Magic Kingdom is not the park to wing it—especially during party season.
You could be dreaming of fireworks and late-night rides, only to find the park closing at 6:00 PM with zero warning. That’s because Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party take over many nights this fall and winter. If you don’t have a ticket to one of those special events, you’re getting kicked out early — and missing some of the best parts of the day. Here’s what you need to know, and the 63 exact dates you’ll want to either grab a party ticket or skip Magic Kingdom entirely.
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Why These Dates Matter
Every time one of Disney’s after-hours parties is on the calendar, Magic Kingdom closes to regular guests at 6:00 PM. That means no fireworks, no Disney Starlight Parade, no nighttime rides, and no chance for a late dinner in the castle unless you’ve paid for the party. This can be a major letdown if you weren’t expecting it.
I’m an Orlando local who has been going to the parks for years, and I can tell you that crowds can be a bit lighter earlier in the day on party dates becayse some people avoid them altogether. But if your park strategy includes park-hopping, dining, or squeezing in a full day of attractions, it’s going to be rough. Especially if you’re planning a one-park-per-day ticket and realize halfway through your day that you’ll be getting booted out just as things get good.
Let’s break down exactly which dates you’ll want to steer clear of — or at least plan around.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Dates
Fall is a super popular time to visit Disney World, and this Halloween party stretches way beyond October. If you’re heading to Magic Kingdom in August, September, or October, check this list carefully:
- August 2025: 15th, 17th, 19th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 29th
- September 2025: 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 28th, 30th
- October 2025: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 26th, 28th, 30th, 31st
That’s 38 total nights this fall when Magic Kingdom will cut your day short unless you’ve got a party wristband. If your dream Disney day includes fireworks or evening castle photos, these are not the days to choose for your Magic Kingdom visit.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates
No break between Halloween and Christmas here. The holiday switch happens basically overnight, and the Very Merry parties start immediately after Halloween ends.
- November 2025: 7th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 26th, 28th, 30th
- December 2025: 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 21st
Add those up and that’s 25 more nights of early closures.
Here’s where it gets especially tricky: Thanksgiving week and early December are super popular times for families to visit. You might think a weekday will be calmer, but surprise — it’s also a party night. So even if you’re expecting a chill Wednesday in Magic Kingdom, you might end up walking out before dinner.
What Early Closure Actually Looks Like
On these party nights, Magic Kingdom technically “closes” for regular guests at 6:00 PM. Cast Members will start clearing out lines, turning people away from rides they won’t have time to finish, and gently nudging people toward the exits.
You also won’t be able to make dining reservations past 6:00 PM, and you won’t get to see fireworks unless you’re at the party.
If you do have a park hopper ticket, it’s a good idea to switch parks around 4:00 PM — grab dinner in EPCOT, or catch Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios. Just don’t plan for a full day at Magic Kingdom.
The Bottom Line
If you’re visiting Disney World this fall or winter and Magic Kingdom is on your must-do list, double-check your dates. These 63 party nights can totally change your day if you’re not ready for them.
You either need to:
- Grab a party ticket to stay past 6:00 PM
- Hop to another park in the evening
- Or, just pick a non-party day to go to Magic Kingdom
We’ll always love the parties (seriously, they’re a blast if you’re prepared for them), but nothing stings like getting turned away from a ride at 5:50 PM because you didn’t know the park was closing early. Keep this list handy and plan smart. You’ll thank yourself later.
As always, be sure to keep following AllEars.Net for more Disney news and updates.
Learn more about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party here!
What’s your Magic Kingdom strategy for party season? Tell us in the comments!
I can understand why about having to leave the MK early due to the special events like Haloween … but, starting in August that’s not good business sense as that’s just too early and families will still be in vacation mode for normal times, not party ticket required nights/times. With the rising cost of park tickets … diz room rates, etc … making someone leave early like the wife an myself who might not know in advance … and also hadn’t been to the parks in close to ten years now, and live close to 600 miles away, and have had some major health issues … we’d be angry … we’d be likely spending more time an limited money at the Universal Parks.