Are you going to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) this year? Excellent! It’s time to start planning for the ultimate party experience. Let’s get started!
Introduction
Table of Contents
It’s that time of year again – the spooky season has arrived, and it’s no secret that celebrating Halloween at Magic Kingdom is one of the most exciting events of the year. The Halloween season at Walt Disney World runs from August 11th through October 31st, making it the longest “season” of the year. It’s one of my favorite times to visit the parks, and I’m eagerly looking forward to all the ghoulish fun that’s about to begin.
Experience the magic of Disney’s Halloween festivities at MNSSHP, starting on August 11th. With 38 party dates scheduled this year, you can enjoy special entertainment such as the “Boo-to-You” Parade, Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular stage show, trick-or-treating throughout Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks show. Don’t miss the chance to spot your favorite Disney characters wearing their Halloween costumes – and you’re even encouraged to wear yours, too! This event is fun for all ages and is not to be missed.
Don’t miss out on tickets! Dates are already selling out, so make sure to get yours soon. You can purchase your tickets through your favorite Love of the Magic Vacations Travel Advisor or by emailing hello@LOTMV.com.
1. Plan ahead
Before heading to MNSSHP, it’s wise to do some research beforehand. Look up showtimes, parade schedules, and meet-and-greet opportunities. Plan out a rough itinerary of the activities you don’t want to miss. This will help you maximize your time and avoid missing out on anything exciting.
When you enter the park, be sure to grab a MNSSHP special event map to see anything that is new that you might want to prioritize for the evening.
2. Arrive early to MNSSHP
If you’re headed to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Party, you can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 pm – three hours before the party officially kicks off! Keep in mind that Magic Kingdom closes at 6 pm on party nights, so expect some daytime crowds if you enter at 4 pm. However, this is an excellent time to take in a few rides or grab dinner before the festivities begin. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for Cast Members distributing party bracelets, trick-or-treat bags, and party guides if you arrive early. Come 7 pm, you’ll be all set to start the party!
3. Prioritize activities
With so many things to do at MNSSHP, you’ll need to prioritize which activities are most important to you and your family or friends.
Despite the fact that the party runs from 7 pm to midnight, time passes quickly, and you don’t want to miss out on anything significant or that matters most to you.
Here are some of the activities to consider:
Trick-or-Treating
Get your fill of snacks and treats as you run around Magic Kingdom filling up at candy stations located throughout the park. Be sure to yell “Trick or Treat” as you’re passing through.
Do you or someone in your party have an allergy? Disney has you covered! If you have a food allergy, please see a Cast Member to pick up a teal-colored treat bag. When you trick-or-treat with your teal bag, you’ll receive a teal token at our treat stations. Later on, you can redeem these teal tokens at our Allergy-Friendly Centers for your special treats!
Character Meet-and-Greets at MNSSHP
Disney characters will be scattered throughout the park ready for their photo shoot with YOU! These characters tend to attract large crowds, so if this is important to you, it’s best to prioritize your top one or two and visit them first when the party begins. For characters like Jack and Sally, the line can start forming as early as 4 pm when the party ticket holders can enter the park, as they are exceptionally popular. Keep this in mind if you want your photo with them.
Attractions
Here are the attractions open during MNSSHP (subject to change):
Adventureland
Frontierland
Liberty Square
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
Tomorrowland
- Astro Orbiter
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
- Space Mountain
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover
- TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise – Virtual Queue Access Only
An opportunity to request to join the virtual queue will be available at 6:00 PM for Guests attending MNSSHP. Guests will need to use the My Disney Experience app to enter this attraction. A standby queue for this attraction will not be available during the event. Each Guest can request to enter this virtual queue no more than once per event.
I personally save the attractions until the very end of the evening and ride only those that are top tier for me. The rides will always be there, the party events won’t. Enjoy the exclusive offers at the party first, then enjoy those things in the park that are there all the time.
Entertainment (Fireworks and shows)
The entertainment during the party is worth the price of admission. You won’t see these shows or the exclusive fireworks show anywhere aside from the party, so they are a must-see and do. I highly recommend penciling in the following activities into your itinerary for the evening (especially if you are a first-time attendee):
Mickey’s “Boo-To-You” Halloween Parade
This parade is absolutely spectacular and the theme song is catchy – you’ll be singing it for the remainder of the season! The parade is usually shown twice nightly, definitely squeeze in the one that fits your schedule best. The second showing usually draws lower crowds and you won’t have to claim your seat as early and wait as long.
Hocus Pocus Villian Spelltacular
The ever-popular Sanderson Sisters are cooking up an awesome stage show that is spellbinding! Shown several times a night (check the guide for the exact times), this show is super popular and loved by fans. It’s not to be missed.
Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular
Enjoy this frightfully fun fireworks display with Mickey and friends. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy are spirited away to a mysterious haunted house where they encounter dancing skeletons, waltzing ghosts, and a sinister gathering of Disney villains! Only shown on select nights during the party.
The Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet
This has become a classic hit with Guests. Find them in Fronteirland where they will have you howling in laughter to a bone-rattling bevy of tunes. Don’t miss them!
Photo Opportunities at MNSSHP
There are special PhotoPass photo opportunities throughout the park. If you have time, don’t miss out on these. Some you won’t be able to find at any other time other than the party.
4. Dining at MNSSHP
If you plan to dine during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, it is highly recommended to make dining reservations well in advance. Be Our Guest Restaurant and Cinderella’s Royal Table are both available options. Personally, I would not waste my time on a full sit-down meal during party hours. You will miss out on too many exclusive things happening during the event. If anything, I would eat before 7 pm when the party starts.
Quick service and mobile ordering options will also be available during the party if you get hungry and want something a bit more substantial to eat.
To maximize your time and avoid waiting long periods for the fireworks show, you may want to consider Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace or Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing. Each option affords you the ability to indulge in sweets, drinks, and priority viewing/seating for the fireworks (without the long wait). Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made.
Note: A valid admission ticket for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on the same night is required and is not included in the price of the dessert party.
5. Costumes
Dressing up is optional, but encouraged for all ages. However, there are some rules to follow. Check those out here so you aren’t caught off guard when you arrive at the park.
If you decide to dress up, be sure you are wearing something lightweight and comfortable. Remember, even though it’s “Fall”, Florida heat sticks around. You could be trick-or-treating in 90-degree weather. A fun festive t-shirt is just fine too! You also want to make sure you have comfortable shoes on, you will be on your feet for the bulk of the evening. Comfort is key!
Conclusion
No matter what plan you put in place for MNSSHP, you will have a blast. I can guarantee that. My best party tip is to not try to do it all and rather use this park plan/strategy guide to prioritize what is important to you. The time does pass by quickly during the party, so do what will make you most happy and forget the rest! Enjoy and Happy Halloween!
