Hey there, fellow Disney enthusiasts! If you ever wonder what the ultimate Disney World bash is, just ask around and chances are, you'll hear a resounding shout-out for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! This shindig kicks off from mid-August all the way to Halloween, happening on selected nights from 7 pm till midnight. Despite its spooky name, it's less about making you scream and more about making you beam with joy and wonder. It's the kind of Halloween party that's so delightful even scaredy-cats can handle (yep, I'm the scaredy-cat in question). So, if you find yourself in Disney during the fall season, keep reading to find out if this spooktacular extravaganza is your cup of pumpkin spice latte!
You'll often see it simply called MNSSHP. Because, let's be real, typing out Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is a bit of a finger marathon. So, to give my poor fingers a break, I'll stick with the snazzy abbreviation of MNSSHP. And hey, just so you know, I'm the brains behind this operation - no robot scribbles here! When you dive into this blog, you're getting the inside scoop from actual humans, not those pesky algorithms.
What's the party all about?
In short, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is this awesome annual bash that goes down on certain nights from mid August all the way to Halloween at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida. It's a separate shindig that kicks off after the park closes, but just a heads up, you gotta pay extra to join in on the fun. On these party nights, Magic Kingdom shuts its doors at 6pm. So, if you're around for the week but not hitting up the party, keep in mind that the park closes early on select nights from August to December (for the Christmas party too), so plan your visit accordingly. The party is packed with cool stuff like hanging out with special characters, a unique fireworks show and parade exclusively for party-goers, trick-or-treating, and a super special stage show starring the Sanderson Sisters!!!
When can we go and how much is it going to cost me?
In 2024, the party kicks off on August 9th and wraps up on October 31st. It's crazy to start thinking about Halloween in August, especially in Florida where the temps will be well over 100 degrees most days. The dates change every year, so make sure to check the Disney website for the latest info on dates and prices. Generally, tickets will set you back anywhere from $119 to $199 for folks 10 and older, and starting at $109 for kids aged 3-9. Little ones under 3 get in free, which is nice. Yes... this is a LOT of money for 5 hours! The closer you get to Halloween, the more expensive the tickets become. August is the cheapest month, except for opening night. If you're a Disney Vacation Club Member (DVC) or an Annual Passholder (AP), you can snag a $10 discount on most nights in August and September. Unfortunately, no discounts apply for any party dates in October.
Even though the official party kicks off at 7pm and goes until midnight, if you've got a MNSSHP ticket, you can actually get into the park as early as 4pm. That means you've got a bonus 3 hours to enjoy the park before the party starts. It's the perfect opportunity to hit up some rides, grab a bite to eat, or check out those attractions that aren't open during the party. Cool, right?
How are the Crowds?
Yeah... Not going to lie... It's busy! Disney does not release information on how many tickets they sell or if they raise the party capacity every year or not. Most nights will actually sell out every year. Halloween nights is always a sell-out, and typically tickets are gone within weeks of ticket release. These parties are all about doing and seeing the special offerings that you can only experience during MNSSHP. Everyone tends to crowd into the same areas making it feel super crowded. You do have some people who are willing to pay that kind of money just to have shorter ride queus, but the overwhelming majority of guests are all there to see the special characters and watch the special shows. Be prepared for long waits for anything that can not be seen during regular daytime hours. However, if you are one of the people who are there just for shorter ride queues, you will be pleasantly surprised as many rides have 15 minute or less wait time. Many are walk-ons.
It's Halloween. Can we wear costumes?
YES!!! It's time to get those costumes ready for a fun-filled evening at Disney! The special party nights are perfect for teenagers and adults to dress up and enjoy themselves. Party nights are the ONLY time at Disney that teens and adults are allowed to come in costume. It's strictly prohibited all other times because Disney would not want a child to mistake a guest for a character. However, please remember not to wear your costume before 4 pm - Disney takes this rule seriously! They want to avoid any confusion with the characters and prevent any disruptions. So, if you're excited and already at the park with a day ticket or annual pass, hold off on changing into your costume until later or quickly return to your room. But once it's 4 o'clock, it's time to get into your costume and let the magical experience begin!
I do want to emphasize how incredibly HOT it is in Florida. On my party night last year in mid September, it was still 90 degrees with 90% humidity at midnight, making the real feel 96 degrees. So, yeah, you can totally rock a costume, but I'd say go for something light and comfy. Avoid heavy stuff, long sleeves, masks, or wigs – don't want anyone getting heat exhaustion just for a costume, right? I've heard some folks wear their outfit for a quick pic and then change into something breezier for the rest of the night. Stay cool, folks!
