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Did you feel that? A crisp autumn breeze meets the salty sea air ... and a cruise ship that's all decked out in Halloween finery. It could only mean one thing — it's Disney Cruise Line's Halloween on the High Seas! Halloween on the High Seas is a not-so-scary way to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year while sailing on the seas. In this blog post, we'll take you through the highlights of this bewitching event, sharing all you need to know about what to expect and how to make the most of your Halloween at sea. And here's a treat (no tricks): Undercover Tourist now offers exclusive Disney Cruise Line savings. Plus, we have an exciting offer hoppenin' right now! Get a FREE in-room décor set for all Disney Cruise Line bookings, courtesy of Undercover Tourist, when you book a Disney Cruise Line sailing, for a limited time. Now that's sweeter than candy!
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What Is Halloween on the High Seas?
Halloween on the High Seas is a festive autumn celebration held on the cruise ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Halloween on the High Seas is making a return in 2024 on select sailings from mid-September through October 2024.
The Disney Wish sets sail from Port Canaveral, FL, with 3- and 4-night Bahamian voyages. Also from Port Canaveral, the Disney Fantasy has 4- and 6-night itineraries to The Bahamas. In addition, the Fantasy has 7-night cruises to either Eastern or Western Caribbean. And, departing from Fort Lauderdale, the Disney Magic offers 3- to 5-night itineraries to The Bahamas and the Caribbean. For even more excitement, select Halloween on the High Seas itineraries on the Disney Magic and Disney Fantasy including a stop at Disney Cruise Line’s newest destination — Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
For 2025, Halloween on the High Seas itineraries are already available. Take your pick from 3 to 7-night Bahamian or Caribbean cruises leaving from either Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale on the Disney Magic, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish or Disney Treasure. Each itinerary includes a visit to Disney Castaway Cay or Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Some itineraries even include a stop at both! The Disney Magic is also offering a 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan on two separate dates in October 2025. You can search for specific itineraries and dates here on Undercover Tourist.
@undercovertourist♬ Spooky, Scary Skeletons (House VIP Remix) - Crystal Knives & Lex Allen
Disney is famous for its frogtastic holiday celebrations, both at Disney World and Disneyland. And when it comes to Halloween festivities on Disney's cruise ships, they definitely know how to throw a party. Unlike Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World or Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland, this event doesn't limit the fun to just one night. Instead, it sprinkles Halloween magic throughout your entire voyage. There are some differences in scheduling, but we'll cover those details as we go along.
Must-Do Halloween on the High Seas Activities
Similar to the laid-back vibe of "island time," Disney's Halloween on the High Seas is a more relaxed affair compared to the theme park parties. For the most part, you'll enjoy the sights and sounds at your own pace. My blood type is practically pumpkin spice, so I've conjured up a list of the must-see and do activities. ;) Feel free to save this post and use it as a guide as you're planning your Halloween voyage.
Halloween Decor & Music
When you first step aboard, you'll notice that the lobby atrium or the Grand Hall is all dressed up for Halloween. The staircase and railings are covered in spooky garlands, ribbons and, of course, pumpkins!
Don't froget to take a peek at the ship's porthole windows. They get a Halloween makeover with jack-o-lanterns, autumn decorations and even some of your favorite Disney Villains. And here's a special Disney touch: the window overlays match the theme of the specific area of the ship. Nightingale's, the Cinderalla-themed lounge on the Disney Wish has porthole windows featuring Cinderella's wicked stepmother and stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella. Talk about bibbidi, bobbidi, BOO!
Listen closely as you make your way around the ship. You'll hear classic Disney Halloween tunes such as the "Monster Mash," the theme from "The Twilight Zone" or even the enchanting "I Put a Spell on You" from the iconic "Hocus Pocus" film. It's a little detail, but it really does set spooky vibes throughout the ship.
Pumpkin Tree & Caretaker Storytelling
Located in the center of the ship's lobby atrium or Grand Hall, you can't miss the big Pumpkin Tree. Did you know that each of Disney's five ships — the Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy and the Wish — has its very own pumpkin tree? They even have special names!
