How to Make your Own Disney Jack-o-lantern this Halloween

Well I can’t quite believe that Halloween is less than a week away! I love Disney World at this time of year because they have the most fantastic decorations – and carved pumpkins, or Jack-o-lanterns – that look just like Mickey Mouse!

I have to admit that I’ve never carved a pumpkin myself – looks a bit too messy for my liking, that and we don’t really have anywhere to put one. But if I was going to carve a Jack-o-lantern then I’d definitely do it Disney style.

If you are feeling more crafty that me this Halloween season check out this great video showing how to make your own Disney Jack-o-lantern!

The Disney top tips to pumpkin carving include:

Pick your pumpkin – Before you buy, put your potential pumpkin on the floor or ground and make sure it sits straight. If you can “see” where the face should go, it’s the right pumpkin for you.

Start sketching on paper – Once you start cutting into the pumpkin, it’s too late to go back. First, draw your design on a piece of paper (grocery bag, old wrapping paper, newspaper) the same size as your pumpkin. Once you’ve got your design just how you want it, you’re ready to move the design to your pumpkin. Disney’s Event and Decorating Support used an overhead projector and a black marker, but you can just as easily use a toothpick or fork. Hold your pattern to the pumpkin and poke a tiny hole through the paper every half-inch or so. When you take the paper away, you’ll have a dotted outline to follow.

Carve the lid at an angle – If you cut up-and-down around the pumpkin’s stem, your cap could fall through. Don’t worry if you don’t carve a perfect circle. That will actually help you find the “right” way to put the lid back on.

Skip the candle – All of the pumpkins along Main Street, U.S.A use LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Much safer than an open flame, LEDs don’t get hot. The also last longer than a candle and won’t blow out in the wind. New LEDs even flicker like a real flame.
Courtesy of The Disney Parks Blog

Thanks to somegeenkintn for the Magic Kingdom photograph

P.S. Do you want to know how to save money on a Disney World Resort hotel, or whether your employee status can get you into the parks for free? What about how to have your holiday photos taken at no extra charge or the quickest way to get to the Magic Kingdom? I answer all of these and more in my book Walt Disney World Tips & Secrets - download your copy today!

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