Time flies when you’re having fun – especially Disney Halloween fun! If you’re planning on attending any of the remaining sold-out 2024 party dates, or planning ahead for 2025, here are a few tips to maximize your time at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Arrive Early To Do Rides First
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starts at 7pm, and ends at 12am, but you can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm with your party ticket! Utilize this time to knock out some of your favorite attractions before the party even begins, and consider saving the more popular rides for when the party starts (hint: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and TRON Lightcycle / Run). That said, save some of your party time to experience Space Mountain with a “Halloween Twist”: in complete darkness and a special spooky soundtrack!
Eat a Big Meal Before Arriving
As we know, there are SO MANY limited-time eats and treats to try at MNSSHP. But to save precious party time, eat a larger early dinner before arriving to Magic Kingdom so you’re not spending too much time at a table or quick-service restaurant. Quick may be in the name, but stopping by Cosmic Ray’s or Pinocchio’s Village Haus could easily soak up an hour or more of the night. Prioritize limited-time offerings from snack carts or Sleepy Hollow, or maybe mobile order from Casey’s Corner! Psst… don’t miss that Mickey-shaped Pumpkin Cheesecake.
Trick or Treat… Later
Besides picking up your initial trick or treat bag along with your first helping of candy, save the the treat trails for later in the night. Consider catching the first Hocus Pocus Villain Spell-tacular castle stage show as most attendees run to the treat trails, character meets, and attractions.
At our recent party, Hannah and I found the three Adventureland treat trails to be completely barren closer to 10:30pm! We kept looping back into the lines for a full-on candy marathon, filling up multiple bags of candy. Cast Members were even being extra generous with their scoops at this point of the night.
Parade, Please!
Catch Mickey’s Bo-To-You Halloween Parade from Frontierland instead of Main Street. That way, you’re closer to more party happenings (Cadaver Dans and Hitchhiking Ghost appearances, rides, treat trails, Haunted Mansion…) and away from the Main Street/Castle Hub masses. And consider catching the first parade so you can spend more time filling up those candy bags later in the night.
Don’t Turn Into a Pumpkin
Sure, the party offerings end right at midnight, but you can meander out of Magic Kingdom after taking a few late-night castle photos in your costumes or shop party-exclusive merch at the Emporium on the way out. Happy Halloween! Ka-chow.
Of course, these tips are all dependent on YOUR way of Halloween partying. Plan ahead and prioritize what’s important to you and your group. Character meet and greets? Enter the lines early. Want to skip the fireworks and ride some more rides with even lower waits? Have at it! There’s no wrong way to have fun at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary, but I hope these time-saving tips are helpful for you!
For even more tips, watch our 2024 MNSSHP review!
