Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Worth the Money?

During the last days of summer in August, Disney World switches gears and begins its spirited celebration of everything spooky. This is when Magic Kingdom undergoes an autumnal makeover, showcased by Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Starting mid-month right up to Halloween on October 31st, visitors can buy tickets for this exclusive event held on certain evenings. However, keep in mind that the price of a ticket for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party varies from $119 to $229 (pre-tax), which is similar to or even higher than the cost of a regular Magic Kingdom ticket. Yet, a party pass grants access only from 4 p.m. until midnight.

In a nutshell, the question arises whether attending Disney World’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), which lasts just five hours, is a worthwhile investment of time, energy, and money, given its limited duration. To provide an informed answer, I recently attended my first MNSSHP during the Walt Disney World Play ‘n’ Preview event. Throughout the night, I endeavored to experience as much as possible – from attractions, food, shows, to unique offerings exclusive to party nights. My findings, along with reviews, highlights, critiques, and advice, are presented here in an effort to help you decide if MNSSHP is a worthwhile choice for your Disney World Halloween festivities.

We Feature: Park Ornamentation, Glasses, Exclusive Halloween Events, Performances, and Characters // Attraction Enhancements // Halloween Feast and Beverage Selection // Candy Collection // Queue Times for Rides // Ambiance // Halloween Souvenirs // Behind-the-Scenes Sights // Is it Possible to Experience “Everything” during Mickey’s Not-So-Spooky Halloween Party?

(This version tries to make the text more conversational and descriptive while maintaining the original information.)

Park Decor

From mid-August through the end of October, anyone touring Magic Kingdom is treated to the park’s Halloween decorations, which remain visible even on days without special events. Even during sweltering summer days/nights in Orlando when you might expect a different ambiance, these decorations can seem somewhat out of place, as I experienced firsthand. However, they become slightly less jarring during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, although the impact grows closer to Halloween itself (although it’s worth noting that Orlando can still be quite warm in October).

It’s no wonder that Disney World excels at holiday decoration – their attention to detail can be easily overlooked if you’re not careful, especially during Halloween. Wishfully thinking, I could have spent more time delving into all the intricate festive embellishments they offer. (This theme of wishing for more time will be recurring in this post.)

TIP: When planning a trip that includes several visits to Magic Kingdom, make sure to explore the Halloween decorations during your trips that aren’t on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party nights. If you can only go on party nights, remember to keep your eyes up instead of fixated on your phone. This is simpler since you won’t need to constantly check wait times for rides like you usually do during regular park visits.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Spectacles

Mickey’s Halloween Party offers three special shows that I made it a point to watch all of them for a thorough enjoyment and to evaluate each show. However, upon reflection, I found that the idea of a “complete party experience” might not be entirely accurate.

Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade

During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the Headless Horseman lived up to the hype, truly being as impressive as everyone claims.

— Michael Walsh, Verified #1 Criston Cole Hater (@burgermike.bsky.social) 2025-09-04T18:18:02.751Z

As a movie reviewer, stepping foot into Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade transports you straight into an enchanting, spine-tingling experience! The show commences with a chilling prelude courtesy of the Headless Horseman, who gallops through the park on a real steed. This iconic figure has been the soul of the parade, and being there in person truly justifies the hype. The atmosphere transforms as he rides near, instilling an awe-stricken hush among the crowd that is swiftly replaced by thrilling anticipation. It’s a goosebump-inducing moment that leaves you yearning for more!

In regards to the parade during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, I found myself wishing I could have experienced it twice. Given that it occurs twice each night, I chose the later showing. Despite my initial choice, I was so captivated by it all that I wished I had attended the first one as well, to relive the magic again. The parade primarily features Disney villains and performers/dancers in costumes. While some floats might not stand out, the real focus should be on the people in the parade, as they certainly do not fail to impress.

Among all performances, I particularly enjoyed the Gravediggers from the Haunted Mansion segment of the parade. They perform an intriguing dance while wielding shovels, which they also drag across the ground in a dazzling, well-coordinated routine that sparkles.

TIP: Make sure you don’t miss the Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade! If something unforeseen happens and you might miss it, aim for the initial run. The parade starts in Frontierland, so watching there allows you to quickly move on to a ride once it passes. On the other hand, those who watch from Main Street will get to see the Headless Horseman ride down that famous street and also enjoy Powerline’s performance beforehand. Unfortunately, I missed out on that because I watched at a comfortable spot between Frontierland and Liberty Square, which required less time waiting for a good viewing spot along the route, but it meant sacrificing some additional experiences and scenic settings.

Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Fireworks Show

The nightly firework spectacle at Magic Kingdom’s “Happily Ever After” is undoubtedly my top favorite encounter within Walt Disney World. It’s truly remarkable. On the other hand, the fireworks show during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, featuring projections and lasers, while not bad, tends to be quite ordinary and somewhat overshadowed by its regular counterpart, leaving a less impactful impression.

If you ask me, it’s worth attending the show despite its mediocre overall feel, solely due to the enormous Jack Skellington puppet (differing from a person in costume) who acts as the host. This puppet puts on a captivating performance right on stage before Cinderella’s Castle, mirroring Jack’s movements from the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Undeniably, it’s an impressive touch that I’m grateful not to have missed, even if the show itself was somewhat underwhelming.

ADVICE: The crowd during the Halloween fireworks display at Magic Kingdom is notably different from a typical evening, given the limited ticket supply. Instead of feeling cramped, it seemed as if I could approach the castle unobstructed when the show began. Unlike other shows, there’s no need to race for a prime viewing spot for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party fireworks spectacle.

Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular Stage Show

Although I’m not overly fond of Hocus Pocus, I was thoroughly captivated by this engaging production. It’s a compact musical featuring an array of Disney villains, with an outstanding Oogie Boogie costume that steals the show. To be honest, my anticipation was minimal, but I found myself developing a newfound appreciation for the movie Hocus Pocus itself.

TIP: During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, “Hocus Pocus” Villain Spelltacular runs several times, even at midnight. To make the most of your party time, consider lining up for a ride just before midnight, since Walt Disney World allows guests to join any queue until the park closes. I took advantage of this by queuing for Seven Dwarves Mine Train at 11:59 p.m., immediately after getting off it. Alternatively, you could choose to watch the final performance of “Hocus Pocus” at midnight.

If you anticipate feeling quite tired by midnight, consider watching the final show. You’ll be near the park exit once it concludes and will have a chance to get really close to the stage in front of the castle since it’s the least crowded performance. Plus, I didn’t encounter any issues getting close during an earlier showing.

Special Halloween Activities, Performances, and Characters From Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

At Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, there were numerous unique events and entertainers that I was unaware of until after my visit. Despite this, I wasn’t able to catch all the performances I had planned to see. Luckily, I managed to spot Mother Gothel, the Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet, and the Hitchhiking Ghosts in the park. However, I regret that I missed the pirate singing performance in Adventureland, as well as the live ghost spectacle at the Haunted Mansion. (Rest assured, I’ll share how I missed them soon.)

During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, there’s an abundance of activities happening which is beyond what I can enumerate. If you’re eager to snap pictures with characters, it can be quite intense. The crowd waits for hours merely to click a photo with Jack Skellington and Sally. Due to their popularity, they show up as early as 4 pm, although the event doesn’t begin until 7 pm. Visitors without a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party wristband who entered before 6 pm must exit after that unless they are already in line for a ride or have taken a seat at a sit-down meal.

ADVICE: Give thought to which characters you’d like to encounter, as popular ones might require waiting for extended periods. Searching for street performers or attractions of interest is essential to avoid missing them. Remember, it’s impossible to experience everything at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, even if you focus solely on the Halloween-themed activities. Identify your top priorities and tackle them first. At a minimum, ensure you explore each area of the park once. This approach will reveal numerous delightful surprises along the way.

Attraction Overlays

During Halloween, three popular attractions at the Magic Kingdom undergo unique transformations, with Space Mountain being the standout. In a truly eerie twist, the usual bright lights are replaced by near darkness, while spooky music adds to the atmosphere. This transformation, however unsettling it may seem, provides an entirely different experience compared to the typical Space Mountain ride. Personally, I found this darker version quite thrilling and enjoyed every minute of it.

Monsters Inc.’s Laugh Floor constantly presents a spooktacular show with a Halloween twist, making it enjoyable even for brief visits. The Magic Carpets of Mystery, too, receive Halloween-themed lighting and tunes, but when I passed by, it simply felt like the Mad Tea Party ride, so I decided to move on.

At Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the number of attractions with “Halloween Twists” seems somewhat limited compared to other parts of the event. I understand that it can be challenging to create special overlays for such a short duration (five hours), but adding a few more rides with these spooky adjustments would significantly enhance the experience.

TIP: Don’t miss out on riding Space Mountain in the dark during the party. However, avoid standing in line for it since it was often a walk-on at various points throughout the event.

Special Halloween Food and Drink Menu at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party offers a wide variety of eerie foods, treats, sweets, and beverages available for purchase across the park. My plan was to sample at least ten items during my visit, but I only managed seven. A few days later, I found an eighth option since some items are accessible throughout the day when there’s a night-time party scheduled. If I hadn’t been on my own, I would have achieved my goal, but it turned out to be more challenging than anticipated. It’s quite tough to constantly stop for food while also attempting to do numerous other activities. Additionally, you can easily become full!

Given that a ticket from the party allows entry into the park as early as 4 pm, I wish the exclusive food and beverage menu for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was accessible then instead of becoming available at 6 pm. It’s alright if regular park visitors can get them! Additionally, I found it inconvenient that many appealing options were only offered at certain sit-down restaurants. To be honest, the last thing I wanted to do with my limited party hours was spend time having a full meal at one of those places.

Suggestion:
1. Find out which Halloween food items are available throughout the day and grab them before the party begins.
2. Make a list of your must-haves and include the closing times for each location, so you don’t miss out on something you wanted due to unexpected closures (like that food booth that closed at 10 p.m.).
3. Arrive at the event with an empty stomach! The Halloween menu items I tasted were incredibly delicious.

Instead, check out this collection of photos showcasing various dishes I’ve eaten, accompanied by brief reviews in the image captions. For detailed menu descriptions, look for them in the alternative (alt) text.

Trick-or-Treating

Attending this event gives you a souvenir treat bag for trick-or-treating within the park during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. However, it should be noted that the candy distributed is standard Mars Wrigley variety, not exclusive treats. This activity might seem interesting, but given that I was already indulging in an abundance of food amidst the sweltering 187% humidity, it wasn’t something I felt compelled to participate in.

Hint: The park is filled with countless locations for trick-or-treating! Avoid standing in lines at any of them. As the night wears on, veterans often distribute more candy at each location as they try to empty their bins. However, unless you have children who really enjoy this activity, it’s hard to see why you would participate.

Ride Wait Times During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party offers a significant advantage: you’ll find minimal wait times for most rides throughout the event. Many popular attractions like Tron Lightcycle Run, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and even those known for being slow, such as Peter Pan, have significantly reduced wait times compared to regular park days. Even during the parades, fireworks, stage shows, and late at night, these wait times decrease even further. The party presents an excellent opportunity to enjoy a multitude of rides swiftly without investing in Lightning Lanes, Disney’s line-skipping system. In essence, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party can prove to be less expensive than a typical park visit due to this convenience.

ADVICE: Avoid waiting longer than 30 minutes for anything, not even Tron. Opt for show times to experience the most popular attractions. Moreover, strive to be efficient and ride everything in a specific area at the same time. If you’re planning a regular day, either before or after your party night, it’s unnecessary to take rides during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party as they usually have a short wait time already. The Little Mermaid ride is likely still a walk-on during non-party events.

Atmosphere (Costumes, Music, Energy)

At Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the atmosphere is simply outstanding. It’s bursting with both lively and spooky tunes, creating an unforgettable, celebratory mood that’s fitting considering everyone has paid to join the festivities. Needless to say, there’s a palpable enthusiasm in the air as everyone revels in being part of this exciting event.

As a self-proclaimed Disney enthusiast, I recently had the pleasure of attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – an event that doubles as a vibrant Disney cosplay extravaganza! Age was no barrier to participation, with many attendees donning elaborate costumes that truly brought the magic to life. While I opted for a casual Disney Halloween t-shirt, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the intricate outfits others had meticulously crafted. It was an enchanting sight to behold!

Tip: Since the event is in Orlando, you can expect it to be quite warm and humid during your visit. Keep this in mind when planning your costume. Opt for something like Aladdin’s outfit rather than Kristoff’s, as it might be more comfortable in the heat.

Halloween Merchandise

If you’re on the hunt for distinctive Halloween-themed goods, you’ll find an abundance of options – even some items exclusive to parties. I picked up just one collectible pin, but there was plenty more that caught my eye.

