Your Complete Guide to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — Tickets on Sale Now!

Boo to you! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return on select nights beginning Aug. 7, 2026. This special, separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom Park offers unique characters, attraction overlays, treat stops, photo opportunities and specialty foods and drinks. Enjoy exclusive entertainment such as Mickey's Boo-To-You parade, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show and Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks. Snag your party date with discount tickets through Undercover Tourist before it sells out! We've got all the information you need to know if you're attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (or to plan ahead for spooky season in 2026).

Hop To

• Overview
• Dates & Tickets
• Entry Procedures & Map
• Special Entertainment
• Characters & Rides
• Costumes
• Trick-or-Treating
• Food & Merchandise
• Tips

FAQs

• What is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event that takes place at Magic Kingdom in the fall, featuring special entertainment, trick-or-treating, characters in costumes and more.
• When is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? The party returns on Aug. 7, 2026, and runs on select nights until Oct. 31, 2026.
• Are tickets to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party still available? Boo to you! Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets are on sale now through Undercover Tourist. Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels were able to purchase tickets as of May 5, 2026. As an extra treat, you can lock in your spooky season Walt Disney World Resort vacation package or hotel stay for a refundable $200 deposit.

What Is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?

Maybe we're a tad bit biased, but we think Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom is not to be missed.

This special event takes place after regular park hours and requires a separate party ticket to access all its exclusive offerings. Enjoy five hours of party time to meet rare characters, trick or treat and catch spell-bounding entertainment. Since we've been hopping to this event for many years, we have plenty of advice to help you get the most out of the party.

Dates for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is taking place on select nights at Magic Kingdom starting Aug. 7, 2026! In August and September, party dates occur on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays (with the addition of one Thursday date on Sept. 24). In October, parties are hoppening every Thursday, most Fridays and Sundays, most Tuesdays and Saturday on Halloween.

• Aug. 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
• Sept. 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29
• Oct. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31

*Strikethrough dates are sold out

This spooktacular event goes from 7 p.m. to midnight. However, party guests can enter the park as early as 4 p.m. The park closes at 6 p.m. for daytime guests without an event ticket (which means no showing of Happily Ever After fireworks or Disney Starlight Nighttime Parade on those evenings).

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tickets

Tickets for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are on sale, as of May 12, 2026, and remember that you can save on your tickets through Undercover Tourist! Select Disney World Resort hotel guests had a special early booking opportunity for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets that began May 5, 2026. If you're planning ahead, we highly recommend purchasing tickets early!

Even if you won't be attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, for planning purposes, it's a good idea to check out when the party IS happening since Magic Kingdom will be closing early. If you won't be attending, you'll want to hop away from Magic Kingdom if you have Park Hopper tickets or plan to visit a different park that day if you have Base tickets.

Best Dates to Attend Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

The biggest question we get for this event (as well as for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party) is which are the best days to attend. Many parties sell out quickly, so we recommend purchasing tickets as soon as you know you want to attend. Disney does not usually release any additional tickets online.

Oct. 31 is historically one of the most popular dates to attend the Disney Halloween parties, along with Fridays and Sundays in October, when more locals attend. This party typically sells out every year by mid-September, so we always recommend booking as soon as possible so your date doesn't sell out! Halloween and the first party are usually the first dates to go. In 2026, Halloween night sold out within two hours when tickets were available to the general public. Check out our Halloween trip planning guide for more tips.

Disney does not publicly release its party capacity, but using our Crowd Calendar, we estimate that a sold-out party is around a crowd level 7. Disney's variable pricing is a strong indication of the expected most popular dates.

When Does Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Start — And How Do I Get In?

Party guests are allowed to enter the park starting at 4 p.m., which we recommend taking advantage of. If arriving between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., all you need is your party ticket — a separate day ticket or park reservation is not required. A popular question that comes up is how Disney handles the transition between park closing and the start of the party. The park closes for regular guests at 6 p.m., which allows cast members more time to filter out regular-day guests who are not staying for the party.

Once you arrive at the entrance, cast members direct you toward specific touchpoints for entry (often on the right-hand side). However, be sure to double-check with signage or cast members. While there can be long lines close to 4 p.m., they usually move quickly (close to 10 minutes). However, last year, we noticed cast members directing partygoers (arriving at the TTC) to the ferryboat rather than the monorail before 4 p.m. This helped with crowd control getting in! We didn't experience long lines at the entrance. Party wristbands are then given to party guests after going through the touchpoints.