There's Grim on the Disney Dream, Mucklebones on the Disney Fantasy, Bog on the Disney Wonder, Reap on the Disney Magic and Boo on the Disney Wish. A caretaker looks after these trees and shares The Legend of the Pumpkin Tree during a special storytelling. At the end of the story, watch in wonder as the trees come to life!
This is a popular event, so make sure to check the showtimes in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. It's a good idea to arrive a little early to grab a good spot for watching. Many families, especially those with little ones, like to sit on the carpet near the center stage or close to the Pumpkin Tree. You can also get a decent view from the staircase on the second or third-level railings.
For even more storytelling, join the crew on deck and experience bone-chilling tales with Haunted Stories of the Sea, a campfire-style gathering featuring spooky ghost stories.
Mickey's Mouse-querade Party!
Halloween just wouldn't be the same without a dance party, and that's exactly what you'll find at Mickey's Mouse-querade Party! Head on up to the pool deck, and get ready to have a blast with your favorite Disney characters. It's an event filled with dancing and exciting entertainment. You can join in the fun by dressing up in your Halloween best, just like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Chip 'n' Dale. Plus, the party features some popular Halloween tunes that'll really get everyone in the spirit.
Disney Cruise Halloween Character Meet & Greets
Right after Mickey's Mouse-querade Party, you can meet some of your favorite Disney characters including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto and Chip 'n Dale. There are several opportunities to meet them during your cruise, but this is one of the few times they'll be in their adorable Halloween costumes.
Spooky new character outfits will materialize for 2024! Mickey and Minnie Mouse will don brand-new purple, orange and black bat-themed costumes, while Donald Duck sports a dapper spider costume, complete with striped spider legs and hat.
The characters will disperse into different meeting spots around the ship and spend about 15-20 minutes with fans. You might not meet all of them in one go, so we suggest starting with your top two or three favorites. If you get to meet even more, consider it a bonus.
The Sanderson Sisters are causing a bit of a ruckus on the ship. Amuck, amuck, amuck! Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow will be dressed as the Sanderson Sisters. You can meet them at various times during your cruise. To ensure you don't miss out, keep an eye on the character meet and greet schedule in your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
Dress in Costumes
Feel free to bring along your favorite costumes for you and your family. Whether you want to transform into a swashbuckling pirate, a charming princess or even a classic Disney character, Halloween on the High Seas is the perfect time to let your creativity shine.
You can wear your costumes as often as you like during your cruise (although it's not required). We saw many fellow passengers who practically lived in their costumes throughout the entire trip. Now that's dedication to the cause!
For most guests, costumes were worn on the same night that trick-or-treating and Mickey's Mouse-querade Party were scheduled.
Trick-or-Treating
On one select night during your Halloween cruise, you'll get to go trick-or-treating on the ship! On the Disney Wish, they set up four different trick-or-treat spots on the deck, and the crew provides trick-or-treat bags (or you can also bring your own, like we did). Your stateroom attendant will either leave the treat bags in your room or you can grab one on the deck before you start your trick-or-treat adventure. Trick-or-treating isn't just for the kids. Parents, you're invited to join in on the fun, too!
You'll find the exact trick-or-treat time and location in your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. We recommend giving yourself enough time, especially if you plan on changing into your Halloween costumes. For example, our trick-or-treat was scheduled for the same evening as our Castaway Cay day. I needed to be mindful of time to make sure our frog family of four had enough wiggle room to come back to the ship, shower and get into our costumes before the 5 p.m. trick-or-treat time.
Keep in mind, trick-or-treating only happens once, and it's typically about 30 minutes long. You can go trick-or-treating as many times as you want during that time, even revisiting the candy stations. Just remember, it moves pretty quickly. On our itinerary, the first rotational dinner seating started at 5:45 p.m., so this schedule ensured that everyone had time to collect candy and make their way to their dinner reservation. The one thing we can't stress enough is to arrive early. The lines can be lengthy, and arriving early will allow you to get ahead of the crowds.
