Disney Destiny Halloween on the High Seas: What to Expect

Halloween costumes, Disney Villains, trick-or-treating at sea and enough candy to keep you going until your next cruise?

I just sailed the Disney Destiny, along with several of my colleagues at Be Our Guest Vacations, and I am very ready to get right back on. This was a Halloween on the High Seas sailing and my first Disney Halloween cruise, and I have to say, Disney knows how to Halloween!

This was my first time sailing Halloween on the High Seas and on the Disney Destiny, so a lot of newness happened in 4 nights, and I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into it. Obviously, I knew there would be Halloween on the High Seas activities, decorations, costumes, candy and some special events. But there’s a difference between knowing something is happening and actually walking onto the ship and realizing, “Oh. They really go all in on this.” And because the Disney Destiny is sailing Halloween on the High Seas for the first time this year, I got to experience its very first Halloween season. Color me surprised when I also realized it was technically still an Inaugural Sailing for the Destiny!

It’s Not Just One Halloween Party

This was probably the biggest thing I noticed. Halloween on the High Seas isn’t just, “Hey, we’re having a Halloween party one night!”  

Halloween is sprinkled throughout the entire cruise, including:

• Halloween décor throughout the ship (love the port holes in the Grand Hall!)
• Seasonal activities and entertainment
• Trick-or-treating and plenty of candy
• Characters in their Halloween costumes
• Seasonal treats and specialty drinks
• Little spooky surprises that pop up throughout your sailing

You’re still very much on a Disney cruise. You’re eating, swimming, going to shows, visiting the kids clubs, enjoying the adult areas, getting off the ship in port, etc.  But every once in a while you look around and think, “Oh yeah. We’re doing Halloween, too.”  And I really liked that.

It didn’t feel like Halloween was taking over the entire cruise. It felt like Disney had just added another layer to everything that was already happening.

Let’s Talk about the Halloween Decor

If you’ve sailed Halloween on the High Seas before, you may already know about Disney Cruise Line’s famous Enchanted Pumpkin Trees.  Every ship has its own, and the Disney Destiny has a brand-new one named Solara.  Solara made her debut with the Destiny’s first Halloween on the High Seas season, and she is located in the Grand Hall.  She’s definitely one of those things you want to stop and look at instead of walking past because you’re on your way to something else.  And let’s be honest, if there’s one thing Disney does really well, it’s giving us something pretty to take approximately 47 pictures of.  If you love a good deep dive and to get off task a lot like me go look up the Legend of the Pumpkin Tree for Disney Cruise Line (after you finish this blog post of course).

And don’t forget to look at the stateroom doors! It’s not just Disney that shows up and shows out for the decor, guests take their door decorating to the next level!  From Haunted Mansion, to Muppets, to the “Boo To You” parade, to Hocus Pocus, the creativity is scary good.

Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party

Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party is one of the big events during Halloween on the High Seas!

At Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, expect:

• Music and dancing
• Disney Characters in Halloween costumes – think Donald as a spider, Dale as a Candy (Wicked) Apple, Pluto as a candy corn cutie!
• Lots of photo opportunities – they’re plentiful!
• Guests of all ages dressed up
• Some seriously impressive costumes

And this is where your costume comes in.  Because if you’ve ever wondered whether people actually dress up for a Halloween Disney Cruise…Yes. Yes, they do.  Like if you didn’t dress up you were very much in the minority.  And some people REALLY dress up.  You’ll see everything from a simple Halloween shirt to costumes that clearly required an alarming amount of planning.  My favorite of the night (besides your group of course) was seeing Sorcerer Mickey and the broomsticks from the Sorcerer’s Apprentice in Fantasia, they  were so good!  And honestly, I love that about Disney Cruise Line.  There is something very fun about being surrounded by a ship full of people who have collectively decided that, yes, we’re still going to dress up for Halloween and go get candy even if it is just a group of adults who left their children at home with their husbands.

Trick-or-Treating, because obviously.

Halloween on the High Seas includes trick-or-treating onboard, with guests following a designated route around the ship to collect treats.  This is obviously a big hit with the kids.

But I’m just going to say it: Adults are allowed to enjoy candy, too.  I’m pretty sure that’s in the Disney Cruise Line terms and conditions somewhere.  Probably.

