Boo to you! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is returning select nights, from Aug. 15 to Oct. 31, 2025! Ticket dates go on sale May 22, 2025, and you'll be able to save some green through Undercover Tourist. 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. 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 this year)!
Undercover Tourist is now offering Dining Dollars with every Disney Theme Park ticket purchase! For every Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort ticket you buy, you'll receive a FREE $20 DiningDollars.com promo code to use towards discount gift cards on DiningDollars.com, including up to 15% off of Disney gift cards and restaurants. To learn more about Dining Dollars (and how to use them), hop over to our full blog post.
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 starting Aug. 15, 2025! In August and September, party dates occur on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (with the addition of one Thursday date on Sept. 25). In October, parties are hoppening every Friday and Saturday, most Mondays and some Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Aug. 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29
- Sept. 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30
- Oct. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31
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 on those evenings).
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tickets
Tickets for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party go on sale May 22, 2025. In 2025, select Disney World Resort hotel guests have a special early booking opportunity for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets beginning May 15. If you're planning ahead, we highly recommend purchasing tickets early! Undercover Tourist will offer discount tickets — so stay tuned!
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.
Oct. 31 is historically one of the most popular dates to attend the Disney Halloween parties, along with Fridays and Saturdays in October, when more locals attend. Tuesdays and Thursdays, especially those in August and early September, are typically less popular. Last year, the first five August dates, Sept. 13 and Oct. 31 sold out before the first party. 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 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 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). 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! Wristbands are also distributed to those who present a valid party ticket near 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 near Tony's Town Square Restaurant. This path is where you can grab your trick-or-treat bag! Last 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 (which typically remains mostly the same year after year, but we will make any updates after the first night)!
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 (Confirmed for 2025)
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! 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. Reservations opened for last year's event on June 7, 2024.
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.
2024 Showtime: 10 p.m.
American Sign Language interpretation will likely be offered at select shows. In 2024, these dates included Aug. 23, Sept. 26, and Oct. 24. Based on availability, additional interpretation dates may be requested by emailing Guest Services with at least two weeks' notice.
Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade (Confirmed for 2025)
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, Cruella de Vil and the Queen of Hearts before rounding out with our favorite skeleton 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.
2024 Showtimes: 8:15 p.m. (confirmed for 2025) and 11:15 p.m.
American Sign Language interpretation will be offered at select shows in 2025. Last year, these interpretations were available on Aug. 23, Sept. 26, and Oct. 24. Based on availability, additional interpretation dates may be requested with at least two weeks' notice by emailing Guest Services.
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (Confirmed for 2025)
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.
- 2024 showtimes (Aug. 9 through Sept. 28): 9:05 p.m., 10:35 p.m. and 12 a.m.
- 2024 showtimes (Sept. 29 through Oct. 31): 7:35 p.m., 9:05 p.m., 10:35 p.m. and 12 a.m.
Check back for 2025 performance dates and times!
Like the other entertainment offerings, American Sign Language interpretation for this show will be offered again in 2025. 2024's dates included 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 (Confirmed for 2025)
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."
Showtimes: Various times throughout the evening from 7 p.m. until midnight.
NEW "Zombies 4" Dance Party
Last year, there was a DescenDANCE Party in Tomorrowland at the Rockettower Plaza Stage. However, it's been confirmed that there will be a "Zombies 4"-themed dance party in 2025, which will take over the same stage.
Disney Jr. Jam (Confirmed for 2025)
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! Characters are always subject to change.
Rusty Cutlass
Hopefully returning for 2025 is the Rusty Cutlass — Adventureland's 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 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 are typically meeting throughout the park at select times and locations.
In 2024, 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 fireworks start.
But that's not all — Mickey and Minnie Mouse often debut new Halloween-themed outfits, too! In 2024, they were sporting new neon spiderweb outfits! We can't wait to see what 2025 has in store! Eeek! :)
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 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 usually closed during the party. These attractions were listed as available in 2024. We expect these to be open during 2025's event, as well:
Adventureland:
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Swiss Family Treehouse
Frontierland:
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure
- Country Bear 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
Storybook Circus:
- 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.
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.
@undercovertourist The Wildcats are ready for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!! 🏀📣🎉 Our #SharetheMagic weekend at @waltdisneyworld has officially begun and we are so excited!! We have checked in at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and had an incredible reception at the Top of the World Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort! Tonight, the Wildcats are taking to Magic Kingdom for the Halloween party and we could not be more excited for a spooktacular time! 👻 Are you and your crew ready to Get’cha Head in the Game by saving on tickets to the party this year?! We here at Undercover Tourist would never Stick to the Status Quo as we offer savings on tickets to the event! Head to the link in our bio, or head to UndercoverTourist.com for all of the savings! And hurry because it’s Now or Never 😏 #waltdisneyworld #disneyparks #disneyworld #disneyhalloween #disney #highschoolmusical #hsm #halloweencostume #disneymagic #bootoyou #spookyseason #mnsshp #disneymusic #disneygram #mickeysnotsoscaryhalloweenparty ♬ original sound - Undercover Tourist
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. 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 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 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. The treat locations for 2024 are listed below. There is no word yet if they will be the same in 2025. Check back for details!
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
- Tortuga Tavern
Liberty Square
- Liberty Square Ticket Office (allergy-friendly station; available until 12 a.m.)
Fantasyland
- Gaston's Tavern
- Princess Fairytale Hall (may spot some villains here ... )
Tomorrowland
- Near TRON Lightcycle Run
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Last year, a trick-or-treat station was available at the Tom Sawyer Island dock. However, with the closure, we aren't sure if one will be available in Frontierland.
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. Last year, we were obsessed with the Terrifyin’ Twice-Spiced Chicken Sandwich, the Tombstone Tart and Bowl of Bones. Treat-wise, there were lots of great options such as the Graveyard Milk Shake, Minnie-shaped Cinnamon Roll, Oogie Boogie Cupcake and the Sweet-and-Spicy Beignets. We hope these make a comeback in 2025! Check out our 2025 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!
In 2024, mobile order was 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 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. Stay tuned for when you can make reservations!
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
- 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 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.
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 last 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 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 will usually start 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 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!
