One of the highlights of Disney’s Halloween season is when the villains finally get their moment in the spotlight. While a few of them—like the Evil Queen, Cruella de Ville, or Malefecent—may occasionally wander the parks during the day, it’s the extra-ticket Halloween parties where the real magic happens. These after-hours events bring out rare characters you won’t find anywhere else, giving photographers an incredible opportunity to capture the darker side of Disney in all its mischievous glory.

In addition to being the only time adults are allowed to dress up in costume inside the park, these Halloween parties transform the atmosphere entirely. There are trick-or-treat trails loaded with candy, limited-time food and beverage options, and of course, exclusive entertainment. The nighttime parade is often a highlight — packed with colorful lighting, spooky effects, and villains gleefully showing off their flair for the dramatic. For photographers, this is a goldmine of creative opportunity. Choose your spot early, frame the float lighting just right, and you can walk away with stunning, dynamic shots that feel straight out of a movie.

But where Disney’s Halloween parties truly shine for photographers is in their villain encounter experiences. Instead of traditional haunted mazes, Disney sets up walk-through, themed environments for each villain — essentially mini photo sets where you can capture the characters in their own little worlds. You walk through, interact briefly, and move on to the next character. It’s an elegant balance between guest experience and crowd control — and a dream setup for anyone with a camera in hand.

Because these aren’t your standard stop-and-pose meet and greets, you get a few fleeting but beautiful moments to photograph the characters without a crowd clogging up your shot. Each villain is lit dramatically in their themed space — Ernesto de la Cruz from Coco against a blue heavenly stage backdrop, Agatha Harkness from Marvel among the ruins of the sanctum in Avengers Campus — making for visually striking compositions. The performers are skilled at giving photographers great expressions, even in the few seconds you have with them.

If you want more than one great shot of your favorite villain, don’t hesitate to loop back through the line. Take a few photos, keep the queue moving for everyone, then rejoin the line later to capture different angles or poses. And for those who prefer the classic Disney faces, you’ll often find Mickey, Minnie, and friends dressed in their Halloween best for more traditional meet-and-greet photo ops.

Whether you’re photographing with a cell phone, mirrorless camera, or DSLR, there’s an abundance of visual magic to capture at these after-hours events — from the parade lights to the eerie character sets to the joyful guests dressed in their own costumes.

If you’ve attended one of these events or plan to soon, I’d love to see what you capture. Join the Fairy Tale Photo Academy Theme Park Photography Community — a friendly space where you can share your favorite theme park shots, swap photography tips, and connect with other creative Disney fans from around the world. Whether you’re shooting in the middle of Main Street or under a full Halloween moon, we’d love to see your story through your lens.