Let's boo this!
For the first time in 3 years the favorite fall event Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is back and better than ever! I had the opportunity to go to one of the first parties so I'll share everything there is to do and what we were actually able to experience in one night. There is so much to do you won't be able to get it all in!
The Basics
The party is from 7pm to midnight but you are able to enter the park at 4pm. We arrived around 4:15pm and it took about 15 to 20 minutes to get thru the turnstiles so I'd recommend getting there early. Party guests are directed to go thru certain turnstiles and from there are given wristbands. You need this wristband in order to participate in all the party events. I also recommend picking up a party map at the park entrance. It highlights trick-or-treat locations, lists showtimes and details what is open during the party. You'll notice that some locations are turned into trick-or-treat locations like Pinocchio's Village Haus so they are not open and serving food after 6pm.
By 4:40 we caught the final Mickey's Celebration Cavalcade as it exited by City Hall on Main Street so it was a fun way to enter! You'll see a double decker trolley with a sign that states 'This way to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!' outside the confectionary. This leads to a special entrance for just party guests that goes behind the shops on Main Street and comes out next to Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. On this path is where you will get your trick-or-treat bags and your first teat of the night, Crunchy Cookie M&Ms!
The park closes at 6pm to non party guests but attractions remain open for that hour before the party starts. If you have a regular park ticket and a party ticket you can remain in the park until the party begins, no need to leave and come back in. You will need to visit one of the 5 additional locations where you can get your wristband, party map and pick up your trick-or-treat bags. They are at Tortuga Tavern, Fantasy Faire, Liberty Square Ticket Office and near Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.
One thing to keep in mind is that after 6pm you can no longer mobile order on the My Disney Experience app so if you are looking to grab something to eat I'd do it prior to 6pm so you can avoid waiting in any long lines.
And of course costumes are encouraged! We saw so many great costumes and so many people were dressed up even with the heat. Halloween is big in our family so I couldn't pass up the opportunity and we got so many compliments. I did see a Scarlet Witch and a few other Halloween Wanda's but no one else had Billy and Tommy!!
Trick-Or-Treating
There are 14 locations all around the park where you can get a handful of favorites like bite size Snickers, Starbursts, Skittles and M&Ms. We made sure to hit up a few as we were venturing around the park and the kids would dip into their stash frequently! Treat stops are marked on the map with a lollipop.
Attractions
Wait times are lower for two reasons. One, most guests avoid Magic Kingdom on party days because the fireworks show Enchantment doesn't take place and the park closes at 6pm. And two tickets are limited so there are only so many guests admitted into the park. Most attractions are 5 to 10 minutes with the max being around 30 to 40 for attractions like Mine Train, Haunted Mansion and Pirates.
Once we arrived we hit up Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor. Mostly because it was inside and we knew the skies were about to open up! We ended up hanging out under cover there for about 20 to 30 minutes until the storm passed. Then we headed to Big Thunder, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, Prince Charming Regal Carousel, Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. We even split up a few times so others visited Cinderella at Princess Fairytale Hall and rode Buzz Lightyear.
But make it a point to wait and ride these attractions after 7pm when the party starts; Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. There are live actors either in the queue or on the attraction! This is unique to the party so you don't want to miss them!
Specialty Treats
There are many seasonal treats available in the park and some are party exclusive. I've heard good reviews on the Almond Corn Cake at Peco's Bill and the Pain and Panic Hot Dog at Casey's Corner. We tried two which are available also during the day at the Magic Kingdom.
At Auntie Gravity's in Tomorrowland the boys each got the Candy Corn Soft Serve. It was really good with just a light candy corn flavor, it's essentially a twist cone with vanilla so it's great on a hot day! I'm not a big candy corn fan and I liked it.
And at Cheshire Cafe in Fantasyland I got the Cold Witches Brew Coffee which is French Vanilla cold brew with pumpkin spiced foam. I didn't love this, it had a weird after taste and I tasted more spice than pumpkin but maybe because it was the end of the night. You may have a better batch if you try it during the day.
Entertainment
There is a lot of entertainment to try to squeeze in but here are my must sees;
Disney's Not So Spooky Spectacular fireworks and projection show at 10:15pm. You'll want to be able to see the stage if you want to see the full show.
Mickey's 'Boo-To-You' Halloween Parade at 9:15pm and 11:15pm. It's so great to have full parades back! It's about 20 minutes long and features so many Disney and Pixar characters! The first parade is usually the most crowded so that may be a good time to ride attractions or visit characters.
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular thru September 30th at 8:35pm, 10:45pm and 12am. Then in October at 7:40pm, 8:35pm, 10:45pm and 12am. We opted to get in line for Seven Dwarfs right before midnight so we missed the beginning of this show but it's fantastic! I would recommend the midnight show since it's likely to be the least crowded.
We didn't partake in any of the dance parties, like I said too little time but the one in Tomorrowland looks like so much fun! They all run the length of the party 7pm to 12am.
Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jam in Fantasyland is a great choice for the littlest guests. It's back by The Barnstormer.
Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball on the Tomorrowland stage outside of Space Mountain. This features Sully and other monsters from Monster's Inc!
Zom-Beatz Bash in Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe includes Zombies, Cheerleaders and others from the Disney Channel movie Zombies 3.
Characters in Costume
The bat icon on the map marks where you can meet some of your favorite characters but to learn who is out during our party check the My Disney Experience app. We saw Alice and the Tweedles, the Queen of Hearts, Winnie the Pooh and friends in costume and the most popular meet and greet is Jack and Sally in Mickey's Town Square Theatre.
PhotoPass Photos
Of course there are plenty of photo opportunities. The lines were pretty long though so we only waited for this one below. The photographer was in the street right before the parade started so we didn't have to wait at all. There are also interactive photo frames and most photographers have Magic Shots and some have Halloween props. There are Magic Shots that are exclusive to the party so always ask for whatever shot they have, it can be a fun surprise! You can find photographers on the map by looking for the camera icon and the frames with the 50th icon.
My last two recommendations are to be prepared for Florida weather and come in with a plan or a list of priorities. Wear a comfortable, light costume and still bring your ponchos. It was unbearably hot when we arrived then it poured for at least 45 minutes so we experienced it all! You don't want to ruin your costumes or your night. Then decide what's most important for your group; is it meeting certain characters, riding attractions or watching the shows? If you have a plan and arrive early you can get a lot done but just set the expectation that you can't do it all. We had a blast and would definitely attend the party again! Nothing beats The Magic Kingdom all decorated for a holiday either!
If you attend the party this year be sure to tag Coasters & Castles Travel, we want to see your costumes!
Melissa Lenox is a Vacation Specialist and blog editor with Coasters & Castles Travel. She is a former entertainment cast member, loves Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, Chip 'n Dale, dining at Walt Disney World and planning trips for others! Follow her on her pages below or contact her at mlenox@travelcnc.com to plan your next adventure!
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