Every time I sat down to write this post, I had serious computer issues. Including today when I lost all my data… twice! Nevertheless, as we approach Halloween in a few weeks, I believe it will still be an entertaining read.
We were at Disney at the end of August and attended the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party on the 30th. Yes, it was 1,000 degrees and way too early to be celebrating Halloween, but that did not stop Disney or us. Ha!
For those of you who’ve never been, MNSSHP is a specially ticketed event at Magic Kingdom Park the entire family can enjoy. Disney’s attention to detail is superb and guests truly feel immersed in the season.
The party officially starts at 7:00 pm, but party guests can enter the park as early as 4:00 pm. Guests without party tickets must leave the park by 6:00 pm – a rule which is strictly enforced. Back in August, ticket prices started at $74/kids, $79 adults. Leading up to Halloween tickets start at $110/kids, $115/adults. The event is now sold out on October 31st.
We arrived approximately 4:30 pm, smack into the middle of the Move It, Shake It, MousekeDance It Parade. We snagged front row seats on Main Street. This was an excellent start to the experience!
Rides were high priority on our list. In just a couple of hours, we were able to ride:
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – twice
- Space Mountain
- Haunted Mansion
If you frequent Disney, especially during peak season, you know this may be all the rides you get to enjoy in an entire day. We were quite pleased!
Lady Carlotta 
As we were exiting the Haunted Mansion, we stopped to listen to a different Lady Carlotta (spot the difference?) and the Mansion’s Butler entertain the queue.
As we were making our way to grab treat bags, Stinky and Blinky graced us with this family photo. Remember when your kids were toddlers and couldn’t get enough of the camera? Well, that changes the closer they get to their teens. Sigh!
We did a little trick-or-treating to satisfy out sweet tooth, but this is not where we wanted to spend the majority of our time. On our way to dinner, we ran into the Cadaver Dans with their spooky songs and dead pan jokes. Get it? Ha!
We grabbed a quick bite at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café where the Disney Descendants Dance Party was going strong. Try as I might, I could not get Stinky and Blinky to dance with me. Sigh!
After dinner, we made our way back to Main Street. The sun was setting and the sky was glorious!
Before, the crowds were well dispersed between rides, character meets, and trick-or-treating. But it seemed we all converged at 9:15 pm for the Boo to You Parade. Nevertheless, we nabbed prime spaces right in front of the castle. Due to lighting, my pictures aren’t incredible, so you’ll just have to take my word that the parade was #worthit.
Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade features costumed Disney characters, some of which are only seen during events like this. It opened with the Headless Horseman trotting down Main Street, and there literally could not have been a more excellent choice to set the scene.
We stayed put for the Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular at 10:15 pm. Jack Skellington tells a not-so-scary tale about Mickey Mouse and his pals on a Halloween night where anything can happen. Dazzling fireworks, projections and lasers highlight this all-new spectacular. Jack Skellington was one of the few character meets I’d hoped to do, but ended up not being able to find the time. So there was absolutely no way I was missing this show. It did not disappoint! Each picture tells a part of the story.
Immediately after, we inched a little closer to the castle for the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular at 10:45 pm. A wickedly fun celebration hosted by the Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s Hocus Pocus. We watched Hocus Pocus for the first time in preparation for this trip and it is easily out new favorite family movie! The Sanderson Sisters brought a host of villains together to conjure up an evil plan. The highlight was when Winifred sang I Put A Spell On You. Goosebumps!
What a show! The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular alone was worth the cost of the tickets! Even Stinky who complained about the long wait times in advance of the shows was hypnotized. I would have loved to see it again at midnight but didn’t think my legs would hold out.
There was still so much more to see and do (like exclusive Halloween snacks we never did get to try), but we were all starting to get weary. After a little souvenir shopping, and enjoying the street party near the entrance to the Main Street before the 11:15 pm Boo to You Parade, we decided to call it a night.
If you’re on the fence about party tickets, my advice is to just do it. Whether you’ve been to Magic Kingdom or not, MNSSHP is a great way to condense a whole lot into a small amount of time. It is a great add on to a park day to extend the experience, or a stand-alone event. The point is, you won’t regret it.
Another piece of advise I’d like to share is don’t run yourself ragged expecting to see and do it all. That will take multiple trips. Focus on what’s more important to you: rides, character meets, shows, and enjoy yourself.
Happy Halloween!!
As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and lover of all things Disney, I would be honored for the opportunity to plan your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth! Email ebony@familytraveladventuresllc.com to learn more.
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