Going to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, or “MNSSHP”? Or maybe you’re on the fence and trying to decide if it’s worth it.

One of my favorite Laid-back Magic members is an expert with all things Disney, especially during the season of Halloween.

Melissa is a fellow mom, and Disney expert. She let me pick her brain about tips for families headed to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, like what you should do on a party day and what to expect. Here’s a quick rundown:

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event on certain nights from August until Halloween from 7pm to midnight. Magic Kingdom closes early at 6pm on party nights, which means you’ll need a party ticket to attend. To see more info and buy tickets, head here.

Ok, now on to Melissa!

So…who are you? Tell us a little about yourself.

Hey! I’m Melissa, a wife and mom from NYC who absolutely loves all things Disney! I’m a self-professed Disnerd and Happy Haunt who has enjoyed multiple family trips to Disney World and finds the planning just as exciting as the actual trip!

My proficiency in planning comes from over 17 years of product development and process implementation skills. These passions led me to start Foolish Mortal Planning Co in 2021, offering intentional Disney Planning Services.

In 2022, I partnered with A Mouse and a Beach Travel Co as a Disney Certified Travel Agent. During my trips to Disney World, you’ll find me on my favorite attraction, The Haunted Mansion, hugging my favorite character Eeyore, and eating as many Dole Whips as possible.

I’m curious about MNSSHP since we’ve never been. Can you give a brief rundown of what you can expect from a party like this?

This is a Halloween-themed after hours event at Magic Kingdom. Your Party Ticket gets you access to Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm and the party runs from 7pm – 12am featuring:

• Unique Character Experiences like Jack and Sally or Elvis Stitch
• “Boo to You” Parade and Halloween Fireworks
• Trick or Treating
• Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular
• Zombie Dance Party 

There are so many fun activities to experience at MNSSHP, so much in fact we’ve been FOUR times with our fifth this August.

Since party-goers can get in at 4pm, is that when you recommend people get there? What’s your usual game plan?

That’s correct and it’s a great time to experience lower crowds too! I have two game plans I typically recommend depending on your needs:

Option 1: Eat before the event, we like ‘Ohana so we can park our car at Polynesian and eat at their first dinner serving at 3:30pm then head to Magic Kingdom after, arriving around 5:15pm. We focus on rides upon entering then focus on Halloween activities from about 7:30pm once the party kicks into gear, doing rides and trick or treating in between.

Option 2: Arrive at 4pm, keeping in mind there will likely be a line but once entry starts it moves quickly, and enjoy rides until 6pm. At 6pm we enjoy a QS meal usually at Cosmic Rays, (most QS spots become trick or treating locations and close around 5:00-5:30pm). Then shift to party activities after.

Keep in mind there are two parades and the earlier one will be more crowded, but you have two opportunities to experience “Boo to You,” aka: my absolute favorite Disney parade!

Ok. Party-day. What do you do…go into the park in the morning or something else?

On party days we relax at the resort. Party days tend to be long and hot so you want to conserve your energy for later in the day.

If we did do a park, I’ll surprise everyone and say Magic Kingdom — the crowds tend to be lower on party days so you can do A LOT in a short amount of time.

Get there early so you have time to take a solid mid-day break, then pair with a quick meal before you leave your resort or Option #2 above.

What should people expect from Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party…and what should they not expect?

People can expect lower waits. The lowest is after the fireworks, so save headliners until later in the evening if you can.

People can expect lots of unique characters, but if your priority is to meet a unique character, be sure to arrive early and get in line as early as possible. Typical wait times for Jack and Sally are 1-2 hours, sometimes longer!

Expect lots of candy but also lines to get it. If candy isn’t important, it’s OK to skip it or come back if you have time.

Expect a fun experience but for the night to go by quickly so having a plan ahead of time helps keep you on track.

Be mindful of what’s most important for you and your travel party, you may need to choose between rides and Halloween activities!

I’ve heard mostly great reviews for the party’s worth. Is there a situation where you feel like it’s NOT worth it?

It’s really a fun experience and I think for most families it’s really enjoyable and a great way to enjoy lower crowds at Magic Kingdom.

If you’re not into Halloween I still think it can be a fun experience, but you might find that certain activities like the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular” aren’t for you or maybe the parade (gasps) isn’t a priority and that’s totally OK.

While I think it’s workable with younger children, if they aren’t used to staying up late or won’t sleep in a stroller then those can create stressful experiences which no one wants. Consider your individual needs and if they’re workable with the party timeline.

Yay! Where can people find you and get in touch with you?

• Follow me on Instagram or Threads @happyhauntsplanmagic.

• Join my free Facebook Community Happy Haunts Plan Magic

• Read my blog and learn more about my intentional planning packages here.