Magic Kingdom has a special feel to it all on its own. As you start walking down Main Street with all the sweet scents in the air, Dapper Dans harmonizing up ahead, the cool air conditioning that hits you as you walk by the entrances of each store and the beautiful castle straight ahead. But what if you could take all this magic and make it a little bit more spooktacular.
Attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) is something you should experience at least once. We believe when coming to Disney, especially if you are new at it, you should always do your homework and have a game plan of what you want to do.
Disney packs a lot into a short amount of time during the MNSSHP. If you are not prepared you will be a little overwhelmed and probably not get to do the things you were hoping to do.
We will give you some tips on how to be the most prepared when you attend your party.
When To Attend
Disney’s MNSSHP runs from early August until October 31. The start date will vary each year so make sure to check https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ in early spring for that year’s party dates. You can buy your tickets in advance vs at the gate.
We highly recommend you buy your tickets in advance. They do sell out especially on weekends and during the month of October.
The party officially runs from 7:00 pm to midnight. But you can enter the park as early as 4:00 pm. Which we also recommended doing. There will be regular guests in the park from park opening until 7: 00 PM. But from 4-7 is a fabulous time to get some rides in before the party starts.
After you go through security and scan your magic band, you will be given your party wristband by a cast member dressed in festive garb. It’s very important to have that band on. After 7pm if you do not have a band on you will be asked to leave. As you enter the park, everyone attending the Halloween party will head to the right of Main Street. There will be a big blow up sign directing you where to go. The fun starts here!
Pick Up a Party Guide
Make sure to pick up a party guide when you first enter the park. There will be so much information on there for you to know. Most importantly, where all the Trick or Treat locations will be. Also the entertainment options, character meet and greets, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular times, parade and firework times, merchandise locations with special party items and amazing treats that can only be purchased during party nights.
You’ll also want to make note of which rides and dining locations will be open during the party. If you have a favorite ride that won’t be open during the party time, make sure to ride it before 7pm.
Leave your Trick or Treat Bag at Home
Don’t worry about packing your trick or treat bag. You will be provided with a Disney themed treat bag at your first treat station. This station is only open until 8pm so make sure you get there before they close. We of course have kept our through the years as a souvenir.
Even though there are only 14-ish treat locations, Disney is not stingy when it comes to handing out candy. They will put handfuls of candy in your bag. You will leave with a very full bag. Did we mention that trick-or-treating is for kids and adults!!
Don’t worry if you have food allergies. Disney has you covered. At your first treat station, tell the cast member you have food allergies. You will be given a teal-colored treat bag. When you trick or treat with your teal bag, you’ll receive a teal token at each station. Later on, you can redeem these teal tokens at an allergy-friendly center in Liberty Square or Main Street USA. They usually offer allergy friendly chocolate candies like Enjoy Life, gummy worms, gummy bears, jellybeans, Smarties and non-food items.
Dress For The Occasion
One of the biggest draws of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is the opportunity for everyone to come in costumes. We saw so many amazing costumes when we went. Some people will go all out! Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration for your costume.
Keep in mind Florida can still be very hot even in October. Keep your costume cool, lightweight and breathable. We are used to cold, rain or snow when we trick or treat at home. It was a nice change of pace being able to trick or treat and not wear a winter coat.
Make sure to check out Disney’s costume policy before you officially pick out your costume. Some examples are no wearing a mask, no weapons and your costume can not drag on the ground. Adults can not impersonate actual characters or sign autographs.
If wearing a costume is not your thing, that’s ok. We saw lots of people wearing Halloween themed t-shirts. You can find really nice ones in stores and online.
Say “Cheese”
Since everyone looks amazing in their Halloween attire make sure you get your photos taken. We love to buy the Disney PhotoPass when we visit Disney World but even more so during a party. They have special Step-In Photo Frames as well as special Halloween Magic Shots.
The PhotoPass photographers will also be at the character meet and greets. There will be special characters that are only available during the Halloween Party, such as Jack and Sally and Seven Dwarfs. The lines for the special character can be very long. You will need to prioritize your time between all the events during the party. For us, we prefer not to see the characters and spend our time doing all the other special events.
Extra Spooky Rides
One added feature we love is that a few of the rides will have a special spooktacular overlay during the party. This is fabulous when you have ridden these rides several times before and they change a little. Experience Space Mountain in the pitch dark while listening to spooky music. Go for a spin on the Mad Tea Party with special lighting. Laugh yourself silly in Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor with a Halloween twist.
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular
This Spelltacular show is a must see show that takes place at Cinderella Castle stage. During August and September you’ll have three chances to watch this amazing show. During the month of October, Disney will add a fourth show.
The Sanderson sisters are up to no good creating a special spell and enlist the help of other Disney villains to help. Dance and sing along with Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent, Evil Queen, Captain Hook and more.
In this photo we were standing in our spot for fireworks so it was a little hard to see the characters. But we had a great spot for the fireworks.
Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade
See your beloved Disney characters dressed up for Halloween as they make their way from Frontier Land all the way to Main Street. You are sure to get the main song stuck in your head, “Boo to You”. You have been warned that it’s fun and catchy.
Our favorite performers during the parade are the zombie gravediggers dancing with shovels, scraping the pavement to create sparks.
This parade is presented twice during the party. You will want to make sure to get your seats at least 15 minutes or more before the start time. Prior to the start of the parade the Headless Horseman will make his way down the parade path. There will be no music or introduction. Only the cast members making sure the way is clear will be your sign he will be coming soon. Make sure to have your cameras ready because he only rides through once at the start of each parade.
Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular
Watch the skies come alive with a Halloween spectacular featuring lasers, fireworks and more! Join Jack Skellington and his dog, Zero as they take Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald trick-or-treating at a mysterious, haunted house. Here they encounter dancing skeletons, waltzing ghosts and a house full of Disney villains.
The fireworks show is between the two parade times and only performed once. So make sure you make your way to Main Street so you don’t miss the full show.
Don’t Miss the Dance Parties
A great way to get up close with some of your favorite characters is to visit one of the dance parties. For the 2024 year they will have your favorite friends from Disney Junior shows dancing away at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. Bonus, this is in air conditioning.
In Tomorrowland you will find a Descendants inspired DesenDANCE Party at Rockettower Plaza Stage. Head over to Frontierland where The Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet singing group will delight you with their “lively” humor. You will also find Rusty Cutlass, a traveling band and their crew throughout Adventureland.
IS it worth it?
Is it worth going? Absolutely! If you can attend the party at least once in your life, we think you should. The party is only 5 hours long, but there is a lot to do.
Make sure you know what your priorities are before you go. What is a must for you? Riding the rides, seeing all the special characters, trick-or-treating, being front row to see the Sanderson sisters? If you know what you really want to do then you will have a successful party night.
Have you been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party before? Did you love it? Let us know in the comment section if you have any additional tips for other readers.