Halloween Movies
In the fall, the kids and I love to bundle up on the couch with a cup of hot apple cider and settle in with a Halloween movie. In the same vein, you can have a cozy movie night on the Disney cruise ships. You can catch the classic Disney Halloween films such as "Haunted Mansion" and "Hocus Pocus" on the deck Funnel Vision screens and in the ship's movie theatre.
You'll also have the opportunity to meet Jack Skellington and Sally in person as you enjoy the Sing and Scream experience with the classic film, Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas."
And if you're looking for movie snacks or a refreshing drink, then make a stop at Preludes. They have themed options for an extra charge — including Halloween popcorn buckets.
Arts & Crafts
Roll up your sleeves and prepare for some wickedly creative fun. You'll find a cauldron of hands-on activities brewing around the ship. From creepy cooking demonstrations to trivia challenges, there's something for the whole family. And for the tadpoles, there's even mask-making and pumpkin-carving classes.
Specialty Treats & Cocktails
Be on the lookout for Halloween-themed treats and beverages. You can find these at different dining spots, bars and lounges across the ship. Whether it's themed cupcakes at the sweet shop, Halloween cookies in the buffet area or creative cocktails in the bars and lounges, you never know what gory goodies you'll find.
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will list the Drink of the Day special. On special-themed cruises such as Halloween on the High Seas, the Drink of the Day will match the occasion. On our last cruise, we tried both the Haunted-Rita and the Mango Potion. YUM!
Adults-Only
For the adults, the exclusive adult-only Villainous Takeover is a must-attend event. This soirée promises a ghoulishly good time with a costume contest where you can show off your most creative, scary or downright hilarious costumes. Dance the night away to hauntingly catchy tunes and enjoy specialty cocktails. But watch out — prepare for some wicked surprises as Disney villains make special appearances, too!
Stateroom Halloween Decor
Oh, my gourd! The Halloween spirit isn't limited to just the atrium or Grand Hall. Our thoughtful stateroom attendant surprised us by creating a pumpkin towel that was left on our bed. (On the Disney Wish, they use the Wish blanket to craft these towel animals and figures.) It sure got us excited for the fun planned for that evening.
If you're eager to amp up the decorations in your room, you can opt to pre-purchase the Spooky Time Bundle available through Onboard Gifts. Just make sure to order at least three days before your sailing date. This package, which usually costs a little over $100 plus tax, includes a Halloween blanket, a plush pillow, a drawstring bag and a pennant banner (subject to availability). Your Halloween-themed room decorations will be all set up and ready for you when you arrive. Don't froget to have your camera ready.
A Few More Tips for Halloween on the High Seas
Here are a few additional tips to make the most of your Disney Cruise Halloween on the High Seas celebration:
- Stay Flexible with Scheduling: The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will be your go-to resource. However, you can't access the specific itinerary and event schedule until you're onboard and connected to the ship's Wi-Fi. This can make planning a bit tricky. For example, our Halloween night coincided with our Palo dinner reservations, and we had to manage our time carefully. If you need to adjust your plans, don't hesitate to visit Guest Services early in your cruise. They might be able to help you rearrange your schedule, especially if there's a Halloween event you really want to experience.
- Get Creative with Halloween Door Decorating: It's a fun tradition to decorate your stateroom door with magnets. Some folks add just a few magnets, while others go all out with their designs. The sky's the limit here, and for a Halloween-themed cruise, you'll see many doors adorned with spooky decorations. Remember to pack your door magnets — our kids loved making their own!
- Check Out Halloween-Themed Merchandise: If you're looking to add a little extra Halloween flair to your costume or want a souvenir to remember your Halloween on the High Seas voyage, the ship's gift shops have a small selection of Halloween merchandise available for purchase.
There's nothing quite like celebrating a holiday out on the open ocean, especially Halloween. What a core memory! Save this post as a guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of Halloween on the High Seas. What questions do you still have? Drop them down in the comments. We're always hoppy to help!
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Hoppy planning!
