Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is back: Here’s everything you need to know

The time for playful spirits and cheerful haunts is here — at least at Walt Disney World. Pumpkin wreaths now adorn Main Street, U.S.A., and the first Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of the season kicked off on August 12, much to our spooky delight.

We’re all about stretching the spooky season for as long as possible. So we enjoyed our first iced pumpkin spice coffees, slipped into our (August-friendly) costumes, and headed straight to The Magic Kingdom to witness the return — for the first time since 2019 — of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

From parades and trick-or-treating to rare character encounters, thrilling fireworks, and a villainous stage show, here’s everything you need to know about this frightfully fun celebration.

When Does Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Take Place?

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place at Walt Disney World from 7 p.m. to midnight on select nights between August 12 and October 31. Meanwhile, Disneyland in California hosts its own series of Halloween events, including the highly popular Oogie Boogie Bash.

Indeed, several Disney Halloween parties will reach capacity, and we’re already seeing many dates sell out this year. So if you're eager to attend and your desired date is still open, purchase your tickets as soon as possible.

Here are the Not-So-Scary Party dates for 2022 (note that some may no longer be available).

● August 2022: 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30.

● September 2022: 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30.

● October 2022: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31.

What is the ticket price?

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a special ticketed event held after regular hours. If you plan to add this to your Walt Disney World vacation, remember that you'll need to purchase a separate ticket for the party (in addition to your standard park admission) during your visit.

Ticket prices vary depending on the date of the party, ranging from $109 to $199 for adults and $99 to $189 for children aged 3 to 9. Disney Vacation Club members and annual passholders are eligible for a $10 discount.

We strongly advise against purchasing a regular park ticket for the day you plan to attend the party, as your party ticket allows entry starting at 4 p.m. (and it's a late night). Adding that to a long day at the theme park may not be the best idea for most visitors.

What does a Not-So-Scary ticket include?

As previously mentioned, a ticket to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party grants you access to Magic Kingdom from 4 p.m. onwards (no park reservation required); the park will close to day guests at 6 p.m. on party nights. This time is known as the "mix-in" period, and it can be quite crowded from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. when both day and party guests are present.

If you plan to visit Magic Kingdom before 4 p.m. on the day of the party, you will need to purchase separate park admission and secure a theme park reservation. However, as previously mentioned, balancing both daytime and nighttime activities is generally not the most efficient use of your time, money, or energy.

Party attendees must wear a wristband to participate in any party activities, even if they are already inside the park, so be sure to collect your wristband as early as possible. Wristband distribution starts at 4 p.m. at the designated event tapstiles at the Magic Kingdom entrance.

For those already in the park, you can also get wristbands at three locations starting at 4 p.m.: Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland, Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland, and across from Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland.

Once the party officially begins at 7 p.m., get ready to "boo this." You’ll have an abundance of activities to fill your evening — far more than anyone could possibly complete in one night. Here are the main highlights.

Exclusive fireworks and entertainment

While shorter wait times for attractions are a highlighted benefit of the parties, I advise against spending the entire evening just riding rides when there’s so much special entertainment to enjoy. Some rides do offer a unique experience during the party, and those should definitely be your priority.

In general, it's more budget-friendly to maximize your ride experiences through a mix of rope-dropping, staying late, and utilizing Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections; if eligible, take advantage of early entry for Disney resort guests and extended evening hours for deluxe Disney resort guests during your other park days.

Make the most of your time at the party by enjoying all the attractions you can’t experience when the park is open to daytime visitors, starting with two amazing shows and my favorite parade at Walt Disney World.

Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (available multiple times each night)

The Sanderson Sisters from Disney's "Hocus Pocus" and the upcoming "Hocus Pocus 2" will enchant you as they take the stage at the castle forecourt for the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular.

This is definitely a must-see show featuring the witchy sisters alongside a dark array of Disney's most legendary villains. It's scheduled three times a night for parties until Sept. 30 and four times nightly from Oct. 2 to Oct. 31.

The last 'spelltacular' of the evening begins at midnight. For those who want to make the most of their night, it's best to hold off until the party concludes to catch this show.

Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade (scheduled for 9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.)

The Headless Horseman rides solo, setting a spooky tone as this unmissable parade begins.

No need to worry, this family-friendly celebration is filled with more joy than scares. New this year, Max Goof, dressed as his idol Powerline, follows the Headless Horseman and kicks off an interactive dance party, heralding the return of this cherished parade in all its "Boo-to-You glory" for the first time since 2019.

The parade takes place twice each night — at 9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. If you can manage to stay awake, the 11:15 p.m. parade tends to be much less crowded.

Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular (10:15 p.m.)

