Complete Guide: 2020 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Updated on June 21, 2020

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19! This blog post will be updated with new information for 2021.

For those that may have already purchased tickets for a Halloween Party in 2020, contact Disney directly for a full refund.

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Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween (MNSSHP) Party kicks off on Thursday August 13th, the first of 36 party dates this year for you to enjoy!

This is by far my very favorite time of year to visit. The weather is perfect, the crowds are a bit lighter (especially in September and early October), the holidays are just around the corner, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival is in full gear, and the ghouls and goblins are out at the Magic Kingdom! Just kidding! It’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! There is nothing scary about it. Trust me, I’m the biggest scaredy cat to roam the earth – if there was a ghoul or goblin around, I would not be attending! But because it’s NOT SCARY, I have attended MNSSHP for nearly 15 years! I highly recommend everyone attend at least once if your budget and time permits. I guarantee you, you will be back for more! It is that much fun!

Since I have been attending and enjoying the party for so many years, I have quite a few tips and tricks up my sleeve to help YOU plan the best, most spooktacular evening EVER. Let’s jump right in and get to all the details you need to know before you head to the party!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2020 Dates & Ticket Prices

• August 13, 18, 21, 25, 28
• September 1, 4, 7, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29
• October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
• November 1

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets start at $80 for children (ages 3-9) and $85for adults (ages 10+). The highest ticket is priced at $149 for children (ages 3-9) and $144 for adults (ages 10+). Prices do vary and increase in cost depending on the date/time you choose to attend. The closer to Halloween, the more expensive the party is for both adults and children. Halloween Night (October 31) is the most expensive party to attend.

If you purchase early, you can save $10 per ticket. Discounts are also available for Disney Vacation Club Members and Annual Passholders.

To purchase tickets, visit the Walt Disney World website (click here).

Best Days/Dates to Attend

If you are wondering, the best dates to attend the party is usually anytime in August and early September, and on Sunday’s – Wednesday’s in September and October. Friday and Saturday in October have a tendency to be very busy due to locals attending the party as well as vacationers. Halloween (Oct 31st) is the most crowded and historically has sold out well in advance. If you plan to attend on Halloween, be sure to purchase your tickets early. This year, the Halloween Party will once again be offered on November 1 as well.

Rain Or Shine!

Keep in mind that the party goes on rain or shine! The parades or fireworks may be canceled during the evening due to weather, but the party still happens. If you are leery of buying tickets ahead of time because of potential bad weather, you can purchase tickets on the night of the party. Very few nights sell out – usually just the first night and Halloween night (perhaps November 1 this year).

Party Tips & Strategies

With party time starting at 7PM on select nights at the Magic Kingdom, there are only 5 hours to meet rare characters, ride attractions, trick-or-treat, and see the exclusive fireworks and parade! There is no question, if you want to maximize your time and dollar at this event, you will need to devise a plan and determine your priorities! Just remember, even the best plans can’t often squeeze it all in. Do what is most important to you first!

Starting at 4PM, if you already in Magic Kingdom and have tickets for that evening’s MNSSHP, locate specific cast members scattered throughout the park to receive your trick-or-treat bag and event wristband.

If you are coming from another park or your hotel, you can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4PM through a designated entrance. Upon checking in for the party, you will receive your trick-or-treat bag and event wristband.

If you enter the park at 4PM, know that the park is still open to the general public until 6PM, so the crowd levels may be high for a few hours. You will still be able to successfully ride at least 2, maybe 3, attractions before the actual party begins if you plan accordingly.

Beginning at 6PM, the Cast Members will begin to shuffle non-event guest out of the park. This is why it is essential that you obtain your event wristband. This indicates to Cast Members that you have a paid party ticket for that evening.

Note that FastPass+ reservations are not available during the party, nor from 4PM-7PM. Generally lines during the party are manageable depending on the popularity of the attraction. If you have a regular day park ticket, you can book FP+s up until 6PM at the Magic Kingdom.

TIP: Ride attractions during parade times, most guests are watching the parade so the lines tend to be shorter.

TIP: View the second parade of the evening, the first parade is usually the most popular and attracts the biggest crowd.

TIP: Depending on the date you attend, you may need to plan to claim your spot and wait for the parade up to 60-90 minutes. If you attend at the end of August or early September, your wait time may be 30-60 minutes.

