13 tips to plan your Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party visit

With its bewitching blend of spooky fun and Disney magic, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has become a must-do for fans of all ages. This after-hours event at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom offers a unique opportunity to experience the park in a whole new light. But with limited availability and a packed schedule of events, planning is essential to maximize your enjoyment. Whether you’re a seasoned Disney pro or a first-time visitor, these tips will help you navigate the party with ease.

 Do you really want to ride the rides, do you want to see the shows, do you want autographs? Know before you go. Make sure to study the map before you go and these tips below should help you make out your plan. 

Tips for Attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

1. Have a late lunch before you get to the park. It might sound strange, but plan on a 2 p.m. lunch with some protein. While there are a number of quick service locations around the Magic Kingdom and three sit-down restaurants available –  Be Our Guest Restaurant, Cinderella’s Royal Table and  The Plaza Restaurant – you don’t want to waste your first few hours of the night eating in the park. Acknowledge that the night is going to be full of sugar and treats. There is candy everywhere and great specialty desserts around the park. You can find those here.

2. Dress up: Stop shaking your head. Get in the spirit. You don’t need an elaborate costume, mostly because it will still be warm and you don’t want to be soaked in sweat all night. This is where Disney Bounding is at its best. Red shorts, a black top, Mickey Mouse ears, yellow sneakers and you’re all set. For those who like to go all out. Here are the rules. Remember, this is the only time of year adults can dress up, so enjoy.

3. Arrive early. Yes, you will be allowed into the park starting at 4 p.m. Go forth and enjoy. Get a full night’s worth of park. The party starts at 7 p.m. and the crowds won’t thin until then, but the three extra hours is a great perk.

4. Purchase merchandise early. As we said, you will be allowed in at 4 p.m. The stores that have party merchandise will allow those with the party wristbands to the area where the party merchandise is so you can purchase. Do it early. Don’t waffle.  You want to make sure you get the t-shirts you want in your size and saying, I’ll pick it up later is always the kiss of death. Remember, you an always return what you don’t want, you can’t purchase something the store doesn’t have.

5. Prioritize your Meet and Greets. Lines can be long to meet specialty characters.

6. Go Trick-Or -Treating, wisely. We throw in wisely because there is a strategy. You will be given a bag as you enter and a starter bag of candy. Because the temperature can still be quite warm out for the August and September parties, you may want to go for the candy into the night or near the end. Finding melted chocolate in your bag is no fun. We do suggest going to one place early so you have something to snack on if you wish, but do the bulk of your stops closer to the end of the night. There will be no lines and they will be handing out candy by the handful. In addition, if you have allergies, there are two allergy trick-or-treating locations. Check out the map for all your information.

7. Enjoy the second parade. This seems obvious, but many people will line for the first showing of Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade.  Go on and do other things, get on some rides, get those autographs, take some photos. The second parade is at 11:15 p.m.

9. Do not miss the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. This show is in front of Cinderella Castle and has three showings from Aug. 9 through Sept. 28 – 9:05 p.m., 10:35 p.m. and midnight – and fourth showings f rom Sept. 29 through Oct. 31 – 7:35 p.m., 9:05 p.m., 10:35 p.m. and midnight.Again, do not miss this show. If not the best show Disney has produced for the Forecourt stage it is in the top three. This has humor, good music and lots of Disney characters. People of all ages will get a kick out of this show.

10. Get a Magic Shot taken. Disney Photo Pass photographers will be in key areas and they have a number of specialty shots they can take, including having you next to the Headless Horseman, or an animated shot where dancing ghosts appear. In addition, for this year, there will be a number of interactive photo locations that pay tribute to some favorite Disney stories. 

11. People watch. This is the time of year when it’s OK to look at others who are dressed up. It’s even fine to go over and tell them that you love their costume. We saw many people approaching each other and have pictures taken.

12. Do not miss Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular. The centerpiece of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year at the Magic Kingdom is a long-overdue upgrade to the fireworks show. It turns out the new show is well worth the wait. The new Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular deftly weaves together pyrotechnics and projections, lasers and lighting, and it’s hosted by Jack Skellington. 

13.  The rides. This something to always do go on some of your favorite rides. And, be aware that Disney has put a “Halloween Twist” on three rides this year, Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.