Just a heads up about costumes - August to October can be pretty hurricane-y. And even if there's no hurricane, it's likely to rain a lot. The humidity is off the charts, so all that moisture's gotta go somewhere, right? So, when you're picking out your costume, think about the weather. You wouldn't want to be stuck with a wet costume all night, especially if you're rocking a floor-length princess dress that ends up soaked in puddles. Not a good look!
Costume alternatives
Many people will opt to wear a Halloween themed tee shirt instead of a costume. They are much more comfortable for the Florida weather. Personally, I'm all about Disney Bounding. It's this cool thing where you mix and match regular clothes to channel your fave Disney characters without going full costume mode. Sometimes I've splurged on specific pieces for my looks, but other times I've just raided my own closet! Take this Minnie Mouse-inspired outfit, for example: got the dress off Amazon, paired it with some Vans I already owned, and threw on these cute ears I snagged at the park ages ago. I found this perfect Gaston shirt, also on Amazon, and paired it with a dress from the closet. My mom helped me sew the apron. Above you will see my sister and me bounding as Ariel and Snow While. Seriously, all of these clothes were just combinations of things we already owned.
I Bought the Tickets, Now What?
Disney has this super cool system called My Disney Experience. Basically, all your tickets are in one handy app. Your park tickets and any special event tickets will all be right there. If you get your tickets straight from Disney, you're all set - no need to print anything. Just scan your magic band, phone, or card to get into the parks and the party. But hey, if you're not a tech whiz, you can ask for a physical ticket to be mailed to you. I'd suggest avoiding this if you can, though, 'cause mail can be iffy. Your tickets might get lost or be late, and that's no fun when you're heading off on your trip.
On your party night, there's gonna be a crazy long line to get into Magic Kingdom itself. Last year, even though I have an annual pass and could have just waltzed in whenever, I decided to do a little experiment. I braved the maze of lines to see how long it would take me to actually get inside the park. I started at the security checkpoint in the parking lot, so that time doesn't include the security checks. From the time I stepped off of the Monorail, took me over 30 minutes to wind my way through the line and finally step foot inside Magic Kingdom. So, when you're planning your party night, keep this in mind. If you're driving, expect the parking lot to be pretty packed. And if you're using Disney's transportation from your resort, give yourself an extra 15 minutes for travel time. All in all, plan for about 45 minutes of extra time if you want to make the most of the bonus hours and get into the park right at 4:00.
When you check in at the party, make sure to grab a map. Trust me, even if you're a Disney pro like us, that map will come in handy. It's got all the trick-or-treating spots, show and parade times, and character locations listed. Keep that map close and check it often so you don't miss out on anything! (Please note this map is from 2023 and should not be used as a guide for future years)
Trick-or-Treating around Magic Kingdom
One of the big draws for the kiddos is all the free candy! But, let's be real, for us adults, it's not exactly free since we paid a pretty penny for the ticket. Disney teams up with Mars candy, so you can expect treats like Snickers, M&Ms, Skittles, Twix, and Starburst. Personally, I see it as candy I can easily grab from any store because, well, I'm a grown-up with money. But hey, who can resist candy, right? Again, all this candy is available at Costco, so don't waste time in long lines. If there's a queue for candy, just find a shorter one or swing by later. Pro tip: towards the end of the night, the candy lines disappear. You can keep going back for more goodies without any wait. It's a smart way to load up on treats without missing out on the party fun. And guess what? Just before closing, they hand out bags filled with pounds of candy. Can you eat enough candy to make up the cost of the $120+ ticket? Challenge... accepted.
When you check in for the party, they will give you a treat bag to hold you candy along with a park map with all candy locations and special entertainment listed. These bags are pretty small and you will be getting scoops and scoops of candy. I highly recomend bringing a large bag or backpack to hold all of that sweetness. Again, there is no limit on how many times you can go through the candy lines. Just a heads up, though - that candy can get seriously heavy. The way I navigate the event is to get one scoop of candy when you enter, eat on that throughout the night, then go crazy at the end. That way you don't have to carry around pounds of candy throughout the night. Last year I got so much candy that my big Disney shopping bag actually broke and I had to go buy another bag!!! I promise they will not run out of candy. They have a dedicated building just to hold a huge stockpile of the stuff. So don't be afraid to wait until the end of the night to do all of you trick-or-treating.
Allergy Friendly Treats
Our family has first hand knowledge with severe food allergies. Actually, today, as I write this, my sister has been loading up on benadry because there must have been a coss contact situation last night (at home, not at Disney). Something as minute to most people such as touching a surface that had dairy on it has caused a reaction to her body. If you or your family have severe food allergies, check out this post on how to navigate Disney when you have allergies.
