If you’re wondering whether or not to wear a costume to a Halloween party at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, here’s what you need to know.

Does Everyone Dress up at Disney Parks Halloween Parties?

Disney Halloween parties are very fun events and, of course, Halloween is a time when many people love to dress up. But if you’re heading to your first Disney Halloween party and you’re wondering if you should bring a costume on vacation with you, this is what you need to know.

Whether you are attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, or the Oogie Boogie Bash Disney at California Adventure at Disneyland, dressing up is a fun way to add to the Halloween spirit.

A quick note to keep in mind is that Disney does have rules around what types of costumes are acceptable (and more specifically what is not acceptable), so be sure to check the Disney costume guidelines on their website before you go.

Will I Feel Out-of-Place if I Dress Up (or Don’t Dress Up) for a Disney Halloween Party?

A common question for first-time guests at a Disney Parks Halloween party is “Will I feel out of place if I don’t dress up?” Or sometimes, “Will if feel out of place if I do dress up?”

In both cases, the answer is no.

Disney encourages party guests to dress up because it adds to the festive atmosphere of the parties, but not everyone does. We have been to Disney Halloween events at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World and in our experience, it feels like a 50-50 split (give or take) between costumes and non-costumes on most party nights.

People attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World may be more inclined to wear a costume compared to the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland, but either way, whether you go in costume or not is completely up to you.

Instead of a Halloween Costume, You Can Go with a Spooky Theme

Cast members and other guests love seeing the costumes that guests wear. Some people really go over the top and it is great to see. But, remember to balance the practicality of the costume if you plan to go on rides or do anything other than posing with characters and trick-or-treating.

If you don’t want to go fully into costume mode, there are other options. An easier way to get into the Halloween spirit of the Disney party vibe is to wear a graphic t-shirt or similar apparel that has a Halloween theme generally (or even a Disney Halloween theme, like Hocus Pocus or even a Haunted Mansion shirt).

This is easier to wear, can be more comfortable and won’t take up too much extra space in your luggage. Also, if you’re attending one of the Disney Halloween parties in August or early September, it can be hot and humid (and even stormy) at night, so that is something to consider no matter what you plan to wear.

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Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

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