Disney’s World’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, which we shall call MNSSHP to save me from typing it out over and over, is an event that has long been known as one of the best days at Disney. It’s been on my wish list for a long, long, time, but because my girls are on the younger side, we’ve been putting it off. I finally had the opportunity to attend this special Disney event with the fab ladies from Permission to Hustle and I thought it might be helpful to provide you with a little guide for those of you who just want to have some adult time at the park. I will also include some simple MNSSHP costume ideas below.

I was hosted by Walt Disney World for the MNSSHP. All opinions are my own

Eerie lighting, fall décor and Mickey Mouse-shaped Jack-O-Lanterns set the stage at Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The family-friendly after-hours event offers trick-or-treating, meet and greets with favorite characters in costume, plus the must-see “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” and “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks display. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a special ticket event and takes place on select nights each fall at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

MNSSHP: A Guide for Adults

When I researched tips for attending MNSSHP, I found so many great tips for attending with children, but I didn’t find many tips for adults attending without kids. Sometimes adults just want to enjoy a fun Disney trip without kids and I am all for it (obviously). We all need to experience the magic in our own way.

Tickets: Pricing varies, but starts at $79 if you purchase online prior to your trip. Note: this special event fee is in addition to your normal park ticket cost.

Dates: View the calendar of dates available here.

Experiences:

Decor + More: Magic Kingdom is decked out in Halloween decor and special lighting. You can also catch special entertainment, a fun new fireworks show, and most of the park’s rides are open to ride at night.
Characters in Halloween Costumes: You’ll find many Disney characters, including your favorite villains dressed up in costumes throughout the park. This adds to the Halloween vibes and is such a magical touch.
Trick-or-Treating: There are trick-or-treat stations set up throughout the park. So, if you’re craving a sweet treat like your favorite chocolate bar or some GoGo Squeeze, hit up one of these stations. They are very generous with their hand-outs.

The Cadaver Dans perform their ghoulish medley of popular "tombs" for guests in Frontierland during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. The family-friendly after-hours event offers trick-or-treating, meet and greets with favorite characters in costume, plus the must-see "Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade" and "Happy HalloWishes" fireworks display. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a special ticket event and takes place on select nights each fall at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — (Ali Nasser, photographer)

Jack Skellington and Sally from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” are two of the many characters guests can meet at Magic Kingdom Park during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The specially ticketed evening also includes trick-or-treating, the Happy HalloWishes fireworks display and more. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place select nights Aug. 17- Oct. 31, 2018, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — (Steven Diaz, photographer)

Entertainment:

Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Located in Magic Kingdom at designated times, this frightfully magical fireworks display brings a whole new look to Cinderella’s castle. Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy are spirited away to a mysterious haunted house where they encounter dancing skeletons (my favorite), waltzing ghosts and a sinister gathering of Disney villains!

The new “Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular” at Magic Kingdom Park invites guests to embark on a hair-raising Halloween adventure with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck. With Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as host, this spellbinding display of state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, lighting and dazzling fireworks will delight guests during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a separately ticketed event held on select nights Aug. 16-Nov. 1, 2019, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — (David Roark, photographer)

This fireworks show is hosted by Jack Skellington as he shares a not so scary Halloween story. It features state-of-the-art projection effects on the castle and surrounding buildings, lasers, light and fireworks during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party—offered select nights August 16 through November 1, 2019.

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MNSSHP Fireworks did not disappoint. One of the best shows I’ve seen!! Disney World in the Fall is truly so magical.

A post shared by Cristen ⋒ Casados (Blogger) (@cristencasados) on Aug 30, 2019 at 8:25pm PDT

Where to Watch From: Adults can see the show from just about anywhere in front of the castle, so don’t stress about finding a place to stand. The show is only 12 minutes long, so don’t worry about finding a place to sit, unless you really need a break from walking around Disney all day.
- Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace:
  - This dessert party is available for $84 plus tax for Guests ages 10 and older
  - Enhance your Halloween fun with a spirited spell-ebration—select nights August 16 through November 1, 2019!
  - Descend upon Magic Kingdom park for a spirited evening during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant offers an indulgent, bewitching buffet featuring swoon-worthy sweets and sips—including chocolate-dipped strawberries, cupcakes, ice cream, seasonal fruits, cheeses and other ghoulish goodies created daily by our master pastry chef. Sparkling cider, signature lemonades, coffee, tea and hot chocolate will also be served.
  - 2019 Event Dates
    - August 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30
    - September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27 and 29
    - October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29 and 31
    - November 1
- Cruella’s Halloween Hide-A-Way:
  - Mingle with the dazzling Cruella De Vil and delight in reserved seating for Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade.
  - You’re invited to the most happening event at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Enjoy the fun and exciting atmosphere at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant—decked out especially for this beguiling bash!
  - As you dine, you’ll rub elbows with high society as Cruella stops by your table for some witty repartee. Later, catch a glimpse of the rest of the sinister gang from your reserved seating section for Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade.
  - This fun event will take place at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant from 9:30 PM through 12:30 AM during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
    - August 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
    - September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
    - October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
    - November 12019 Event Dates
  - Price: $99 per person, plus tax
- Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing:
  - Feast on frightfully delightful desserts and then enjoy amazing views of Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular from a reserved standing area at Magic Kingdom park. Additional fee required.
  - From flickering tricks to the sweetest treats, enhance Halloween fun with a private dessert party!
  - Grim grinning ghosts and Guests alike are invited to descend upon Magic Kingdom Park for Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular, a bewitching buffet of confections and entertainment sure to send spirits soaring. This experience takes place at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant on select nights August 16 through November 1, 2019, in conjunction with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Even the most voracious vampires won’t want to miss it!
  - Raise your glass for a ghostly toast of sparkling cider while indulging in Halloween-themed eats, including chocolate-dipped strawberries, cupcakes, ice cream, seasonal fruits, cheeses and other ghoulish goodies created daily by our master pastry chef. Specialty drinks, signature lemonades, coffee, tea and hot chocolate will also be served.
  - As showtime nears, Cast Members will escort you to a prime standing location in the Plaza Garden—where you can enjoy priority views of Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular over Cinderella Castle. It’s a fright fest of color, music and light you’ll never forget!
  - 2019 Event Dates
    - August 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30
    - September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27 and 29
    - October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29 and 31
    - November 1
  - Event Details
- - - Location: Dessert party held at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant at Magic Kingdom park, with fireworks viewing in the Plaza Garden
    - Dates: Select nights August 16 through November 1, 2019
    - Dessert Party Time: 8:45 PM
    - Fireworks Show Time: 10:15 PM
    - Price: $69 plus tax for Guests ages 10 and older.

Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

My favorite witches, the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus, put on an entertaining show at the castle! If you plan to catch the late night showing of the parade, you can watch the Hocus Pocus show while you wait.

With only a few hours to run amuck at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Winifred, Mary and Sarah decide to use their magic to host a decidedly wicked fun fest.

Enlisting the help of the Disney villains, the 3 sisters mix sinister shadows, terrifying nightmares and use the nefarious powers of their frightening colleagues to conjure the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion—and cast a spell on everyone in Magic Kingdom park!

Look for appearances from Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie and Maleficent. Combine them and other great Disney villains with amazing dancers, wild visual projections and otherworldly special effects to make Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular a not-to-be-missed Halloween treat!

New in 2015, the "Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular," show during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park features the mischievous Sanderson Sisters from Disney's Hocus Pocus, who throw an evil Halloween party with appearances by Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent and other Disney villains, along with dancers, projections and special effects. Walt Disney World Resort is located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — (David Roark, photographer)

New in 2015, the "Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular," show during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park includes the mischievous Sanderson Sisters from Disney's Hocus Pocus, who throw an evil Halloween party that features appearances by Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent and other great Disney villains, along with dancers, projections and special effects. Walt Disney World Resort is located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. ( — Mariah Wild, photographer)

The mischievous Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” return to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park to throw a wickedly fun celebration during Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. Held on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt stage, the show features favorite Disney villains including Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie and Maleficent, along with dancers, projections and special effects. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a specially ticketed evening that also includes trick-or-treating, greetings with characters in Halloween costumes, the Happy HalloWishes fireworks display and more. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place select nights Aug. 17- Oct. 31, 2018, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — (Steven Diaz, photographer)

“Villains Unite the Night” is a new stage show at Magic Kingdom Park, part of the new, limited-access Disney Villains After Hours event held on select nights this summer at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The show features appearances by Disney Villains as they set the castle stage ablaze. — (Steven Diaz, photographer

Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

A spectacle of characters parades down Main Street, U.S.A in Mickey’s Boo-to You Halloween Parade during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. The parade is led by the Headless Horseman and includes Disney characters in Halloween regalia and the ghostly inhabitants of The Haunted Mansion. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a special ticket event and takes place on select nights each fall at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — (Ali Nasser, photographer)

The spectral Bride from the Haunted Mansion makes her haunting debut this year in Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Her ghostly figure glides down Main Street among a throng of waltzing spirits during this fan-favorite parade. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place on select nights, Aug. 16-Nov. 1, 2019, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL. — (Caitlyn McCabe, photographer)

For the first time, live pirates invade Pirates of the Caribbean during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park. A new story line for the attraction allows guests to join the pirates in a search for the rogue Gunpowder Pete. This is just one of the many fun new experiences guests enjoy during the family-friendly nighttime event. The specially ticketed evening includes trick-or-treating, greetings with favorite characters in Halloween costumes, “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks display and “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade.” Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place select nights Aug. 17- Oct. 31 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

A Great Time to Ride the Rides

MNSSHP is a great time to ride those adult rides you missed out on during the day. While the kids are busy focusing on trick-or-treating, you can enjoy shorter wait lines. My advice is to not focus on trick-or-treating, because you can easily buy bags of candy when you get home. Less candy = less hassle at the airport, too.

A great time to ride the rides are also during the fireworks shows and parades if you have already seen them. Or, you can catch the late parade, since most families with kids with probably catch the earlier parade.

Halloween Merchandise & Treats

Now is the time to stock up on all of those Halloween mugs, tumblers, ears, clothing, and decor that you have been holding out for. Do a little homework before you go and research what you can and cannot buy online.

You can find a complete guide to Disney’s Halloween-themed sweet treats in the Magic Kingdom over on the Disney Parks Blog.

I personally tried the Amuck, Amuck, Amuck cupcake from Main Street Bakery. Since I had to take my cupcake to go I placed it in a bag and the top frosting cauldron fell off, but it still tasted great! This cupcake was a mouthful of flavors, literally. The cupcake was filled with trick-or-treat candy, peanut butter chips, chocolate candy bits, and toffee. It also had caramel sauce, was iced with chocolate buttercream frosting, and topped with a cake cauldron and a Sanderson Sister chocolate decoration.

MNSSHP Costume Ideas

Disney has strict guidelines for what you can and cannot wear to the Not So Scary Halloween Party. See below for more details and some easy MNSSHP costume ideas:

Costume Guidelines:

Disney reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or could detract from the experience of other Guests.
All 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 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.

All rules and regulations are subject to change without notice.