Magical Information to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Celebration

Spooky season begins early in Orlando. Disney World and Common Orlando kick their Halloween festivities off earlier than Labor Day, so company have greater than two full months of limited-time occasions, seasonal eats, and fall-themed enjoyable to take pleasure in.

Disney’s fan-favorite Halloween occasion, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Celebration, began at Magic Kingdom on Aug. 9, and I used to be there on opening night time. This particular occasion requires its personal ticket and isn’t included in commonplace day by day park admission, however I believe it’s price the additional price; throughout the five-hour occasion, we went on eight points of interest with minimal waits, hit a number of trick-or-treat stops, snagged a number of the specialty occasion meals, and noticed the parade, fireworks, and stage present. 

Right here’s every thing you could know — from can’t-miss leisure to the perfect snacks — to plan the right night time at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Celebration.

Leisure

At solely 5 hours lengthy, it’s unattainable to see and do every thing at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Celebration in a single night time, however you possibly can verify many of the must-dos off your listing — in the event you go in with a recreation plan.

Pause the trick-or-treating, character greetings, and rides for one factor: Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade. The parade begins with an look from the mysterious Headless Horseman, galloping his approach from Frontierland to Predominant Avenue, and options iconic traditional Disney characters of their Halloween greatest, alongside distinctive cavalcades of spooky characters — just like the hitchhiking ghosts from Haunted Mansion. The gorgeous floats, particular character appearances, and catchy theme music make this my favourite Disney World parade, and I extremely advocate making it a precedence as you propose your night time on the occasion. 

The parade occurs twice an evening at 8:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. and travels from Frontierland (beginning close to Tiana’s Bayou Journey) as much as Liberty Sq. after which across the hub in entrance of Cinderella’s Citadel, earlier than heading down Predominant Avenue, U.S.A. We discovered a spot round 7:45 p.m. in Frontierland, however the first present Is often busier, and other people have been ready properly earlier than that for prime viewing spots. 

Creepy emcee Jack Skellington hosts Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular at Cinderella’s Citadel at 10 p.m. Fireworks, projections, and music from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas” could have you singing “This Is Halloween,” even in August. 

The “Hocus Pocus” Villain Spectacular encompasses a mashup of infamous Disney villains who come to assist the Sanderson Sisters from “Hocus Pocus.” The present takes place as much as 4 instances nightly (relying on the date), so you’ve got loads of probabilities to test it out — I like to recommend catching the midnight exhibiting on the best way out of the park. There are additionally dance events in Tomorrowland, singing pirates in Adventureland, and the Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet in Frontierland. 

Rides and Points of interest

Rides are open throughout the occasion, so company can anticipate brief wait instances for a lot of of Magic Kingdom’s high points of interest. Each Tiana’s Bayou Journey and Tron Lightcycle/Run supply standby traces throughout the occasion — one thing you received’t see throughout typical park hours if you want a digital queue or paid Lightning Lane to entry them — so this can be a nice time to trip these sought-after points of interest to your coronary heart’s content material. 

Just a few rides supply particular theming for the occasion: You possibly can trip Area Mountain in full darkness (with eerie tunes to up the joys issue), spin across the Mad Tea Celebration with a festive ambiance, or take heed to some Halloween-inspired jokes at Monsters, Inc. Chuckle Ground. If Area Mountain is simply too intense for you, hop on the PeopleMover for an aerial view of the occasion and a peek inside Area Mountain, the place you possibly can see and listen to the overlay with out so many twists and turns. 

Though it may be an extended wait throughout the occasion, positively make time to trip the Haunted Mansion. A duo of pleasant ghosts entertain company within the cemetery portion of the queue, and I discovered the ghosts’ interactions with the company to be humorous and intelligent, making for one in all our favourite components of the night. 

Celebration Meals and Drinks

Together with event-exclusive merchandise, there are bites and sips you could solely snag throughout Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Celebration.

You could find them at quick-service areas all through the park, and it is smart to examine each obtainable choice on the Disney web site beforehand so you possibly can plot out your snack plans. At Aloha Isle, the Dole Whip Mango and Chamoy Float (additionally obtainable throughout common park hours this season) was a private favourite; it combines refreshing mango-flavored Dole Whip with pineapple juice, chamoy, and tangy chili lime salt. The Spicy Meatball Arrabbiata Flatbread at Pinocchio Village Haus was a tasty and satisfying choice for a fast dinner between rides. The Friar’s Nook has a number of party-exclusive eats, together with the ominous-sounding Bowl of Bones and the Buffalo Rooster Hand Pie; we tried and loved each, however the hand pie was my favourite right here. There are dozens extra distinctive meals and beverage choices obtainable, so make a listing of your must-try treats and verify them off as you’re employed your approach across the park. (Don’t overlook that many areas supply cell ordering by way of the Disney app.)

