Category — 4. Halloween at Disney World

MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (“MNSSHP”) is a special, separately ticketed party that happens on certain nights every September, October and some years even early November at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

At the party you will find un-crowded rides, a special parade (shown twice, at 8.15 and 10.30p), special fireworks at 9.30p, trick-or-treating, dance parties…and a ton of guests in costumes!

I had a chance to see it again in early September 2014, and the scoop follows!

(See this for more on logistics–Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates, ticket prices, etc.)

COSTUMES AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Costumes are not required, and not everyone wear them.

The most common costumes I saw in my September 2014 visit to MNSSHP were, as usual, princess costumes and pirate costumes, and after that Marvel costumes. Lots of Disney themed costumes!

Whole families dressed as pirates were not uncommon–the whispers on the buses were such choices were made because “it’s all we could get dad to wear…”

And this group in Adventureland proved a Disney theme was not required!

THE PARADE, FIREWORKS, DANCE PARTIES AND TRICK-OR-TREATS AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

MNSSHP has a special set of Halloween-themed activities.

For example, the parade–Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade–is seen only at MNSSHP.

It starts with ducks…

…but then shortly shifts to my favorite part, Haunted-Mansion themed dancing gravediggers and ghouls.

These are followed by Disney villains, but the parade returns to “not-so-scary” at the end, with candy!

There’s two showings of the parade, at 8.15p and 10.30p, with spectacular Halloween-themed fireworks between.

You can also find in both Liberty Square and Tomorrowland dance parties featuring Disney characters–new for 2014 is “Club Villain” in the Golden Horseshoe. (The photo is black and white because unlike every other photographer in the world I couldn’t make sense of the blue light in here.)

The Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball in Tomorrowland is less villainous!

Character meet-n-greets are all over the place–with both common and unusual characters–and there’s also a ton of trick or treat locations…both of which raise an issue.

STRATEGY AND RIDES AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

All the major rides are open, and many minor rides as well. Most have very short waits. In our visit we walked right on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, and Enchanted Tales with Belle had waits of less than 30 minutes. (That’s me on the right, defending Belle.)

The trick-or-treat spots and character greetings, on the other hand, have pretty long lines.

So the best approach is to skip the character greetings and trick-or-treats–or delay them until after the second parade–and spend the first part of the evening on rides.

Do rides through the first parade (that is, til about 8.45p) and then watch Celebrate the Magic, the wonderful fireworks show Hallowishes, and the second showing of the parade.

Some families will be worn out by now.  If yours has energy left, keep going with with more rides, or trick-or-treating!

I struggle with whether or not this party is worth the money for first-time family visitors who may never return.

It’s quite expensive–more than $200, and even over $300 on some dates (prices vary by date and whether or not you buy in advance–see this) for a family of four.  And it’s just a five hour show (7p to midnight)–though Disney unofficially lets you in starting at 4p.

Yet the fireworks are the best Disney World offers, the parade is a hoot, the rides have short lines…and the costumes are fun!

My overall take is that for first-timers this time and money is better spent elsewhere, but that’s a really close call, and for sure I’d recommend it to returning visitors! But enough with the pirates costumes already dad, OK?

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Earlier this week Disney World released dates and made tickets available for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

An overview including dates for the 2014 Halloween Party is here, and there’s a review of the 2o13 edition here. 

The dates and overview of the 2014 Christmas Party is here, and a review from 2013 is here.

I had previously published forecasts of these dates, and of the 45 or so forecast dates only one was off–there’s no Christmas Party November 17.

I saw someone post yesterday that there was the same number of Halloween parties in September as last year.  Not true–there’s three more, ten this year, seven last year.

This, I think, is part of Disney’s conjectured “Afternoon Strategy,” and will make picking the right days to go to the Magic Kingdom even more important.

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OVERVIEW: OCTOBER 2014 AT DISNEY WORLD

This page reviews October 2014 Walt Disney World crowds, prices, deals and discounts, weather, and operating hours; adds a few other notes; and ends with week by week summaries.

Late October has some of the best times of the year to visit Disney World, with nice weather, low crowds, low prices, and fun special events.

The beginning of the month is OK, but not so good, as the first week is still in the peak of the hurricane season, and the second week sees extra crowds and higher prices from Columbus Day.

[Read more →]

DISNEY WORLD’S SPECIAL HALLOWEEN PARTY

While Halloween itself is October 31st of course, Walt Disney World provides a special Halloween celebration at the Magic Kingdom many evenings in September, October, and perhaps even August 2014.

This celebration is called “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party,” or “MNSSHP” for short.

