.

The Disney resorts offer so much more than just a room: they are a big part of the holiday experience in their own right. After our October stay, we are completely converted to being “in the bubble” and will definitely be back as soon as we can.