Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2016

WDW Ride Guide Podcast

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2016 is a seasonal event at the Magic Kingdom that allows guests to dress up, do some trick-or-treating, take photos with costumed characters, see one-of-a-kind nighttime shows and parades, taste seasonal speciality food offerings, and watch a unique fireworks spectacular. The party changes a little every year and I’m excited to share some new tricks with you today!

Grab your trick or treat bag and get your costume ready, it’s time to trick-or-treat our way through Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2016!

Let’s get started with our Know Before You Go Essential Facts:

• This special event is located in the Magic Kingdom
• Special event ticket purchase is required
• The event runs from mid-September to just after Halloween on select nights, come by the website for exact dates
• The party normally runs from 7 pm – Midnight
• Fastpass + reservations are not available during the event
• The fright factor is 3 out of 5

Photo – Disney

There’s a lot to see at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and this year I want to help you have a plan to see it all! The first thing to know about the party is the time. While the party officially runs from 7 pm – Midnight most nights, your party ticket will grant you access to the Magic Kingdom starting at 4 pm. Because of the cost of the special event, you may want to save some money by not utilizing a regular park ticket on this day. By going this route, you will still get 8 hours in the park if you arrive at 4 pm.

On the flip side, if you choose to use a park ticket and the special event ticket, you could score 6 Fastpass+ reservations for the day! That’s right I said 6! Which brings me to Step 1 in our Plan to help you get the most out of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Step 1 – Rides

Most of the rides are operational during the party which makes it a great time to take in the rides. This is because most guests will be focused on the shows, parade, trick-or-treating and characters. Of course, you’re a Ride Guide listener which means you love rides and want to know how to ride as many as possible! So, let’s get back to how to secure 6 Fastpass+ reservations.

Technically, you can’t reserve Fastpass + reservations during the 7 pm – Midnight window. However, you can make Fastpass + reservations for the Magic Kingdom up until about 6:30 pm. Your first 3 Fastpass+ need to be made on your regular park ticket for the day, aka your Magic Band. The second set of 3 needs to be made on your Halloween Party Ticket. In order to get 6, you have to have two separate My Disney Experience accounts, one for regular park admission and one for the party ticket. There is a great article on the Touring Plans Blog that breaks down this process.

Photo – Disney

You will want to make the passes on your Magic Band for sometime before 4:00 pm. The 3 passes made with your party ticket will need to be make from 4:00 – 6:30 pm. If you are only going with a party ticket you can still make 3 selections from 4:00 – 6:30 pm. Just be sure to link your party ticket in your My Disney Experience account so you can book these rides. Finally, I suggest you avoid making a Fastpass+ reservation for The Haunted Mansion. The ride comes hauntingly alive in some unique ways once the party gets started at 7:00 pm. Any fans of the ride will want to make sure they ride it between 7:00 and midnight.

No matter how many Fastpass+ reservations you have, I recommend riding as many rides as possible starting at 4:00 pm. Step 1 in having a great Halloween party is to take advantage of lower wait times for rides before the party officially gets started.

Step 2 – Characters

Step 2 is to get in line early for your favorite character. The characters are very popular and the lines can grow to 2 hour waits as the night progresses. So, you will want to get in line as early as 5:30 (an hour and a half before the party starts). Pick the one you don’t want to miss and go there first. Unless you plan to stand in line all night, you won’t be able to meet all the characters. Character appearances are subject to change, but here is the list of expected characters by location:

• Main Street, U.S.A.
  

  Photo – Disney

• Mickey Mouse
• Tinker Bell

• Adventureland

• Aladdin, Jasmine, Jafar and Abu
• Tarzan, Jane and Terk
• Captain Jack Sparrow

– Liberty Square

• Jack Skellington and Sally

– Fantasyland

• Belle and Gaston
• Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts
• Ariel
• Merida
• Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet
• Cinderella
• Rapunzel
• Princess Tiana

• Storybook Circus

• The Seven Dwarfs
• Donald and Daisy
• Minnie Mouse
• Goofy
• Cruella De Vil

– Tomorrowland

• Buzz Lightyear
• Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear

Once you are at the party be sure to grab a map. This map will have a little Mickey head everywhere there will be characters in the park.

