The Best of MNSSHP. Ultimate Guide. Let’s Boo This!

Marnie RaimondoPublished: August 8, 2023 Updated: August 9, 20230788 views

Are you going to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) this year? Excellent! It’s time to start planning for the ultimate party experience. Let’s get started!

It’s that time of year again – the spooky season has arrived, and it’s no secret that celebrating Halloween at Magic Kingdom is one of the most exciting events of the year. The Halloween season at Walt Disney World runs from August 11th through November 1st, making it the longest “season” of the year.

Experience the magic of Disney’s Halloween festivities at MNSSHP, starting on August 11th. With 42 party dates scheduled this year, you can enjoy special entertainment such as the “Boo-to-You” Parade, Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular stage show, trick-or-treating throughout Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks show. Don’t miss the chance to spot your favorite Disney characters wearing their Halloween costumes – and you’re even encouraged to wear yours, too! This event is fun for all ages and is not to be missed.

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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 every year for over 18 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!

August 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
September 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29
October 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26 27, 29, 31
November 1

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets start at $99 for children (ages 3-9) and $109 for adults (ages 10+). The highest ticket is priced at $189 for children (ages 3-9) and $199 for adults (ages 10+) – that is for October 31st (Halloween). 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), as you read above, is the most expensive party to attend.

Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save per ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, valid for select event nights.

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

The 2023 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is going to be better than ever! I am thrilled to share that there is an incredible lineup of activities and performances to enjoy during this festive season. Here’s what’s new!

Adventureland will be transformed into a lively pirate town, where you can enjoy sea shanties and hear stories of the crew’s sea voyages.
Join Max Goof and his Powerline party pack at pop-up parties in Magic Kingdom
- They will also perform a dance routine on Main Street U.S.A. before the Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade.
The Seven Dwarfs will be back at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, so don’t miss the chance to stop by, say hello, and snap a photo.
Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade will feature notorious villains like Ursula, Cruella de Vil, the Queen of Hearts, and the newly added Sanderson Sisters (Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabell) in a spooky finale.

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.

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.

Before heading to MNSSHP, it’s wise to do some research beforehand. Look up showtimes, parade schedules, and meet-and-greet opportunities. Plan out a rough itinerary of the activities you don’t want to miss. This will help you maximize your time and avoid missing out on anything exciting.

When you enter the park, be sure to grab a MNSSHP special event map to see anything that is new that you might want to prioritize for the evening.

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. NOTE: These date-specific event tickets DO NOT require an additional day theme park ticket OR theme park reservation.

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 usually until 6PM, so the crowd levels may be high for a few hours. You will still be able to successfully ride at least 2 or 3 attractions before the actual party begins if you plan accordingly.

Beginning around 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 Genie+ reservations are not available during the party. 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 Genie+ attractions up until park closing (usually 6PM) at the Magic Kingdom.

Ride attractions during parade times, most guests are watching the parade so the lines tend to be shorter.
Attractions tend to have the shortest lines of the evening just before midnight when the party is about to end. 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.

View the second parade of the evening, the first parade is usually the most popular and attracts the biggest crowd.
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 less at 30-60 minutes.
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!
Disney’s Not-So-Spooky 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.

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.

Take advantage of the PhotoPass Magic Shots at select locations throughout Magic Kingdom Park. The PhotoPass opportunities during MNSSHP are incredible!

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!

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.

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.
Weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon are not permitted.
Sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest are not permitted as part of the costume.
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.

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

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.

One of the BEST parts of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the unique meet and greets. If meeting your favorite characters is your thing, you are in luck! Here is who you can expect to see.

Town Square Theater – Jack Skellington & Sally, Mickey Mouse

The former Stitch’s Great Escape – Stitch

Pete’s Silly Sideshow – The Seven Dwarfs
Barnstormer – Goofy
Dumbo the Flying Elephant – Minnie, Donald, and Daisy

Mad Tea Party – Alice, the Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, and the Queen of Hearts
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – Hundred Acre Wood Friends
Ariel’s Grotto – Ariel and Eric
Bonjour! Village Gifts – Belle and Gaston
Princess Fairytale Hall – Various Princesses

Pirates of the Caribbean – Captain Jack Sparrow
Agrabah Bazaar – Jasmine, Genie, Aladdin, and Abu
Near Aloha Isle – Jafar

Get your fill of snacks and treats as you run around Magic Kingdom filling up at candy stations located throughout the park. Be sure to yell “Trick or Treat” as you’re passing through.

