Boo to you! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return on select nights from Aug. 11 to Nov. 1, 2023. This special, separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom Park offers unique characters, attraction overlays, treat stops, photo opportunities and specialty food and drink. 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. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a highlight for our fam every fall — read on for all of the information you need to know before you go!
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 occurs after regular park hours and requires a separate party ticket to enjoy 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 this special event.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Dates
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is held on select nights at Magic Kingdom from Aug. 11 to Nov. 1, 2023. The parties go from 7 p.m. to midnight, though 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 on those evenings).
- August — 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
- September — 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29
- October — 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31
- November — 1
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Discount Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets are on sale now!
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets range in price by date — and you can save some green by purchasing through Undercover Tourist! Tickets are now available to all guests as of May 2. Select Disney World Resort hotel guests were given a special early booking opportunity for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets beginning April 27.
Even if you aren't 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.
Oct. 31 is historically one of the most popular dates to attend the Disney Halloween parties, along with Fridays in October, when more locals attend. Tuesdays and Thursdays, especially those in August and early September, are typically less popular. 2022 was a little unique because we saw more and more early dates sell out, likely due to the extra excitement from the party returning after three years. We always recommend booking as soon as possible so your date doesn't sell out! Check out our Halloween trip planning guide for more tips.
Disney does not publicly release its party capacity, but we estimate that a sold-out party is around a crowd level 7 using our Crowd Calendar. Disney's variable pricing is a strong indication of the expected most popular dates.
What Time Is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — 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 close 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, but be sure to double-check with signage or cast members). 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! Wristbands are also distributed to those who present a valid party ticket at Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland and across from Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland. Beginning at 6 p.m., cast members are 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 between La Chapeau and Tony's Town Square Restaurant.) This path is where you'll find adorable Halloween character statues and be provided your bag for your first treat station. The bags last year were the same size as previous ones but were 50th-themed and reusable! Could there be a special 100th anniversary-themed bag in 2023? We can't wait to find out! Select Halloween merchandise can be purchased here, as well. What a grand entrance to the party!
New for 2022 — and hopfully continuing for 2023 — enjoy special 3D photo backdrops throughout the park for a perfect photo-op! Last year, we saw one near Tomorrowland Terrace and another 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.
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 (Confirmed for 2023)
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 LOVED the stunning castle projections (they're super fun and colorful) and as usual, Disney didn't disappoint with its booming fireworks. It was the only time of the night we weren't saying "boo," but instead, "ooh" and "aah." In 2022, the fireworks began at 10:15 p.m.
Fireworks dessert parties returned in 2022 with treats such as chocolate-dipped strawberries, cheesecake mousse, cupcakes, seasonal fruits, cheeses and special drinks. Enjoy your sweets and reserved seating at the Tomorrowland Terrace or a reserved standing view at the Plaza Garden. (Check out our overview of the regular Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert parties to know what to expect). 2023 booking dates have not been announced yet.
Note that on party nights, Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular is the only fireworks show at Magic Kingdom, so there will be no showing of Happily Ever After.
Mickey's "Boo-To-You" Halloween Parade (Confirmed for 2023)
Catch your favorite Disney characters in Mickey's "Boo-To-You" Halloween Parade! About 15 minutes before it begins, the Headless Horseman trots over Liberty Square, continues in front of Cinderella Castle (but does not go all the way around the hub) and down Main Street. Note that he will not ride if affected by rain. (Psst ... did you know you can visit the Headless Horseman's horse, Rocky, among other working horses at Disney World, over at Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Fort Wilderness?!)
New for 2022, those waiting for the parade on portions of Main Street, U.S.A. could reminisce on classic '90s nostalgia with a dance crew led by Max Goof — cosplaying as Powerline from the popular "A Goofy Movie"! We hope he makes his frogtacular return this year.
Mickey and Minnie lead the parade along with their friends, including Goofy, Pluto, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Aladdin, Jasmine and others. 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. She was new to the parade in 2019 and glides down the street alongside dancing ghoulish couples. You'll also see Pixar characters, Hitchhiking ghosts, Disney villains and more!
The parades kick off at 9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. Note that the parade may be canceled due to inclement weather.
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (Confirmed for 2023)
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 Forecourt 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, Ooogie Boogie and Maleficent. The show is still a wicked-good time, especially for fans of the film! Shows can be delayed or canceled due to weather.
- August and September Showtimes (2022): 8:35 p.m., 10:45 p.m. and 12 a.m.
- October Showtimes (2022): 7:40 p.m., 8:35 p.m., 10:45 p.m. and 12 a.m.
Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet (Confirmed for 2023)
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 "Happy Trails To You" and "Boo to You."
In 2022, you could catch the Cadaver Dans at 7 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:50 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Disney Junior Jam (Confirmed for 2023)
Calling all tadpoles! Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland hosts the Disney Junior 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 and even Timon. Lily also LOVES this dance party!
Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball
Over in Tomorrowland at the Rockettower Plaza Stage, guests can join Mike Wazowski, Sulley, and their other monster friends for the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball! Show off your best monstrous dance moves from 7 p.m. to midnight.
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 include Elvis Stitch, Pooh and friends in their Halloween costumes and more! There are more than twenty characters meeting throughout the park at select times and locations. Here's everyone who met during the 2022 parties:
Check out our 2022 not-so-scary character guide for all character locations, photos and tips for meeting. Character appearances and locations have not been announced for 2023 parties, but use our guide to help give you an idea. Many of the same characters return each year.
Attractions 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. This year, we saw Seven Dwarfs Mine Train go up to 40 minutes but come down later at night! Most attractions end up being 5 or 10 minute waits most of the night, so you can hop on lots of rides if that's your priority.
