Magical Information to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering

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

Disney’s fan-favorite Halloween occasion, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering, 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 customary day by day park admission, however I believe it’s price the additional value; in the course of the five-hour celebration, we went on eight points of interest with minimal waits, hit a number of trick-or-treat stops, snagged among the specialty celebration meals, and noticed the parade, fireworks, and stage present. 

Right here’s every little thing it’s worthwhile to know — from can’t-miss leisure to one of the best snacks — to plan the proper night time at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering.

Leisure

At solely 5 hours lengthy, it’s unimaginable to see and do every little thing at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering in a single night time, however you may test many of the must-dos off your checklist — in case you go in with a sport 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 Fundamental Road, 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 beautiful 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 night time on the celebration. 

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 Fortress, earlier than heading down Fundamental Road, 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 Fortress at 10 p.m. Fireworks, projections, and music from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas” can 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 occasions nightly (relying on the date), so you’ve loads of possibilities to test it out — I like to recommend catching the midnight displaying on the way in which 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 celebration, so friends can count on quick wait occasions for a lot of of Magic Kingdom’s prime points of interest. Each Tiana’s Bayou Journey and Tron Lightcycle/Run supply standby traces in the course of the celebration — one thing you gained’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’ll be able to trip Area Mountain in full darkness (with eerie tunes to up the fun issue), spin across the Mad Tea Social gathering with a festive ambiance, or hearken to some Halloween-inspired jokes at Monsters, Inc. Snigger Ground. If Area Mountain is just too intense for you, hop on the PeopleMover for an aerial view of the celebration and a peek inside Area Mountain, the place you may see and listen to the overlay with out so many twists and turns. 

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

Social gathering Meals and Drinks

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

You will discover them at quick-service areas all through the park, and it is sensible to examine each out there possibility on the Disney web site beforehand so you may plot out your snack plans. At Aloha Isle, the Dole Whip Mango and Chamoy Float (additionally out there 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 possibility 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 out there, so make a listing of your must-try treats and test them off as you’re employed your approach across the park. (Don’t neglect that many areas supply cellular ordering by way of the Disney app.)

For friends on the lookout for 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 celebration was the one time I’ve ever seen a wait as quick as 10 minutes to eat at Cinderella’s Royal Desk with out a reservation — although you may make reservations for these table-service eating places forward of the celebration in case you’d like.

Dessert events are additionally out there to guide (for an additional cost) if you need 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’ll be able to take images with Mickey and buddies 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 normally see on the parks) of their typical apparel. 

Jack Skellington and Sally from “The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas” are highly regarded, and their traces usually exceed an hour. 

Trick-or-Treating

Prepared for one of the best trick-or-treating ever? Once you arrive at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering, you’re given a bag and your first deal with of the night time, a full-size bag of M&Ms. The occasion provides 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. Traces could look lengthy, however they sometimes 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 baggage with all of the sweet they’d like. The ticket value consists of all of the trick-or-treating, so there’s no extra value. 

And in case you or your children have allergic reactions, don’t fear — you may nonetheless get pleasure from trick-or-treating. Visitors with allergic reactions obtain a teal deal with bag and can get tokens from solid members at every trick-or-treat location that they’ll trade for allergy-friendly treats on the Allergy-friendly Facilities in Liberty Sq. and Fundamental Road, U.S.A. Though we don’t have meals allergic reactions, we poked our heads in to see the way it labored, and educated solid members defined which treats suited completely different wants so friends might decide which they’d like. I’d count on the Fundamental Road location to get fairly busy towards the top of the night time as folks trade their tokens earlier than leaving the park, so think about swapping some out midway by way of the night time 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 practically 40 nights of spooky enjoyable this yr. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering began on Aug. 9 and runs by way of 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 gained’t be capable of entry the celebration on a regular Magic Kingdom day ticket. Ticket costs range by date from $119 to $199, with the costliest tickets round Oct. 31, however annual cross holders and Disney Trip Membership members can rating a $10 low cost on celebration tickets in August and September.

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

Suggestions for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering

Get there early. 

Though the celebration doesn’t formally begin till 7 p.m., celebration 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 celebration entrance and knock out just a few points of interest earlier than the celebration begins — although event-specific experiences at points of interest gained’t begin till 7 p.m. Some friends take this early entry alternative to hop in line for his or her favourite characters (Jack and Sally are a highly regarded alternative) to allow them to be among the many first when the celebration meet-and-greet begins. 

Put on a Disney-inspired costume. 

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering is among the few occasions friends ages 14 and up can put on costumes contained in the park, however there are guidelines it’s worthwhile to find out about, particularly for friends over 13. For friends 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 may’t be worn, take a look at the official guidelines on the Disney World web site. Even in case you don’t gown up, seeing different friends of their greatest Disney-inspired outfits is so enjoyable. 

Keep at a resort on the monorail. 

Questioning which Disney World resort to guide on your Halloween getaway?  Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Up to date Resort are all situated on the monorail that goes to Magic Kingdom, making for a simple trip to and from the celebration. Disney’s Up to date Resort is only a 10-minute stroll from the park, making it essentially the most handy possibility for guests who don’t need to take care of the crowds leaving the park when the celebration is over. 

American Signal Language interpretation is offered at some exhibits on choose nights. 

American Signal Language interpretation is offered at choose exhibits 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.