TIP: It’s been mentioned that some exclusive items might run out fast during party nights, so if you have something particular in mind, it would be wise to grab it right away. However, most goods will still be available even after the party concludes, as shops along Main Street, U.S.A. tend to stay open later.

What You Don’t Get To See

Skipping the unique event-specific spectacles during the special party means forgoing popular Magic Kingdom performances such as the stunning fireworks show “Happily Ever After” and the mesmerizing nighttime electrical parade, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. If you’ve already seen these shows or plan to catch them on a later visit, it’s not much of an issue. However, if the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is your only Magic Kingdom visit, missing out on these performances might be disappointing. Also, if you arrive late, you may even overlook the pianists playing at Casey’s Corner, a charming detail I particularly appreciate in the Magic Kingdom.

ADVICE: Make it a priority to attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party as soon as possible. If your ticket grants you entry at 4 PM, plan to arrive at exactly that time. If you have a regular park pass for the same day, come even earlier – as early as conveniently possible, understanding that your night won’t end until past midnight. The party days tend to be less crowded because many visitors choose not to buy tickets valid beyond 6 PM. Consequently, the morning and 2-4 PM periods appear particularly leisurely. These times offer excellent opportunities to accomplish a lot of non-Halloween related activities, particularly rides.

Can You Do “Everything” During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?

Absolutely, but it’s important to note that despite having plenty of opportunities, you can’t possibly do everything at the event. If you prioritize riding all the attractions during the low wait times, you might miss out on the spectacular shows. Similarly, if you spend time trick-or-treating or savoring the special party menu, you’ll have fewer chances to enjoy other Halloween experiences. Also, don’t forget that even though the event lasts for five hours officially, the time tends to pass quickly, especially when you factor in waiting for parades, fireworks, or stage shows. In essence, there’s a lot to do, but managing your time effectively is key to experiencing as much as possible.

Due to a longer wait time during the party night and the fact that it was almost closing, I chose to simply pass by Haunted Mansion, admiring its spooky lighting and fog instead of riding it. Although it looked fantastic, I regret not experiencing it as I wished I had. If given another chance, I would definitely hop on the ride.

Put simply, attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is akin to visiting Magic Kingdom or Walt Disney World; each choice you make about one activity means giving up another.

TIP: Before attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, it’s helpful to learn about all the activities available, both usual and special ones for the event. Identify what you must do, what you’d like to do if possible, and what you can afford to skip or miss. Understand that you won’t be able to experience everything, so focus on enjoying what you manage to accomplish without any regrets. However, not tasting the banana Skull Cake filled with dulce de leche might leave a lasting regret.

Forever.

Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Worth It?

“Is it worth it?” is always the question at Disney, isn’t it?

The decision to spend around $800 for an entire family at a theme park for eight hours is a significant investment that not everyone might find worthwhile. However, it’s important to note that you do save some money on the Lightning Lanes during this event, even though they aren’t required for the occasion.

Personally, I had a great time at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party because it provided a unique twist on an already enjoyable place. The experience was both familiar and fresh, offering a new perspective. The atmosphere was different too – it felt less pressured and more like attending a festive gathering. Both the park and fellow attendees seemed to have a more relaxed vibe compared to regular days.

I’m genuinely thrilled about my visit and hope to return with my family some day. It was a blast, despite the occasional blunders in my approach. I wasn’t as organized or strategic as I usually am because I didn’t have a clear agenda for activities and food. Part of that was enjoying Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party as a spectator rather than a journalist, but on a regular trip, I would definitely plan ahead. So, I guess I wasn’t entirely focused at the moment.

In essence, I strongly advise attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, provided your budget allows it. Yet, I wouldn’t recommend it for a first-time visit to Magic Kingdom. The main attraction lies in experiencing the park in a unique manner, but this novelty is best appreciated after you’ve visited the park traditionally first.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is most delightfully experienced by individuals who are already fond of the Magic Kingdom’s offerings on a regular day, and wish to enjoy a themed, festive version of it during Halloween.

Mikey Walsh, a humorless staff member at TopMob, certainly means business regarding the banana Skull Cake. Keep up with him on Bluesky under the handle @burgermike, or wherever discussions about the Targaryen monarchs’ rankings take place.

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2025-09-10 00:42