TIP: The parade begins in Frontierland, however I am a firm believer that the best place to watch it is from Main Street U.S.A. There is nothing like the backdrop of Cinderella Castle in all of your photos!

TIP: Attractions tend to have the shortest lines of the evening just before midnight when the party ends. Save some of the most popular attractions such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (SDMT), Peter Pan or Space Mountain for the last 30 minutes of the evening. Dare I say, some may even be walk ons.

TIP: If your priority is to get photos with special, rare characters such as the Seven Dwarfs or Jack and Sally, plan to wait in very long lines. Generally lines start to form sometimes before the party even begins at 7PM. Wait times could be up to 2 hours, so plan accordingly if you intend to accomplish other things during the evening at the party. Families tend to start to leave around 11PM, chances are if you wait until late in the evening, your wait time may decrease significantly.

TIP: Disney’s Not-So-Scary Spectacular is shown on party nights usually at 10:15 PM, weather permitting. This firework show can be viewed from various locations around the park. Your best viewing location will always be somewhere in the hub or about 1/4 way down Main Street. There are projections on the Castle during the show that enhance the story of the show! You don’t have to see the projections to enjoy the fireworks, but if you snag a spot on Main Street or in the hub, you will enjoy it more.

TIP: Take advantage of the PhotoPass Magic Shots at select locations throughout Magic Kingdom Park. The PhotoPass opportunities during MNSSHP are incredible! Many offered in 2019 were similar to what was offered in 2018. I’ll be curious if anything new is offered this year. I will update accordingly once I learn more about the PhotoPass options for 2020.

TIP: You can visit candy stations more than once, so stock up!! If you need additional trick-or-treat bags, ask a Cast Member. There are more than plenty for everyone!

TIP: With the hustle and bustle of the evening, it’s easy to forget about the adorable and yummy special event treats to purchase! Be sure to check them out and pick one up.

Costumes are encouraged for all ages! So be sure to dress up and have fun!! To keep us all safe, a few years ago Walt Disney World implemented costume guidelines for those attending the party. Here are the official rules and regulations from waltdisneyworld.com.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Costume Guidelines

General:

• Disney may deny admission or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or could detract from the experience of other Guests.
• Guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
• Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
• Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
• Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
• Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from, the park unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards.

Guests Ages 13 and Under:

• Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long as the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.

Guests Ages 14 and Older:

• Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
• Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g., full-length Princess dresses)
• Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
• Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts and hats are acceptable.
• Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
• Masks of any kind may not be worn.

Note that all rules and regulations are subject to change at any time.

Trick-or-Treating

Do you have a food allergy? If so, Disney has a special trick-or-treat experience for you!

While at Mickey’s No-So-Scary Halloween Party, see a Cast Member to pick up a teal-colored treat bag – the official color of food allergy awareness. These are available at any treat location an at the official Allergy-Friendly Centers located at Town Square Theater (near Tony’s Town Square Restaurant on Main Street, U.S.A.) and Liberty Square Ticket Office (near The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square).

When you trick-or-treat with your teal bag, Cast Members will give you a teal token at any treat station. You can redeem your teal tokens at the Allergy-Friendly Centers to receive your special treats!

Attractions Open During the Event

Information from 2019 – subject to change in 2020. Will update accordingly as we learn more.

Main Street U.S.A

• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

Adventureland

• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• A Pirate’s Adventure – Treasures of the Seven Seas

Frontierland

• Country Bear Jamboree
• Splash Mountain

Liberty Square

• Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland

• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• “it’s a small world”
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mad Tea Party
• Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Barnstormer

Tomorrowland

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s SpaceRanger Spin
• Space Mountain
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrow Transit Authority PeopleMover

Expected Show Times for Special Events during MNSSHP

Subject to change in 2020. Will be updated once more details are released.

• Mickey’s “Boo-To-You” Halloween Parade – 9:15PM and 11:15PM
• Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular – 10:15PM
• Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular – 8:30PM, 10:45PM, 12AM
• Cadaver Dan’s Barbershop Quartet – 7:00PM, 7:45PM, 8:30PM, 9:50PM, 10:30PM
• Frontierland Costume Promenade (New for 2018!) – 8:50PM, 10:50PM
• Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball – 7:00PM – 12:00AM

Returning Favorites from 2019

• On Pirates of the Caribbean, new pirates invade the experience, interacting with sailing guests who will join the search for “Gunpowder Pete.”

