Disney World: 10 Secrets Only Experts Know About Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Every year between August and October at the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World, the lights go out, the ghosts and ghouls come out to play, and there’s an explosion of candy. Welcome to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a ticketed event that is a must for any fan of Disney.

Anything you could want at a family-friendly Halloween party, you’ll find at Mickey’s Party. There’s trick-or-treating, Disney villains, firework displays, and a fun and spooky vibe you won’t find anywhere else. Check out these interesting facts and details that only true Disney park veterans know about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

10 It Is the Only Time Adults Can Dress Up At Walt Disney World

Disney World is a magical place for all ages, but it does tend to come with a few rules. Most days, only children under the age of 14 are allowed to dress up in costumes. At the Halloween Party, however, everyone is encouraged to dress up. That means that it’s really the only time when adults can get away with wearing a costume to Walt Disney World!

There are still a few rules you have to observe if you do want to get dressed up, though. Costumes have to be family-friendly, as you'd expect.

9 The Park Looks Totally Different

Only those who have attended the Halloween Party know how different it looks during the event. Everything is given a spooky makeover to make guests feel like they’ve stepped into a scary (but also not-so-scary!) story.

Everything from the music to the lighting to the decorations around the park is altered to reflect the spooky theme. Even the characters dress up in their own Halloween costumes. There are a lot of little secrets hidden around the park during the event, too, so take some time to seek them out!

8 There Is Limited Edition Merchandise Available

If you’re a die-hard Disney fan, this is one of the best parts of going to the Halloween Party. During the event, limited-edition merchandise becomes available in the souvenir stores throughout the park. These goodies are for party guests only.

As is often the case with limited offers like these, the exact merchandise available varies from year to year, so if you see something you like, it’s best to grab it. You don’t know if you’ll ever get the chance to buy it again in the future!

7 There Are Spectacular Shows To See

There’s plenty of entertainment available during the Halloween Party if you just walk around the park. Just in case guests want more, though, there are also a few shows that are absolute must-sees! In Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, guests follow Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy as they visit a haunted house.

One of the most popular shows of recent years is the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, which stars Hocus Pocus' Sanderson Sisters along with a variety of other Disney villains.

6 Many Of The Disney Villains Come Out To Party

Speaking of Disney villains, Mickey’s Halloween Party is the only time when Disney guests will get a chance to meet many of the famous bad guys of Disney. Characters such as Captain Barbossa, Dr. Facilier, and the naughty hyenas Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, don’t normally frequent the park, but they do during the event.

Many of the villains appear in the parade at the end of the night, but some can also be spotted walking around the park. Guests can line up to meet characters like Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

5 Some Of The Rides Get A Makeover

The whole park transforms when Mickey holds his Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, so, of course, some of the rides get a makeover as well. One of the most popular during the event is the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which adds a few live-action characters. The Mad Tea Party is also bathed in spooky lighting and music.

Space Mountain also undergoes a little tweaking during the event, losing its signature lights and rock music. However, many seasoned party-goers recommend forgetting about the rides -which will always be there- and focusing on the party!

4 The Pumpkins Have Special Carvings

The first thing you will see when you attend the Halloween Party is a plethora of pumpkins. No less than 176 carved pumpkins adorn the balconies of Main Street USA. Most people don’t realize that the pumpkins all have special, individual carvings. They are all themed to add to the personalized feel of the area.

The balconies on Main Street USA open out from windows that contain the names of many important people who were in Walt Disney’s life. Decorating the area with the carved pumpkins makes it all the more special for guests.

3 The Candy Given Out Is Good Quality

At any other massive Halloween party, you might expect the candy given out to be cheap and generic, but the treats available during Mickey’s event are of the highest quality. Think Reese’s, Snickers, Hershey’s, and other candies along the same prestigious lines.

If you’re going to attend Mickey’s Halloween Party, be prepared for a lot of candy. It is given to adults and children alike, and around 10.5 tons are handed out per night. You’ll definitely want to arrange a trip to the dentist afterwards! There are also allergy-friendly bags available.

2 The Fireworks Show Changes Every Year

One of the most beloved things about Disney World is the phenomenal fireworks display at the end of every night. During the Halloween Party, the fireworks are turned up a notch and tweaked to contribute to the spooky theme.

Rather than the classic songs, guests are treated to melodies such as Grim Grinning Ghosts and The Skeleton Dance. The Cinderella Castle is also lit up with creepy orange lighting, and Disney villains come out to cause a bit of mischief during the display.

1 The Party Is Perfect If You Don’t Like Crowds

Walt Disney World can be a daunting place if you don’t like crowds, but the great thing about Mickey’s Halloween Party is that there are less people than there are on your average autumn day in the park. While there are still a lot of visitors (and plenty of chaos), it’s not as overwhelming as a regular day at WDW can be.

The first and last parties of the year tend to be the most crowded. Be prepared for any parties taking place on actual Halloween night to sell out, and Friday nights are usually the most popular.

NEXT: Disney Parks: 10 Haunted Mansion Legends You Didn’t Know Existed