Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will have a few new treats for guests this year.
Last year, Mickey’s Toon Town Fair was closed during the September and October party dates, which cut down on the square footage of the party and forced the relocation of some treat stations. But what a difference a year makes. With the opening of Storybook Circus in the same location comes the return of Alice & Mad Hatter’s Treat Party between Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland. The Alice in Wonderland-themed walkway contains cool, lighted decorations and enough candy to satisfy any sweet tooth.
In addition, there will be a candy stop near the Fantasyland train station, and the Dumbo the Flying Elephant and The Barnstormer attractions in Storybook Circus will be open during the party, a Walt Disney World spokesperson told me. The twin Dumbo carousels are especially beautiful at night with their lights and water shows.
Last year, Br’er Rabbit’s Laughin’ Place Candy Patch was added near Splash Mountain in Frontierland and it will remain again this year. This treat trail also is well-themed, as you would expect from Disney, with jack-o-lanterns featuring “Song of the South” characters. The queue did seem to back up more quickly here than the Alice & Mad Hatter’s Treat Party.
The balloons marking the candy stations will have a new look this year — lighted Mickey pumpkins will take Goofy Candy Company’s place.
Disney planners hope to make the wait for Mickey’s Boo to You! Halloween Parade more pleasant for guests by adding some pre-show entertainment on Main Street, USA, and in Town Square that will include music and “streetmosphere.” Guests will be invited to join a line dance during the Not-So-Scary Street Jam! The featured song will be “Calling All the Monsters” by China Anne McClain.
Here’s a look at the dance steps, if you want to practice so you’re a pro on party night:
The Boo To You! parade, which is performed twice each night, is one of the highlights of the party and guests typically stake out their spots for the first time more than an hour before it starts. The parade features characters only seen during this event, such as ghosts and gravediggers from the Haunted Mansion, and it starts with a the Headless Horseman galloping by.
Other party favorites will return, including the Happy HalloWishes fireworks show, The Villains Mix & Mingle stage show, dance parties and meet–and-greets with rarely seen Disney characters. I’ll be attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party the first week and bringing parents tips for making the most out of their haunted night with the kids.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, 30; October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31; and November 2. Prices vary depending on date, time of purchase and discounts. For complete ticket details, see the AllEars.Net information page.
Hello Kristin!
My family and I are going to MNSSHP for the first time. I have two teenage nephews and a 1 yr old nephew. I’ve been reading your posts. We are staying at Disney for 5 days, 6 nights but only bought tickets to Disney parks for 2 days (Halloween and Nov. 1) along with meal plan for the whole week. So you’re saying we can get good spots for the party after 4 pm? I want to be sure. Someone posted that adults and kids receive treat bags. Is that true?
KRISTIN: Yes, each guest at the party can receive treat bags — kids AND adults. I’m not sure what you’re asking about “good spots” at the party. Do you mean for the parade?
Do you have to have a regular ticket to Magic Kingdom plus a ticket to MNSSHP, or can you purchase a ticket just for the MNSSHP and its hours?
KRISTIN: You definitely can purchase a MNSSHP ticket without other admission to MK. Just know that you won’t be able to enter MK before 4 with a party-only ticket.
Hey everyone, here’s a trick we learned the 1st year we went. Because you can get in the park well before the start, and because you will be up late, don’t waste a ticket day! Our 1st time we thought the party tickets were on top of the normal admission. We realized let’s take it easy that morning and check into the park when it opens for the halloween party. We’re going in 10 days. I thought we could go in around 3:00. Still trying to track that information down.
Also. We’ve now done both and we both give a slight edge to the halloween party over Christmas. Both are great but that is our preference.
KRISTIN: MK usually starts letting MNSSHP guests in about 4 p.m.
What is the exact time for the Party? 7pm-? 11:30? 12?
KRISTIN: 7 p.m. to midnight
I have a reservation at Crystal Palace at 4:00 and have MNSSHP tickets for the same night…will I have to go back out to the gate after we eat?
KRISTIN: If you are going into the park on a non-party ticket, you will need to go to the gate or one of the locations inside the park to get your party wristbands after 4. You might try going through the gate a few minutes before your reservation to see if you can get wristbands at that time and save yourself a trip.
We are hoping to be able to attend MNSSHP next year. My questions relate to the candy distribution/trick-or-treating. My daughter has food allergies (peanut, tree nut) and Disney is great about having food ingredients available at all their restaurants, but never having been to this event, I’m wondering about the candy. Does the candy have allergen labelling? Disney food products sold under the Goofy’s Candy Co. label are NOT safe for children with food allergies. Any information that anyone could provide would be most appreciated. Thanks!
KRISTIN: Because the candy is snack-size, not all of the pieces have nutritional info on the packaging. I’m told, though, that your daughter can trick-or-treat as usual in the park and then take her bag of goodies to City Hall and trade it for nut-free and suger-free treats.
Excellent information, Kristin! Thanks! Can you tell me if there will be a photo included with admission? I thought they used to offer it, but I don’t see any mention of it anywhere.
KRISTIN: Thank you! Several years ago, WDW offered a PhotoPass card at MNSSHP that entitled the guest to 40% off any photos taken that night. Not anymore. 🙁
We’re going to the Halloween party on September 25th (our first!) Can we pick up our tickets at Epcot guest services (as we’ll be in that park on Monday) or do they have to be picked up in MK only? Thank you and we’re so excited…
In years past they did free face painting for all guests at MNSSHP…have they done away with that??