For company on the lookout for a extra stress-free meal in a table-service setting, Be Our Visitor, Cinderella’s Royal Desk, and The Plaza Restaurant are open and supply some party-exclusive eats. This occasion was the one time I’ve ever seen a wait as brief as 10 minutes to eat at Cinderella’s Royal Desk with no reservation — although you may make reservations for these table-service eating places forward of the occasion in the event you’d like.

Dessert events are additionally obtainable to e book (for an additional cost) in order for you snacks and entry to a reserved space for the fireworks. 

Character Appearances 

Look ahead to characters decked out of their Halloween greatest all through the park. You possibly can take pictures with Mickey and friends of their festive apparel, Sew in his lovable Elvis costume, and Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger of their almost-too-cute outfits — plus extra characters (together with some “uncommon” characters that you simply don’t often see on the parks) of their typical apparel. 

Jack Skellington and Sally from “The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas” are very talked-about, and their traces usually exceed an hour. 

Trick-or-Treating

Prepared for the perfect trick-or-treating ever? Whenever you arrive at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Celebration, you’re given a bag and your first deal with of the night time, a full-size bag of M&Ms. The occasion presents greater than a dozen trick-or-treat areas across the park, the place solid members load your bag up with Mars Wrigley candies (suppose Twix, Snickers, Starburst, Skittles, and extra — all of the name-brand candies you at all times hoped to attain when trick-or-treating round your neighborhood if you have been youthful).

Every location is indicated on the map and by a trick-or-treat pylon. Strains could look lengthy, however they usually transfer quick—simply have your bag open if you get to the entrance. We went to about half of the deal with areas and ended up with a ton of sweet (I believe we counted about 70 items every), so children and adults alike will love filling their luggage with all of the sweet they’d like. The ticket worth contains all of the trick-or-treating, so there’s no extra price. 

And in the event you or your children have allergy symptoms, don’t fear — you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in trick-or-treating. Friends with allergy symptoms obtain a teal deal with bag and can get tokens from solid members at every trick-or-treat location that they will alternate for allergy-friendly treats on the Allergy-friendly Facilities in Liberty Sq. and Predominant Avenue, U.S.A. Though we don’t have meals allergy symptoms, we poked our heads in to see the way it labored, and educated solid members defined which treats suited totally different wants so company may decide which they’d like. I’d anticipate the Predominant Avenue location to get fairly busy towards the top of the night time as individuals alternate their tokens earlier than leaving the park, so contemplate swapping some out midway via the night time or head to Liberty Sq. to keep away from the frenzy (it was empty after we visited at round 9:30 p.m.).

Tickets and Dates

Magic Kingdom will host practically 40 nights of spooky enjoyable this 12 months. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Celebration began on Aug. 9 and runs via Oct. 31. (After that, the park will bear a magical transformation from Halloween to vacation). It is a individually ticketed occasion, so that you received’t be capable of entry the occasion on a regular Magic Kingdom day ticket. Ticket costs fluctuate by date from $119 to $199, with the costliest tickets round Oct. 31, however annual move holders and Disney Trip Membership members can rating a $10 low cost on occasion tickets in August and September.

The occasion lasts from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., however company with occasion tickets can get within the park earlier — extra on that beneath. Tickets are nonetheless obtainable for some September and October nights on the Disney World web site. 

Ideas for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Celebration

Get there early. 

Though the occasion doesn’t formally begin till 7 p.m., occasion ticket holders can enter the park starting at 4 p.m. Plan to get there simply earlier than 4 p.m. to get in line for the occasion entrance and knock out a couple of points of interest earlier than the occasion begins — although event-specific experiences at points of interest received’t begin till 7 p.m. Some company take this early entry alternative to hop in line for his or her favourite characters (Jack and Sally are a very talked-about selection) to allow them to be among the many first when the occasion meet-and-greet begins. 

Put on a Disney-inspired costume. 

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Celebration is likely one of the few instances company ages 14 and up can put on costumes contained in the park, however there are guidelines you could find out about, particularly for company over 13. For company 14 and up, costumes should be family-friendly, costume masks aren’t allowed, and costumes can’t attain the bottom. For extra particulars about what can and might’t be worn, take a look at the official guidelines on the Disney World web site. Even in the event you don’t gown up, seeing different company of their greatest Disney-inspired outfits is so enjoyable. 

Keep at a resort on the monorail. 

Questioning which Disney World resort to e book to your Halloween getaway?  Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Modern Resort are all situated on the monorail that goes to Magic Kingdom, making for a simple trip to and from the occasion. Disney’s Modern Resort is only a 10-minute stroll from the park, making it essentially the most handy choice for guests who don’t need to cope with the crowds leaving the park when the occasion is over. 

American Signal Language interpretation is on the market at some reveals on choose nights. 

American Signal Language interpretation is on the market at choose reveals on three dates (Aug. 23, Sept. 26, and Oct. 24). Examine the Disney World web site for extra particulars about accessibility throughout the occasion.