As Disney fans, we hold these truths to be self-evident: that food tastes better when it’s Mickey-shaped, that there’s never an inappropriate time to burst into song, and that we will always dress up as a Disney character for Halloween. But which? To help you decide, we’ve broken down the pros and cons of some fun and popular Disney Halloween costumes.
Rapunzel
Pros: Rapunzel’s dress is gorgeous and comfortable, breezy enough to keep you cool in the lingering summer heat, but also capable of hiding leggings and undershirts underneath if the fall chill is too much. Dressing up as Rapunzel means you also get to authoritatively declare that it’s the best day ever, should you choose.
Cons: All that hair would probably be pretty heavy. Plus, if you wanted to go for full authenticity, you’d have to go barefoot, and that seems like bad news.
Flynn Rider
Pros: You probably have most of the things you’d need to assemble this costume waiting in your closet already. Don’t forget that Flynn carries around a handy satchel, which would be clutch for stashing your candy.
Cons: There’s always the risk of screaming fans chasing you, especially if your smolder is on point. It’s also possible that no one will be able to get your nose right in Halloween party pictures or the like.
Marlin
Pros: Your Halloween night just became a scavenger hunt, and can you imagine how legendary it’d be if you actually did find a stranger dressed up as Nemo?
Cons: Unless you for some reason have one lying around, a clownfish costume is going to require some serious creativity to construct. There’s also an increased possibility that any jokes you tell will fall flat.
Dory
Pros: Impress people all night with your party trick of being able to speak whale and read. If you forget anyone’s name, you have a built-in excuse.
Cons: Same deal as above; this is a tricky costume to make. And what if your newfound forgetfulness includes forgetting which houses have the best candy?
Simba
Pros: You can use “I just can’t wait to be king” as an excuse for pretty much anything, including driving hard bargains during the post-trick-or-treat candy trading draft. We can imagine a Simba costume being pretty similar to pajamas, too, which is always a win.
Cons: Others may want to challenge you for the throne, so just remember to keep your pals by your side.
Ariel
Pros: Dressing up as Ariel was super fun as a kid, and it’s still super fun as an adult. You’re adorable, recognizable, and you have a built-in excuse to brush your hair with a fork. What more could you want from a Halloween costume?
Cons: For eons, Disney fans have been contending with the problem that naturally arises when you try to make a costume you can walk in while also making the lower half of your body look like a single fin. If you have any breakthroughs on this paradox, please let us know.
Cinderella
Pros: You’ve got an enchanting, universally beloved classic as your source material, so chances are that you’ll look amazing no matter what. You also have the opportunity to shine the spotlight on your shoes, which is always welcome.
Cons: Chances are, you’ll have to make your costume sans the help of a fairy godmother, which is a bummer. You also will need to keep extra-careful track of said shoes, and avoid getting roped into cleaning.
Drizella and Anastasia
Pros: If you’ve got a friend who’s keen to do it with you, what could be more fun than dressing as one of Cinderella’s stepsisters? You’ll get to sing all night however badly you want, and people will probably propose to you since they feel badly that you got slighted at Prince Charming’s ball.
Cons: You may have to convince people that the two of you aren’t actually evil, just misunderstood, so prepare to do some PR.
Winnie the Pooh
Pros: All you really need is a red shirt and some bear ears, and you’re in business. Staying in character will also mean that you get to proclaim your love of honey and do Pooh’s exercises in front of any tall mirror you see.
Cons: In true Pooh form, you can’t move very fast. You also must be prepared for and accepting of the possibility of being called a “silly old bear.”
Belle
Pros: Both Belle’s yellow gown and her blue dress are so iconic that you’ll be recognizable no matter which you choose to replicate. Bonus points if you bring a book as a prop (and maybe a teacup).
Cons: You’ll have to ward off any Gastons you see out and about, and any sheep you encounter will probably try to bite a page out of your book.
Gaston
Pros: If it’s cold out, your fake muscles will keep you warm. Anything impressive you do on Halloween can and will be punctuated with, “No one ____ like Gaston.” Your considerable stature will probably also make other people more likely to give you extra candy.
Cons: You might get asked to do the five dozen egg thing a couple of times, and that’s no fun. Full commitment to the bit on this one (think: black ponytail wig. red tunic, gloves) might make people you’re just the fancy valet or something if they aren’t super well-versed in Beauty and the Beast.
Anna
Pros: You’ve got options! Anna’s got a coronation dress, a running-around-the-mountains dress, and even a cloak if you live somewhere where it’ll be frosty in October. Wearing an Anna costume is the ultimate excuse to unapologetically shove chocolate in your face all night.
Cons: If you’re a Frozen superfan, we’re willing to bet you dressed up like Anna at least once between 2013 and now, and if that’s the case this will be one fewer opportunity to wear a new costume … or one more chance to wear super cute braids and draw freckles on your face, depending how you spin it.
Elsa
Pros: Elsa uses her ice powers to create the most beautiful gown ever, and who wouldn’t want a chance to wear that? Frozen is also so popular that nearly everyone will recognize who you are. Anytime you spot an Anna on Halloween, you can run up and hug her like you’re sisters.
Cons: If your highest priority is being the only one on Halloween dressed up as whoever you choose, Elsa’s probably not the best idea. You’re also guaranteed to have “Let It Go” stuck in your head all night, which is a positive thing overall but still worth considering!
Captain Jack Sparrow
Pros: Where do we begin? First of all, this wins points for versatility. Anyone, no matter who you are, can rock a Captain Jack costume. Second of all, talk about a dream character to adopt a persona from. You can spend all of Halloween on the prowl for candy and raiding, pillaging, and plundering your weasel-y black guts out, savvy?
Cons: Your status as a pirate might make more law-abiding costumed characters (such as any Norringtons, Zazus, Sebastians, or five-year-old police officers) wary of you, so know that going in. Also, unless you’ve got a real dreadlocked beard going (we salute you), a fake one’s likely to get itchy after a while.
Aladdin
Pros: This costume requires only three parts: a vest, a fez, and some Hammer pants. Bonus points if you can find a lamp or a monkey to carry around with you. Dressing as Aladdin gives you the right to sit on any carpet, magic or not, and sing “A Whole New World” in its entirety, however many times you want.
Cons: Unless you live somewhere as temperate as Agrabah, you’re going to get chilly. You’ll need to keep your wits about you and stay one jump ahead of the punch line, too, or else you won’t get your candy fill.
Jack Skellington
Pros: If you want an extremely dapper and timeless costume, this is a surefire winner. Jack Skellington is the Pumpkin King, after all, so you’re basically crowning yourself the star of Halloween if you dress like him. Everyone looks good in a striped suit, and the touches that make Jack, Jack, like his bat bowtie, are easy to make no matter who you are.
Cons: Face paint, and lots of it. This could be a pro if you love face paint, but either way it’s a lot of commitment.
Sally
Pros: With a really great Sally costume, you’ll be the hit of Halloween. Everyone loves this sweet ragdoll, and let’s not forget that her dress and shoes look super comfy, so you’ll feel great all night. Bonus points if you go with somebody dressed like Jack.
Cons: The whole turning-yourself-pale-blue bit could get a little inky, but if there were ever a time to commit to it anyway, Halloween is it!
Which Disney character Halloween costume will you be wearing this year? Tell us in the comments!
