Everything to know about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Have a hauntingly fun time at Disney World’s annual Halloween event.
Disney World released ticket sales for its popular Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this month.
In this post, I will cover:
When is the party this year?
What is MNSSHP?
What is the history of the party?
Is this extra ticket worth it?
2025 Dates for the Event
What is included in a ticket?
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a special ticketed event that is purchased separately from regular park tickets. It takes place at Magic Kingdom on select nights from mid-August through October 31.. The park closes early on party days, so if you plan to visit Magic Kingdom but do not plan to attend the party, know that you will be required to leave the park by 7 p.m.
If you have dining reservations, you should plan to make your reservation before 6 p.m. You can complete your meal and then you will be escorted out of the park. After 7 p.m., if you do not have a ticket for the party, you will not be allowed in the park.
Several aspects of the party make this one special:
- Eventgoers can wear costumes
- During regular park days, adults can’t wear costumes, but at the Halloween party, it’s encouraged (within certain rules). It’s fun to see the creative costumes and themed groups.
- Trick-or-treating stations galore
- Upon entering the party and receiving your wristband, you’ll also get a trick-or-treat bag. Sponsored by Mars Candy Company, the party features about 15 stations where you can grab candy. Over 215 tons of candy are handed out during the Halloween season, and they even provide allergy-friendly options.
- Boo-to-You Halloween Parade
- A fan favorite, the Boo-to-You parade makes its way through the park, usually twice per night. Lead by the headless horseman, the parade includes some characters that don’t make appearances in other parades, such as Cadence Hatchaway, Hitchhiking Ghosts and Disney Villans. The song is so catchy and the dance routines are fun to watch.
- Hocus Pocus Spelltacular stage show
- I am a HUGE fan of the Sanderson sisters and the “Hocus Pocus” movie. The stage show is a must-see experience for fans. The actors sound exactly like the original characters and you get to relive some fun moments from the movie – In-kama-koray-ah-ma anyone?
While those are some of the key differences for this party, other features are similar to the annual Christmas party event. This includes:
- Themed drinks and treats exclusive to the party.
- A dance party themed from the Disney series “Zombies.”
- A special fireworks show, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.
- Ride overlays on three rides: Space Mountain (complete darkness); Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean get live actors on the ride and in the queue.
- Special character meet and greet – Jack Skellington and Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
- Rides are standby lines throughout the party; no need to deal with lightning lane purchases.
History of the party
Disney didn’t always celebrate Halloween. It evolved over time as Disney executives looked to increase park attendance during slower times of the year. After experimenting in the late 1980s with a Christmas party, Disney saw increased interest in the parks to attend the holiday event.
In the 1990s, Disney created several events throughout the year to entice visitors to come during slower times. This lead to the creation of the Flower and Garden Festival, Holidays Around the World, and other events.
In October 1995, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party debuted with a single night priced at $16.95 per person. For comparison, prices for the 2025 party, on Oct. 31 is $229 per person. As interest grew, Disney increased the party run dates from a few nights in 1997 to 15 nights in 2005.
Why is it so popular? With limited tickets available for each night, attendees find it easier to access attractions during the party than on a typical day at Magic Kingdom. Plus, the added extras enhance the experience. Although Disney doesn’t disclose actual attendance numbers, I’ve noticed smaller crowds compared to regular days, though it’s still popular and not empty.
Ok, is this worth the extra cost?
If you love Halloween, this is an absolute yes. Catch the earlier dates if you are looking for lower ticket prices.
If you want to enjoy the parks without the seperation of those who will pay to ride versus those who use standby lines, the special holiday events are worthwhile, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
And if you enjoy special theming and shows, the Halloween party is worth doing at least once.
If you are not interested in the extra stage show, or the special fireworks, and have no interest in costumes, trick-or-treating and all that, then I would recommend you save the money and skip it.
Personally, it is one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World. Again, I LOVE Hocus Pocus and Halloween is one of my favorite holidays so this event is a priority for my vacations. This year, I am taking my partner for their first MNSSHP experience and I am so excited.
Did I miss anything? Let me know or ask me a question in the comments below!