New for 2023, TRON Lightcycle Run will be available during the party via a virtual queue! We'll let you know more as additional details are released.
Disney Genie+ is not available during the party. If you have a valid park reservation and admission to a park earlier in the day, you could utilize Genie between 4 and 6 p.m. If only attending with a party ticket, you may not be able to purchase Genie+ due to not having a park reservation. Because wait times are typically so low during the party, we don’t think it’s necessary to purchase just for that short window.
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 and the Enchanted Tiki Room are closed during the party. Here's which attractions are available for 2023:
Adventureland:
- Jungle Cruise
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Swiss Family Treehouse
Frontierland:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
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
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- The Barnstormer
Tomorrowland:
- Astro Orbiter
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor*
- Space Mountain*
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- TRON Lightcycle / Run (Virtual queue only)
*Some attractions may receive spooktacular, party-exclusive overlays and enhancements, including Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. A crew of live pirates takes over your journey on Pirates of the Caribbean. Meanwhile, 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. These are not yet confirmed for 2023.
Costume Information
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.
General Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Costume Guidelines:
- Disney may deny admission to anyone or remove anyone who is wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or could detract from other guests' experiences.
- Guests may dress as their favorite characters, but cannot pose for pictures or sign autographs.
- Costumes must be family-friendly and not obstructive, offensive, violent or objectionable.
- Costumes must not contain weapons that resemble or could be mistaken for real weapons.
- Costumes may not contain sharp or pointed objects, or materials that might accidentally strike another guest.
- Guests who do not abide by the guidelines may be refused entry or removed unless their costumes can be modified to acceptable standards.
For guests ages 14 and up:
- Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and subject to additional security screening.
- Costumes may not reach or drag the ground.
- Capes should not go below the waist.
- Themed T-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts and hats are acceptable.
- Transparent wings, plastic lightsabers, toy swords and tutus are OK. Headwear must not cover the face.
- Costume masks are not allowed.
For guests ages 13 and under:
- Costumes and some costume masks may be worn. Masks cannot cover the entire face, and eyes must be visible.
Trick-or-Treating
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, so 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. Guests can pick up an allergy-friendly treat bag at the Chamber of Commerce near the entrance or in Liberty Square. Collect blue coins at regular treat stops and return to the two locations to redeem your goodies! Selections can vary, but we saw treats including Smarties, gummy bears, rice-milk chocolate bars and more. 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. Here were the stops for 2022:
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Treat Locations
Here are the treat locations from 2022. We'll update once we attend this year, but expect similar locations.
Main Street, U.S.A.
- Market Street (available until 8 p.m.)
- Chamber of Commerce (allergy-friendly station)
Adventureland
- Tortuga Tavern
- Aloha Isle
Frontierland
- Splash Mountain
- Sawyer Island dock (near Big Thunder Mountain)
- Country Bear Jamboree
Liberty Square
- Columbia Harbor House
- Liberty Square Ticket Office (allergy-friendly station)
Fantasyland
- Pinocchio Village Haus
- Mickey's PhilharMagic
- Walt Disney World Railroad Station
- Ariel's Grotto
Tomorrowland
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
- Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café
- 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. We tried the Pain and Panic hot dog and Winifred's Elixir of Youth from Casey's Corner (since they were available before the party started, we could still mobile order!) in 2022. The hot dog had a bit of a kick to it with the spicy mustard on it, but very enjoyable, though probably not tadpole-approved. The Elixir of Youth was very refreshing with an interesting texture — it truly looked like something out of a witch's cauldron! (Be warned, it will turn you green ... well, more so than normal for us frogs). We also tried the yummy Candy Corn soft-serve from Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies, as well as the Sweet Almond Corn Cake from Pecos Bill's. Our brains still can't believe it's cake, and a delicious one at that! There are also specialty popcorn buckets, sippers and a candy glow cube. Check out our spellbinding guide to Halloween treats for more details!
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!
For an extra special celebration, you can book Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party for special Halloween-themed treats and 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 thirty 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 or the Friar's Nook so that we can get to hoppin'. Mobile ordering also stops at 6 p.m. once the park officially closes.
For those interested in booking a table-service restaurant, Be Our Guest Restaurant and Cinderella's Royal Table were open during party time in 2022. Advanced reservations can be made online. You must have a party ticket in order 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 open until 6:55 p.m. on party nights and may have reservations available until then. Regular guests may book these late reservations, even if 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 to get 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.
New for 2022, all guests received a free commemorative print as they exited the park!
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 — we saw lots of the Familia Madrigal this year!
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 still-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 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. (If you want a costume idea, check out our DIY Jack and Sally T-shirt.)
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 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. Powerline Max could only be found on Main Street.
The parade happens twice nightly and kicks off in Frontierland, follows the waterway until it reaches Liberty Square, crosses the Liberty Square bridge, circles Central Plaza in front of Cinderella Castle, then heads down Main Street, U.S.A., where it ends next to Harmony Barbershop. If you don't mind the kids staying up late, go to the second parade. It's usually much less crowded.
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, Ooogie 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 at 10:15 p.m., 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 who 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 a dance. Mike and Sulley play host to their own Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball on the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. Do it like the zombies do at the ZOM-BEATZ Bash in Cosmic Ray's or dance the night away with Disney Junior Pals at Storybook Circus.
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 Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain and Mad Tea Party are fairly minor, so don't get your hopes up on having a toadally different experience. (The rides 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 (like our walk-on for Pirates), 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! For more vacation planning tips, check out the When to Visit Orlando page inside our Orlando Planning Timeline!
Related: Schedule of Disney World Special Events
Hoppy Halloween!
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