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Credit: Inside the MagicWhen people picture a trip to Magic Kingdom, they usually imagine long days that stretch late into the night. The sight of Cinderella Castle glowing under the stars is a core memory for many Disney fans. But if you’re heading to Walt Disney World this September, that vision may need a little adjusting.
For two weeks’ worth of evenings, the park will shut its gates much earlier than guests might expect.
Instead of the typical 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. closing time, Magic Kingdom will send day guests home by 6:00 p.m. on select nights. The reason? Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This beloved after-hours event takes over the park on 14 different nights in September, trimming a whopping 70 hours from the regular-day guest calendar.
What It Means for Guests
On paper, losing five hours per night might not sound like much, but over 14 nights it adds up quickly. Families who thought they’d be watching fireworks or enjoying a late-night ride on Space Mountain could instead find themselves out of the park just as the evening begins. If you’re planning your first-ever Disney vacation or haven’t checked the schedule, this could come as a surprise.
It’s not that the park is closing entirely. Instead, the gates swing back open for party guests who have purchased a separate ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Those lucky enough to attend get exclusive entertainment like the Boo-to-You Parade, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, and trick-or-treating around the park. But for anyone sticking to standard admission, September evenings may feel cut short.
The Party Dates That Matter
The 2025 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party started on August 15 and runs through October 31, but September is likely where it hits hardest for daytime visitors. The September party dates include: September 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, and 30.
That’s 14 nights when the park shifts to an early 6:00 p.m. close. The impact is even more noticeable for vacationers on shorter trips—imagine booking a four-day stay and finding that half of your Magic Kingdom evenings end at dinnertime.
Planning Around Early Closures
If you’re heading to Disney World this September, the smartest move is to check the event calendar before you lock in your park days. You may want to schedule your Magic Kingdom visit for a non-party night, when the park stays open until 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. That extra time can make a huge difference for families who want to maximize their ride count or enjoy nighttime entertainment like Happily Ever After.
Of course, you could also lean into the Halloween spirit and grab a ticket to the party itself. While it requires an additional purchase, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has become a fan favorite thanks to rare character meet-and-greets, special fireworks, and the chance to trick-or-treat down Main Street, U.S.A. Plus, party tickets allow entry into the park as early as 4:00 p.m., meaning you can still get a decent amount of time inside Magic Kingdom.
Why This Matters
The cut in park hours highlights how much special events shape the guest experience at Walt Disney World. Disney uses these after-hours parties as major draws, and they’ve grown so popular that they can transform the feel of an entire season. For day guests, though, it’s worth remembering that the “Most Magical Place on Earth” sometimes operates on a split schedule.
If you don’t plan ahead, you could wind up missing out on those iconic nighttime moments you’ve been picturing. But with the right strategy, you can still capture the magic—whether that’s by choosing a non-party day for your Magic Kingdom visit or splurging on a night of not-so-scary fun.