If you've entered before 4 p.m. with regular park admission, you don't have to go all the way to the entrance! Last year, wristbands were also distributed to those who presented a valid party ticket near Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland, Mickey's PhilharMagic in Fantasyland and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland. Beginning at 6 p.m., cast members were stationed at critical points throughout the park to direct the wristband-less toward the exit.

For party guests arriving just in time for the spooky festivities, expect to be directed toward Market Street. That's the name of the back alley near Tony's Town Square Restaurant. This path is where you can grab your trick-or-treat bag! For 2025, we were greeted by a DJ and a Cruella de Vil and Mother Gothel sighting. What a grand entrance to the party!

Enjoy special 3D photo backdrops throughout the park for a perfect photo-op! We saw some near Tomorrowland Terrace, across from Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and by the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Want to know the best way to organize your night? Hop over to our Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party park plan!

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Map

Interested in how exactly things work at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Guests can pick up a specialty map highlighting some of the activities and entertainment, trick-or-treat locations, allergy-friendly options and more in store at the party. You can also find party information in the My Disney Experience app.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Special Entertainment

There's lots of exclusive entertainment to enjoy at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular 

A special fireworks show with projection effects, lasers, lights and fireworks first debuted in 2019. Hosted by Jack Skellington from "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular features Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy on a trick-or-treating adventure, as they are drawn to a mysterious haunted house. The show also showcases appearances from dancing skeletons and ghosts, along with some troublemaking Disney villains, during their journey inside the house.

We LOVE the stunning castle projections (they're super fun and colorful). And, as usual, Disney doesn't disappoint with its booming fireworks. It's the only time of the night we aren't saying "boo," but instead, "ooh" and "aah."

Last year, fireworks dessert parties were available for booking, as well. Enjoy a buffet of sweets and reserved seating at Tomorrowland Terrace. Check out our overview of the regular Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert parties to know what to expect. That said, if it's your first time at the party, we generally recommend skipping it because you have limited time to enjoy all the other party festivities. However, if you've been to the party before, it may be a fun add-on to experience something different!

Note that on party nights, Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular is the only fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. As such, Happily Ever After will not be shown. Please note that the fireworks show can be delayed or canceled if there's inclement weather.

2026 Showtime: TBD

Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade 

Catch your favorite Disney characters in Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade! About 15-20 minutes before it begins, the Headless Horseman trots through Frontierland, over Liberty Square, then continues in front of Cinderella Castle and down Main Street. Note that he will not ride if affected by rain.

To those waiting for the parade on portions of Main Street, U.S.A., you can reminisce on classic '90s nostalgia with a dance crew led by Max Goof — cosplaying as Powerline from the popular "A Goofy Movie"!

In the parade, you'll see lots of characters all dressed up, including Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Some characters, including Snow White, Aladdin and Jasmine carry masks. Catch Minnie, Daisy and Clarabelle dressed as the Sanderson Sisters from "Hocus Pocus"! They are featured on the top of the first float.

Tinker Bell and Captain Jack Sparrow follow along on their floats. The Gravediggers precede Constance Hatchaway, better known as The Black Widow Bride from The Haunted Mansion. You'll also see scarecrows, Hitchhiking ghosts, Disney villains and more! The finale ends with Ursula, Queen of Hearts and Cruella de Vil riding in a car with Horace and Jasper before rounding out the skeleton band and trio of Maleficent, Mother Gothel and the Evil Queen.

Note that the parade may be shortened, delayed or canceled due to inclement weather.

2026 Showtimes: 8:15 p.m.

Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

The infamous Sanderson Sisters from "Hocus Pocus" are a must-see at the Disney Halloween party! Watch out — they may put a spell on you as they conjure up the "Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular" show at the castle stage.

The show is held exclusively during the party and features the Sanderson Sisters — Winifred, Mary and Sarah — along with other Disney villains such as Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie and Maleficent. It is a wicked-good time, especially for fans of the film! However, shows can be shortened, delayed or canceled due to weather.

2026 showtimes: TBD

Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quarter

Confirmed for 2026, this Dapper Dans-style ghostly group pops up throughout the night for performances in front of The Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland. They'll crack jokes with their deadpan humor and sing songs, including "Grim Grinning Ghosts" and "Boo to You."