Jack Skellington, the master of fright, serves as the host for the party's nighttime show, which occurs once nightly at 10:15 p.m. The performance includes stunning projections and music from Disney classics like Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Trick or Treat for Halloween," "The Skeleton Dance," and the Haunted Mansion.

You can enjoy the projections and fireworks from various spots around the hub and Main Street. However, fans of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" should arrive early to secure a prime location near the stage for the truly remarkable Jack Skellington puppet that appears during the performance.

Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jam (7 p.m. and 12 a.m.)

Vampirina and other beloved Disney Junior characters transform Storybook Circus into a vibrant dance party ideal for the littlest guests.

Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball (7 p.m. and 12 a.m.)

Fans of Monsters, Inc. cannot afford to miss this charming dance party led by Mike Wazowski and Sulley.

Zom-Beatz Bash (7 p.m. and 12 a.m.)

In honor of the Disney Channel original movie "Zombies 3," zombies, cheerleaders, and werewolves take over Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe for yet another lively dance party.

In-park trick-or-treating

Upon entry, each guest receives a reusable treat bag to use at various trick-or-treat spots around the park. It's not particularly large, so if you aim to gather a substantial amount of candy, consider bringing your own larger bag. With a bit of effort, you can collect quite a haul at this party.

At each trick-or-treat spot, a Disney cast member will generously fill your bag with a selection of Mars Wrigley treats like M&M's, Snickers, and Skittles. Keep an eye out for the glowing inflatables marking these locations around Magic Kingdom:

Main Street, U.S.A.

• Market Street Welcome Trick-or-Treating.

Adventureland

• Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.
• Tortuga Tavern.

Frontierland

• Splash Mountain.
• Tom Sawyer Island Dock.
• Country Bear Jamboree.

Liberty Square

• Columbia Harbour House.

Fantasyland

• Mickey's PhilharMagic.
• Pinocchio Village Haus.
• Ariel's Grotto.
• Walt Disney World Railroad Station.

Tomorrowland

• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress.
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe.

Allergy-friendly trick-or-treating

Guests with allergies can also enjoy the trick-or-treating festivities without missing out.

Grab a teal allergy-friendly treat bag and collect tokens at any trick-or-treat location. These tokens can be exchanged at either of the Allergy-Friendly Centers located at the Liberty Square Ticket Office or the Chamber of Commerce for special treats that accommodate allergies.

Exclusive 'spooky' character experiences

A highlight of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party is the chance to meet unique characters that are rarely seen in Disney World. This is one of the most sought-after activities, and some of these elusive Disney friends may lead to quite long waits, so planning ahead is essential.

While specific character appearances aren't released beforehand, based on the initial parties, popular meet-and-greets are likely to feature Jack and Sally at the Town Square Theater, along with Pooh and friends in their charming Halloween outfits in Fantasyland.

Most special character meet-and-greets kick off at 7 p.m. when the party starts, but Jack and Sally begin meeting guests as early as 4:30 p.m. This is fortunate, as they are known to have wait times of up to three hours later in the night.

To meet the pumpkin king and queen without spending your entire evening in line, arrive at the Magic Kingdom park gates by 3:45 p.m. As soon as wristband distribution begins at 4 p.m., make a beeline for the Town Square Theater to join the queue for Jack and Sally.

While it might still take an hour or more, if you start lining up around 4 p.m., you should be finished well before the official party begins.

Pooh and his friends start meeting guests around 6:30 p.m., making this another meet-and-greet to consider visiting early or even before the party officially begins.

Other favored character meet-and-greets include Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Stitch — all decked out in their Halloween costumes, of course.

To help manage wait times, some characters won't be signing autographs. Instead, you can receive a pre-printed autograph branded with Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, making it a fun, complimentary keepsake.

We received one from Jack and Sally, and also snagged one as a backup at the Pooh and friends character spot after arriving too late. Their line closed for the night at 11 p.m., reminding us not to wait until the party's end to meet characters.

Classic attractions receive 'Halloween twists'

If you plan to enjoy some attractions during the party, I recommend prioritizing the most unique experiences.

Four beloved attractions in The Magic Kingdom don festive 'costumes' for the party. My top choices are Space Mountain, which operates in complete darkness with a specially curated, more intense soundtrack, and Pirates of the Caribbean, where live pirate actors entertain guests both in the queue and on the ride.

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor and Mad Tea Party also get their own Halloween-themed enhancements, including unique lighting and special effects.

Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections aren't accessible during the party, so you'll need to rely on the standby line for every attraction. However, if you enter the park at 4 p.m., you can utilize Genie+ and/or Lightning Lanes until the party begins, in case you prefer not to queue for character meet-and-greets.

