We are counting down the days until Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes the stage in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Starting on August 15th, the spooky season will be rolling in like a happily haunted fog as partygoers enjoy the seasonal festivities. Shortly after, on August 17th, another celebration will kick off on the West Coast, where Oogie Boogie Bash will honor the Halloween season at the Disneyland Resort. Whether you are set to enjoy these parties in their earliest of days or still in the planning stages of your outfit for further down the calendar, here are four major mistakes to avoid when making your costume selections.
Wearing a Costume That’s Way Too Hot
When you are picturing your Disney Halloween Party experience, you might not realize that your mind is conditioned to associate the Halloween time of year with specific weather patterns. We think of the falling leaves, sweaters coming out, and that standing cold brew order at Joffrey’s that turns to a pumpkin-spiced hot something in the blink of an eye. However, many of us will be visiting Walt Disney World’s spooky season main attraction in very different conditions. August, September, and even October are still very warm.
While the humidity might have taken a back seat by the time we reach the end of October, each year, I’m constantly seeing Halloween partygoers stressing and sweating through uncomfortable costumes that weren’t purchased with the weather conditions in mind. Light layers are your friend for a Disney day or an after-hours party. They allow you to adjust your temperature to the conditions and are best built into your costume. No one wants a cold snap to cover their outfit with an uncoordinated last-minute sweater purchase, and in turn, stripping off the wig that perfected your look because you were sweating through it might leave you unhappy with the messy (not in a good way) bun you are left with underneath. Check the anticipated weather conditions before you go and adjust your outfit where possible.
Not Considering Your Fabric
If you are reading the point above and thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you will wear shorts or a skirt that allows for airflow, there is another side to the story to consider. Not all fabrics are created equally, and while some can make you feel like an easy, breezy, beautiful cover girl (hoping some are old enough to remember that one!), others can make your skin feel like it is confined in plastic, never to feel relief again. Cheap costumes from thrift stores or Amazon are often made with inexpensive fabric that won’t allow your skin and body to breathe, making even the skimpiest of costumes a volcanic heat trap.
Check the specifications or label before you buy and look for something made from cotton, bamboo, or even a cotton blend like jersey (that soft, lightweight, stretchy stuff) that won’t leave you feeling confined in cling wrap. Cheap costumes are tempting, but if you are spending all of this money on a fabulous Disney night out, you don’t want it ruined by feeling so uncomfortable that you would rather go home. Make sure to read the label, even on Disney costumes, as not all of them are as forgiving as your Halloween Party activity list may require.
Make Sure You Can Move
Breathability isn’t your only factor to consider. You will want to find something with a little bit of give in it, so when you sit down for a parade or jump in and out of ride vehicles, you aren’t finding out the hard way that you can barely move in that perfect costume. Before you leave, preferably before your purchase, don’t just see how your costume looks and feels when you are standing unnaturally straight in the mirror; be sure to move around it. Sit down, let your stomach go, slouch, and even bend down to the ground. If you can’t do all of these things without a disaster, then this costume is a deal breaker.
We all love to approve a Halloween look in front of the mirror, though at a Disney Halloween Party, you need to be able to function as well, which means a series of movements that could leave your costume more problematic than expected. When dressing children, will they be able to sit down? Is it going to cause issues getting into the rides or sitting in a stroller? For adults, be sure to avoid the mistake of something that only just fits. You want to feel free to eat those delicious Halloween party snacks without worrying that the slightest bloat might be cause for significant concern.
Choosing Style Over Comfort (Especially Shoes & Accessories)
Ah, this one is the trap I always fell into in my youth. When some elaborate outfit looks perfect in the comfort of your air-conditioned home, but in the humid, hot, and sweaty reality, it can’t stand the heat, literally. Your style might be on point in those first few moments before you leave the resort, but going in too hard on over-the-top accessories might cause more trouble than they are worth. Heels might make you feel good at first, but once the initial photos are over and you want to make the most of your Disney park time, you’ll soon be wishing Fairy Godmother could turn those stilettos into flats! Keep longevity in mind! If you can’t last a whole day in something, don’t test it out at a Disney party.
This means, instead of wearing the knee-high heeled boots, ankle-length cape, and long (hot!) wig, do yourself a favor and trade it in for something more flexible. Achieve the look of boots with thin, knee-high socks that can be easily removed if your core temperature rises. Trade the wig for some clip-in hair extensions that can allow you to swing your mane up into a ponytail when the night gets steamy, and halve the length of the cape so you can wear it for longer without getting hot and manage a less inconvenient version on and off rides.
Of course, throughout your shopping process, always keep Disney’s costume policy in mind, as it is a little different for the event than for the average day. We will delve a little deeper into a few other ways to make your outfit more impressive tomorrow. Until then, share your costume ideas with us and let us know which Halloween Party you will be attending at the Disney Parks!
