UPDATE 3: No sign of the escaped virtual ghosts at the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Sept. 1, and the Mayhem at the Mansion app has been removed from the iTunes store.
UPDATE 2: There will not be a “mingle” after the Villains Mix & Mingle stage show, as there as been in years past. To meet the villains, look for greeting areas throughout the park, Club Villain dance party or the pre-paid Sinister Soiree.
UPDATE 1: The Evil Queen and Maleficent will NOT be in Princess Fairytale Hall. They are only available at the Sinister Soiree dessert party, which costs $99 per person.
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This year, Halloween at Walt Disney World begins even earlier than usual. Typically, the resort offers its first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party during the second week of September. This year, the first party is Sept. 1 — that’s next Monday! Presumably, the early date is planned to catch guests vacationing at the resort for Labor Day weekend.
Expect to see the fall decorations going up along Main Street, U.S.A., this week and throughout the Magic Kingdom, where the party takes place. Already, we saw plenty of Halloween merchandise at The Emporium over the weekend, and the store has two of its window displays dedicated to the upcoming holiday.
Although the basic format of the party remains the same, there are, of course, some tweaks and changes to the entertainment lineup. Perhaps the most significant are the character meet-and-greets. In the past, the princes posed with their beloved Disney Princesses. This year, characters such as Flynn Rider and Prince Charming will not be attending the Halloween party. (They will be present at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, however.)
Instead, Disney is capitalizing on the increasing popularity of its villains. And if lines at its recent Villains Unleashed and Rock Your Disney Side All-Night events are any indication, you’ll want to join these queues early. Jafar will be meeting guests in Adventureland, the Queen of Hearts near Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland, and Lotso near Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland. Originally, it was reported that the Evil Queen and Maleficent would appear with Snow White and Aurora at Princess Fairytale Hall, but that is no longer the case. Instead, the same princesses that are there during the day will be appear at the hall during the party: Elsa and Anna on one side and Cinderella and Rapunzel on the other.
Walt Disney World also is introducing a Villains-themed dance party inside The Diamond Horseshoe in Liberty Square that has been named Club Villain. (This party replaces the Toy Story-themed dance party that featured Woody, Jessie and Bullseye.) Expect to find Cruella De Vil, Dr. Facilier, Anastasia, Drizella and Lady Tremaine — and there may be other surprise villain visitors.
Plus, Disney has announced that a popular baddies staple will return: Villains Mix & Mingle – Live on Stage. The Mix & Mingle is a short performance on the Castle Forecourt Stage that has featured Maleficent, Dr. Facilier, Queen Grimhilde, Captain Hook, Cruella de Vil, Queen of Hearts and Judge Claude Frollo. In the past, the characters descended into the audience for photos afterward, but that has changed and will not occur this year.
Walt Disney World also is introducing a special dessert party that only will be offered during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Villains’ Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle not only offers treats and preferred viewing for the 8:15 p.m. Mickey’s “Boo To You” Halloween Parade and Happy HalloWishes fireworks, but it also is the first dessert party to have characters. Lady Tremaine and her villainous friends will entertain guests, accompanied by a live piano player, at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside the castle. The dessert soiree starts at 10:15 p.m. On Sept. 1, 9 and 12, there also is an 11:45 p.m. dessert party, as well. The price is $99 per person, which includes the preferred seating for two events, desserts and non-alcoholic specialty drinks, an autograph card and a souvenir Maleficent dragon cup. That price is in addition to your admission to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. To make a reservation, call 407-939-5262.
In other character news, the Seven Dwarfs will return together for photo opportunities, as will Jack Skellington and his lady love, Sally, from “The Nightmare before Christmas.” Both sets traditionally are very popular, so I recommend lining up well before the party officially starts at 7 p.m. so you don’t waste precious party time. Also, Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope will join Mickey’s “Boo To You” Halloween Parade for the first time. (The pair won’t be meeting guests during the party, but guests can interact with them daily at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.)