KRISTIN: Yes, the face painting station was located in Mickey’s ToonTown Fair. When that closed last year, the face painting was not relocated.
Is the candy decent quality or is it the cheap stuff?
Will children need to bring bags for the candy or do they provide bags for them? We have never been during this time of the year.
We are excited to be going to MNSSHP October 16th. Can you enter the park with the Special Event ticket before 7:00?
KRISTIN: Usually, party guests are allowed to enter MK as early as 4 to 4:30, though that is not guaranteed.
I think that the DTD trick or treating (as well as trick or treating at resorts) is only on October 31st- When we go for ACTUAL halloween is the only time that we see that, not any other time throughout the fall season.
KRISTIN: Happy Haunting at DTD used to take place on Oct. 30-31. It was discontinued altogether last year.
Thanks for the info–I’m attending MNSSHP this year & you gave me a great idea of what to expect!
My husband and I will be at Disney in 2 days! We are going to the first night of MNSSHP on the 11th! We are so excited, this is our first kidless Disney trip in 17 years (honeymooned at Disneyland), celebrating our 17th anniversary.
I cannot wait! We are going in two weeks and are very excited about the Not So Scary party. The Halloween parade is our favorite Disney parade and the new stuff looks like a lot of fun. I just wish our teenage son was not getting too cool for Disney because he is going whether he likes it or not. 🙂
Will be going to WDW Oct. 3 – 10. Have been going for the Christmas Party the last 4 years and decided to switch it up this year and do Halloween and Food and Wine. Am stoked for the party, in fact going twice!
We are going to MNSSHP for the first time ever. We have been to Disney so many times but never at this time of year. We are also going to the Christmas party. This is going to be an epic trip doing numerous things we’ve never done. We cannot wait. The best part is that it is a surprise for our children they have no idea we are going.
My daughter will be excited about dancing to Calling All the Monsters. Thanks for the update! Can’t wait to read more. We are going to the October 8th party.
In 2010 we went for my daughters 5th Bday it was wonderful and well worth the extra money. We are going again Sept 11 for my sons 5th Bday. Trick or Treating in the Magic Kingdom was amazing. Mr Smee made a big deal over my son and daughter who were dressed as Captain Hook and Tink. Cruella tried to steal my sons stuffed cat. The Queen of Hearts step out from behind her roped off area to angerly shake her finger and motion off with her head at my mom who was dressed as her. Once in a lifetime memories for us.
I went to the MNSSHP in 2010 with our DD,DSIL, and DGD, LOVE, LOVE, LOVED it!! This Oct. my DH and I will be going(alone), can’t wait, we are in our mid-60’s and have been going to WDW since it first opened. This party is not to be missed, love it more than the Christmas party, just think, with the Holloween Party and Epcot Food & Wine party, us “Ole Folks” will have the time of our lives. Have fun everyone, can’t wait to see all the posts before we go.
If you attend Magic Kingdom on one of the days they have the MNSSHP will you be able to stay for the parade as part of your day ‘s ticket or will you have to pay to stay for the parade…or leave before the parade?
KRISTIN: You will be able to see the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade at 3 p.m., but you will not be able to see Mickey’s Boo To You! Parade at night. Day guests have to leave at 7 p.m. on Halloween party days unless they purchase separate tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
My family will be visiting the end of October. I am still undecided whether to purchase MNSSHP tickets. I have a 6 and 3 year old. This is our first time to Disney. Is it worth it? It just seems like so much money.
KRISTIN: I agree that it IS expensive, but if I were choosing between the Halloween and Christmas parties, I would choose Halloween. My kids LOVE being able to trick-or-treat in the Magic Kingdom, and the Halloween parade and fireworks can only be seen during the party and truly are fantastic. (Most of the elements of the Christmas party move into the MK after the last party for the weeks before and after Christmas.)
My husband and i will be there Oct. 23 and i can’t wait to do this dance! We will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary at the party. It’s our 15th year of celebrating with Disney
Do we need to bring our own treat bags or will they give the kids treat bags when we arrive?
KRISTIN: Kids and adults alike will be given treat bags, so no need to bring them unless you want larger bags than what WDW distributes. 🙂
I wish they’d add new characters instead of getting new trick or treat balloons
I was wondering if Splash Mountain was going to be open for the Halloween Party since they are closing it during EMH? Thanks.
KRISTIN: We have not heard it will be closed. AllEars members will be attending the first MNSSHP, though, and can check for sure.
Thank you for the update on the MNSSHP! My family and I (DH, DS and DD) are going for the first time this year and we are really excited. This will be our third trip to DW since 2008 but first time ever for Halloween. We are on the countdown now and are at 56 days and counting!
Thanks so much for posting the video! My daughter is so thrilled to be able to participate in the dance!!
KRISTIN: You’re welcome! My daughter is the same way. 🙂
Hi Kristen. Excellent job on the blog for MNSSHP. My wife and I are taking an adults only trip the third week of October and we plan on attending the night of the 16th. Any suggestions for adult fun or more importantly I follow the picture this photo blog religiously. Any recommendations for picture taking? Thanks in advance. Chris
My husband and I can’t wait to go to MNSHP. It will be our first time to see the park all decorated for the event. We normally go in May. This will be such a treat for us.
But will the trick or treating at Downtown Disney return? Or is that a shadow of the past?
KRISTIN: As far as I know, Happy Haunting at DTD is in the past, unfortunately. Our family loved that event, too!
We will be there on the 14th! can’t wait!