Jacksonville, are you ready to boo this?! Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is very much back at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. We have the complete lowdown and great tips for you on how to make the most of the party. For those who are unfamiliar with it, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) is a special event that occurs in the fall after Magic Kingdom closes officially at 6 pm.
It’s important to note that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is separately ticketed event. You can book your tickets when they come available around July or August every year with a travel agent or by going to Disney world’s official website. But act quick, all of the special events Disney holds sell out very fast each year due to the limited availability.
This party really is a spooktacular time and a way to celebrate Halloween in a non-scary and family friendly way. It’s perfect for a fall day trip or weekend away from Jacksonville. It does run really late at night so be sure to plan accordingly. In full transparency, this can be an expensive trip when all is said done. In my opinion, it’s worth doing at least once with the kids, especially if you are big Disney fans like we are because, wow, Disney knows how to throw a party!
How To Attend
The party begins at 7 pm and will continue on through midnight. The ticket cost is date specific and ranged this year from $109 to $199. You also can get a discount if you are an annual pass holder. The party is limited so you have a great opportunity to ride a lot of great rides that have low wait times, get free treats, and prime entertainment that others not attending the party will not see. And while the party doesn’t officially start until 7pm, you can enter the park as early as 4 pm with your event ticket.
Tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party go fast, however, even when they are sold out I have seen dates come available at random and you can even sometimes snag tickets the day off at the Chamber of Commerce right inside Magic Kingdom. Even if you aren’t planning to attend this year but want it to be on your radar for next year, this article will help you be prepared.
What to Expect at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular! – Watch 3 sinister sisters bewitch and bedazzle the residents of Magic Kingdom Park.
- Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular – A wickedly wild fireworks display featuring Disney characters and hosted by Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare before Christmas.
- Disney Junior Jam at Storybook Circus – This dance party features some favorite friends from Disney Junior shows for young partygoers.
- Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade – Disney characters and iconic floats inspired by Haunted Mansion and other Halloween scenes appear during this beloved parade.
- Trick or Treat Trails – Collect a bag full of candy as you stroll through these sweet spots collecting candy.
What Parents Need to Know
If you have smaller children or toddlers and have concerns about the party being too spooky, please be assured that it truly is family friendly and there are babies and toddlers all around. I will say, that during the fireworks, several small children tend to get upset by the loud noises but you know your child and will know if that is a good fit or if you need to duck into a shop or restaurant while they finish the show.
I personally have taken my kids to Disney from a very young age and the key is just planning for breaks and accepting that you won’t get everything done. Disney can be very stimulating, even for me as an adult. For the party specifically, I think it is the best family and small child friendly event available outside of local festivals. A bonus is that kids younger than 3 do not need a ticket for the party so that’s a great reason to bring them too.
If you have small children or children who still nap, don’t forget to bring a stroller. It is so nice to be able to let them rest and put them in it when you want to speed walk to get to a specific area at a specific time. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of the Baby Care Center at Magic Kingdom, it’s an excellent and clean area where you can easily change diapers, buy any extra items you might need like diapers or wipes, there are high chairs, appliances to heat bottles and several nursing rooms as well.
There are 14 treat stations located throughout the park offering several different kinds of candy including Skittles, M&Ms, Milky Way and Snickers. Don’t be discouraged if you see a super wrapped around line because the lines move quickly as its open bag and go.
If your child has a food allergy, be sure to get a teal trick-or-treat bag from a cast member when you arrive at the park or at one of the Allergy-Friendly Centers at Town Square Theater or Heritage House. Your child will receive a special teal token at each of the treat stations which they can later redeem at the Allergy-Friendly centers for a fun treat.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Exclusives
The Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jam dance party at Storybook Circus is definitely a must for the little ones. They can dance with their favorite Disney Junior characters like Doc McStuffins and Timon from The Lion Guard. Another must do is the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball with Mike, Sully and friends from Monsters Inc. in Tomorrowland
Over at the ZOM-BEATZ BASH dance party at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland, everyone can party with zombies and cheerleaders inspired by the Zombies original movies on the Disney Channel. This a NEW addition this year and perfect for all ages.
In my opinion the most insanely wonderful entertainment of the night award goes to the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular at the Cinderella Castle stage with the beloved Sanderson sisters and so many Disney villains that it literally blew my mind. This was so well done, do not miss it.