Since the interactive game began, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom has issued a new card each year that only can be obtained during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This year, the card will feature the Helmsman pirate from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Past years’ cards have depicted Chip ‘n’ Dale and the Hitchhiking Ghosts. To pick up your card, go to the Firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A. You’ll need to show a party ticket and a wristband to receive the card. This means each person actually has to be present to collect his or her card. In past years, distribution has begun before the party actually starts.
Another new attraction that Disney officials have hinted at is “Mayhem at the Mansion,” an augmented reality game that will be available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party nights. Guests need to download an app for iOS and Android devices and then use it to take photos of themselves and ghosts throughout the theme park that they find using a map. The app would appear to be similar to Aurasma, which is used at Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends and Frozen Summer Fun events.
The official description of the game, from StitchKingdom.com, states: “It was just a matter of time. With so much going on outside those walls that house 999 happy haunts for more than four decades, some of them are bound to get restless and seek some time away and now they’ve managed to do just that. And now, now it’s up to you, the foolish mortals, not only to find them, but to capture them – capture them and return them to the Haunted Mansion before it’s too late! And if you happen to grab a souvenir photo along the way, all the better.”
A Disney official confirmed that “Mayhem at the Mansion” is coming to the Halloween parties and indicated more details would be released soon.
Each year there is a selection of Halloween-themed merchandise only available to party guests. Among the new offerings this year is a Limited Edition (5,000 total) MagicBand with the party logo. It sells for $29.95 and must be linked to an active ticket, MagicBand or Memory Maker card at the time of purchase.
Of course, guest favorites will be returning to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, including Happy HalloWishes fireworks, unlimited trick-or-treating for the young and young-at-heart, and the Phineas and Ferb Creepa Crew pre-parade interactive experience. Plus, select attractions will be open, and the lines typically are pretty short. (FastPass+ is not available during the party.)
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place on 26 nights from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31. (Please see the AllEars.Net resource page for other details, including pricing, which varies, and available discounts.) Halloween night already is sold out. Remember that you can enter the Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m. with a ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, even though the party activities don’t start until 7 p.m. That extra time is great to get dinner out of the way and line up for character meets, so you preserve more of your party time for the special events.
And check back at AllEars.Net, where several team members will be attending various nights of the Halloween party to bring you full coverage of the event.
Is the dance party at the Club Villian available to everyone? Is there an additional fee? And are you able to obtain autographs during that?
KRISTIN: Club Villain is open to everyone who has paid to attend the party and there is no fee beyond the party tickets. The characters do not stop to sign autographs, however, at dance parties.
My family and I went to the MNSSHP on 10/13. I went to the Jack Skellington line after our dinner reservation. I got into line at 5:30. Much to my suprise Jack came out at 6:30. I don’t know if this occurs nightly, or we were just lucky.
We attended this party this past Oct 5. I especially loved the show projected onto the castle. I am looking for the music/soundtrack to that show. Can anyone help me?
We are going to MNSSHP on 10/26. We have a 4:30 fast pass+ reservation to meet Mickey at the Town Square character meet and greet. Will Mickey be in his Halloween costume before the party officially starts at 7?
KRISTIN: Mickey doesn’t reveal his costume until the party starts 7 p.m. Being able to get Halloween-themed photos with the characters is one of the perks of the party.
How long of wait is it for Ana & Elsa during the party?
KRISTIN: On the night I attended in mid-September, the queue ranged from 10 to 40 minutes.
Do they provide bags for trick or treating or should you bring your own?
KRISTIN: Bags are provided to all guests, but you are welcome to bring your own, too.
My husband and I are going to MNSSHP. We took our son when he was two and this year he is four and we can’t wait to take him back. We all love the villains and are trying to decide if the Soiree is worth it or not. Any thoughts? Also if anyone else goes please review it so I can see what you thought! Thanks
I agree with Lauren, Pretty tasteless to have a movie just come out and the star not have a meet & greet unless you pay extra for the privilege of standing next to them for a min. while you stuff a few treats in you gob. I mean really must they squeeze every cent out of you that they can. Isn’t paying extra for 6 hours, plus food & souvenirs enough? They can’t let you take a photo with Maleficent? No princes, no mingle but the price goes up. Why not build a separate park for the Elite. Where they can charge what ever they want. Elite Adventures at Disney- Have Cinderella make you breakfast for just 595.00 or have Captain hook go to your child’s school for show and tell complete with gator shaped cookies for just 725.00 etc. etc. OK enough venting and whining 🙂
I think it is pretty tasteless to have a hard ticket event within a hard ticket event. I don’t think I would even be so bothered by it if they were offering up the same characters to everyone who paid to attend MNSSHP. To limit certain character meet and greets to people spending even more $$$ is a turn off.
