Trick-or-treating throughout the park, your favourite Disney characters on parade, a wickedly joyous “Villain Spelltacular” and to cap it off, bewitching fireworks under a pumpkin moon – it’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort, of course!
This year, the party runs for an unprecedented 32 nights – in fact, the spooktacular fun is happening right now. While I haven’t had the opportunity to experience Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (or #MNSSHP as it’s hashtagged on social media) at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, I have had the ghouish pleasure of attending Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Resort in 2015. The entire family still talks about it to this day!
We loved the chance to meet, greet and pose with some dastardly Disney Villains and popular Disney Pals decked out in Halloween costumes. (Although the boys will say their highlight was the trick-or-treating… it’s always about the candy!)
Today, I’m here to tell you what you can expect from each, so you can start planning your Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort vacation right away!
But first, aside from the lure of the epic Halloween bashes, why should you visit Disney Parks in the fall? You’ll be able to take advantage of fewer crowds and more pleasing daily temperatures, a FREE dining plan promo at Walt Disney World Resort and a Good Neighbour Hotel package offer at Disneyland Resort. Plus, both destinations are currently offering savings of 20-30% at select Disney hotels; click here to view all special offers at Disney Parks. Without further ado…
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort ????
Appropriate for children of all ages, the Party is family-friendly as only Disney can do. Dress-up is encouraged for ages 13 and under, but trust me when I say that adults definitely get in on the fun, too. (Please read the official costume guidelines for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.)
Directly from the Headless Horseman’s – er, mouth? – here are some of the top attractions you expect at this year’s bash:
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. Chills, thrills and villains join in a wickedly fun celebration hosted by the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witch sisters from Disney’s live action film Hocus Pocus. Taking place at Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage, the sisters are joined by dancers, Disney Villains and jaw-dropping visual effects.
Times for party dates August 25 – September 29: 8:15pm, 10:45pm, 12:00am
Times for party dates Oct. 1 – Nov. 1: 7:40 pm, 8:35pm, 10:45pm, and 12:00am
Happy HalloWishes. This fireworks spectacle high above the Cinderella Castle lights the night. Guests are encouraged to sing along with some of the most infamous Disney Villains, including Cruella de Vil, Jafar and Oogie Boogie. 
Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade. Led by the Headless Horseman, it’s masquerade mania as favorite Disney characters dress up for the occasion and ghostly floats bring the frights and sounds of the season to Main Street, U.S.A. and other Magic Kingdom viewing locations. Times: 9:15 pm and 11:15 pm (begins in Frontierland)
Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Resort ????
Join Mickey and friends for Halloween fun and Disney magic at Disneyland Park. NEW this year: the ability to visit BOTH Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park with your special event ticket during Mickey’s Halloween Party! Entry to either park begins three hours before the Party start time, allowing you to save on park admission if you choose to begin your day of fun mid-afternoon.
Cars Land Haul-O-Ween. Everyone’s favorite Cars characters have transformed Radiator Springs into their own Haul-O-Ween celebration! Each of the Cars has decorated its establishment for the season, for the first time, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree. You’ll also have a chance to meet-and-greet your favourite Cars characters in their Halloween “car-stumes”.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. During the day, guests will continue to experience the excitement, fun and six different ride experiences on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! However, each evening the attraction transforms from Mission: BREAKOUT! to Monsters After Dark; the Collector’s Fortress goes dark, alarms sound and the exterior features all-new lighting.
Buena Vista Street Halloween Décor. Along Buena Vista Street, guests will enjoy Halloween decorations in store windows and in Carthay Circle, they’ll see a new 10-foot-tall statue of the Headless Horseman himself, holding up his jack-o’-lantern head to the sky.
The decor is absolutely one of my favourite things to take in. Don’t you just want to grab a parka and pumpkin spice latte?
Both parties require a separate ticket for admission, and prices vary depending on the date you choose. However, if you’re sitting on the fence, wondering if this is the year you party like a ghoul, consider this:
1. Disney in fall is always a good idea. (See my rationale above.)
2. If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), Halloween is a BIG deal. In fact, apart from Christmas, my boys rank Halloween at the top of their lists of holidays and special days. Both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Halloween Party are a chance to revel in one of the most fun and memorable parts of childhood – made even more magical.
3. For the vast and varied entertainment, the tricks and treats, a chance to take part in your favourite rides and attractions with a Halloween spin and the photo opps (I’d give anything to get a shot with Mater in his “van-pire” outfit!) I’ll go on record as saying the parties a great value and a must-do.
Psst… don’t forget your costume!
