An excerpt from our October newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Should Walt Disney World expand its Halloween offerings?
This has been a heavily debated question for years.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party consistently sells out, and there also seems to be a hunger for a new and different event at Walt Disney World.
Not to mention, there is an obvious opportunity to capture different demographics with a new after-hours event. Where Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party caters towards families, you could see a new event cater towards the young adult demographic. A new after-hours event wouldn’t necessarily have to compete against Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights or other scare-centric events. I think Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment would do a stellar job creating more exclusive Halloween offerings like mazes.
There are a few different ideas for another Walt Disney World Halloween event.
A Villains-themed after-hours event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios could be appealing, especially with Villains Land on the horizon. It could also act as an even bigger play test for the project. Disney could also discover what characters and interactions work in that setting and take the lessons learned when they open Villains Land. It could also be a way to further develop the Villains brand.
Another option would simply be a Halloween version of Jollywood Nights. So yes, both Halloween offerings in my mind would have to take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I think Hollywood Studios is just built for additional events and entertainment. Let’s go three for three in this newsletter and mention Halloweentown again. Imagine a small recreation of that town in Hollywood Studios? The photo-ops with the town pumpkin would go crazy for guests.
A new Halloween event at Walt Disney World could differentiate itself by utilizing Star Wars, 20th Century Studios, and Marvel. Maybe find a way to use some of the supernatural Marvel characters that Walt Disney World can legally use. Doctor Strange, Wong, America Chavez, Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing, Elsa Bloodstone, and a few others are allegedly available to use at Walt Disney World, but they haven’t yet, for reasons. Maybe now could be the time?
Regardless, I think it’s time for Walt Disney World to expand the Halloween offerings, and that doesn’t necessarily mean getting into the haunt game either. It could just give guests additional options for fun holiday after-hours events on Walt Disney World property and a valid reason for Disney to test out new franchises and IP.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