2026 Showtimes: TBD

NEW Stitch Dance Party

New for 2026, Stitch is throwing a high-energy dance party at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, joined by Lilo and Angel. With Lilo’s costume trunk, each new accessory Stitch tries on kicks off a fun theme change, will keep the party hoppin' and a little unpredictable all night.

Disney Jr. Jam

Calling all tadpoles! Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland hosts the Disney Jr. Jam, featuring some of Lily's Disney Channel faves, from 7 p.m. to midnight. You might see characters such as Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins, Timon and even Powerline Max. Lily also LOVES this dance party! Characters are always subject to change. 

Halloween at Storybook Circus

Last year, Pluto greeted guests at the entrance of Storybook Circus. A DJ Ringmaster was spinning some tunes, along with two treat spots near Fantasyland Train Station and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Plus, Daisy and Goofy met in Pete's Silly Sideshow.

We also loved the Dumbo and Timothy Mouse pumpkin wreaths and jaw-dropping acrobatic acts from the Fearless Flyers.

Rusty Cutlass

Not confirmed yet, but hopefully returning in 2026 is Rusty Cutlass — Adventureland's spirited pirate band and crew — arrgh! In years past, the band played sets intermittently on the stage across from Pirates of the Caribbean. We heard classic pirate shanties and even "Under the Sea."

2026 Showtimes: TBD

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Characters and Rides

Character Greetings

One of the biggest highlights of the night is meeting characters, especially those who don't greet guests at other times of the year!

The most popular characters are Jack Skellington and Sally, who draw big lines! Other popular characters in past years include Elvis Stitch, Pooh and friends in their Halloween costumes, Tweedledee and Tweedledum and more! More than 20 characters typically meet throughout the park at select times and locations.

Last year Disney promised more villain sightings — and they delivered! We spied the Evil Queen and Maleficent conjuring up curses from atop the Main Street Train Station. Additionally, Bruno from "Encanto" is meeting alongside Mirabel at their Casita in Fairytale Garden. Note that they will move to the Liberty Square gazebo before the fireworks start and return to Fairytale Garden afterwards.

But that's not all — Mickey and Minnie Mouse are meeting together again for 2026 during the party at Town Square Theater in their neon spiderweb outfits!

Check out our Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party character guide for all character locations, photos and tips for meeting.

Rides Open During Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

One of the major perks of ticketed events such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the shorter lines for some of your favorite attractions. We saw rides such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tiana's Bayou Adventure and TRON Lightcycle Run go up to 45 minutes but come down later at night. Most attractions end up having five or 10-minute waits most of the night, so you can hop on lots of rides if that's your priority.

The Lightning Lane Multi Pass system (formerly Disney Genie+) is not available during the party. You can use a Lightning Lane Multi Pass or a Single Pass Lightning Lane between 4 and 6 p.m. if attending with a regular park ticket beforehand. Lightning Lane Passes are not available to purchase during the early entry time if you only have a party ticket. Because wait times are typically low during the party, we don't think it's necessary to purchase unless you're spending the entire day at Magic Kingdom.

Note that wait times between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. will not appear in the My Disney Experience app, but all attractions should remain open to party guests during that time. (The app sees the park as closing at 6 p.m. and then reopening at 7 p.m., but don't worry, the park is very much open during this time for you to enjoy before the real party begins at 7 p.m.)

Rides are subject to closure at any time. For a list of refurbishments during your specific dates, please see our full list of Disney World ride closures. Mickey's PhilharMagic, Carousel of Progress, Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room are usually closed during the party.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party attractions open during the party:

Adventureland:

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Jungle Cruise

Frontierland:

• Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Liberty Square:

• Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland:

• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• “it’s a small world”
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mad Tea Party*
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Storybook Circus:

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Barnstormer

Tomorrowland:

• Astro Orbiter
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor*
• Space Mountain*
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• TRON Lightcycle / Run 

*Some attractions receive spooktacular, party-exclusive overlays and enhancements, including Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. Mad Tea Party gets special lighting and music while Space Mountain goes completely dark. Over at the Laugh Floor in the Monster World, the comedic monsters learn more about the Human World holiday called Halloween.

Costume Information for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is one of the few times that adults can dress up in costumes! Be sure to double-check the costume guidelines for these special events (as well as our top tips and costume inspo!).

Our biggest tip is dressing for the weather! Especially in August and September, it can still be very hot outside, even at night. We recommend modifying costumes, DisneyBounding or opting for a lightweight T-shirt equivalent.

