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One of the best special events in Walt Disney World is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It includes many unique experiences and often boasts lower wait times than a regular park day. Is the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party worth the extra cost? What else can you do at the party? I answer these questions and more with all of my Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tips.

8 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tips

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party transforms the Magic Kingdom entrance.Just because it’s a party doesn’t mean you can go in without a plan. The event is from 7 pm-12 am, but with so much to do, there actually might not be enough time to do it all! Find out exactly what you need to do and when you need to do it with my best Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tips.

Purchase a Ticket

Enjoy seeing characters dressed up in costume for the Halloween party.

Image Credit: Disney Parks

First of all, the party is a separately ticketed event, so make sure you purchase a ticket! This is not part of the package booked with a vacation, so don’t let that confuse you. You will be turned away at the gate if you do not have a party-specific ticket.

Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members can save an additional $10 off of their ticket price when purchasing in advance. Advanced purchases are recommended because special events do sell out! Tickets are available to the general public on May 2, 2023, for the following dates:

  • 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

New for 2023: Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting April 27, 2023.

Arrive Early

See characters like Mickey and Minnie dressed for Halloween.

Image Credit: Disney Parks.

The party officially starts at 7 pm, but you can get in as early as 4 pm with your party ticket. Take advantage of that! You do not need to use one of your other park tickets to get in at 4 pm, just your party ticket. It is also unnecessary to make a Park Pass Reservation for the party.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tip: Plan your Magic Kingdom Lightning Lanes between 4-6 pm so you can do other things besides ride rides during the party! Or use the beginning of your party day to relax and enjoy other Disney World activities and save your park ticket for another day.

Don’t Be Afraid to Dress Up!

Adult costumes at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween PartyThis was the best part of our party. Yes, even the adults got in on the action, and I’m so glad we did. It was great fun interacting with guests and Cast Members while in costume. Take advantage because this is the only time (save a runDisney event) when adults can dress in costume!

Here’s what you need to know about the costume policy during the party:

  • Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable, or violent.
  • All Guests may dress as their favorite character but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
  • Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
  • Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects, or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
  • Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from, the park unless their costume can be modified to meet the above standards.

GUESTS AGES 13 AND UNDER

  • Costumes and some masks may be worn as long as the mask does not cover the entire face and the eyes are visible.

GUESTS AGES 14 AND OLDER

  • Layered costumes or props surrounding the entire body are strongly discouraged and may require additional security screening.
  • Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground.
  • Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
  • Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and hats are acceptable.
  • Acceptable accessories include transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords, and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
  • No masks.

Exclusive Entertainment

Next, don’t miss out on all the special experiences! The “Boo to You” parade is among the best in the parks! If you can stay up late, I’d recommend seeing the parade during its second run when it’s less crowded. The parades run at 9:15 pm and 11:15 pm each party night.

Finale of Hocus Pocus Show

Seeing rare characters (especially villains) is a fun treat in and of itself, so make sure you stop and watch “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” again this year on the stage in front of the castle. This show occurs at 8:30 pm, 10:45 pm, and 12 am on party nights in August and September. The show can be seen at 7:40 pm, 8:35 pm, 10:45 pm, and 12 am during October.

See Rare Characters and Dance the Night Away

Jack and Sally are rare characters that only appear during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party

Image Credit: Disney Parks.

Don’t forget to save time to meet ‘n greet with some of the characters waiting for you in the parks! Some of the “rare” characters you might see on party night include:

  • Jack Skellington and Sally
  • Lots-o’-Huggin Bear
  • Moana
  • Cruella DeVil
  • Queen of Hearts
  • Seven Dwarfs
  • Abu and Genie
  • Jafar
  • Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy dressed in special Halloween costumes
Evil Queen from Snow White makes an apperance at Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Finally, don’t miss out on the dance parties! Last year, Storybook Circus hosted a Disney Junior Jam party for little ones with some of their favorite Disney Junior characters like Vampirina and Fancy Nancy.

Tomorrowland hosted two dance parties: Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball Dance Party with Mike and Sulley and the ZOM-BEATZ Bash inside Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.

No official word on the dance parties for this year yet.

Plan Your Purchases

Tees, pins, special edition MagicBands, and more will be available for purchase during the party. Once it’s over, your chance to buy these things is gone! Don’t wait until midnight to make a purchase as the shops will all close at 12 am.

Unique merchandise can be found in the Emporium on Main Street, Big Top Souvenirs in Storybook Circus, and the Frontierland Trading Post in Frontierland.

Specialty food is also available for an extra fee. Some of it is awesome (mostly the desserts), but some are just ok and not worth the extra cost.

Trick-or-Treating at the Party

Trick or Treating is fun at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween partyThis is already part of the price you paid for your ticket, so don’t think you’re “too old” to ask for candy. It’s good candy too! We had so much that we were able to save some of it to use in our neighborhood trick-or-treat event. Yay for stretching our investment!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tip: Bring a bag to haul your goodies. The bags handed out by Cast Members are small, and you will get a lot of candy if you visit all the trick-or-treat trail stops!

Unique Party Features

Jack Skellington hosts a new fireworks show launched in 2019 called “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.” This new show features state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, lighting, and fireworks, replacing “Happy HalloWishes.”

I was sad to see “Happy HalloWishes” replaced as it was my favorite fireworks show in the parks, but the new show is much better technologically. The fireworks show will commence each party night at 10:15 pm.

Additionally, several attractions across the park will receive “special enhancements” just for the party. Some of the rides that will be enhanced include Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and the Mad Tea Party.