At MNSSHP those with anaphylaxis allergies are safe to trick-or-treat along with everyone else! Disney partners with the Teal Pumpkin Project to provide treats that are safe for most allergens. If you don't know what the Teal Pumpkin Project is, please check them out with the link above. Even if this doesn't apply to you personally, there are lots of good tips to make your home inclusive on Halloween night. Here are some options that we like to have at our home for the kiddos with allergies.
-Bottled water with a flavored pouch attached (I do the skittles ones because, hey, it's Halloween)
-Slap bracelets
-MadeGood bars (these are on the expensive side)
-Stickers
-Stamps
-Glow bracelets/necklaces
Ok, enough about my home life. Here's how it works at MNSSHP. When you check in for the party, let the Cast Memeber know that someone in your party has food allergies. They will provide that person (or people) with a teal colored tote bag. Everyone goes through the same treat line together. The Cast Memebers scooping out the candy will give the person with the teal tote a token instead of candy. Once you have a few tokens, you can redeem those at two designated locations for your special allergy-friendly treat! Disney partners with the Enjoy Life brand (a personal favorite in our family) and the Yum Earth brand to bring you delicious, and safe, options. They will provide a full ingredient list for all items.
Special Entertainment
Now that we've covered all of the basics and how-to's, let's get into the fun stuff...the reason you're shelling out the big buck. MNSSHP has some of the best entertainment you can find at Disney. This special entertainment can ONLY be found during the party.
Boo-To-You Halloween Parade
You've got two chances every night to catch Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade. It's a blast, with all sorts of cool characters like the Hitchhiking ghost from the Haunted Mansion, Mickey and his crew rocking awesome Halloween outfits, and of course, the main attraction - the Headless Horseman cruising down Main Street USA. Just a heads up, if it's been raining, the Horseman might sit this one out. Safety first for the horse and rider, you know? Oh, and remember when I mentioned the rainy season affecting costume choices? Yeah, he doesn't ride a lot because it rains almost every day in the summer and fall. Personally, I've never actually seen him in action. Oh, and the song. That Boo-To-You song will be stuck in your head for days!
Character Meet and Greets
One thing that makes Disney quintessentially Disney is getting to hug your favorite characters in real life! At MNSSHP, there are a few characters that can only be found at parties. This is where your map will come in handy, as locations are plotted on it. As mentioned earlier, these special character will draw exremely long lines. The longest lines of the night are alwasy to meet Jack and Sally, the Seven Dwarfs, Pooh and Friends, and Stitch. Surprisingly, Mickey is not one of the longer lines. I guess because you can meet him anytime. It's not uncommon to wait 1-2 hours in line for the two most popular characters. All characters will start meeting right at 7 pm except Jack and Sally who start meeting around 4:30. If they are top of your list, as they should be for any good Millennial, there are two good options. Either get in line right as you enter the park at 4 pm or try to see them last. Both of these optins have their pros and cons. Their entire queue is indoors, which means it's a good place to escape the extreme heat in the afternoon, but then it also means you lose about an hour to two of your pre-party time. If you wait until the end of the night, you save a ton of time because waits are usually less than 30 minutes, but then you risk the chance that they might cut the line off early, and you miss seeing them.
Other characters that are exclusive to the party, but have substantially shorter lines are Jafar, The Queen of Hearts who alternates with Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, and Prince Eric who meets with Ariel. Ariel can be seen several places throughout the parks on a regular basis, but now that there is no character breakfast at Trottoria al Forno, this is the only time you can meet Prince Eric. Genie meets with Jasmine and they alternate with Aladdin and Abu. Aladdin and Jasmine meet regularly during the day, but Abu and Genie are very rare and can only be seen at MNSSHP and MVMCP (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party).
Of course, it wouldn't be a party at Disney without the main mouse himself, Mickey. Mickey meets at his regular spot at the building to your right as you enter Magic Kingdom. Jack and Sally are in the same building and their lines are side by side. He is decked out in a fun Halloween outfit. The rest of the fab five meet inside the big top tent at Dumbo. Goofy and Donald meet together and Minnie and Daisy meet together. You only have to wait in one line to meet all four of these characters, so it is a good use of time. However, they can be seen anytime at all four parks. Do the super cute outfits justify the long wait times for character you can see anytime? That's something you have to decide.
Several other regular characters can also be found scattered throughtout the park. Stitch's favorite singer is Elvis and at Halloween he dons his best Elvis costume to entertain guests. Alice and the Mad Hatter, Anastasia and Drizella, Cinderella and Elena, and Rapunzel and Tiana are a few of the regular day time duos who can also be spotted during MNSSHP at their normal spots. Belle and Jack Sparrow are solo meet and greets. All of these, except Stitch, should be skipped as they are all found during regular park hours and do not have any special costumes.
Fireworks!!!