Trick-or-Treating at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

One of the big "treats" of the Disney Halloween party is trick-or-treating around the park. And best yet, it's for all ages! You can haul in quite a lot of candy if that's the goal, but we prefer to enjoy the entertainment and hit a trick-or-treat trail or two as we hop around.

All party guests receive a reusable trick-or-treat bag with a fun Halloween design. No worries about bringing your own bag (though we know some frogs like to bring their own to secure lots of candy). All of the candy is individually wrapped, and there is usually a mix of chocolate, peanuts and non-chocolate treats.

Concerned about allergies? Disney has special allergy-friendly stations so everyone can trick-or-treat. In prior years, guests could pick up a teal, allergy-friendly treat bag at the Chamber of Commerce near the entrance (available until 12:30 a.m.) or in Liberty Square (available until midnight). Collect teal tokens at regular treat stops and return to the two locations to redeem your goodies! Selections can vary, but we've seen treats including Smarties, gummy bears, rice-milk chocolate bars and a choice of 4 different take-home Halloween crafts. Additionally, they provide lists of the full ingredients, so there's something for every allergy.

All of the trick-or-treat stops are marked with a large glowing inflatable.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Treat Locations for 2025

The 2026 Halloween treat locations haven't been announced just yet, but we've left the 2025 locations here so you can get an idea of what to expect.

Main Street, U.S.A.

• Market Street (available until 8 p.m.)
• Chamber of Commerce (allergy-friendly station; available until 12:30 a.m.)

Adventureland

• Tortuga Tavern
• Sunshine Tree Terrace
• Enchanted Tiki Room

Frontierland

• Country Bear Musical Jamboree
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Liberty Square

• Liberty Square Ticket Office (allergy-friendly station; available until 12 a.m.)
• Diamond Horseshoe

Fantasyland

• Gaston's Tavern
• Princess Fairytale Hall (may spot some villains here ... )
• Fantasyland Train Station
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Mickey's PhilharMagic

Tomorrowland

• Near TRON Lightcycle Run
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Food and Merchandise

If the free candy doesn't quite satisfy your sweet tooth, you can enjoy spooktacular offerings created especially for the season. At last year's party, we were obsessed with the Terrifyin’ Twice-Spiced Chicken Sandwich, the Kimchi Corn Dog and Buzzard Wings. Treat-wise. There were lots of great options such as the Beignets from Beyond, Captain Hook Treasure Whoopie Pie, Candy Corn Verrine and Not-So-Poison Apple Doughnuts. You can check out our 2025 spellbinding guide to Halloween treats for an idea of what to expect for this year.

Some items are also available during regular park hours, while some are only offered during the party. It's important to note that some of these unique, event-exclusive treats for purchase can have long lines and can sell out later in the night, particularly if crowd levels are high. So, if you've got your eye (and stomach) set on a specific treat, we'd recommend hopping to it — the earlier, the better! Some locations also close earlier in the night.

Mobile order is typically available during official party hours for Sleepy Hollow, Casey's Corner, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, The Friar's Nook, Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café and the Lunching Pad. We noticed in the past that mobile ordering stopped a little before 6 p.m. as the park was closing for regular park guests, but was open again at around 6:35 p.m.

For an extra special celebration, you can book Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party for special Halloween-themed treats and a reserved viewing of the fireworks from Tomorrowland Terrace.

Speaking of sweets — while we, of course, advise you to save some room for treats throughout the party, we recommend grabbing a meal ahead of time. Sitting down for dinner with your tadpoles can eat up anywhere between 30 minutes to over an hour of the five-hour party time, so it's much better to enjoy a nice meal before you start partying.

Also, some restaurants may not be open once the party starts (another reason why we recommend using the 4 p.m. pre-party arrival window). We generally take this time to enjoy a quick-service meal at Casey's Corner or the Friar's Nook so that we can get to hoppin'.

Restaurants/Quick Service Locations Open During Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (subject to change):

• Aloha Isle Refreshments
• Aunty Gravity's Galactic Goodies
• Casey's Corner
• Cheshire Café
• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café
• The Friar's Nook
• The Lunching Pad
• Liberty Square Market
• Golden Oak Outpost
• Main Street Bakery
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café
• Pinocchio Village Haus
• Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
• Sleepy Hollow Refreshments
• Storybook Treats

For those interested in booking a table-service restaurant, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Cinderella's Royal Table and The Plaza Restaurant are open during party time. Advanced reservations can be made online. You must have a party ticket to dine during the event.