If you're not heading directly to a character when the party kicks off, it's wise to line up for Space Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean right away. You'll also find that wait times for seasonal attractions are significantly shorter during the first parade and fireworks if you choose to skip those.

Boo-tiful merchandise — along with a complimentary souvenir

No special event is complete without exclusive merchandise to celebrate the occasion. While there's a variety of Disney Halloween merchandise available for pre-order on ShopDisney, some items are only sold in the parks during the party.

You can find limited-edition Not-So-Scary event merchandise at the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A.

No time to shop before leaving? No worries! This year, guests attending the party will receive a complimentary farewell gift — a Halloween-themed print celebrating the 50th anniversary.

Ghoulishly delicious treats

During the party, a variety of specialty Halloween treats are on the menu, and fortunately, we noticed minimal wait times for them.

If you're in the mood for something savory, check out the pain and panic hot dog at Casey's Corner or the enchanting fried pie at the Golden Oak Outpost.

For a visually deceptive sweet treat, make your way to Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe for the dessert that everyone is raving about. The Almond Sweet Corn Cake resembles a real ear of corn so closely that you’ll be astonished to find it’s actually a light almond vanilla cake when you slice into it.

Pro tip: If you're eager to sample seasonal delights without sacrificing valuable party time (other than raiding your trick-or-treat stash, of course), several locations throughout Magic Kingdom offer Halloween snacks during regular park hours.

While you await the party's kickoff, swing by Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies for sweet corn and vanilla soft-serve, or stop at the Cheshire Cafe for a Binx pastry tail and a refreshing witches' brew coffee.

Halloween photo opportunities

Disney PhotoPass photographers can be found at most character meet-and-greet locations. Be sure to look for them throughout the park for exclusive Halloween Magic Shots, featuring eerie moonlit settings, dancing skeletons, and glowing jack-o-lanterns.

You can also immerse yourself in Halloween scenes from both classic and contemporary Disney tales, including "Hocus Pocus 2," which premieres on Disney+ on September 30.

Photo downloads from PhotoPass are not included with your party ticket, so you'll need to buy your photos either individually or through a Memory Maker package. If you prefer not to purchase Memory Maker, cast members will happily take photos with your smartphone at character meet-and-greet locations.

Essential tips for attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

What to wear

Costumes are highly encouraged, but make your choices wisely.

Except for select events like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests aged 14 and older are typically not allowed to wear costumes at Walt Disney World. So, seize this unique chance to dress up as your favorite character, regardless of your age.

There are still some strict rules regarding costumes, such as no costume masks for guests 14 and above. Be sure to check Disney's comprehensive guidelines before finalizing your outfit.

It's crucial to keep in mind that Orlando temperatures can still reach the high 90s as Halloween approaches. Prioritize comfort when choosing your party attire.

Costume t-shirts, Disney bounding (wearing regular clothes and accessories that reflect a specific character), and emphasizing accessories while opting for lighter clothing are great ways to enjoy a costume feel without overheating.

What happens if it rains?

Central Florida weather is notoriously unpredictable. As the party season stretches from late summer (when frequent showers lead into hurricane season), there's always a chance of experiencing a particularly rainy Mickey's Halloween Party.

Tickets are nonrefundable, even if the weather isn't as magical as you'd hoped.

Typically, Disney will aim to postpone parades or performances during the event instead of outright canceling them, but cancellations can occur. If many special experiences are canceled during your visit, consider asking guest services if there are opportunities to try again on another night.

Tips for a successful day

To fully enjoy the party, aim to arrive right at 4 p.m. and stay until midnight if possible.

That's why it's wise to take it slow in the morning, especially with younger children. Enjoy a late start, spend some relaxing time by the pool, perhaps take an afternoon nap, and keep your feet up. This way, you'll be energized and ready to dive into the festivities when the party kicks off.

Having a nutritious late lunch is also a smart move so you won't have to waste valuable party time on a full dinner. This allows you to focus on enjoying snacks throughout the night.

In summary

As an additional ticket to an already expensive Walt Disney World vacation, attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party can be quite costly. Given the weather uncertainties, spending between $440 and $800 for a family of four adds an extra layer of risk.

Timing is crucial, especially with younger kids who may turn into pumpkins by 9 p.m. It's perfectly reasonable to wait until they're old enough to stay up late and enjoy all the festivities.

On the other hand, the party is the only opportunity to experience most of Walt Disney World's Halloween attractions and meet some beloved characters.

Our youngest son is a huge fan of Jack Skellington and the entire "The Nightmare Before Christmas" film. Meeting Jack was not only a highlight of our evening but of our entire trip.

If your family is passionate about Halloween and Disney — and you can fully embrace a lengthy night — there's a strong possibility you'll find great value in the party.