One of the best special events in Walt Disney World is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It includes so many unique experiences, and it 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.
Best Tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
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
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!
Arrive Early
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.
Sarah’s Tip: Plan your Magic Kingdom Lightning Lanes between 4-6 pm so that 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!
I kid you not this 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 costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to 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 one of 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.
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
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
Finally, don’t miss out on the dance parties! Storybook Circus hosts a Disney Junior Jam party for little ones with some of their favorite Disney Junior characters like Vampirina and Fancy Nancy.
Tomorrowland plays host to two dance parties: Monterous Scream-O-Ween Ball Dance Party with Mike and Sulley and the ZOM-BEATZ Bash inside Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.
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 of it is just ok and is not worth the extra cost.
Trick-or-Treating at the Party
This 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!
Sarah’s Tip: Bring your own bag to haul your goodies around. 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.” Featuring state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, lighting, and fireworks, this new show is replacing “Happy HalloWishes.”
I was a little sad to see it go as it was my favorite fireworks show in the parks, but the replacement is technologically much better. 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.
