Inside the Magic of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World

in Disney, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

headless horseman

Updated for the 2019 Season

No one does fiendishly fun fall festivities like Disney. Balancing boo-tiful ambiance with kid friendly frights is not an easy task. However, Imagineers cleverly cast an amazing annual spell of spook-tacular after hours happy haunts and fiendish fun suitable for spirits of all ages in the annual Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. This magical mousterpiece of Halloween haunting takes stage at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom from August 16th through November 1st, 2019.

While similar to Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland in California, the Florida version, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom greets guests with its own spellbinding version of fall fun. Additionally, for an overview of the Halloween Celebrations at all of the Disney Parks around the world  & Disney Cruise Line check out our companion article.

Happy Haunting – What to Expect

This Halloween party is a separately ticketed, after normal park hours event. Of course, it wouldn’t be Halloween without candy, something Disney deliciously delivers. Attractions manifest mildly macabre enhancements, paranormal parades, fearsome fireworks, and special spooky shows materialize.

Spooktacular Shows

From frightfully fun Boo to You Parade, over the top HalloWishes fireworks display to the Sanderson Sisters’ swinging soiree, delightfully dark distractions make this Halloween Party an event to die for!

“Hocus Pocus” Villain Spelltacular

Witches Winifred, Mary and Sarah Sanderson solicit the aid of Disney villains to cast the perfect party spell.

“Look for appearances from Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, and Maleficent. Combine them and other great Disney villains with amazing dancers, wild visual projections and otherworldly special effects to make Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular a not-to-be-missed Halloween treat!” –Disney

Boo to You Parade

Jack-O-Lantern in hand, perched atop his black steed, the Headless Horsemen’s ride herald’s parade time. Classic Disney characters, dressed for Halloween, arrive atop festive floats. Adding to the frightful fun, a procession of pirates joins ghostly ballroom dancers and shovel touting undertakers during the macabre march.

HalloWishes

Cinderella’s Castle becomes both backdrop and creepy cool canvas as 999 happy haunts, along with their Ghost Host Emcee, share scary sing-along songs. Cruella de Vil, Ursula, Jafar, Oogie Boogie, and Maleficent lend their villainous voices for this spooky shindig in the sky. Creepy cool classics like “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” “Night on Bald Mountain,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and more add to the eerie ambiance as they provide the perfect spooky score.

Trick-or-Treat Treasures

Illuminated candy stations pop up around the park for ghoulish guests to enjoy. At each location, trick or treaters of all ages receive enough candy to fill their treat bags by night’s end.

Cleverly Disguised

Trailblazing for treats traditionally involves dressing up in costume. While dress up for children is normally allowed for children under 14 years old, this restriction is relaxed for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. For those same younger guests, costumes are still allowed along with masks as long as they are not full-face and the child’s eyes can be seen.

For this event, additional safety guidelines must be taken into consideration (according to the Disney website):

  • Disney reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests.
  • All Guests may dress as their favorite character but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
  • Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
  • Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
  • Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
  • Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from the park, unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards.

Not usually permitted during regular park hours, one perk to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is that adults (anyone over 14 years old) ARE permitted to partake in the dress up fun.  Those costumes must adhere to the following safety guidelines:

  • “Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
  • Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g.,full-length Princess dresses)
  • Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
  • Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and hats are acceptable.
  • Acceptable accessories include transparent wings, plastic lightsabers, toy swords, and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
  • Masks of any kind may not be worn.”     -Disney

Eerie Entertainment

In addition to boo-tiful parades, fiendish fireworks and spellbinding shows, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party adds eerie ambiance to the park after dark.

Cadaver Dans

Fearsome fun can be found in Frontierland as these Spirited singers saunter around. These dearly departed dapper Dans deliver delightfully dark PUNishment during their mesmerizing musical paranormal performances.

Haunting Hosts

Playful spooks, macabre maids, and unburied butlers materialize at the Mansion. Don’t be alarmed if one of the happy haunts materializes on Haunted Mansion’s front lawn; after all, it is Halloween.

Costumed Characters come out to play

Dressing up for the occasion, classic Disney characters join in the fall fun. These delightfully disguised familiar faces appear throughout the park, ready to meet with guests. Be sure to consult park map during the event for exact locations. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party also attracts rarely seen in the parks personalities like Jack and Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

Scream-o-Ween

Monstropolis citizens celebrate Halloween with a “Dare to Scare” dance party. Keep an eye out for Mike and Sully

Mystifying Merchandise

Each year of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party brings with it event exclusives. Tee shirts, popcorn buckets, pins and more magically appear in park shops during event hours.

Know before you go:

  • Florida weather, especially during this time of year, can vary greatly. Most days are still hot and humid and may even experience heavy rains. Follow forecasts closely as Atlantic hurricane season continues through the end of November. There have also been days during October where the state has experienced early cool fronts, causing temperatures to drop below normal.
  • Costumes are permitted for all ages. Be sure to review and follow the posted guidelines.
  • While a separately ticketed after-hours park event might mean shorter wait times for attractions, not all rides may be open for the event (Disney lists attractions in operation for MNSSHP on their website)

While similar to Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland in California, the Florida version, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom greets guests with its own spellbinding version of fall fun. Shows and parades differ and only Florida’s Magic Kingdom hosts the Sanderson Sisters and their Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular show.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party takes place at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The event dates for 2019 are:

August – 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30

September – 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27 and 29

October – 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29 and 31

November – 1

Tickets start at $79 when bought in advance and can go as high as $135 for Halloween night. For kids, tickets start at $74 and top out at $130. Advance ticket purchases are $10 less than those bought same day at the gate, except for Halloween night which is always full price and often sells out in advance, therefore, be sure to get your ticket for that night early.

Are you considering a trip to Walt Disney World for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year? If so be sure to check out Academy Travel to help in your travel planning. Academy Travel is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and not only will you never pay an upcharge or fee for their service their prices are often better than individuals can obtain on their own due to access and knowledge of to special pricing and discounts. Additionally Inside the Magic readers who book with Academy Travel are eligible for either a free gift or room credits, etc depending on the trip they book. Get your free no obligation quote here.

 

Source and images: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party webpage, YouTube, ITM archives

in Disney, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

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