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!

East Side of Main Street, Market Street Welcome (until 8 p.m.)

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Near Entrance to TRON Lightcycle / Run
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Tortuga Tavern

Tom Sawyer Island Dock
Country Bear Jamboree

Columbia Harbour House
Sleepy Hollow (allergy-friendly)

Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Pinocchio Village Haus
Gaston’s Tavern
Ariel’s Grotto

Here are the attractions open during MNSSHP (subject to change):

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Haunted Mansion

Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover
TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise – Virtual Queue Access Only

An opportunity to request to join the virtual queue will be available at 6:00 PM for Guests attending MNSSHP. Guests will need to use the My Disney Experience app to enter this attraction. A standby queue for this attraction will not be available during the event. Each Guest can request to enter this virtual queue no more than once per event.

I personally save the attractions until the very end of the evening and ride only those that are top tier for me. The rides will always be there, the party events won’t. Enjoy the exclusive offers at the party first, then enjoy those things in the park that are there all the time.

Subject to change in 2023. 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

This parade is absolutely spectacular and the theme song is catchy – you’ll be singing it for the remainder of the season! The parade is usually shown twice nightly, definitely squeeze in the one that fits your schedule best. The second showing usually draws lower crowds and you won’t have to claim your seat as early and wait as long.

The ever-popular Sanderson Sisters are cooking up an awesome stage show that is spellbinding! Shown several times a night (check the guide for the exact times), this show is super popular and loved by fans. It’s not to be missed.

Enjoy this frightfully fun fireworks display with Mickey and friends. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy are spirited away to a mysterious haunted house where they encounter dancing skeletons, waltzing ghosts, and a sinister gathering of Disney villains! Only shown on select nights during the party.

This has become a classic hit with Guests. Find them in Fronteirland where they will have you howling in laughter to a bone-rattling bevy of tunes. Don’t miss them!

The Headless Horseman will ride his ghostly steed down Main Street, U.S.A. as a prelude to “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” which features floats filled with Disney Characters dressed in their Halloween best, Disney villains and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers.
Join the Sanderson Sisters during the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show at Cinderella Castle as they call upon their frightening colleagues to conjure the ultimate “Hocus Pocus” Party Potion.
What’s Halloween without candy? During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests can go trick-or-treating for M&M’S, SKITTLES, SNICKERS, and other Halloween favorites at locations throughout Magic Kingdom Park.
Celebrate the season alongside favorite Disney characters as they take over the park for their favorite party of the year.
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 this 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 a 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.
Discover sweet and savory menu items inspired by fall flavors and the Halloween season.

If you plan to dine during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, it is highly recommended to make dining reservations well in advance. Be Our Guest Restaurant and Cinderella’s Royal Table are both available options. Personally, I would not waste my time on a full sit-down meal during party hours. You will miss out on too many exclusive things happening during the event. If anything, I would eat before 7 pm when the party starts.

Quick service and mobile ordering options will also be available during the party if you get hungry and want something a bit more substantial to eat.

To maximize your time and avoid waiting long periods for the fireworks show, you may want to consider Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace or Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing. Each option affords you the ability to indulge in sweets, drinks, and priority viewing/seating for the fireworks (without the long wait). Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made.

Note: A valid admission ticket for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on the same night is required and is not included in the price of the dessert party.

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.

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!!

As expected, there is an extraordinary amount of ghoulish delights to satisfy any sweet tooth! Let’s dig in and take a look at all of the frightfully fabulous treats available this Halloween season, find it all here.

(Available Aug. 11 through Nov. 1 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party)

Apple Fritter Milkshake: Salted caramel milkshake topped with green apple whipped cream and an apple fritter (Non-alcoholic) (New)

MMMummy Treat: Flaky pastry filled with chocolate-hazelnut filling and topped with white icing stripes and sugar eyes (New) (Available Aug. 11 through Nov. 1 during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)
Queen of Hearts Slushy: Frozen cherry slushy drizzled with black cherry purée and topped with whipped cream and a crown-shaped chocolate piece (Non-alcoholic) (New) (Available Aug. 11 through Nov. 1 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party)
Witches Cold Brew: French Vanilla Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew topped with pumpkin-spiced foam and Halloween sprinkles (Non-alcoholic) (Available Aug. 11 through Nov. 1 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party)