Disney is not Disney without a fantastic nightime show. The skies come alive with Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spetacular during MNSSHP. This is a fun show hosted by the one and only Jack Skellington. Normally, I do like to watch fireworks shows from further down Main Street toward the entrance because I like to see the whole sky light up. However, for this one show, I like being closer to the castle. Jack Skellington is actually on stage putting on a show, and you can't see him if you're further back. Like any other Magic Kingdom fireworks show, there are projections and scenes on the castle.
***Important note: this fireworks show only happens one time every night at 10 pm. Make sure you plan plenty of time to find a good spot. It's one show you don't want to miss***
Sisters!!!
Any good millennial can tell you that Halloween is not Halloween without the Sanderson Sisters. My absolute favorite part of the night is the Hocus Pocus Villan Spelltacular stage show. Three times a night (four times in October) Winnie, Mary, and Sarah take center stage infront of the castle as they perform songs to mesmerize guests. Yeah, there are other characters, but after the Sanderson Sisters put a spell on you, you won't remember the rest, lol.
Photo Spots
My family hate taking pictures, so I usually end up taking pictures solo. Throughout the park you will find Cast Members in green shirts. Those are the Photo Pass photographers. If you have bought Memory Maker (which is an add on that allows you to get all photos from your trip on the app), then make sure you stop at all of the photographers for special photo ops.
Music and More
The Dapper Dan's unfortunately met and untimely end. But music is in their soul and they continue singing even in death with a new name, The Cadaver Dan's. They are not in their normal spot along Main Street, but are found over in Frontier Land where the Country Bear's attraction is located. Another one of my favorite parts of the night is the all pirate band named Rusty Cutlass. This is a fun show found between Pirates of the Caribbean ride and Jungle Cruise. They get the whole audiance involved with their fun songs. Keep your head up as you might toss you a gold deplume.
Specifically for the littles, inside of Cosmic Ray's restaurant there is a Disney Jr dance party. If your kiddos are a little too old for the Disney Jr pals, there is a second dance party for the older kiddos. In former years it was Zombies, but this year it will be an all new Descendants dance party, aptly named DescenDANCE. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to the party this year, so shoot me a message and fill me in on how this new dance party goes.
I'm just here for the rides
Ok, we totally respect that. Wait times at Disney can be astronomically long. After Hours events are a great way to knock out all of the rides without spending forever in queues. It's not how we choose to spend out valuble party time, but some people do. Almost all of the rides are open during the party except Jungle Cruise. None of the shows run though. So if you are like me and Carousel of Progress is your favorite part about Magic Kingdom, then make sure you see it between 4pm-6pm. Tiki Room and Mickey's Philharmagic are other shows that must be seen before 6pm. As of 2024, TRON is still a virtual queue system. This means guests must reserve a time to ride on the MDE app. For MNSSHP guests only, a separate VQ line will open at 6pm. I did see on their website there there will be a stand-by line for TRON this year as well. Last year, the wait for TRON, even with a VQ reservation was over an hour most times of the night. This is still a new ride having just opened in 2023. There will be plenty of people out there who have never ridden it and are counting on lower crowds at the party to get on more quickly.
Most other rides will have less than a 30 minute wait. Seven Dwarves Mine Train will have one of the longer lines of the night with 30-60 minutes, Still, that's way better than the 90-250 minute wait during normal hours. Towards the end of the event, most rides (except Mine Train and TRON) should have wait times under 15 minutes. Oh, and heads up, since it's Halloween, the Haunted Mansion is a hotspot for many folks. No special Halloween stuff there, just the usual experience. But, be prepared for some long lines during the party!
Ride Overlays
Some rides do actually have special Halloween themes and are worth checking out. Mad Tea Party (aka the Tea Cups) have special lighting and music. It is usually a walk-on to 10 minute wait as well. Space Mountain is really awesome. During party hours, ALL of the lights are off and the ride is pitch black. Riders are blasted off through a dark tunnel into the unknown outter space. I think it's totally awesome, but younger riders may find it a bit scary. The last attraction that has a Halloween overlay is Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. The queue of this attraction is candy distributaion station, or trick-or-treat spot. Once you get your candy, don't just move along. Take a few minutes to sit and listen to the show. Similarly to the regular day time show, the Halloween version is full of jokes and antics. Unlike the regular show, this is not a timed show. It's a walk through. You'll see some people grab their candy and walk right through wihtout paying any attention. Others will sit down and listen in for a bit. Remember eariler when I said it's going to be hot and rainy? This is a great spot to sit and cool off or escaope the rain.
I hope this helps to give you lots of help when trying to plan your Halloween Season at Walt Disney World. For help booking a room and park tickets check out Jillian with Destination Dreaming Travels. She's a FREE travel agent waiting to help you book your most magical vacation ever.
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