Halloween at Walt Disney World isn’t limited to Magic Kingdom this October.
Guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will have their own lineup of seasonal activities, including several perks that don’t require a separate Halloween event ticket. The hotels are adding costume contests, trick-or-treating, face painting, a scavenger hunt, an inflatable maze, and other entertainment throughout October and Halloween weekend.
Some activities will happen every Saturday, while the biggest celebration arrives between October 30 and November 1.
For families considering a stay at the Swan or Dolphin, there’s suddenly a lot more happening outside the theme parks.
Saturday Nights Get a Halloween Makeover
The Halloween fun starts well before October 31.
Every Saturday during October, guests can participate in a costume contest beginning at 5 p.m. Contests are scheduled for October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31.
That also gives guests another reason to bring costumes even if they aren’t attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Wearing one could even come with an extra surprise.
Guests who visit one of the hotels’ sit-down restaurants in costume can receive a special treat from the chef. Halloween-inspired cocktails and mocktails will also appear at locations around the resort.
But the regular Saturday activities are only part of what’s planned.
Halloween Weekend Adds Even More
The celebration gets much bigger from October 30 through November 1.
During Halloween weekend, guests can participate in a scavenger hunt featuring hidden treasures and prizes.
Families will also find an inflatable maze with playful Halloween surprises. Spooky arts and crafts and themed hair braiding will give children additional activities away from the parks.
Even the pool area will get involved, with a DJ playing Halloween-themed music.
Then comes October 31 itself.
Halloween night will feature trick-or-treating, face painting, and costume contests for both adults and children.
The contests begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Dolphin’s Cabana Deck and the Swan Reserve’s Pool Deck near the towel hut.
That means families can spend Halloween night celebrating right at their hotel without necessarily needing another theme park experience.
Guests Can Still Head to Magic Kingdom
Of course, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will also be running throughout October.
The separately ticketed Magic Kingdom event is scheduled for October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31.
Guests without party tickets should pay close attention to those dates because Magic Kingdom closes to regular guests at 6 p.m.
For Swan and Dolphin guests, however, leaving Magic Kingdom early doesn’t necessarily mean the Halloween fun has to end.
They could return to their hotel and find seasonal activities much closer to their room.
Disney World Perks Don’t End With Halloween
The Swan and Dolphin also come with several Disney World vacation benefits throughout the year.
Guests can book Lightning Lanes seven days ahead of their stay and use Early Theme Park Entry. Extended Evening Hours at select Disney parks are another major benefit.
Complimentary transportation, Disney ticket services, and advance Disney golf tee times are also included.
Beyond those perks, the resort complex features pools, an arcade, more than 20 restaurants and lounges, and in-room food delivery.
A seasonal room offer starting at $209 per night is also available for qualifying stays through October 31, although taxes and the resort service fee cost extra.
For October travelers, the combination creates an interesting alternative to a traditional Disney-owned hotel.
Guests still get several important Disney World advantages, but this Halloween, they’ll also have a collection of seasonal activities waiting for them back at their hotel.