After securing your graven images with your favorite characters it will be time for Step 3…

Step 3 – Entertainment

Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade

This specialty parade runs twice a night, first at 8:30 pm and then again at 11:15 pm. While the party mostly lives up to it’s Not-So-Scary name, the parade is headed up by the Headless Horsemen, who can be a little frightening. Immediately following him is a parade of friendly Disney characters dressed in halloween costumes of their own. Look for favorites like Mickey, Goofy, Pooh and more. Following the more adorable friends will be some grave diggers from The Haunted Manison. The mixture of friend and frightening foe continues through to the very end. For this reason, I’m rating Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party a 3 out of 5 on the fright factor.

The overall spirit of the parade is fun, but there are a few elements that some small children might find a little spooky. Whether they are cute and cuddly or dark and menacing, all the floats and characters put on a fantastic show. It is one of Disney’s most popular parades and something you won’t want to miss! The early parade is always the most crowded, so choosing your viewing spot should be highly influenced by which time you attend. If you want to see the early parade, I recommend a spot close to Frontierland. Chances are you will be deep into the park at this point already, and this area isn’t as crowded as Main Street U.S.A. If you opt for the late parade, I recommend grabbing a good spot as close to the park exit as possible. By then you will probably be ready to call it a night and the parade is the perfect way to cap off the evening. If you can snag something near the Main Street U.S.A. train station, you will be positioned at the exit as soon as the show is over.

The parade takes about 20 minutes. If you opt for the early time you should be able to make it over to the Castle Forecourt Stage. That brings us to Step 4 and 5, live entertainment!

Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

Four times a night the Sanderson Sisters are hosting the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular show. The three sisters, Winifred, Mary, and Sarah return to the mortal world to unleash as many Disney villains as possible. Be on the look out for Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, and Oogie Boogie. The 20 minute show features dancing, projections, and special effects. Check your map for showtimes, but expect them around 8:00 pm, 9:15 pm, 10:40 pm or midnight.

Scream-o-Ween Dance Party

Another great show that will fill the air with screams and laughter, is the Character Dance Party over at Rockettower Plaza in Tomorrowland. It is a good way to burn some sugary calories while kids and adults boogie with Mike, Sully, and the Monstropolis gang. The dance party takes place throughout the evening so you can punch your dance card whenever you feel the groove.

You will want to pay attention to the time for our next piece of entertainment!

The Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Show

This spectacular show comes once a night, usually at 10:15 pm. Like any Disney fireworks show, it does not disappoint. A wide array of pyrotechnic wonders fill the night sky to the tune of different Disney villain’s theme music. The show is hosted by the extremely popular Ghost Host from the Haunted Mansion. His deep echoing voice introduces the likes of Ursula, Jafar, Cruella de Vil, and more. As each villain fills the sky with fireworks, Cinderella’s Castle is transformed with corresponding colors and images. As with other Magic Kingdom fireworks shows, the best viewing spots will be found in front of the castle at the end of Main Street. Many guests leave Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party after the fireworks. Those staying till midnight will find the park less crowded for the last couple of hours, meaning you can see a lot in that window of time.

Photo – Disney

Another fun show takes place directly on Cinderella’s Castle about 15 minutes before Happy HalloWishes. As you wait for the fireworks to begin you can enjoy the Celebrate the Magic show. This amazing projection show turns the castle into a canvas. Disney brings out their magical paintbrush and the variety of images and animation set before your eyes is incredible. At times it is easy to forget everything you see is actually a projection on the castle. It starts with Tinkerbell sprinkling a little pixie dust, and covers everything from Elsa letting it go, to Malificent breathing dragon fire. The big moments with the villains are fantastic, but I also love the little touches like the candlelit lanterns from Tangled floating up the castle walls. Be sure to find a good spot facing the front of the castle. The closer you can get to a central viewing location the more enjoyable the 10 minute show will be.

After watching the incredible shows offered during the party you might need a little sugar rush. Well, you have been very patient and now it is time for your sweet reward! We are moving onto Step 4 – Goodies!

Step 4 – Goodies

Trick-or-Treat Stations

At the beginning of the party, Disney provides trick-or-treat bags. You can also bring your own if you like. Again, refer to your party map and you will see Mickey-shaped pumpkins signifying the Treat locations around the park. There are about 14 locations scattered across the different lands.

Photo – Disney

New this year are the Allergy-Friendly Offerings! Food allergies may have kept you out of the trick-or-treat game in the past, but not this year. You can pick up a teal colored bag at one of the two Allergy-Friendly Centers. Stop by either Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A. or the Heritage House in Liberty Square. From there you can trick-or-treat just like everyone else, but instead of receiving candy from Cast Members you will receive a special teal token. When you are ready you can redeem your tokens back at one of the Allergy-Friendly Centers for special treats. How cool is that?

