Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is one of the best events at Walt Disney World. It is two of my favorite things in one place – Disney and Fall!
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, aka MNSSHP, is a must do for your whole family.
If you are in Orlando and the Halloween party is happening, I think it is definitely worth getting tickets. Trick or treating, the Boo to You Parade, an appearance of the Headless Horseman….and did I mention exclusive Disney treats? Yes!
By this time, you have likely seen photos on your favorite social media channels. We are a few parties into the season, and all the cute merchandise and fun treats are filling social feeds. But what about actual tips for visiting the party?
What are the must see’s and best ways to maximize your time? That is what I am sharing with you today.
Contents
1. About Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets
The quick details – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party takes place on select nights August to October – and occasionally goes into the first day or so of November, depending on the schedule.
You DO NOT need a separate park admission ticket if you are going to MNSSHP.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for 2019:
- August 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
- September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
- October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
- November 1
We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance so you can save $10/ticket. Otherwise, you’ll be paying full price at the gate. *Note: The $10 discount does not apply on October 31.
On party days, park guests who do NOT have a party ticket need to leave Magic Kingdom by 7PM, and the park closes to the day time guests at 6PM on party nights. They start handing out wristbands at various locations in the park to guests who have a Halloween Party Ticket.
Party hours are 7PM to midnight however, as a guest with a party ticket, you can enter as early as 4PM. This makes the Halloween Party a great idea for a “down day”. You have all day to sleep and swim at your hotel, and enjoy a fun breakfast or lunch before heading to Magic Kingdom.
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If you can enter at 4PM, that is ideal. You have time to enjoy the park for a few hours, maybe work in some rides, or even hit up a few attractions or shows that have a lower wait. It’s also a great time to get some photos. That way, you can spend your time during the party doing party things.
2. See Your Favorite Characters at the Beginning
Before the party officially starts, you can get in line to meet some of the very popular characters. They only come out on party nights. These include Snow White and ALL 7 Dwarfs, Moana, Jack & Sally, and a few more.
While you may not want to spend much time waiting in line, if you get in line for these at the beginning, you will be one of the first ones in the meet and greet. AND, then you have the rest of the party ahead of you!
3. Remember to Get Party Exclusive Merchandise
Between that 4 to 7PM time frame is also a great time to shop and grab some Halloween merchandise. Some of the merchandise is party exclusive. So if you REALLY must have something, you want to get it ASAP. If not, then wait until later in the evening.
4. Scope out the Halloween Party Times Guides and Maps Ahead of Time
You can find these with just a quick Google Search. You will see plenty of results pop up and you can download the PDF version to look over before you go. This will help you scope out any must do’s, shows, and treats so you can have a plan!
5. Keep Your Costumes Simple
As fun as it is to go all out and take on Magic Kingdom in a costume, the fact is, it is still hot in Orlando through most of October. You don’t want whiny kids or an uncomfortable costume at the party.
Matching t shirts, fun make-up, or even a visit to the Pirates League or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique beforehand can add a little extra fun, but still keep you comfortable during the party. You will still be riding attractions, so you want to keep it easy on the costumes, yet fun.
6. Plan Your Ride Times
Lightning Lane is not available during the party however, as the party continues, you will notice that the crowd gets thinner and the ride times get shorter. This is a huge perk to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party!
We like to ride the attractions between 7 to 9PM, also picking up some opportunities for Halloween exclusive Magic Shots or exclusive Halloween party treats along the way. This allows you to enjoy the park and attractions before some of the main entertainment starts.
7. Prioritize Your Entertainment Times
The Boo to You Parade and the Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular should definitely be high on your list. The first Boo to You is at 9:15PM, and is also the most crowded parade. If you can wait until the 11:15PM, and see it as one of the last things you do before leaving the park, that is ideal.
Sandwiched between these two is the Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular show on the castle with fireworks. There are various dance parties, as well as the Hocus Pocus Spell-tacular. You may want to see all of these! And that is great. But if you can’t, for sure see the parade and the fireworks!
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Some of the attractions will have exclusive party overlays and entertainment. The Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean all have something extra special about them during the party. These should be on your “must do” list, as their experiences are party specific. Some of them even have a special Magic Shot in their location as well.
8. Bring Your Own Bag for Trick-or-Treating
As you move through the party, you will see trick or treat stations. This is such a fabulous experience in the park!
But, we like to save it for later in the party. That way, we aren’t carrying candy around all night. And while trick or treating in Magic Kingdom is a unique experience, it’s not super high on our must do list. You will want to bring your own bag.
The bags they give you are great, but rather small. So if you plan on hitting up most of the stations, be sure to bring your own larger trick or treat bag.
9. Save Room for Party Only Halloween Treats
Don’t miss out on the treats! Pumpkin soft serve, specialty ice cream cones, Pumpkin Spice milkshakes, ciders….so many sweet and savory treats! And while you likely won’t try all of them, do make an effort to try a few because they are only served during the party.
Overall, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a great idea, and worth the visit. I feel as if you are in Orlando during a special event, and it is worth going to something you can’t see year round at Walt Disney World.
While it does come at an extra cost, the experience is fantastic. Plus, if you can enter at 4PM, you can easily get in 8 or so hours of park time as the evening goes on! Has your family visit Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? If not, what are you waiting for?!
