Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
When it comes to holidays everyone has their favorites, and Disney does them all. In fact, the holidays are usually peak times for Disney travel and for good reason. Walt Disney World seems to grab hold of the very essence of the Holiday and completely run with it. Halloween is no different. Growing up in south Louisiana this was always one of my favorite holidays, in part because fall meant cooler weather was on the way, but the rest I have to blame on my parents. Halloween was always the one holiday that they went all out. Decorations, candy, and costumes were just the start. Halloween night at our house was theatrics at its best. This was reason enough for Halloween to become one of my favorite holidays and one of my favorite times to go to Disney, for much of the same reason.
First of all the weather is much better in Orlando this time of year than it is in July. Far from cold, but an overall pleasant climate to fully enjoy Disney World in all of its fall decor. Disney does its best to squeeze every once of fall they can into the parks during this season which always concedes with the Food & Wine Festival in Epcot thus amplifying that this is my favorite time of year to take a trip to Disney. Here you can sample all sorts of different cuisine and beverages from all over the world in one perfect showcase. For us it is a must do each year and an annual park favorite for many, but more about that here. Still, here I sit and I have not gotten down to the meat and potatoes of why I am writing this blog in the first place, Halloween.
A few years ago we decided to forgo our usual Halloween traditions and do Halloween Disney style. My wife Tiffany had gone the year before for some training (I know right?) and had been telling me how great the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was. It was something that was hard for me to grasp what it really was by her telling me so I figured it best to bite the bullet and jump in feet first. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a completely different approach to Halloween that is something to experience.
To put it plainly you get to trick or treat inside the Magic Kingdom. Now if that is not on your bucket list somewhere it’s time to check your pulse. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a ticketed event that runs mid-August through Halloween. We chose to do Halloween night which usually books up pretty quickly. After months of deliberation on our costumes, we decided to do different variations of Mickey Mouse (original huh?) Tiff and I went as regular Mickey and Minnie while our kids where Jedi Mickey, Witch Minnie, and Baby Mickey. This year I promise to do better.
On party nights Magic Kingdom closes early, and only those with a ticket are allowed in. The park will remain open to those with tickets just as a normal day in the park. So all rides, shops, restaurants and character spots (with a few rare guests) are still operating but with far less population. Throughout the park, there are many many stations in which you will be allowed to trick or treat and in my opinion “rack up” on candy (because let’s face it if there is one thing our kids need on Halloween it is more candy). Now we spread it out. Instead of hitting all the candy at once we took advantage of the lower crowds and hit some attractions.
Trick or treat stations are spread out and you can hit them all on your way to your favorite rides or eating spots. Make sure you watch your schedule because you will not want to miss the special Halloween parade. Now typically for me, the parades are the best time to hit some rides while everyone else is watching a parade. Maybe it’s the Mardi Gras talking but for the most part I’m not a big fan of the parades. However, the Halloween parade is a sight to behold that is kicked off with a very special headless horseman.
This is a parade I cannot imagine missing no matter how short the wait is on Mine Train. But make sure you don’t rush. You will have plenty of time to hit up all your favorite rides and attractions, while trick or treating, and soaking up the wonderful Disney Halloween experience. A very special Halloween Fireworks show ultimately caps off the entire experience. I have seen many and I will tell you that is by far one of the best.
Simply put, I don’t know if “normal” Halloween will ever be sufficient enough after Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. In fact my kids are already assuming this is the new norm. This could be a problem, but a problem I am more than happy to have. Check it out.
Make sure you contact us when you are ready to start planning your fall Walt Disney World vacation package.
Avid Disney fan, husband to Tiffany, father of three, Brock, Bailey, and Brennan. Lover of travel and blogger for the Wish Upon Afar travel blog, The Travelers Journal.
