Boo to you and you and you! If you’ve got tickets for this season’s Disney World Halloween Party, then you’ll want to read these 2024 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tips. Don’t make these mistakes! Read more for your 3 Things NOT To Do At The Disney World Halloween Party.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tips
Table of Contents
Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Worth It?
This is probably the number one question everyone has when the special parties go on sale.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party looks cool, but truly: is the Disney World Halloween Party worth it?
As always, your mileage may vary on this one. But here’s what you need to know before buying your tickets.
How Much Does The Disney World Halloween Party Cost in 2024?
This party is a specialty-priced ticket that you need to add on top of your normal theme park tickets.
The 2024 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will happen on the following dates:
- August 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
- September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
- October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
The tickets vary based on the date with the least expensive dates being $109 for adults and $99 for children under 10; the most expensive nights (including Halloween night) are $199 for adults and $189 for children under 10.
And yes, despite the cost, these parties DO sell out every year.
So use this Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tip: get your tickets EARLY!
When Do Tickets For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Go On Sale in 2024?
Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting May 8, and tickets will be available to all guests starting May 15.
Dates of the 2024 Not-So-Scary Halloween Party At Disney World
- August 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
- September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
- October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Hack: How can I get into a sold-out MNSSHP? ASK!
There may be additional tickets sold the day of- it never hurts to ask!
In the past, military members could walk up and still purchase special party tickets, even if the event was sold out.
We’ve had conflicting information on this policy for 2023, but we certainly think it doesn’t hurt to ask Guest Services if you happen to be at the resort anyway.
You may luck out!
What Makes MNSSHP Worth The Price? Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Review
We think the party is absolutely worth the price as lovers of Disney Halloween.
We’ve gone every year since 2013 and continue to return year after year.
It all boils down to the theming and exclusive experiences you can take advantage of at the Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom.
The party runs on select nights from 7 pm to midnight, with early entry into Magic Kingdom starting at 4 pm for party ticket holders.
For essentially 5 to 8 hours of intense Halloween at Disney, is the extra cost worth it?
If you are BIG Halloween and BIG Disney fans, this is likely a must-do event for you at least once.
If you are only so-so on Halloween, then you are better off saving your money as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party won’t be worth it to you.
At your party you’ll experience:
- Lower overall crowds as tickets are limited– WORTH IT!
- Special character meet and greets including the Fab 5 in their Halloween costumes – WORTH IT!
- Special Halloween-focused parade, fireworks, and exclusive entertainment like the Cadaver Dans and the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular show – SO, SO, SOOOO WORTH IT!
- Free candy from the trick-or-treat trails – Meh, this isn’t anything special, we won’t lie.
- Lower waits for attractions, with some attractions overlayed with Halloween theming – WORTH IT!
- Ability to wear a costume- yes, even you, Mom and Dad! – WORTH IT!
- Attraction overlays specific for the party- WORTH IT!
Tips For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: Dress In Comfortable Costumes
Please remember that you’ll arrive at the party before the Florida sun goes down, and Florida don’t play!
The parties in August and September are typically still experiencing a heatwave. Keep this in mind as you plan your costumes out.
We’ve gone all out (full wig and makeup, long sleeves and pants) and survived- but we brought a change of clothes for when the costume became too much.
We’ve also specifically costumed in more comfortable looks which lasted all night long and we highly recommend this approach.
More Tips For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2024
- You can enter the Magic Kingdom with a party ticket at 4pm. Consider doing this if you have a long list of rides you want to do or need to grab an early dinner before the party starts!
- If you are park hopping to Magic Kingdom, arrive before 4pm. Everyone clogs up the turnstiles trying to get into the party at 4pm when party-only ticket holders are allowed in. Hop over and enter the park before then and you’ll skip the crowds. You can get your party ticket scanned and wristbands added in other park locations (listed below!).
- If Jack and Sally are your MUST-DO party picture, consider lining up for them as soon as you enter the park at 4pm. These lines get long throughout the night and these characters usually start greeting early! Since regular day crowds are still in the park, you won’t miss out on any MNSSHP specific things if you go ahead and spend some time waiting for these big character greets. Jack and Sally will start meeting at 4:30. Here’s a list of where all the characters meet during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
- Get in line for characters by 10:30 pm as some lines do close early. Don’t wait until the very end of the night hoping to see your faves!
3 Things NOT To Do At Mickey’s Not-So-Scary | Disney World Halloween Party
You might be asking, is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary worth the price of the ticket? We think so if you use your time wisely in order to get the biggest Halloween bang for your bucks.
It’s easy to say this party is great and that we had a blast- all that is true.
But there were a few things we wish we had done a little differently and we’ve learned from those mistakes.
Check out these hacks and tips for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney World so your party experience can be even better than ours!
