Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a ticketed special event taking place after dark on select nights in August, September and October. Here are my top tips for attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida during the party time.

10 Tips for MICKEY’S NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Halloween Fun Awaits at an After-Dark Special Event in Magic Kingdom Park! Visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida during October is the best time to plan a visit and have a great time at MICKEY’S NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY.

We started out the month in Florida at Disney, with Grandparents as well. We had a Florida vacation planned with days to spend at Walt Disney World as well. The children, of course, had a fabulous time and I always love our time at Disney.

We really did have a fabulous Pirate and Princess perfect time. My husband and I went on vacation with his parents (ages 70 & 77) and our three young children -- all under the age of 5. We had 4 day passes for Walt Disney World and tickets to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. I really wished we would have stayed one full week with the kiddos and the grandparents as we just weren't able to get through everything as quickly as we had hoped. We really were like parents with five children with us.

The day we were attending the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, I scheduled a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for my oldest daughter. My youngest was a baby and not able to be "Princess-ed UP"! I wanted my daughter to be able to select her favorite princess outfit for the Halloween party whilst at her visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. What a wonderful, sparkly, princessey time! She didn't stop smiling for the entire time. She looked absolutely beautiful. And her hair and makeup were simply gorgeous!

We arrived early for MICKEY’S NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY, which I highly recommend. Since my daughter was able to select her costume at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, we allowed my son to select a favorite costume as well. Since we traveled from Chicago, I didn't pack costumes and had planned on purchasing costumes once we were in Disney. My son selected Captain Jack Sparrow's costume and he looked so adorable!

Enjoy Halloween Fun August through October at Magic Kingdom Park

2018 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Dates

August 17, 24, 28, 31
September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31

Here are my top tips for attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida during the party time.

Tips for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

1) Purchase Your Party Tickets in Advance

We attended the Halloween Party in early September and purchased our tickets for the party before we even left Chicago. Mickey's Halloween Party requires the additional ticket as well as your normal park entry ticket. The current ticket price begin at $75 if you purchase in advance and is $85 if purchased at the gate (that is if the daily allotment of tickets has not sold out). Be sure to link your special event tickets to your My Disney Experience account. Your special tickets will be on your MagicBand and will make the evening so much easier.

2) Arrive Early

You can enter the park for the Halloween Party at 4:00 PM using your Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party ticket. However, there is a specially marked party entrance at the front of the park that must be used. Keep in mind you do not have to use your park pass for that day, you only need your Halloween Party ticket, which hopefully you linked to your MagicBand. You will be provided with a special Halloween Party wristband at this time. Don't mix this up or you could waste one of your daily passes accidentally. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is a specially ticketed party even at Walt Disney World which is completely separate from your regular park admission.

3) Grab a Time Guide Map

When you enter the park after security checks, there will be special time guide maps at the entrance available for the Halloween Party festivities. You will not want to forget to grab one of these. These time guide maps will highlight the Halloween special character meeting spots, the trick or treat paths to follow, and all the times for the night's entertainment.

4) Trick-or-Treat Throughout the Park

Disney will not run out of candy for trick or treating through the park. Not ever, so there is no need to rush from candy station to candy station. There is plenty of time and trick or treating runs the entire evening, every single even of the Halloween Party festivities. Simply gather your candy along the way to all the other great entertainment events.

5) Come Dressed in Costumes

As I stated earlier, my daughter had visited the salon and was dressed in her best princess costume, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. My son was dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow and they LOVED being dressed up in their costumes at Magic Kingdom. Adults are also allowed to wear costumes during the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. My kids didn't last all night long in their costumes as Florida is really not compared to Chicago. My husband and I didn't dress in costumes and we didn't feel out of place at all.

MICKEY'S VILLAINOUS ENTERTAINMENT

During this special period at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, there are some deviations from the normal day to day activities. During Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, guests will be able to enjoy extra special entertainment that only occur during this time period for the celebration of Halloween.

6) Boo-to-You Halloween Parade

During Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party, there will be a special Halloween themed parade with the Disney beloved villains and spooky spooks. The parade during the Halloween party begins at Splash Mountain and ends in Main Street. Keep your eye out for the Headless Horseman. There are two Halloween parades, with the first parade being far more crowded. Secure your seat locations early if you want to see the entire parade. I would suggest to not miss this special parade since it is only a couple of months out of the year and it is quite spectacular. My best TIP is to view the parade in Frontierland, it is way less crowded than Main Street. (parade at 9:15 PM and 11:15 PM)

7) Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular

The mischievous Sanderson Sisters will be joining Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party. Winifred, Mary and Sarah will be on a stage in front of the castle trying their very best to cast spells on guests. (showings at 8:15 PM, 10:45 PM and 12:00 AM)

8) Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Show

All guests will be able to view a fabulous show of fireworks and the amazing light projections on Cinderella's castle. Also, Disney most beloved Villains: Maleficent, Ursula, Cruella de Vil, Jafar and Oogie Boogie will be belting it out by the castle as well. This is one fireworks show not to be missed during the Halloween party. After the fireworks, a lot of families leave the park and this is the best time to hit the ride attractions as the lines will be very short. Also directly after the fireworks is the time to trick or treat AND head to the characters. (fireworks at 10:00 PM)

9) Character Dance Parties

There are free roaming character during these dance parties, meaning, they do not have an escort and you can get close. Close enough to dance your booty off! There are Character Dance Parties called the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball dance party at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland and one in Frontierland. My daughter had the BEST time dancing the night away with Stitch. (dance party 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM)

10) Stay Late

A lot of families attend the Halloween Party and perhaps over extend their kiddos for the day, by being at the parks during the day as well. We slept in the day of the Halloween Party, had a lunch, swam in the pool a bit, gave the kiddos naps, visited the salon and then headed to the the park for the party. I noticed a lot of families left after the first parade concluded. There was another mas exodus after the fireworks and the park was still open for two more hours! This is the time I would suggest to visit the characters who are not out during these special Halloween festivities (IE: Jack Skellington and Sally). Also, this is the time to go trick or treating as the lines are no longer crazy long, they are actually non existent during the last two hours. This is MY BEST TIP for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. If you can keep your kids up late and they are not having any issues, stay until the park closes to enjoy all the Halloween Party has to offer.

All in all we had a great time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. My kids were able to stay awake and they LOVED being in the park so very much past their bedtime. We had the stroller and were able to maneuver find throughout Magic Kingdom with three kiddos and two grandparents. My best tips are arrive early, stay late, take in the entertainment, meet some character and trick or treat. Go back to your hotel and sleep very late and dream about villains!