Not attending the party? Certain table-service restaurants such as the Jungle Skipper Canteen, Liberty Tree Tavern, The Crystal Palace and Tony's Town Square Restaurant are often open until 6:55 p.m. on party nights and may have reservations available until then. Regular guests may book these late reservations, even after park close. Once you are done with dinner, you will not be allowed to remain in the park and cast members may escort you to the exit.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Merchandise

If shopping is your top priority, visit the Emporium for apparel, ornaments and more exclusive to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. We're not overstating this — lines for exclusive merchandise can rival the lines for the characters. Items can sell out quickly if you wait until later in the night.

Before you arrive at the party, decide how much time you're willing to spend getting those exclusive items. If you're lucky enough to be traveling with two "grown-up" frogs, we recommend one waiting for merch while the other takes the tadpoles on a ride or two nearby.

PhotoPass Experiences

Looking to capture that one-of-a-kind photo? Be sure to take advantage of the wickedly good PhotoPass experiences offered during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Whether it's dropping you into a spooky setting or setting up a magic shot, there are so many ways to soak up the magic!

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tips

As we've mentioned a time or two, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is one of the Frog Family's absolute favorite events! For those of you who love Halloween, it is definitely not to be missed.

Now, each of us Frog Family members has a different thing we love most about the party, so that just goes to show you there is a little something for everyone! For those of you wondering whether the party is worth the additional expense, for us, it's a resounding "Yes!" To make it the absolute best experience for your family, follow these tips:

1. Wear a Costume

While it's not required that you wear a costume, it sure adds to my enjoyment because my favorite part of the night is taking in all of the elaborate costumes! And since this is the one event of the year where adults are allowed to wear a costume at Magic Kingdom, I like to take advantage of it. And, in case you're wondering, you're never too old to enjoy Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. We have seen so many creative costumes over the years — and this year, we saw lots of the "Inside Out" groups in particular!

2. Keep It Light

While temperatures in Orlando are cooling down a bit, the average high is 91 in August, 90 in September and 85 in October. It can still be quite muggy, especially after those frequent afternoon rains, so parents should dress their children (and themselves) accordingly for the Disney Halloween party. Think twice before outfitting your little monster as Sulley (or at least a head-to-toe furry Sulley). Consider bringing a change of clothes for younger children "just in case," and picking up rain ponchos at your nearest dollar store before you leave for the trip.

3. Get to the Parks Early

This is the single most important tip for maximizing your fun and justifying the cost of this separately ticketed event. While the Disney Halloween party officially starts at 7 p.m., guests can begin entering the park as early as 4 p.m. (And yes, you can wear your costumes into the park at that time!) We highly recommend you get to the park early, so you can spend as much time in Magic Kingdom as possible.

When you arrive, Halloween Party attendees will be directed to a special entrance to receive wristbands. If you've already spent your day at the Magic Kingdom, you can secure your wristband from a cast member at specially designated locations in Tomorrowland, Fantasyland and Adventureland. Don't worry — you can't miss the signs! Receiving your wristband is an absolute MUST-DO. Cast members are around every corner to usher non-party attendees out of the park.

4. Visit the Most "In-Demand" Characters First or During the First Parade

Leap's favorite part of the party is meeting all of the characters who greet guests in different locations. "Rare" characters are out for photo-ops, and your usual favorites are wearing their best Halloween garb. Lines can get very long for the most popular characters (up to three hours or more!), so be sure to prioritize.

Popular characters such as Jack and Sally may meet before the party even begins, but only for Halloween party guests with wristbands. If you arrive at Magic Kingdom when the doors "open" for Halloween party guests at 4 p.m., we recommend heading toward the characters' designated locations and asking cast members where and when to line up. That way, you can spend valuable party time doing other fun activities!

Can't make it early? Have no fear. Our best advice is to wait until just before parade times to hop in line for character meet-and-greets. Pick one of the two parade showings to attend, and then spend the other time snapping pics with your favorite characters. However, some characters do leave their spots because they're in the parade. Additionally, don't wait until the very end of the night. We tried getting in line to see Stitch around 11:30 p.m., but cast members said they were finishing up for the night and weren't letting anyone else in line. You can check the My Disney Experience app for exact timeframes for character appearances.

