Are you looking to take your Walt Disney World vacation to the next level? Consider attending a special event during your next trip! Throughout the year, Disney Parks offer plenty of specially ticketed events, and one of their best events is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in Orlando. Whether you’ve been to the party before or you’re planning your first time visit, we’ve got everything you need to know before you go right here! Note: The party has been canceled for 2020 due to Covid-19 and the coronavirus pandemic.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party: A Complete Guide
Our TravelingMom guide to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party includes everything you need to know before you go! We’ve got information on dates, pricing, attractions and more! We’ll give you insider tips on how to choose the best date, what to do and when to do it during party hours, and why everyone in the family will love this event. We want to make sure you and your family have a “spooky” good time!
Dates and Pricing for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
First, let’s start with the basics of the event. When is the party and where is the party? This special event is held on select nights every fall in the Magic Kingdom theme park. Magic Kingdom is the only park at Walt Disney World to host this party.
How much does it cost to attend the party? This answer is very dependent on the date you choose to attend. For the 2019 Halloween season, the lowest priced tickets cost $79 (plus tax) per adult and $74 (plus tax) per child ages 3-9. However, the closer the date of attendance is to Halloween itself, the higher the price will rise. Halloween night costs $135 (plus tax) per adult and $130 (plus tax) per child ages 3-9. While these costs may seem high, they are actually a savings of around $10 per ticket when purchased in advanced, with the exception of October 31, which is a full price ticket regardless of advanced or day of purchase. Tickets may be purchased the day of a party, provided the event is not sold out.
Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders can save an additional $5 per Halloween party ticket with an advanced purchase.
NEW for 2019 is the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party pass. This pass is $299 per person (plus tax) and it allows admission to 35 of the 36 party nights in 2019. Halloween night is the only exclusion for this special offer.
When Should You Attend the Party?
Next, choosing a party date may or may not be the most difficult task of your trip planning adventure. Obviously, if you are limited to one set of dates, you will have to choose one around that time, regardless of price or availability. However if you are a bit more flexible with your dates, weekdays in August and September are usually significantly less crowded than weekends.
As October approaches, weekday parties are still a good option for lower crowds but remember – things do tend to get busier the closer a date is to Halloween. Fridays in October, as well as Halloween night itself, are typically the most crowded party nights of all. Avoid the weekend parties if at all possible.
Disney Halloween Party Costume Policy
One of the ways Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party stands out from all the rest is the ability of guests to dress in costume. This is typically not allowed for guests 14 and up, so taking advantage of this fun opportunity really makes the party extra fun! Here are some of the guidelines to observe when planning your Halloween costume:
- Disney may deny admission to anyone or remove anyone who is wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or could detract from other guests’ experiences.
- Costumes must be family-friendly and not obstructive, offensive, violent or objectionable.
- Guests may dress as their favorite characters, but cannot pose for pictures or sign autographs.
- Costumes must not contain weapons that resemble or could be mistaken for real weapons.
- Costumes may not contain sharp objects, or materials that might accidentally strike another guest.
- Guests who do not abide by the guidelines may be refused entry or removed unless their costumes can be modified to acceptable standards.
For guests ages 14 and up:
- Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and subject to additional security screening.
- Costumes may not reach or drag the ground.
- Capes should not go below the waist.
- Themed T-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts and hats are acceptable.
- Transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords and tutus are OK. Headwear must not cover the face.
- Masks are not allowed.
For guests ages 13 and under:
- Costumes and some masks may be worn. Masks cannot cover the entire face, and eyes must be visible.
When Does the Party Begin?
Guests may arrive to the Magic Kingdom with their party ticket as early as 4 p.m. Wristbands identifying party guests will be distributed by Cast Members at the entrance and at different locations throughout the park to guests already inside the theme park. When the party starts at 7 p.m., non-party guests are easily identified and can be guided to the exit.
Traveling Mom Tip: Take advantage of the early party entry, but don’t use another day’s park ticket at Magic Kingdom on your party day. Instead, find other ways to spend your morning, such as shopping at Disney Springs or taking advantage of your resort pool.
