Spooky season kicks off early in Orlando. Both Disney World and Universal Orlando start their Halloween celebrations before Labor Day, giving guests over two full months of limited-time events, seasonal treats, and fall-themed fun to enjoy.
Disney’s beloved Halloween event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, began at Magic Kingdom on August 9, and I was there on opening night. This special event requires its own ticket (it’s not included with regular park admission), but in my opinion, it’s totally worth it. During the five-hour party, we rode eight attractions with barely any wait, hit multiple trick-or-treat stops, grabbed some exclusive party snacks, and caught the parade, fireworks, and stage show.
Here’s everything you need to know—from must-see entertainment to the best snacks—to plan the perfect night at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Entertainment
With just five hours, you can’t do everything in one night—but you can hit most of the highlights if you go in with a plan.
Pause the trick-or-treating, character meet-ups, and rides for one thing: Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade. It starts with the Headless Horseman galloping from Frontierland to Main Street, followed by classic Disney characters in their Halloween finest, plus spooky cavalcades like the Hitchhiking Ghosts from Haunted Mansion. The floats, character appearances, and catchy theme song make this my favorite Disney parade ever, so I highly recommend prioritizing it.
The parade runs twice a night (8:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.), traveling from Frontierland (near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure) through Liberty Square, around Cinderella’s Castle, and down Main Street. We snagged a spot in Frontierland around 7:45 p.m., but the first showing is usually busier, with people staking out prime spots even earlier.
At 10 p.m., the creepy emcee Jack Skellington hosts Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular at Cinderella’s Castle. With fireworks, projections, and music from The Nightmare Before Christmas, you’ll be singing “This Is Halloween”—even in August!
The Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular brings together Disney’s most notorious villains to help the Sanderson Sisters. It runs up to four times a night (depending on the date), so you’ve got plenty of chances to catch it—I recommend the midnight showing on your way out. There’s also dance parties in Tomorrowland, singing pirates in Adventureland, and the Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet in Frontierland.
Rides & Attractions
Most rides stay open during the party, and wait times are super short for Magic Kingdom’s top attractions. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and TRON Lightcycle / Run even offer standby lines (no virtual queue or Lightning Lane needed), making this the perfect time to ride them as much as you want.
A few rides get special Halloween twists:
- Space Mountain runs in total darkness with eerie music.
- Mad Tea Party spins under festive lighting.
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor cracks Halloween-themed jokes.
If Space Mountain is too intense, hop on the PeopleMover for an aerial view of the party and a peek inside the ride—you’ll still get the spooky vibes without the twists and turns.
Don’t skip Haunted Mansion, even if the line looks long. Two hilarious ghosts entertain guests in the cemetery queue, and their interactions were one of the funniest parts of our night.
Party Food & Drinks
Along with exclusive merch, there are limited-time snacks and drinks only available during the party.
You’ll find them at quick-service spots around the park—check the Disney website beforehand to plan your snack attack. My personal favorite? The Dole Whip Mango and Chamoy Float at Aloha Isle (also available during regular hours this season). It mixes mango Dole Whip with pineapple juice, chamoy, and chili-lime salt—so refreshing! The Spicy Meatball Arrabbiata Flatbread at Pinocchio Village Haus was a great quick dinner between rides. At The Friar’s Nook, we tried the Bowl of Bones and Buffalo Chicken Hand Pie (the hand pie was my top pick). There are dozens more unique treats, so make a must-try list and check them off as you go. (Pro tip: Use mobile ordering on the Disney app to skip lines.)
For a sit-down meal, Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and The Plaza Restaurant are open with party-exclusive options. I’ve never seen a 10-minute wait for Cinderella’s Royal Table without a reservation—but you can book ahead if you prefer.
Want snacks and a reserved fireworks spot? Dessert parties are available for an extra fee.
Character Appearances
Look for characters in their Halloween costumes all over the park. You can snap pics with:
- Mickey & friends in festive outfits
- Stitch as Elvis
- Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger in adorable costumes
- Rare characters who don’t usually appear in the parks
Jack Skellington and Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas) are super popular—their lines often hit over an hour.
Trick-or-Treating
Ready for the best trick-or-treating ever? When you arrive, you’ll get a bag and your first treat: a full-size bag of M&Ms. There are over a dozen trick-or-treat stops where cast members load you up with Mars Wrigley candies (Twix, Snickers, Starburst, Skittles—all the good stuff you wished for as a kid).
Each spot is marked on the map and with a trick-or-treat pylon. Lines move fast—just hold your bag open when it’s your turn. We hit about half the stops and ended up with 70 pieces each! Best part? It’s all included in your ticket.
For allergy-friendly treats, guests can get a teal bag and collect tokens to exchange at Liberty Square or Main Street. We checked it out, and cast members were super helpful explaining options. The Main Street location gets busy near closing, so swap tokens earlier or head to Liberty Square (it was empty at 9:30 p.m. when we visited).
Tickets & Dates
Magic Kingdom’s hosting nearly 40 party nights this year, running from August 9 through October 31. (After that, the park swaps Halloween for holiday decor.) Tickets are separate from regular admission and range from 119to119to199 (most expensive near Halloween). Annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members get a $10 discount in August and September.
The party runs 7 p.m. to midnight, but ticket holders can enter as early as 4 p.m. Some dates are still available—check the Disney World website.
Tips for the Best Night
✔ Arrive early—Party tickets let you in at 4 p.m. Use this time to ride attractions or queue up for popular characters (Jack & Sally fill up fast!).
✔ Wear a costume! Guests 14+ can dress up (with some rules—check Disney’s website). Even if you don’t, it’s fun seeing everyone’s Disney-inspired outfits.
✔ Stay on the monorail. Hotels like Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and Contemporary Resort make getting to/from the party a breeze. The Contemporary is just a 10-minute walk—perfect for avoiding post-party crowds.
✔ ASL interpretation is available on August 23, September 26, and October 24. Check Disney’s site for accessibility details.