At the party, many of the Magic Kingdom’s rides are open, and trick or treating, special events, and different parades and fireworks are offered.

The official Disney World page for this event can be found here.

Click the image below for the 2014 map and offerings.

And you can find a review of the 2013 MNSSHP party here.

MORE ON MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY in 2014

[Read more →]

Welcome to those of you joining me from Capturing Magical Memories and those of you just hopping aboard!

I am the 5th stop on this month’s Magical Blogorail Teal. Enjoy the ride as this month we talk about Disney-themed Halloween costumes…and in my post, it’s all in the context of a review of Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween Party!

MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (“MNSSHP”) is a special, separately ticketed party that happens on certain nights every September, October and early November in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

(See this for more on logistics–Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates, tickets, etc.)

At the party you will find un-crowded rides, a special parade (shown twice!), special fireworks, trick-or-treating, dance parties…and a ton of guests in costumes!

COSTUMES AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Costumes are not required, and not everyone wear them, as you can see in the image above. It’s of a group in line to get pictures taken in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

The most common costumes I saw in my September 2013 visit to MNSSHP were princess costumes and pirate costumes, and after that Marvel costumes. Lots of Disney themed costumes!

Whole families dressed as pirates were not uncommon–the whispers on the buses were such choices were made because “it’s all we could get dad to wear…”

But more curious costumes were not uncommon. I think the black outfits above were costumes…although perhaps the group was going clubbing after MNSSHP…

I saw a couple of fun get-ups in the smoking area near the Tomorrowland Terrace–this one…

…and this couple.

And this party in Adventureland proved a Disney theme was not required!

THE PARADE, FIREWORKS, DANCE PARTIES AND TRICK-OR-TREATS AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

MNSSHP has a special set of Halloween-themed activities.

For example, the parade–Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade–is seen only at MNSSHP.

It starts with ducks…

…and mice…

…but then shortly shifts to my favorite part, Haunted-Mansion themed dancing gravediggers and ghouls.

These are followed by Disney villains, but the parade returns to “not-so-scary” at the end, with candy!

These kids really liked the parade.

There’s two showings of the parade, with spectacular Halloween-themed fireworks between.

You can also find in both Liberty Square and Tomorrowland dance parties featuring Disney characters–the shot above is from “Woody’s Happy Harvest Roundup” at the Diamond Horseshoe in Liberty Square.

Character meet-n-greets are all over the place–with both common and unusual characters–and there’s also a ton of trick or treat locations…both of which raise an issue.

STRATEGY AND RIDES AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

All the major rides are open, and many minor rides as well. Most have very short waits. In my September 2013 visit, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder had 10 minute waits, and Enchanted Tales with Belle just 30 minutes. (That’s me on the right, defending Belle.)

The trick-or-treat spots and character greetings, on the other hand, have pretty long lines.

So the best approach is to skip the character greetings and trick-or-treats–or delay them until after the second parade–and spend the first part of the evening on rides.

Do rides through the first parade (that is, til about 8.45 if the first parade is at 8.15p) and then watch Celebrate the Magic, the wonderful fireworks show Happy Hallowishes, and the second showing of the parade.

Some families will be worn out by now.  If yours has energy left, keep going with with more rides, or trick-or-treating!

I struggle with whether or not this party is worth the money for first-time family visitors who may never return.

It’s quite expensive–more than $200, and even over $300 on some dates (prices vary by date and whether or not you buy in advance) for a family of four.  And it’s just a five hour show (7p to midnight)–though Disney unofficially lets you in starting at 4p.

Yet the fireworks are the best Disney World offers, the parade is a hoot, the rides have short lines…and the costumes are fun!

My overall take is that for first-timers this time and money is better spent elsewhere, but that’s a really close call, and for sure I’d recommend it to returning visitors! But enough with the pirates costumes already dad, OK?

And Happy Halloween, everyone!

MORE ON DISNEY-THEMED COSTUMES FROM MAGICAL BLOGORAIL TEAL

Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Teal this month. Our next loop will be on October 22nd with an all new theme.

Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney info, photos and stories. If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Teal loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard!

1st Stop ~ The Many Adventures of a Disney Lovin’ Spectrum Mom
2nd Stop ~  Disney with Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
3rd Stop ~ The Disney Kids
4th Stop ~ Capturing Magical Memories
Final Stop ~ yourfirstvisit.net

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The 2013 dates for Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party (“MNSSHP”) and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (“MVMCP”) are now confirmed.

• For the dates for Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party (“MNSSHP”), see this
• For the dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (“MVMCP), see this

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