Ride During the Halloween Party
As always, attraction operations are subject to change, but this year, there are some exciting additions to be aware of! Some of the rides receiving “spooky enhancements and overlays” include:
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Mad Tea Party
- Space Mountain
- Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
Rides that are expected to be open each party night include:
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- A Pirate’s Adventure – Treasures of the Seven Seas
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Splash Mountain
- Haunted Mansion
- Prince Charming Regal Carousel
- “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
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- The Barnstormer
- Astro Orbiter
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Space Mountain
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Entertainment During Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
From parades to stage shows to several dance party options, there is no shortage of fun during Halloween time! A crowd pleasing favorite parade will return in 2019. Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade occurs every party night at 9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. You’ll know it’s almost time for the parade when you see the Headless Horseman trotting through the parade route from Liberty Square, past the castle, and down Main Street!
TravelingMom Tip: If you can swing it, the later parade time is significantly less crowded than the first parade.
“Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” is the nightly castle stage show featuring the Sanderson Sisters and all of your favorite Disney villains. It can be seen at 8:30 p.m., 10:45 p.m., and 12 midnight.
The Cadaver Dans, a fun take on the Dapper Dans who usually sing a capella on Main Street, appear throughout the party night in Frontierland, singing familiar tunes such at “Grim Grinning Ghosts” and “The Oogie Boogie Song.”
Finally, new this year is the fireworks show, “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.” The story follows Jack Skellington from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as the host of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy’s frightfully fun adventures in a mysterious haunted house. The fireworks show occurs one time per party night at 10:15 p.m.
Fun for Kids During Halloween Time
Bringing kids to the party? There’s lots for them to do. Everyone in the family will enjoy meeting Disney characters throughout the park. Special characters that typically only appear during the party nights include:
- Jack Skellington and Sally
- Moana
- Seven Dwarfs
- Lots-o’-Huggin Bear
- Tarzan, Jane, and Terk
- Jafar
- Cruella DeVil
- Queen of Hearts
- As well as familiar characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, and Goofy all dressed in their Halloween attire.
Additionally, there are some awesome dance parties for kids of all ages!
- Storybook Circus Jam: Features Disney Junior favorites like Vampirina and Fancy Nancy in the Storybook Circus area.
- Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball: Located in Tomorrowland at the Rockettower Plaza Stage. Features Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc.
- DescenDANCE Party: Dance party featuring videos/songs from the Descendants movie franchise happening in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland.
Trick-or-Treating is for EVERYONE!
One of my family’s favorite parts of the Halloween party is all of the trick-or-treaing we get to do together. This fun experience is included in your party ticket. Pick up a map upon entering the park to find the designated spots for the trick-or-treat trail. This guide will help you determine your course of action as you make your way around the park for trick-or-treating (or just eating through all of the specialty food offerings)!
TravelingMom Tip: Have food allergies? Look for the designated treat centers labeled with a turquoise sign. Allergy-friendly offerings can be found if you know where to look!
TravelingMom Tip: Consider bringing your own treat bag as the small ones given to you by Cast Members won’t hold many treats!
Special Food and Merchandise
Finally, each party night offers specialty food and merchandise for an additional cost. Specialty food offerings include cupcakes, cookies, and sweet drinks as well as some savory options.
New in 2019 is “Cruella’s Halloween Hide-a-Way,” which begins at 9:30 p.m. and lasts until 12:30 a.m. at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. This separately ticketed experience costs $99 per guest (plus tax). It allows guests to drop in and out during the party to sample savory hors d’oeuvres and sweets. Tickets to Cruella’s Halloween Hide-a-Way also include reserved seating for the 11:15 p.m. “Boo to You” parade.
Exclusive pins, hats, mugs, apparel, and more can be found at the Emporium on Main Street, Big Top Souvenirs in Storybook Circus, and the Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland.
TravelingMom Tip: Don’t wait until the end of the party to make merchandise purchases! Some offerings sell out quickly.
Don’t forget to pick up your FREE Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card on party nights at the Main Street Fire Station. Whether or not you play the game, this exclusive card is a fun freebie only given out on party nights!