• Storybook Circus welcomes the Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jam, a dance party from 7:00PM – 10:00PM featuring some of your favorite Disney Junior Characters, including Doc McStuffins!
  
• Returning overlays on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mad Tea Party and Space Mountain.
  
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, the monsters will interact in all new way, learning about the Human World holiday we call Halloween
  
• Cruella’s Halloween Hide-a-Way – Join Cruella at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant for an evening of devilish fun! Beginning at 9:30 PM, enjoy an evening filled with music, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beer, wine, and even special reserved viewing/seating for the “Boo To You” parade at 11:15 PM, plus so much more! Ticket information will be provided once shared by Disney. (separate Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party ticket required)
  
• Nighttime extravaganza “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular” displaying high above Cinderella Castle. Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” serves as the host of the new state-of-the-art projection show featuring special effects, lasers, lighting and dazzling fireworks filling the sky above Magic Kingdom. His sidekick Zero will go on an trick-or-treating adventure with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald as they enter into a haunted mansion and encounter dancing skeletons, waltzing ghosts and a whole series of troublemaking Disney villains.  

PhotoPass Opportunities

One of the very coolest features of the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are the incredible PhotoPass Magic Shot opportunities throughout the park. I showcased a few of them from previous years throughout this post. Details will be shared once 2020 PhotoPass information is released.

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2019 PhotoPass Information – This year, there are returning favorites and so many new ones! Here are a few and the link direct to Disney’s post outlining all of them! Take some time and take advantage of them. They create such wonderful memories!

And hopefully returning this year is the PhotoPass Studio located inside Sir Mickey’s!! This newer location offers tons of Halloween-themed props! Visit anytime throughout the party to take your pictures. Reservations are NOT needed .

Once details and choices are provided, be sure to make your list of the photos you want to be sure to capture. The lines for some of these have a tendency to get long, certainly depending on the time of year you are attending and the crowd level at the party. I personally think they are absolutely worth it. In the end, the pictures are what you will look back on and relive how fun the party was!!

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Game

Each year a special and unique Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is released for the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. You can pick up your special game card on party nights.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is an in-park interactive quest that allows guests of all ages to join Merlin’s mission to stop Disney Villains from taking over the park. Search for villain hideouts throughout the park, and visit magic portals where they use these spell cards to stop a villain’s plan.

This special event card will be distributed separately (and in addition to) the regular Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card packs guests are given at this location. Register to play with your party ticket and event wristband in order to get one.

Here’s How To Play!

Stop by the Firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A. for everything necessary to begin 9 exciting quests, including a Sorcerer Key Card, Merlin’s mystical map, spell cards and training on how to unlock Magic Portals and defeat the dastardly evildoers.

Use the clues on Merlin’s map to locate 20 Magic Portals situated throughout Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland and along Main Street, U.S.A. Upon arriving at the first Magic Portal, hold up your Sorcerer Key Card to unlock and gain access—one of Hades’ henchmen will pop up prepared for battle!

Present a spell card to crush the creep; once victory is yours, move on to the next Magic Portal. Different Disney pals will also appear to guide you along your way. Your challenge is to eliminate each Portal’s outlaw by presenting the right spell card or combination of cards—some scoundrels are tough, so it may take several spells to triumph. After annihilating his minions, you’ll be spell-to-spell with Hades himself!

Finish as many missions as you wish—the keepers of the Magic Kingdom are grateful for your help! Merlin will appear in the final portal, welcoming you to the ranks of “Master Sorcerer” upon completing the full game. Hold onto your wizard wands and get ready for spellbinding adventures at every turn!

Here are a few quick tips for playing the game:

• Sign up for the game at the Firehouse at Main Street, U.S.A.
• Players will receive one map and pack of spell cards per day.
• Missions last from 20 to 30 minutes, sometimes longer depending on degree of difficulty.
• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is included in your theme park admission.

Foodie Guide

Details will be shared when new information is released for 2020.

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2019 Food Guide – This year there are an extraordinary amount of treats available during the party. Remember, you can trick-or-treat your way through the park as well, so you can really get sugared up! Here is a sampling of what you can enjoy during party nights!

And there is so much more! For the complete list and choice, click here!