Even though many Halloween-obsessed fangirls/boys are bummed that Halloween is now over, that doesn’t mean we can’t start thinking about plans for next year!

This Disney fangirl highly recommends the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Each fall, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, undergoes a magical transformation, casting a spell over visitors with its spooktacular event – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This enchanting celebration seamlessly marries the whimsy of Disney with the thrills of Halloween, creating a uniquely memorable experience for guests of all ages.

In this article, I’ll delve into the unique experiences you can have at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, exploring the bewitching festivities that make it a must-visit event for Disney enthusiasts.

Exclusive Disney World Entertainment

While you can experience Halloween decorations at the Magic Kingdom from mid-August to October 31st, there are select nights when the park closes early for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This ticketed event offers exclusive entertainment options that make it well worth the extra cost. From captivating stage shows to enchanting parades, there’s no shortage of spine-tingling spectacles to enjoy. The “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade is a highlight, featuring Disney villains and iconic characters bedecked in their Halloween finest, accompanied by ghostly floats and haunting melodies.

Additionally, the bewitching “Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular” fireworks show lights up the night sky with a spellbinding display set to a hauntingly delightful soundtrack. I personally felt like the fireworks show during the Halloween party exceeds the typical Disney fireworks show but I love Halloween so perhaps I’m biased.

Trick-or-Treat Halloween Stations

Trick-or-treating takes on a whole new dimension at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. If you’re in the park, a few hours before the park shuts down, there are a few check-in locations where cast members will scan your party QR code in exchange for your wristband and Halloween tote bag. If you get your wristband, you can stay in the park and avoid having to wait in line to get back into the park. If you decide to only do the Halloween party, you can go through the main gates as usual to scan your party ticket and get your candy bag.

Guests of all ages are invited to don their favorite costumes and embark on a candy-filled adventure through the park. Designated treat lines lead visitors to various stations, where they can collect a delectable assortment of sweets and goodies. The candy this year was sponsored by Mars so there were a lot of Milky Way, Three Musketeers, M&Ms and Starbursts available. There were also gluten free options where cast members provided attendees a teal bag so they could collect tokens at the candy stations to exchange for the gluten-free options at designated areas of the park. This experience isn’t like your traditional trick or treating experience where you go up to a house and maybe get one piece of candy – the cast members are scooping up candy from barrels and putting it into your bags. You will be in sweet tooth heaven after this event from all the candy you’re taking home!

Spooky Attractions

Most of Disney World’s iconic attractions remained open during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Unfortunately, there are no Halloween overlays on any of the rides at the Magic Kingdom. If you’re looking for some Halloween themed rides, check out the Halloween scene at Disneyland where they have Halloween overlays for the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. But, you won’t be disappointed as many of the iconic rides at Disney World are just better at night. See: TRON, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Wait times were not bad at all – every ride I walked up to had about 15–20-minute wait except for Haunted Mansion. There was a 30-minute wait that ended up being longer as the ride broke down.

Character Encounters

At Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests can encounter villains and their favorite characters dressed in delightful Halloween costumes. It’s a rare and enchanting experience that allows for memorable interactions and unforgettable photo opportunities. If this is a priority for you, make sure to plan which character experiences you want the most. The character meet and greet lines are the longest – especially for Jack and Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas and Stitch in his Elvis costume. Some Disney fans will even do a day pass at the park to be in the park and ready to line up for the character lines before the gate even opens for the party.

Halloween Merchandise

I’m a sucker for Disney merchandise – especially the holiday merchandise – even more so the Halloween merchandise. It takes a lot of restraint for me to not go into the Emporium and buy every Halloween related item that I see. This year, I did my research ahead of time to see the Halloween merchandise. Disney does offer a collection of general Halloween merch items like pins, t-shirts, Mickey ears, mugs, home décor, costumes and more. The Not So Scary Halloween Party has exclusive merch that will only be available during the party. I of course could not resist so I ended up buying multiple shirts for both occasions and a glow in the dark Mickey ears. I promise to do better next year!

Exclusive Food Options at the Not So Scary Halloween Party

I wish I could report back on the food more, but I prioritized the rides and trick or treating rather than tasting the exclusive food options and waiting in line for the exclusive popcorn buckets. Next time I’m going to focus more on the food and maybe even try out one of the dessert parties so check back for my review on the food in 2024! One dessert that is a must-try on my list is the Minnie-shaped Pumpkin Cheesecake: Pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin coffee mousse topped with a white chocolate candy corn bow. If you’ve tried it, you’ve got to let me know if it lives up to the hype!  

Overall Impression

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a bewitching event that seamlessly combines the enchantment of Disney with the magic of Halloween. Whether you’re a devoted Disney fan or simply looking for a spooktacular way to celebrate the season, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is an experience that should not be missed. So, put on your favorite costume and join the festivities for a night of not-so scary Halloween fun!