I’ve been to Disney World Florida only two times in my life, coincidentally both times in September. This means that when I arrive, Disney Halloween season is in full swing! Halloween is not a big deal here in the UK, so I am always grateful to go to a destination that ends up celebrating it. After all, it is my favourite season and I do quite enjoy the “pumpkin everything!” attitude.
So, How Does Disney Celebrate?
There is usually exclusive food and pumpkins decorated all over the park. Not forgetting the very big Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (or MNSSHP for short, which might be how I address it in the rest of this post!) which is an exclusive ticketed event that takes place throughout September to November 1st (ish). There was also quite a lot of limited edition themed merchandise to purchase in the shops. My favourite ride, The Haunted Mansion was celebrating its 50th anniversary, so combining that with Halloween? I was super happy! I honestly adore all the Autumn/Fall leaves everywhere and Mickey pumpkins anyway, that would be enough for me without all the fancy parties in between. But as I was there alone and I wanted to go all out, who was to stop me?
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Experience
After searching for several days, for my restaurant reservations to match up and when I was flying home, I finally found MNSSHP available on the Sunday evening. My logic was that there wouldn’t be quite so many people and truthfully, it was really busy, so I can only imagine how Friday went down. I believe I paid around £88 for a ticket (including tax!) Was it worth it? Short answer is no. As much as I love Disney with my whole heart, it really wasn’t worth £88. This might come as a shock to some people but I am all about being honest here.
The Night Of The Party
After grabbing my wrist band on the gate at 7pm, we were all diverted to a side entrance where Cast Members give out bags already ¼ full with sweets. The aim of the night is to “trick or treat” at several stops (you get given a map), enjoy the rides; enjoy a Halloween only parade and Halloween themed fireworks. My first stop was to head to Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin. It’s my second favourite and as I arrived at the park dead (haha, pun intended) on time, the queues hadn’t begun to form yet. When I arrived to Buzz, the queue was already at 25 minutes. To me though, most rides are worth the wait, so I went on that and then joined the large queue for the next Candy Stop.
Tip: Fast pass is not active during the exclusive events, so you can’t even grab one if you wanted to.
There is also a Monsters Inc dance party happening throughout the evening. I made my way through and watched Sully bust some moves, before grabbing a spooky themed drink which had blueberry Boba bouncing through it. (You can read about the snacks and this drink that I tried > here < )
Next stop, Haunted Mansion! I started checking my app on my way over and saw that the Haunted Mansion was already at a 2 hour wait! I shrugged it off and walked around Magic Kingdom for about an hour or so. The parade was going to start soon, so I just stopped off at more candy stops to pass the time.
I also went to grab some dinner and actually waited a long time for some chicken nuggets. Having the patience of a saint, it didn’t bother me, but it might bother you. I made a friend there too, who told me how I could work for Disney if I really wanted to, as he and his boyfriend were, but it was their night off.
Getting Lost…
The Magic Kingdom vibe changes completely for the Halloween event. It’s so dark & only dimly lit by lanterns and green lights. I’m embarrassed to say, but I actually got lost at some point. I can’t see at the best of times (hello- I- should-be-wearing-my-glasses-but I’m not-crew!) and I couldn’t find the castle no matter which way I walked. Guys, I had to actually ask a cast member. I think it was around by Tom Sawyer’s land that I was lost, but imagine my embarrassment when she went “it’s over there!” and pointed in the direction I had just come from. I shyly said thanks and speedily walked off to secure my place for the parade.
What To Expect For The Parade
Honestly, I didn’t know what I was expecting when I arrived back at Main Street, but it wasn’t that everyone had already secured their places along the streets, ready and waiting! We still had 30 minutes to go! I managed to find a place quite near the front in front of the castle (hello solo travel perks!) and stood quietly next to a family, peeping over their 8 year olds head (I’m just 5 foot tall. This 8 year old was up to my chin!).
The Halloween Karens In Full Force
After a couple of minutes, someone else followed suit and popped their kid next to the one in front of me. All hell broke loose. Four families started arguing with this woman. “We’ve been here 2 hours already! How dare you! Join the back!!” I felt bad for the woman, but these families were like a pack of animals. This time I had to be selfish and keep quiet, I was at risk of losing my place.
Later in the evening, I spotted the lady and she had got a much nicer spot anyway. I saw her laughing a lot with another family too which was lovely. Phew. At least her experience was better for it!
After the drama, the parade then opens with a headless horseman trotting down the street and thus begins the “Boo to you!” song which has been stuck in my head for several months.
Tip: MNSSHP is the only time when adults can dress up, so definitely take advantage of this if you’re thinking of going. I didn’t have anything on hand, so I just covered myself with glitter, as you do.
The Halloween Fireworks
After the parade, I quickly walked to the front where some people were sticking around and others were about to jump on the rides again. It was only 30 minutes wait between the parade and the fireworks so I just decided to wait. It was so worth it! I got right to the very front with the best view! I’m not sure what changed, but all the competitive people had left, and those at the front all sat down on the floor together. All Tired, aching and chatting. No one stood up to block the view. It was a much needed rest after all the walking in the day and this party.
The fireworks were introduced by Jack from A Nightmare Before Christmas. It was amazing and did I shed a tear? Of course. It was a very humbling experience, sitting in front of the castle watching the fireworks.
Leaving After The Party
Leaving is chaotic, I am not going to lie to you. No one knows where they’re going and the mob is so large, you can barely see the cast members trying to guide you. It was way past midnight when I eventually got in to bed!
Overall I only managed two rides during my night there, a few snacks and no character meets. I do think Disney has oversold the party tickets throughout the years. It makes it quite impossible to enjoy the park to its full potential.
But hey, I got a life time supply of skittles and a really yummy Apple Pumpkin Spice Fruit Puree for kids! I did enjoy myself, despite what this post sounds like! I don’t believe it was worth £88 though. I’d pay £40 to do it all again! The fireworks show was out of this world and the amount of sweets I got was unreal! But I think next time; I will stick to enjoying the limited edition snacks from restaurants and vendors and enjoy all the Mickey pumpkins on the lamp posts.
What do you think? Would you go to Disney for Halloween? Have you ever been to one of Disney’s exclusive events? Let me know in the comments!
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