When the pumpkins roll out and lights dim, the Cast Members trade their normal costumes for green and orange ones, and everyone knows it’s time for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party began with very few select nights in 2008 and has grown continously since then.
It is one of the most popular events on the Walt Disney World calendar and consistently sells out every year.
The party is a hard ticket event. Tickets on sale now! Dates do not typically sell out until end of July.
2024 Dates:
- August 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
- September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
- October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
Day of Party Details
On the day of the party, party goers can get into the park at 4pm, even though the event does not officially start until 7pm. Dining locations with specialty Halloween food items are instructed not to serve or even advertise them until 7pm on the dot. However, some meet and greets are open at 4pm or allow party goers to get in line at that time. For this years party, they are opening the queue for Jack & Sally at 4pm and then beginning the meet & greet at 4:15pm. The Elvis Stitch meet & greet and Seven Dwarfs is also queuing up at 4pm. These may vary by party night and be based on expected crowd numbers for the event. Our advise is if there is a meet and greet that is on your “must see” list, then be at the party at 4pm and check the meet and greet locations.
When you arrive at the event, you will receive a wrist band that signals to the cast members throughout the park, that you have a party ticket. This helps them clear out people that have not paid for the event.
If you arrive before the 7pm party start time, you are typically ushered down the walkway behind Main Street USA and will be given trick or treat bags. This also is typically where the first trick or treat station is located.
Trick or Treating
Trick or Treating is considered the main event of the night. There are treat stations set up throughout the park (marked with giant inflatable markers). And it is NO small amount of candy that you will receive. The amount of treat stations varies by year but for this years party, 2023, there are 12 and it’s not just a piece of candy or two. Scoops are used to dump the candy in your trick or treat bag. It’s definitely the stuff trick or treat dreams are made of!
AND YES! Kiddos and adults can wear costumes! Be sure and check out Disney’s costume guidelines before you go. Disney Costume Guidelines
Allergy
If you or someone in your party has an allergy, you can still participate in the fun! The instructions for how to get candy/what to do is in the event guide.
As of 2023, those with allergies have a teal colored treat bag and receives tokens at each trick or treat station and then you can redeem the tokens at the end of the night at the Allergy-Friendly center.
Character Meet & Greets
During the party, characters whom normally are not available for meet & greets, come out to play! Just a few of the rare meet and greet opportunities are Stitch dressed like Elvis, Jack & Sally, Seven Dwarfs, and the Queen of Hearts. Typically the lines can be a little long for these, as they are such a unique experience.
Specialty Foods & Beverages
Disney does an amazing job with food and theming. And this really shines at the Halloween party!
A few of the yummy (slightly scary) options for 2023 are:
Sally Pop– a yellow cake pop with raspberry filling with a Sally chocolate piece
Zombie Fingers– almond cookie fingers, key lime pie white, chocolate ganache, salted caramel crisp pearls and sugar eyes
Buffalo Chicken Hand Pie– buffalo chicken hand pie with spicy ranch drizzle and blue cheese powder
And as pictured below a zombie head brownie– mexican chocolate (a slight spicy kick) with sugared eyes
Entertainment
At the party there are 3 different entertainment events that take place. The stage show at the castle, the fireworks (over the castle) and the parade. All are quite popular and scoping out a seat can be a bit tricky, but doable. Just pack your patience in your trick or treat bag.
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular
The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular is the stage show event. It has 3-4 shows nightly (see times guide for specific times) and is sure to draw a crowd.
August & September times: 8:35pm, 10:45pm, 12am
October & November times: 7:40pm, 8:35pm, 10:45pm, 12am
It is a show that is hosted by the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus and has the villain’s visiting them to create the perfect Halloween spell. Each villain sings/dances to the song they are best known for, ie Oogie Boogie- well well well, what have we here?, Dr Facilier- the cards, the cards, and Maleficent being left out of yet ANOTHER party. In keeping with the theme of the night, it’s really not that scary, however, it does have the “badies” from our favorite shows, which may startle or frighten younger ones.
The best place to view this, is directly in front of the castle. However, if you have younger ones, being a bit further back (close to the partners statue) might be best, as tall bodies, can block little eyes.
Mickey’s Boo to You Parade
If you’re a fan of Disney, you’ve likely heard the song from the Boo to You Parade. The parade is great for Disney fans of all ages, because as the song says, it’s really not so scary!
The parade begins in between Adventureland & Frontierland and heads toward Liberty Square to go around the hub (in front of the castle) and down Main Street, USA. The most popular viewing location is in front of the castle, however, along the beginning of the route in Frontierland & Liberty Square are great places to see the parade as well! Not only is the parade extremely fun, but it is also a great time to sit down and eat some popcorn or a corn dog, or maybe even some of the yummy Halloween foods!
Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular
The firework show is over Cinderella’s Castle and takes place at 10:15pm. It is hosted by Jack Skellington who tells how Mickey & his friends helped Jack & Zero one Halloween night!
The fireworks are beautiful and the story Jack tells is engaging and fun, with just a little “spooky” tossed in.
Photo Pass Photo’s
Throughout the park are photo pass photographers ready to capture you and your party in your Halloween best. The greatest part of the photos is the spooky magical touches they can add.
The photo’s are not included in the cost of your ticket. For 2023 the cost for the day/night is $69 or $199 for 30 days worth of photos. You could purchase the photo pass the day of your party and get pictures at the other park that you visit prior to the party and then have it for your party that night.
Your Magical Memory Planner can guide you in the steps to purchase.
Shake Your Groove Thang
At the 2023 party there are 2 separate dance party’s for those who like to move and groove.
Disney Junior Jam– Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe from 7pm-12am, Vampirina and some other Disney Junior Characters show up to dance the night away with you and your friends.
Zom-Beatz Bash– Rockettower Plaza Stage from 7pm-12am, Zombies, Cheerleaders, Werewolves and Aliens from the Zombie movie’s show up to dance with you!
Merchandise
And of course it wouldn’t be a Disney event if there wasn’t some sort of EXCLUSIVE merchandise, am I right?!
For the 2023 event, the Nightmare Before Christmas popcorn bucket is our absolute fav!
And of course there are party pins, spirit jerseys, hats and a Stitch plush that is to “die” for!
Touring Plan Idea
When you arrive at the party, it can be a bit overwhelming.
SO much to do and only SO much time!
And while everyone must pick and choose the items that are most important to them, we thought we’d share our “plan” that we use when we go to the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, with the hope that it helps you formulate your own ghoulishly wonderful plan and you are able to have a spook-tacular time!
Trick or Treating was the BIGGEST priority for our party, so we made sure to hit ALL the stations! We also stopped and had snacks along the way!
4pm-Arrive at the party and scope out which Meet & Greet’s are allowing party goers to line up and get in line! After favorite Meet & Greet stop at a few Photo Pass interactive photo frames!
6pm- head to Cosmic Ray’s (or whatever you may be craving) and have dinner and enjoy the cool (it IS Florida after all).
7pm-8:15pm Start trick or treating..go to the FIRST Trick or Treat candy station next to Cosmic Ray’s and then follow the following route:
- Scare Floor Candy Station
- Carousel of Progress Candy Station
- Tron Candy Station and head to Storybook Circus
- Ariel’s Grotto Candy Station
- Gaston’s Tavern Candy Station
- Mickey’s Philharmagic Station (for this years party, they are playing OLD Mickey “spooky” cartoons inside the theater! I recommend making sure you have waters or something to drink and maybe stopping for a spell!)
- Liberty Square Candy Station
- Tom Sawyer’s Launch Candy Station
- 3 candy stations in Adventureland
8:25- make sure you’re at the castle to see the Sanderson Sister show which starts at 8:35
After the stage show, grab a snack and head to Liberty Square to get a spot for the 9:15pm parade!
Once the parade is finished, scope out a spot for the 10:15pm fireworks!
After the fireworks, ride Mad Tea Party (which has a Halloween TWIST), Space Mountain (which has a Halloween TWIST) and Haunted Mansion (don’t forget to get some spooky photos in the queue).
Pro Tips
Be sure and bring extra clothes for the kiddo who decides they’re “SO over their costume and wants to take it off!”
Drink water! and more water and more and more! While Halloween in other locations in the US are nice and cool and lovely, it’s still crazy hot in Florida, even at night!
Take advantage of the show’s/parade to grab a snack or something to eat!
Wear comfortable shoes! You will be doing so much walking..and while those Mrs Incredible boots fit your costume PERFECTLY your feet will not feel “incredible” at the end of the night.
As mentioned previously, if you don’t have Memory Maker for your entire vacation, purchase it for the day of your party. Use it at the park that day then again, when you got to the party. The magical pictures are too good to pass up.
Grab those amazing souvenirs on your way out of the park! Nothing stinks worse than having to carry bags of souvenirs around while trying to trick or treat in the Florida humidity.
Don’t let the long lines at the candy stations deter you! They go fast!
Bring portable fans! You won’t regret it.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is one of several separate ticketed events that Walt Disney World has throughout the year! To see what other events take place throughout the year check out Special Events at Walt Disney World