Hello,
Do you know where Jack Skellington will be located?
KRISTIN: Jack and Sally again are located outside to the left of City Hall.
we are taking our 6 year old daughter on her first trip to Disney, October 25-November 1. She loves Halloween, so I splurged and we are going to the party on October 31st! She knows nothing about the trip, but has decided she wants to be Maleficent for Halloween and now I’m a little disappointed that she will only be at the dessert party for meet and greet and not after the stage show 🙁 I cannot fathom spending another $300.00 for the dessert party..she’ll just have to see her during the show and not a meet and greet.
Do we know where the 7 dwarfs are located this year? I have missed them every year before because my family didn’t want to wait– but this is my boys first year to attend and we WILL be waiting! Lol.
KRISTIN: The Seven Dwarfs are near the castle walls in New Fantasyland. Have a great time!
If you line up early (4) for the meet and greets will you be waiting till 7?
Do you get a map that tells you all the times and places for the meet and greets, candy etc.
KRISTIN: Yes, you will be waiting until 7 p.m., when the party officially starts, for the special characters to begin greeting guests. And, yes, there is a party map, which we have posted on our home page.
No “Mingle” in the Mix & Mingle…?
I guess they’ll have to change the name….
I will be attending my first Halloween Party October 24 which just happens to be my birthday also – super excited!!! I want to add the Villains Soiree but will wait for reviews…
For Anna and Elsa do you expect the lines to be longer or shorter then a regular day?
Thanks
KRISTIN: Definitely shorter than the summer waits. The lines ranged from about 10 to 45 minutes during the party on Sept. 12. The best time to go is during or right after the fireworks.
Will be attending MNSSHP on Sept 28th and Oct 5th. Can’t wait for the Villians’ Sinister Soiree, just got reservation for October 5th.
Are Anna & Elsa available for meet and greet during the Halloween Party?
KRISTIN: Yes, as I stated in this post, they will be in their usual spot in Princess Fairytale Hall.
Awesome party! I bring my family to Disney every October and MNSSHP is a great time. My son is 9 and looks forward to it every year, as do my wife an I. The parade with the “grave diggers” and their sparking shovels is one of the best I have seen. Arriving on the 18th of October and can’t wait.
I’ll be at the Halloween Party (my first!) on September 12! I’m really excited to experience it… Plus I’m looking forward to seeing all of the villains. I’m a little bummed that the princes won’t be there, but it’s not a deal-breaker.
How is the weather during the first week of october? any chances the party will be cancelled if it rains?
KRISTIN: They will not cancel the party if it rains. I have been there when it rained during Happy HalloWishes and they still went on.
My wife and I are crazy and decided to go on Halloween for our first MNSSHP. We’re pretty pumped, but also preparing ourselves for some crazy crowds.
I love the Halloween Party and can’t wait to get back. I will be there on October 9. I would like to do that villain thing in the Castle but since we are taking our nephews for this trip I just don’t want to spend that kind of money. If there are any fellow DVC members on here I’ve already asked if we get a discount and we don’t. Maybe if it takes off we will though. Just out of curiosity, I have seen people get special seats for the Halloween parade right there at the bridge leading to Liberty Square. Do you know if that’s where these seats are? Seems to me like they are gonna need a lot more space if there are enough people there to fill Cinderella’s Royal Table.
KRISTIN: The area for reserved seating has not been announced. We’ll know after the first party on Sept. 1., though.
We’ll be there on the 9th also! We go every year for the Halloween party…we think it’s more fun than the Christmas party
Cant wait to go in 40 days 🙂 attending party on the 9th…. looking forward to our halloween holiday trip. hope it’s as good as Christmas time.