U2's Bono makes a special appearance at Downtown Disney's Raglan Road Isrish Pub

Downtown Disney's Raglan Road Irish Pub coupled its Halloween spirit with Celtic pride this weekend, featuring an expertly carved Bono jack-o-lantern in the restaurant's lobby.

Raglan Road and Downtown Disney's other themed restaurants were filled to capacity during Disney's annual Happy Haunting celebration Friday and Saturday. The trick-or-treat stations located throughout Downtown Disney's Marketplace, West Side, and Pleasure Island offered generous portions of assorted candies to costumed Disneyphiles. In fact, some of the trick-or-treaters looked rather seasoned, including childless adults in their forties who rushed in front of children to get free candy.

Unlike Disney World's theme parks, which require guests to refrain from smoking outside of designated outdoor smoking sections, trick-or-treaters had to dodge guests bearing lighted cigarettes and clouds of tobacco smoke throughout Downtown Disney. Moreover, there were no designated lines at the trick-or-treat stations, which led some guests to cut in line.

Nonetheless, Happy Haunting remains one of Disney World's most generous holiday offerings, and it is free. The entertainment alone made the trip worthwhile. Spooky stilt walkers mingled with the crowd, and storytellers and magicians entertained guests. A family-friendly deejay worked the crowd from a smoke-filled stage, and a Dixieland band surprised guests near the Fulton's Crab House Riverboat.

Disney World's next free holiday celebration, Festival of the Seasons, starts soon. The stilt walkers will return, this time in the form of larger-than-life toy soldiers. Traditional Christmas carols, magical holiday lights and decorations, and Santa Claus himself will provide holiday merriment for all. Downtown Disney's complimentary holiday entertainment attracts large crowds, and the parking lots fill up quickly at night. Be sure to make Advance Dining Reservations by calling 1-407-DINE or online at the official Walt Disney World Web site.

Peggy Macdonald is a WDW Twourist and writes about Walt Disney World daily for Examiner.com.