So go! Plan your Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort vacation… and have a spooktacularly great time!
I LOVE Halloween and I can’t imagine a better place to be than Disney for the holiday. It looks like they have so much going on. I don’t even have kids and i want to go! :)
Oh my! I have been to Disneyland 3 times in my life but always spring/summer time. I never even knew they had special Halloween events. How cool!
It certainly sounds like Disney goes all out for Halloween. Christmas was beautiful at Disney World in Orlando too. Love the parades and fireworks they put on too.
It hadn’t occurred to me to visit Disney in October until I read your blog. It would be so fun and a great experience to take kids there and I know I would have a great time as well
It must be so much fun enjoying Hallowe’en at Disney. It looks like the park goes all out!
Oh gosh – I love Halloween and think this would be an amazing time to go visit!
Would love to see Disney done up for both Halloween & Christmas – on my bucket list!
Looks like awesome fun , one day i will get to Disney !
Halloween is my favorite time of year and i can’t imagine what it must be like in Disney!
Wow! I had no idea Disney puts on such an amazing show during Halloween. Thanks for sharing and I’d love to visit Disney with my grand kids to enjoy all the Halloween fun.
I can not believe we are talking Halloween already. However it does look like a lot of fun.
Oooo it would be so much fun to celebrate Halloween at Disney, and I can see why you would want to go there, the fun never stops!! I would enjoy it more as it would be cooler out for me!!
Looks like Disney will have a fabulous Halloween celebration and with much fan fair. But it’s only September 2, so I don’t want to think about it yet !
This sounds like so much fun. I’d love to see it.
Disney on Halloween would be just so much fun.
I have never been to Disneyland, this would be so much fun to go to.
Cool, did not know they had special events for Halloween.
That looks like so much fun! I love Halloween, and I would love to go.
I would love to be in Disney for all the fabulous Halloween celebrations,so exciting !
oh my gosh! you and your husband are just TOO adorable!!! love the costumes :) just like hubby and I we love to dress up :) I have never been to Disney before but wow! Halloween or Christmas would definitely be the time to go. Love how they get so into the occasions
I’ve never been to Disney in the fall. Looks like a worthwhile trip!
I had never thought of going to Disney for Halloween but it sounds like a blast. I would love Mickey’s Halloween Parade!
My sister and family were suppose to leave yesterday for Florida but because of weather has cancelled.Bad storm,hope everyone can be safe!
I’m not a Halloween person at all, I’m the one who stays home and dishes out the candy to the kids who come around trick or treating. I don’t dress up either, I leave that to my son and his family and of course the grandkids are all for it.
So we have Southern California passes (which include a 3 day park hopper ticket for Disneyland)… does this mean I need a separate ticket for the Halloween party? And if so, does that mean we’d have to leave the park earlier or anything if not? Sorry, might be a dumb question.. we are going the start of October
Hi Nicki,
Not a dumb question at all – a very valid one! Yes, you will need a separate ticket for Mickey’s Halloween party, and yes, if you do not have a party ticket, you will be escorted out of the park at either 6pm or 7pm when the party begins. (All party goers wear special wristbands and guests are thoroughly checked throughout the night for compliance.)
If you are thinking of attending the party (and if you’ll be at Disneyland Resort during Halloween time, I strongly suggest you take advantage of it!!) here’s what I would do: on the date you’ll like to attend, purchase a Halloween Party ticket. DO NOT use your park hopper ticket that day; instead, Halloween party goers receive access to both parks up to three (3) hours before the party begins. That means for the price of the party ticket, you’re actually entering DL at either 3pm or 4pm. Save your hopper ticket for another day of fun at Disneyland Resort!
Now, if you can’t spare an extra vacation day and just want to attend the party, then yes, use your hopper ticket during the day and show your Halloween ticket in the evening. Have fun! Let me know if I can help with anything else.
That looks like so much fun for Halloween.
This looks like an spooktacular time to go to disney..
I have been to Disney for Christmas, it was lovely, just not the same having them sing I’m dreaming of a white Christmas as I stood in shorts
Halloween makes everything fun absolutely everywhere. Looks awesome!
Halloween would be a great time to visit Disney parks.
Disney is always a good place to be during celebrations, they always go all out to make it a memorable occasion.
We love Halloween and this all looks so amazing !
I would love, love, love to go to Disneyland in the fall to experience the Halloween theme. I’ve heard that it is spectacular, and your post certainly indicates that as well. Thanks for the inspiration…time to look at a trip for next fall!
I certainly would love to visit Disney sometime!
perfect time for a disney trip