Our biggest MNSSHP tips are not the must-dos, but the things to SKIP at the party.
Here are our top three things to skip or avoid at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2023.
1. Check In To The Party Anywhere Other Than the Main Entrance
This tip is primarily for folks who will be in Magic Kingdom all day long.
If you have theme park reservations for Magic Kingdom that day and are already in the park at 4 pm, do NOT swim upstream to check in at the Main Gate entrance for the party.
You do not need to leave and come back in. If you are inside the park at 4 pm, you’re good to go.
If you are just coming in at 4 pm with your party ticket, and there is a backup or line at the Main Entrance, just breeze on by: you have plenty of time and other locations to get checked in.
Remember: the official party stuff doesn’t start until 7 pm so you won’t need a wristband until then.
Instead, look for other locations to obtain your Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party wristbands and tote bags.
For 2024, you can find the wristband distribution:
- In the front of the park (Main Entrance)
- Inside the Chamber of Commerce building on Main Street
- Fantasy Faire (shop located in Fantasyland)
- Monster’s Inc, Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland
- Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland
- At the Guest Relations window in Liberty Square
2. Skip- YES, SKIP!- Or Limit Your Trick Or Treating Early On
Listen, we know it’s tempting.
But the reality is this: you are NOT there for the free candy. You can frankly spend a lot less money at CVS for the same bag of candy.
MNSSHP Spoiler Alert: This isn’t “special Mickey chocolate” or anything, so don’t get too hung up in those MNSSHP treat trails. Yes, take the kiddos through a few because Trick or Treating at Disney World is a core memory.
We’re not monsters!
But then steer them toward other party-specific experiences.
Once the day crowds have left and the party is officially starting, head for the attractions or characters instead.
You may get your own boat on Pirates due to the much shorter lines.
And those on-ride pictures are instant classics.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Pro-tip: Save the Trick or Treat trails for the end where Cast Members may be much more generous with their candy distribution!
3. Skip the Table Service Dining Options During MNSSHP
As General Ackbar says: It’s a trap! In this case, it’s a time trap.
You’ll be inside the castles eating a meal for HOURS- and there’s nothing you can’t experience on a normal Magic Kingdom day happening in there.
While you can get dining reservations at both Cinderella Castle and the Beast Castle (Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest table service dining will be available) during the Magic Kingdom Halloween Party, we are screaming at you NOT to do it.
The special stuff you’re paying the premium price for is happening OUTSIDE the restaurants.
If you book a dinner during the party, you’ll spend 1-2 hours of your party time eating when you could be experiencing all the stuff that makes Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party worth the cost.
And you’ll pay for that expensive meal on top of it.
Those meals are absolutely worth having, but not at the expense of prime party hours.
There are plenty of quick service and snack options open during the party, some with the mobile order option, which will save you a ton of time in the long run.
Ok, So What Should You NOT Miss At Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?
What you are paying for is a unique way to celebrate the season.
Our must-dos at MNSSHP include:
- Magic shot photos (ask any photo pass photographer what they can offer and try not to miss these!)
- The Boo To You Parade
- The Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular
- The Not-So-Spooky Fireworks Spectacular
- Character photos
- Space Mountain in the TOTAL darkness
- Possible splurge on a fireworks viewing package at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary
Parade and Hocus Pocus Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Tips: if your littles can hang in there, catch the 2nd show of each.
The park tends to empty out a little bit after the fireworks show, but there will be a 2nd running of the parade and of the Hocus Pocus stage show.
While everyone is lining up for the first parade, you can take advantage of walk-on rides or treat trails without any crowds or waits. TOTALLY worth it.
We think this is the best time to see Jack and Sally or the Seven Dwarfs character meetings.
If you can stay up late for the parade and show, you’ll find great viewing locations once the crowds leave after the fireworks!
Have More Questions?
More Disney Tips You’ll Love
20 Ways to Score Free Stuff at Walt Disney World In 2024
How To Get Your MagicBand+ (…But Do You Really Need To?) | MagicBand Plus Guide
Secret Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Spots
Time-Saving Disney Tip: Use The Single Rider Lines At Disney
9 Things To Book At Disney (Besides Dining) At The 60-Day Mark
Where Are The Rideshare Drop Off Locations At Disney World? Rideshare Guide For Disney
Movies To Watch Before Going To Disney World
Easy Hocus Pocus Charcuterie Board Snack
Disney Halloween Printables For Halloween
Disney Halloween Songs To Add To Your Playlist
Patty Holliday has been running Disney since 2011. She knows just about every tip, trick, and hack there is to cover the runDisney Magical Miles at Disney World and Disneyland. She knows every mile isn’t *always* magical- but with training, tips, and a little bit of pixie dust, they can be a lot of fun! You can also find her at noguiltlife.com and noguiltfangirl.com