(Not So) Scary Meet & Greets

One of my favorite parts of any Disney cruise is the characters, and Halloween gives you another excuse to go see them.  During Halloween on the High Seas, you’ll find Disney Characters appearing in special Halloween attire throughout the sailing.  Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale are among the characters Disney highlights as part of the Halloween festivities. And if you’re someone who loves Character photos, definitely keep an eye on your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once you’re onboard. That’s where you’ll find the actual schedule for your sailing.

One thing I do want to point out, though, (because I didn’t know it before I got on board for this sailing), is that you may have seen those absolutely adorable pictures of Minnie, Daisy and Clarabelle dressed as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus.  YES. They’re amazing.

But be ready for the longest wait of the night.  We had friends line up for this character meeting more than an hour in advance, so if this is a must do for you or anybody in your spooky crew, be ready to wait.

✨ BOGV Tip: Have a must-do Halloween Character on your list? Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app early so you can see when and where they’ll be appearing and plan the rest of your evening around it!

Let’s Talk About the Important Stuff: FOOD

It’s Disney, so obviously we’re talking about food.

Halloween on the High Seas brings:

• Seasonal desserts
• Halloween treats
• Specialty cocktails and mocktails
• Limited-time coffee drinks
• Other spooky surprises throughout the ship

This is another one of those situations where I recommend paying attention to the Navigator app and your daily schedule.  Because the last thing you want is to get home and discover that the adorable Halloween treat you saw someone post on Instagram was available for approximately six minutes on the one day you weren’t paying attention. Ask me how I know.

Actually, don’t. 

🎃 My pick: The Pumpkin King Latte from Cove Café and Café Megara – it was amazing!

Halloween Isn’t Just for the Kids

No kids? No problem.  The Destiny has plenty of spaces and activities for adults, and if you’re looking for something on the spooky side, you already have the Haunted Mansion Parlor (truly amazing by the way).  It’s an adults-only lounge inspired by the Haunted Mansion, with themed drinks and an atmosphere that is basically perfect for Halloween or as some of our friends decided, every day.  And yes, I realize it’s a permanent part of the Destiny and not specifically a Halloween on the High Seas event.  But come on, ff you’re writing a Halloween cruise recap and you don’t mention the Haunted Mansion Parlor, what are we even doing here?

So, What’ the Verdict?

You’re still on a Disney cruise. They’ve just added Halloween and more candy (honestly no complaints). So yep, it’s amazing!

You still get all the things you’d normally expect from a Disney Cruise Line vacation, the dining, entertainment, Character experiences, pools, kids clubs, adult spaces, ports of call and all of the other things that make a Disney cruise a Disney cruise.  But, Halloween on the High Seas just gives you some extra things to look forward to.

Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely!  There is something really fun about waking up on a cruise ship, looking out the window and realizing you’re somewhere completely different from where you were yesterday and then remembering that it’s also Halloween and you get to live out that dream aboard a cruise ship that already celebrates Villains, I mean heroes too but since this is a Halloween highlight we love our Villains!

You can spend the morning at breakfast, go hang out by the pool, explore the ship, head into port, come back for dinner…and then put on a costume and live out your alter ego as Lord of the Dead with blue hair.  

That’s probably what I enjoyed most about Halloween on the High Seas; it doesn’t replace the Disney cruise experience, it just makes the whole thing a little more fun.

So if you’re already a Halloween person, I think a Halloween on the High Seas sailing is something you should definitely have on your Disney Cruise Line radar.

And if you’re not a Halloween person?

Well…

There’s still a pretty good chance Disney can convince you.

They have candy and a couple of private islands… that usually does it.

Halloween on the High Seas at a Glance

If you’re considering a spooky season sailing, here are a few things to know:

• Halloween festivities are woven throughout the cruise rather than limited to one event.
• Costumes are absolutely part of the fun, and adults get into it too!
• Character appearances and entertainment can vary by sailing.
• Some special experiences can draw long lines, so check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once onboard.
• Seasonal food and beverages may only be available at certain times or locations.
• Not every Disney Cruise Line sailing during the fall is a Halloween on the High Seas sailing, so always check your specific cruise.

Ready to Set Sail for Spooky Season? 🎃🚢

If Halloween on the High Seas sounds like your kind of Disney magic, we’d love to help you find the perfect sailing!

Not every fall Disney Cruise Line itinerary is a Halloween on the High Seas cruise, and dates, ships, itineraries and special offerings can vary from year to year. Your Be Our Guest Vacations travel advisor can help you sort through the options, find a sailing that fits your family, and make sure you know what to expect before you step onboard.

All that’s left for you to decide is the important stuff… like what you’re going to wear to Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party. 👻✨