Credit: Marada, FlickrThe Walt Disney World Resort has changed the way guests can rope drop at Magic Kingdom Park this summer.
Summer has already descended on the Walt Disney World Resort, and soon the fall season will be officially upon us. Disney theme parks tend to get going with the fall decor pretty early, coinciding with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party launch at Magic Kingdom.
This year, the hard-ticketed Halloween event commences on August 15, and dates have already begun selling out. Of course, October 31 was the first date to sell out, followed by a handful in August. To accommodate the event, which commences at 7 p.m. on party nights, Disney World has confirmed that guests will get to rope drop the park a lot earlier.
Recently, Disney World updated the Magic Kingdom’s opening hours on August 15. allowing guests to enter the park at 8 a.m., meaning that Early Theme Park Entry for resort guests now begins at 7:30 a.m. Disney has now added multiple other dates to this new opening regime.
August 17, August 19, and August 22 have now been added to this schedule, meaning day guests can experience more of Disney World’s beloved theme park before Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins at 7 p.m. Note that Halloween party guests can enter Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m. without having general park admission.
The early openings on party days will definitely alleviate some issues with guests feeling they shouldn’t visit the Magic Kingdom on those days, considering they have to head out earlier than a typical operating day.
This year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has drawn criticism for its raised prices, something that Disney Experiences as a whole has been criticized for many times in recent years.
More on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney World
One of the most anticipated traditions making its grand return in 2025 is the Boo-To-You Halloween Parade. In this fan-favorite spectacle, Main Street, U.S.A., transforms into a spooky celebration of all things eerie.
Disney characters don their Halloween best and join dancing specters, mischievous villains, and the Headless Horseman rides through the darkness to kick off the haunting festivities in what’s become a truly iconic moment.
At Cinderella Castle, things get fun as the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular once again casts its spell over Magic Kingdom. The Sanderson Sisters are back, summoning chaos with help from some of Disney’s most fearsome foes. Expect dazzling effects, powerful vocals, and plenty of villainous charm in this high-energy stage show.
And as the night creeps toward its climax,*Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular lights up the sky with fireworks and castle projections–all guided by Jack Skellington himself.
How do you feel about this change to operations at Magic Kingdom this summer and fall season? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!