As a time saver, try meeting characters who are joined by a friend. This may also make your tadpoles hoppier. Lily was dying to meet Jasmine, but Tad was all "whatever." Once he saw Genie join Jasmine, he hopped right in line with his sister.

The lines for characters have grown longer than in years past. We recommend deciding as a family who your "top priority" characters are and making a game plan before you go. If a photo isn't a must, it's fun just to walk around and see the characters and their unique outfits. A majority of them meet outside, so it's easy to check them out in passing.

5. Stake Out Your Parade Location

Tad's favorite part of the party is watching Mickey's "Boo-To-You" Parade. He loves the Headless Horseman, all of the spooky floats and the characters in costume. You don't want to miss the Grandmaster's entrance — even if he is missing his head. Be sure to find a spot along the parade route at least 15 minutes in advance if you don't mind standing behind other people. If you want to be in the very front row, you should plan on staking out your spot — especially near Cinderella Castle and along Main Street, U.S.A. — at least an hour ahead of time.

Don't want to spend so much time holding your ground? We recommend viewing it in Frontierland. You can get a great spot with much shorter notice. We love the atmosphere of Main Street, U.S.A. (and that's where you'll find us for the Christmas parade), but Halloween is a different story. We think Frontierland fits the spooky ambiance of "Boo-to-You." Since the parade starts in Frontierland, that also means it finishes sooner. So you can hop on more rides and character meet-and-greets while the rest of the audience waits for it to finish up.

The parade happens twice nightly and kicks off in Frontierland, follows the waterway until it reaches Liberty Square, crosses the Liberty Square bridge, then heads down Main Street, U.S.A., where it ends next to Harmony Barber Shop. If you don't mind the kids staying up late, go to the second parade. It's usually much less crowded. But if they can't and you need to stick to their normal bedtime, the first parade starts at 8:15 p.m.

6. Don't Miss the Show and Fireworks 

The Sanderson Sisters take over the castle stage in the "Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular," featuring other villains including Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie and Maleficent. This is one of our favorite shows in all of Walt Disney World — you won't want to miss it! You'll find it less crowded at the later showings, especially the midnight show if you can hold out the extra time.

With only one showtime, you'll want to prepare for Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular. We think it's best to see it in front of Cinderella Castle so you can see the frogtastic projections. However, if you really don't want to mess with the crowds in the hub (or if you're attending multiple parties), it's cool to watch the fireworks in Fantasyland. You get more of a 360-degree show with fireworks booming all around you!

7. Knock Out Hocus Pocus, the Parade and Fireworks All at Once

If these three experiences fall at the top of your must-do list, we'd recommend finding a good viewing spot in front of Cinderella Castle and staying put through all three. While the second parade has lower crowds, trying to get through the crowd that has already been in the hub from the first parade and stay for the fireworks is not easy. If you're just coming for the fireworks, Casey's Corner or Plaza Ice Cream Parlor would be great options for a quick escape, but you'd still need to arrive early.

8. Get Your Boogie On

It just wouldn't be a Disney Halloween party without some dancing! New for 2026 is a dance party featuring Stitch, Lilo and Angel at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland or dance the night away with Disney Jr. Jam at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe.

9. Don't Spend Too Much Time Waiting for the Ride Overlays

While it's always neat to experience your favorite attraction with a twist, we didn't find any of the special Halloween party attraction experiences worth waiting too long for. The difference in the party-exclusive changes on Space Mountain and Mad Tea Party are fairly minor, so don't get your hopes up on having a toadally different experience. (The rides may close and undergo a short transition period before the party begins.) We wouldn't wait any longer than 20 to 30 minutes for any of these. If you can catch a short line, you should check 'em out!

10. Save Trick or Treating for the Last Hour

Upon entry into the park, guests receive treat bags. It's a cool perk, but they are on the smallish side. If your children are there for the loot, consider packing extra bags. You can also purchase souvenir bags that do the trick! Trick-or-treating is Lily's favorite part of the party, but she loves saying "trick or treat" as much as she loves the candy.

You'll find candy stations throughout the park. Save time and skip the crowds by trick-or-treating later in the evening. If your treat line is long, don't wait. Visit a different one, or come back later. During the last hour of the party, trick-or-treat lines are basically non-existent, so you can quickly hop around!

Do you have questions about Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Share them in the comments below! 

Related: Schedule of Disney World Special Events

Hoppy Halloween!