Tips about Kids and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

While we have been to Disney World numerous times for the Halloween party, we have found that instead of going to the parks that day, since your Halloween party ticket is also park admission, we use that day to swim, shop at Disney Springs, do laundry and nap. The park allows admission after 4 p.m. with your party tickets and you have plenty of time to put on your costume and all night to party without being tired from a day in the park! - Diane H.

One of the best times we shared at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party was just sitting and watching. We missed the first parade, so we made our way back down Main Street to wait for the second. We just sat down facing up Main Street. The stream of dressed up people leaving the park was wonderful. We got to see Ursula, the Flintstone family and lots of pirates and princesses. The best part was this little fire hydrant that quietly roamed the street squirting passers-by. It was GREAT. - Georgette from New Jersey

A great way to tote around your umbrella strollers is to use a "camping" or "sport" chair bag from home. Put the stroller in the bag when you are about to board the bus and easily store the bag in/on your stroller throughout the parks. It will make holding your stroller so much easier while toting those little ones around, too. I would love to take credit, but this is a tip someone else shared with me that I know everyone could use. - Jessica Stahl

MNSSHP - After making the mistake of going to another park before the Halloween party (we ended up exhausted), we now go to a water park, Disney Springs or just enjoy our resort beforehand. We go to the Magic Kingdom for the Halloween Party at 4 p.m. and everyone is ready for a fun evening. - Kathy Craig

Just got back from our first trip to the Magic Kingdom with a toddler. He goes down for a nap each afternoon and after not getting him to nap while going around Fantasyland/Tomorrowland in a stroller (probably too much noise and visual stimulation), we were going to go back to the hotel. On our way back toward the exit we strolled through the Tomorrowland Terrace. Less noise, no visual stimulation and protected from the sun, it was the perfect place for our son to finally fall asleep! It was also a good place for an adult to rest. It probably saved us an hour round-trip to the hotel and back. - Doug Chen

MNSSHP - For those with food allergies who are worried about trick-or-treating at an upcoming Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, don't be. I have severe food allergies and wasn't going to bother trick-or-treating. However, I overheard a Cast Member telling a family in front of me that if they went to City Hall, they could request allergen-friendly candies. I took my trick-or-treat bag and true enough, there were the candies. They present you with a chart of allergen-friendly candies, from which you can pick a few or all. - Laura

One of the things we always bring is a folding stepstool for the room that fits nicely in our luggage. Great for the little guys to use the toilet, wash hands and brush teeth without Mom and Dad's help. Also serves as a time-out chair when necessary. Yes, the resort may have some available for guests, but I don't want to be the 100th person asking and find they are already all loaned out. - Melanie Drake

If you're concerned about your kids sweating away under layers of Halloween costumes, make smarter costumes. Assemble or sew your costumes from real fabrics rather than the cheap non-breathable polyester of store-bought costumes; avoid uncomfortable wigs, hats, masks and props that you'll end up carrying by the end of the night; use face paint to create a memorable look instead of relying on layers of clothes; wear a costume that incorporates a bag or backpack so it does double duty; and consider costume themes that are appropriate for warm weather like safari guides or surfers... You don't have to be a seamstress (although if you are, that's great) -- you can assemble your own costumes from thrift stores, or sales and clearance items. We've been attending MNSSHP in themed, homemade costumes for 10 years. Among our costumes: pirates, sorcerers, ancient Romans, the casts of Scooby-Doo and the Wizard of Oz (OK, I'll admit, our Cowardly Lion costume was very, very warm). This past year, we used old formal clothes and lots of face paint to look like the Mexican Dia de los Muertos. Every year we've learned more about how to make costumes that are both comfortable and distinctive. What makes the MNSSHP so special is seeing all the guests in costumes, with their creativity unleashed. - Jeremy Jacobs

When our daughter, Megan, was small, she loved receiving Mickey Mouse stickers from cast members in the parks. When she was 5, we bought her some brightly colored sticker sheets of her own: love hearts, flowers and smiley faces. Every time she received a sticker, or any sort of attention from a cast member, she gave them a sticker in return. They loved it, and so did she! By the time our holiday was finished, she was giving out stickers to most of the cast members she met. It was so lovely, for us and for her, to see their faces light up, and she got lots of attention from cast members in return. - Alison

Start saving all your and your kids' old clothes -- the ones that are stained or a little torn, clothes that you don't wear any more or don't let your kids wear to school. Rather than discarding them, keep these clothes. For your trip to The World, take these clothes -- especially for the children. No one cares or pays attention to what you wear in the parks, and that way you won't have to stress out when eating meals or snacks. Spill away! Stain away! No being careful! When you get back to the room, throw that tee shirt or pair of shorts away. When you get home: Hurray! No laundry to do! - Andrea Fisher

A tip for UK visitors: In shops, kids struggle to work out the cost of something in British pounds, as they have to add the sales tax and then do the currency conversion. When ours were younger I made little conversion charts with the GBP equivalent (with sales tax added) of up to $20. As long as they can add up, they can then work out what things are going to cost from their spending allowance without having to ask Mum or Dad all the time. - Juli Williamson

Magic Kingdom - A not-well-publicized event that is fun to see for the little kids (and those kids at heart such as myself) is the opening ceremony at the Magic Kingdom. It occurs about 10-15 minutes before what Disney refers to as the "rope drop" (the time that they let people through the arches and into the park). The train arrives at the Main Street station above the floral displays with all the characters on board, with Disney music playing. They stop and wave to everyone waiting to enter the park. They let people through the turnstiles into the queue area about 20-30 minutes prior to the park opening. So get there a few minutes early if you want to see it. I believe it is worth seeing. - Mike

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party - Just wanted to let everyone know a couple of things about the Villains Sinister Soiree (an add-on to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party). First, it's awesome! Next, you need to get a lanyard. Most cast members we asked had no idea what we were talking about. You need to go out past where they check your bags when you enter. There is a little gazebo before the bag check. That is where you pick up your Villains passes, then you head up to the castle for check-in. We went a half-hour early, which gave us more time with the characters. It was a great, great time! Would do it again and again! - Amy F.

When I called to book Lilo's Playhouse (the children's activity center at the Polynesian Village Resort), I was originally told that it was completely sold out already for the period of July 14-18. However, I tried calling Lilo's myself directly. I was told that since they changed their system some cast members do not yet know that they must select a reservation time of 4:30 p.m. to midnight for the system to show availability for the date, otherwise it will show as fully booked. I thought this would be helpful for people looking to use this service when they stay at the Polynesian. We are now booked after calling back a second time. - Mark

It is so easy to lose a toddler amongst heavy crowds in the blink of an eye. Get your little ones used to wearing their MagicBands a few days before your trip and write your cell phone number with a waterproof marker on the colored part of the band. This way whoever finds your child can easily contact you if you get separated. - Ayse Clark