Boo to you! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is back on select nights from Aug. 9 to Oct. 31, 2024. 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. While 2024 parties are sold out, we've got all of the information you need to know if you're attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (or to plan ahead for spooky season next year)!
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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.
Dates for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will take place on select nights at Magic Kingdom from Aug. 9 to Oct. 31, 2024. 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).
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tickets
As of Sept. 25, 2024, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets are sold out for all 2024 parties. In 2024, select Disney World Resort hotel guests had a special early booking opportunity for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets beginning May 8. If you're planning ahead, we highly recommend purchasing tickets early! When tickets are on sale again for the 2025 season, Undercover Tourist will offer discount tickets — so stay tuned!
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. Disney does not usually release any additional tickets.
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. This year, the first five August dates, Sept. 13 and Oct. 31 sold out before the first party. As of Sept. 25, 2024, all parties are sold out for the season. 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.
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 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). While there can be long lines close to 4 p.m., they usually move quickly (close to 10 minutes). However, this year, we noticed cast members directing partygoers (arriving at the TTC) to the ferryboat rather than the monorail before 4 p.m. which 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! Wristbands are also distributed to those who present a valid party ticket at Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland, Mickey's PhilharMagic in Fantasyland 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 small reusable bag for your first treat station. This year, we were greeted by a DJ and a Cruella de Vil 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."
Fireworks dessert parties are available for booking with a buffet of 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). Reservations opened June 7, 2024.
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. The show can be delayed or canceled if there's inclement weather.
Showtimes: 10 p.m.
American Sign Language interpretation will be offered at select shows on the following dates: Aug. 23, Sept. 26 and Oct. 24. Additional interpretation dates may be requested, based on availability, with at least two weeks' notice by emailing Guest Services.
Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade
Catch your favorite Disney characters in Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade! About 15 minutes before it begins, the Headless Horseman trots through Frontierland, over Liberty Square, 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, Tigger, Aladdin, Jasmine and others. 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, Cruella de Vil and the Queen of Hearts before rounding out with our favorite villain band and final trio of Jafar, Maleficent and the Evil Queen.
Note that the parade may be shortened, delayed or canceled due to inclement weather.
Showtimes: 8:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
American Sign Language interpretation will be offered at select shows on the following dates: Aug. 23, Sept. 26 and Oct. 24. Additional interpretation dates may be requested, based on availability, with at least two weeks' notice by emailing Guest Services.
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 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, Oogie Boogie and Maleficent. The show is still a wicked-good time, especially for fans of the film! Shows can be shortened, delayed or canceled due to weather.
- Showtimes (Aug. 9 through Sept. 28): 9:05 p.m., 10:35 p.m. and 12 a.m.
- Showtimes (Sept. 29 through Oct. 31): 7:35 p.m., 9:05 p.m., 10:35 p.m. and 12 a.m.
American Sign Language interpretation will be offered at select shows on the following dates: Aug. 23, Sept. 26 and Oct. 24. Additional interpretation dates may be requested, based on availability, with at least two weeks' notice by emailing Guest Services.
Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet
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."
Showtimes: Various times throughout the evening from 7 p.m. until midnight.
(NEW in 2024!) DescenDANCE Party
Over in Tomorrowland at the Rockettower Plaza Stage, do it like the villains do with the DescenDANCE Party. Show off your best dance moves with music from the new Disney Original Movie "Descendants: The Rise of Red."
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 and even Timon and Powerline Max. Lily also LOVES this dance party!
Rusty Cutlass
New in 2023 — and returning for 2024 — Adventureland features a spirited pirate band and crew — arrgh! The band plays sets intermittently on the stage across from Pirates of the Caribbean. We heard classic pirate shanties and even "Under the Sea."
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 & Sally, who draw big lines. Other popular characters in past years include Elvis Stitch, Pooh and friends in their Halloween costumes and more! More than 20 characters are meeting throughout the park at select times and locations. For 2024, Disney has promised more villain sightings and we couldn't be hoppier! 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. But that's not all — Mickey and Minnie Mouse are donning brand-new neon spiderweb outfits! Eeek! :)
Check out our 2024 not-so-scary 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 being 5- or 10-minute waits most of the night, so you can hop on lots of rides if that's your priority.
The new Lightning Lane Multi Pass system (formerly Disney Genie+) is not available during the party. You could 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 so 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 closed during the party. These are the attractions listed as available in 2024:
Adventureland:
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Swiss Family Treehouse
Frontierland:
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure (standby line offered)
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Country Bear Musical Jamboree
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
*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.
Virtual Queues During Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
For the 2024 season, it looks like we've been pixie-dusted with some extra magical treats — Tiana's Bayou Adventure is offered via a regular standby line! Hooray! Guests with a party ticket will have the opportunity to enjoy this new attraction without worrying about securing a virtual queue. We anticipate that it will be popular during the event, so you'll want to be strategic as to not waste too much time in line. On Opening Night, we were able to hop in the standby line right at 6 p.m. and only waited 18 minutes. Otherwise, we recommend riding during one of the parade times or at the very end of the night for the shortest waits. Prior to Sept. 9, 2024, TRON Lightcycle / Run used a virtual queue, so it ran similarly during earlier parties of the season. But now that it uses a standby line during the daytime hours, you can hop in line at 4 p.m. during pre-party time!
If you have a regular park ticket or an annual pass with a theme park reservation, you could try to join the virtual queue so you can ride during the pre-party time. Similar to Lightning Lane Passes, guests with only a party ticket will not be able to join the virtual queue to ride between 4 and 6 p.m.
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.
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.
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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.
Be sure to check out our Not-So-Scary costume guide for more tips and costume ideas!
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, 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 (available until 12:30 a.m.) or in Liberty Square (available until midnight). 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 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. Listed are the treat locations for 2024:
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Treat Locations
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
- Sunshine Tree Terrace
- Tortuga Tavern
- Jungle Cruise
Frontierland
- Tom Sawyer Island dock (near Big Thunder Mountain)
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Liberty Square
- Columbia Harbour House
- The Diamond Horseshoe
- Liberty Square Ticket Office (allergy-friendly station; available until 12 a.m.)
Fantasyland
- Fantasyland Train Station
- Mickey's PhilharMagic
- Gaston's Tavern
- Princess Fairytale Hall (may spot some villains here ... )
Tomorrowland
- Near TRON Lightcycle / Run
- Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
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. This year, we're dying to try the Terrifyin’ Twice-Spiced Chicken Sandwich, The Tombstone Tart and the Bowl of Bones. Treat-wise, there are lots of great options such as the Graveyard Milk Shake, Minnie-shaped Cinnamon Roll, Oogie Boogie Cupcake and the Sweet-and-Spicy Beignets. Check out our 2024 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!
New for this year, mobile order is now available during official party hours for Sleepy Hollow, Casey's Corner, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, The Friar's Nook, Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café and the Lunching Pad. We noticed 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 7 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. Reservations opened June 7, 2024.
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'.
Open Restaurants During Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
- Aunty Gravity's Galactic Goodies
- Cheshire Cafe
- Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe
- The Friar's Nook
- Golden Oak Outpost
- Main Street Bakery
- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn
- The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Sleepy Hollow
- Storybook Treats
- Sunshine Tree Terrace
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 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 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 or Star Traders 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.
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 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, 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 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 Barbershop. 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 will start earlier this year 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 at 10 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 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 a dance party! Do it like the villains do with the DescenDANCE Party at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland or dance the night away with Disney Jr. Pals 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!