Whether you are collecting candy or tokens, I recommend you wait until later in the evening to do your trick-or-treating. Saving this until after rides, characters, and shows means you have less to haul around. Plus, it will help keep the candy consumption in check. I’m speaking mainly to myself here. If there is candy in sight, it will soon be in my mouth! Of course, a stop or two in between rides won’t hurt right?

Special Food Offerings

Photo – Disney

Your sweet tooth can be satisfied in many ways during the party. In addition to the free candy filling your bags, you can also indulge in some speciality food items. Cupcakes are all the rage in the underworld so you can choose from a Pumpkin Spiced Cupcake at Gaston’s Tavern, or a Spider or Worms & Dirt Cupcake at the Main Street Bakery. The bakery is also offering up a Creepy Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich. Back again this year are the candy corn confections! You can get a Candy Corn Soft Serve Cone at Storybook Treats or a Candy Corn Cotton Candy! I’m not the biggest candy corn fan but saying those two things out loud just made my mouth water.

If you crave a more substantial meal, you can dine at one of three table service restaurants during the event. Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and the Crystal Palace will be taking reservations for the party. Keep in mind that these meals will eat away a good chunk of your time, so this may not be the best bang for your extra admission buck. Several Quick Service restaurants will also be open during the party, giving you a speedier and less expensive option.

Exclusive Merchandise

Food and treats aren’t the only goodies offered during the party. You will want a souvenir to commemorate this fun-filled evening and there is lots of speciality merchandise. You can choose from special edition Magic Bands, trading pins, and t-shirts. One of my favorite things available is this year’s exclusive Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom card. Clawhouser from Zootopia is handing out donuts to a couple of tiny trick-or-treaters. The card reads, “House to house kids are accosting folks with doughnuts glazed in frosting.” It’s very cute.

The other cute thing you can grab at the party is an exclusive photo. Disney’s PhotoPass photographers will be happy to snap a picture or two. It is always free to have them take your picture, then you can decide later if you want to purchase a copy or download the image back at home. A couple of the PhotoPass spots will magically insert images into the picture you take in the park. This year there are a couple of animated magic shots available as well. Don’t miss your chance to waltz with the ghosts from The Haunted Mansion!

There you have it! 4 Steps to a hauntingly good time at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Let’s go over them one more time:

Step 1 – Rides: Get to the party at 4:00 and use Fastpass+ before 6:30.

Step 2 – Characters: Pick your favorite and line up early.

Step 3 – Entertainment: Don’t miss the Boo-to-You Parade or the Happy HalloWishes fireworks.

Step 4 – Goodies: There is plenty of candy to go around, save it until the end with a few snacks along the way.

The Halloween party is another great example of how I approach Walt Disney World. I like to go in with a plan, but keeps things flexible. If the characters take longer than you expect, that’s o.k. If you miss the 8:30 parade, you can still catch the 11:15. If you don’t get your fill of rides before 7:00, stay late! The lines for rides will be very short towards the end of the night and you can sneak in a couple more before you go. Eat some candy along the way and have fun making memories!

Costume Guidelines

Guests Ages 13 and Under

• Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long as the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.

Guests Ages 14 and Older

• 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 light sabers, 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.

I don’t know about you but I’m ready to have some not-so-scary fun! If the thought of missing Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has you frightened, here is what you need to do. First of all, purchase your tickets in advance. To purchase tickets, go to disneyworld.com or call [phone]. It is a limited ticket event so it can and will sell out on many nights. The closer you get to Oct. 31st, the harder tickets are to come by. You will save some money by purchasing tickets in advance, just remember these tickets are non-refundable!

If you can go in early October on a weekday, your chances of securing tickets and having smaller crowds are best. The tickets themselves range from about $67 – $95, depending on adult or child, and what day you will be attending. Halloween day is the most expensive.

I want to really thank you so much for joining me today! I’ve had a lot of fun talking about this seasonal event. Next week, I’ve got a special episode for all the swashbuckling pirates in the audience. Come back then and we’ll tell you how to become an official pirate, and look the part too! Imagine walking through Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween looking like you just stepped out of a Pirates of the Caribbean movie!

If you have any questions or comments about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, please drop me a line. You can comment over at our Facebook page or send an email to [e-mail]. Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram by searching WDW Ride Guide, or find us on Etsy at Ride Guide Goods. For now, have a great week and remember to make each day a ride worth taking!

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