Second place for overall family entertainment during the party has to go to the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, I love parades and this one is a scary good time featuring your child’s favorite Disney characters dressed up in their finest Halloween attire as they dance and parade with ghostly floats and friends.
There are two parade times: 9:15pm and 11:15 pm and both start as the Headless Horseman making his way down Main Street in his spooky gallop to clear the area for the parade. New this year, Disney also started the “Stand Out” dance party with Power Line Max. The music and dancing was so fun and I loved feeling the joy and happiness of everyone.
Last but not least, there is the Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular: Firework Show. This fireworks show features cool projections and laser lights. It stars Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas as he tells the tale about Mickey and his best pals as they find their way into a haunted house. Oh, boy! The show starts at 10:15pm.
Don’t forget, there are so many amazing character spots throughout the park, so keep your camera ready and also be ready to take advantage of Disney Photo Pass opportunities.
Main Street USA
- Sally & Jack Skellington – Town Square Theater (most popular meet & greet, line forms at 4 pm)
- Mickey Mouse – Town Square Theater
Fantasyland
- Ariel and Prince Eric – Prince Eric’s Village Market
- Belle and Gaston – Maurice’s Cottage
- Tigger, Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore – Near the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Drizella and Anastasia – Fantasyland (roaming)
- Timon – Storybook Circus
- Vampirina – Storybook Circus
- Doc McStuffins – Storybook Circus
- Fancy Nancy – Storybook Circus
- Witch Minnie, Princess Daisy & Pumpkin Donald – Dumbo
- Pirate Goofy – Barnstormer
Adventureland
- Abu and Aladdin – Agrabah
- Genie – Agrabah
- Jafar – Near Agrabah
- Jack Sparrow – Near Pirates of the Caribbean
Frontierland
- Country Bears – Country Bear Theater (roaming)
Tommorrowland
- Elvis Stitch – Buzz Lightyear’s Star Command
- There are also several attractions across the park receive special enhancements just for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party…
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor – When you follow the treat trail into the Monster World at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, you’ll interact in spooky ways with the comic cast of monsters, as they learn about the curious Human World holiday we call Halloween.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Ride Changes
Real live pirates have been placed into the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This was so fun during the line and it was thrilling to interact with the pirates, kids were loving it.
Space Mountain is spookier than ever with the lights going completely dark as you plunge into deep space to a spookier soundtrack.
Mad Tea Party – The teacups take you for a colorful ride with added spooky lighting and effects providing a different nighttime atmosphere.
Tips & Tricks
- Buy your tickets early!
- Eat an early dinner before the party starts so you are not starving during all of the amazing entertainment or in line.
- Arrive at 4 p.m., grab an event map and a treat bag and have a general idea of what your priorities are for the night.
- Plan to wear something lightweight. If you are dressing up in a costume, try to make sure it’s not super heavy and I would suggest not wearing a lot of body and face makeup and or masks.
- Plan for potential rain. I suggest bringing some cheap ponchos from Amazon just in case.
- Stay hydrated by bringing a water bottle that can be refilled.
- Be sure to use the My Disney Experience app, it will have the exact locations of all the characters.
- Go to the dollar store before the party and get some glow sticks and light up toys, the ones at Disney can be very expensive!
- Don’t forget a change of clothes for the kids, especially if they are in costumes. It is a long night, so pack something comfy to help them be more comfortable.
- Bring a portable phone charger! Your battery will die with using the app and snapping videos and pics.
- Try to prioritize things that are not available any other time and are special to the party.
Have an amazing time and remember you are the magic!
Lindsey has lived in Jacksonville now for over 12 years and is originally from the southeast Georgia area. She is a business and data manager for UF Health Emergency and Trauma services downtown by day, a travel agent, social media influencer, and BLS instructor by night. She is also the mom of three kids, Lily, Logan, and Ruby. She is married to a very talented musician, Cody who plays locally all around in the Bold City Classics and Blue Muse and with the symphony as well. Lindsey started posting on social media about her trips to Disney and beyond on social media in the last few years as a means to document the joy and help others with planning their trips, balancing traveling and motherhood and finding the true magic in it all. As her presence grew she was invited to become a travel agent specializing in Disney and other theme parks because of her expansive knowledge. You can follow Lindsey on Instagram and tiktok as well as request a free travel quote for your trip @magicmomlife or send her an email at [email protected].
