Magical Information to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Get together

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 Get together, began at Magic Kingdom on Aug. 9, and I used to be there on opening evening. This particular occasion requires its personal ticket and isn’t included in normal day by day park admission, however I believe it’s value the additional price; in the course of the five-hour social gathering, we went on eight sights with minimal waits, hit a number of trick-or-treat stops, snagged a number of the specialty social gathering meals, and noticed the parade, fireworks, and stage present. 

Right here’s all the things you have to know — from can’t-miss leisure to the most effective snacks — to plan the proper evening at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Get together.

Leisure

At solely 5 hours lengthy, it’s inconceivable to see and do all the things at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Get together in a single evening, however you possibly can examine a lot 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 means from Frontierland to Major Avenue, and options iconic basic 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 track make this my favourite Disney World parade, and I extremely suggest making it a precedence as you intend your evening on the social gathering. 

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 Fort, earlier than heading down Major Avenue, U.S.A. We discovered a spot round 7:45 p.m. in Frontierland, however the first present Is often busier, and folks had been ready nicely earlier than that for prime viewing spots. 

Creepy emcee Jack Skellington hosts Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular at Cinderella’s Fort 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 includes 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 loads of possibilities 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 in the course of the social gathering, so company can count on brief wait instances for a lot of of Magic Kingdom’s high sights. Each Tiana’s Bayou Journey and Tron Lightcycle/Run supply standby strains in the course of the social gathering — one thing you received’t see throughout typical park hours while you want a digital queue or paid Lightning Lane to entry them — so it is a nice time to experience these sought-after sights to your coronary heart’s content material. 

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

Though it may be a protracted wait in the course of the social gathering, undoubtedly make time to experience 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. 

Get together Meals and Drinks

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

You could find them at quick-service areas all through the park, and it is sensible 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 Hen 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 an inventory of your must-try treats and examine them off as you’re employed your means across the park. (Don’t neglect that many areas supply cellular ordering by way of the Disney app.)

For company in search of a extra enjoyable 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 social gathering was the one time I’ve ever seen a wait as brief as 10 minutes to eat at Cinderella’s Royal Desk with out a reservation — although you can also make reservations for these table-service eating places forward of the social gathering 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 images with Mickey and friends of their festive apparel, Sew in his lovely 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 strains usually exceed an hour. 

Trick-or-Treating

Prepared for the most effective trick-or-treating ever? While you arrive at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Get together, you’re given a bag and your first deal with of the evening, a full-size bag of M&Ms. The occasion presents greater than a dozen trick-or-treat areas across the park, the place forged 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 while you had been youthful).

Every location is indicated on the map and by a trick-or-treat pylon. Traces might look lengthy, however they usually transfer quick—simply have your bag open while 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 further price. 

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

Tickets and Dates

Magic Kingdom will host almost 40 nights of spooky enjoyable this yr. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Get together began on Aug. 9 and runs via Oct. 31. (After that, the park will endure a magical transformation from Halloween to vacation). This can be a individually ticketed occasion, so that you received’t be capable to entry the social gathering on an ordinary Magic Kingdom day ticket. Ticket costs range by date from $119 to $199, with the most costly tickets round Oct. 31, however annual go holders and Disney Trip Membership members can rating a $10 low cost on social gathering tickets in August and September.

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

Suggestions for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Get together

Get there early. 

Despite the fact that the social gathering doesn’t formally begin till 7 p.m., social gathering 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 social gathering entrance and knock out just a few sights earlier than the social gathering begins — although event-specific experiences at sights 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 social gathering meet-and-greet begins. 

Put on a Disney-inspired costume. 

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Get together is among the few instances company ages 14 and up can put on costumes contained in the park, however there are guidelines you have to 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 Up to date Resort are all positioned on the monorail that goes to Magic Kingdom, making for a straightforward experience to and from the social gathering. Disney’s Up to date Resort is only a 10-minute stroll from the park, making it essentially the most handy choice for guests who don’t need to take care of the crowds leaving the park when the social gathering 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 in the course of the occasion.