How to Decorate Your Orlando Vacation Rental for Halloween

Being away from home for Halloween shouldn't mean your kids miss the fun of a decorated house. But nobody wants to check a bag full of pumpkins and inflatable ghosts. The simple fix: rent the decorations and have them delivered to your vacation rental.

Here's how to plan it, what to rent, and how to set it all up in under an hour.

Why rent Halloween decorations on vacation?

• Your suitcase stays for clothes. Decor is bulky, fragile and easy to crush in checked bags.
• No leftover clutter. You don't have to buy decorations you'll leave behind or haul home.
• It fits the rental rules. Rented decor is designed to go up and come down cleanly — no nails, no tape residue, no unhappy property manager.
• Kids get the "we're home" feeling. A decorated porch turns a rental into your house for the week — and it's the backdrop for every costume photo.

Step 1: Check your rental's rules first

Before you plan anything, message your property manager or host:

• Are outdoor decorations allowed on the porch, lanai or pool deck?
• Are there HOA rules about lights, inflatables or front-yard displays?
• Is there an outlet near the front door for string lights?

Most vacation homes are fine with temporary, non-damaging decor — but it's always worth a two-minute message.

Step 2: Pick a look (and a scare level)

For families with little ones, we recommend "spooky-cute": pumpkins, warm orange lights, friendly ghosts and black cats. Save the gory props for when the kids are teenagers.

Three easy themes that photograph well:

1. Classic harvest: pumpkins, hay bales, mums, warm white or orange lights.
2. Friendly haunted house: cartoon ghosts, bats, a "Welcome, Boos" sign, purple and orange lights.
3. Tropical Halloween: pumpkins mixed with palms and lanterns — very Florida, very photogenic.

Step 3: What to rent — a simple checklist

Browse everything available in our Halloween decoration rentals. If you’re planning a full party, add a grill, lawn games and coolers to your order.

Step 4: Time your delivery

Plan for decor to arrive a day or two after you check in, so you have time to settle in before setting up. For the big weekend — Halloween is Saturday, October 31, 2026 — book early; late-October dates are the most popular.

Step 5: Set up in under an hour

1. Lights first. Run string lights along the porch rail or door frame while it's still daylight.
2. Anchor with pumpkins. Group them in odd numbers (3 or 5) at different heights on the steps.
3. Add a focal point. A sign or a cluster of lanterns by the door.
4. Let the kids finish it. Give them the small pieces — it's their house for the week.
5. Take the photo at dusk. Lights on, costumes on, porch glowing.

Safety tips for kid-friendly Halloween decor

• Use battery LED candles inside pumpkins and lanterns — never real flames near kids, costumes or pool towels.
• Keep walkways clear so trick-or-treaters don't trip in the dark.
• Tuck cords along edges and away from the pool deck.
• Florida storms pop up fast: bring lightweight pieces inside if wind picks up.

Step 6: Pickup and checkout

When your trip wraps up, leave the decor where it is — we pick it up. No packing, no storage, no "what do we do with six pumpkins?" on checkout day.

FAQ

Can I rent Halloween decorations in Orlando? Yes. Honest Sherpa rents Halloween decorations and delivers them to vacation rentals around Orlando, then picks them up after your stay.

Will my vacation rental allow Halloween decorations? Most allow temporary, non-damaging decor, but always confirm with your host or property manager — especially for outdoor lights and inflatables.

When should I book Halloween decor for Halloween weekend? As early as possible. Halloween 2026 is on a Saturday, so the last weekend of October will be the busiest.

Pack the costumes. We'll bring the Halloween. Browse Halloween decoration rentals →