Don’t WASTE TIME Making This Mistake at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is BACK this year for the first time since 2019, and we’ve already been able to check out the party to let you know how it is!

There’s a LOT to do during the party, like watch the parade and fireworks, try some tasty treats, meet fun characters, and go on rides, of course. So, you’ll probably want to maximize your time as MUCH as possible at the party, and we’re here to help! We’ve got some tips on how you can try to avoid the worst crowds for the party.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starts at 7PM, with the park closing to regular guests at 6PM. But, if you have a ticket to the party, you can get into Magic Kingdom starting at 4PM, and you don’t even have to have a Park Pass Reservation!

This brings a lot of value to that ticket, because you can enjoy 3 whole hours of Magic Kingdom before the party even starts. This is a great time to try out some treats that are available during the day, go on some rides, or check out merchandise (but beware, there can be long lines for The Emporium!).

In order to maximize those 3 hours, you have to actually be IN the park at 4PM, which can be a bit tricky. On the first night of the party, we were met with very big crowds trying to get into the park as early as 3:30PM. We thought this might just be an opening night thing…

…but the same thing happened at the next party — that front gate was very busy! So, if you want to avoid this as much as possible and be in the park right at 4PM, we’d suggest getting to the front entrance of Magic Kingdom an hour to 45 minutes early, so 3-3:15PM. It’s better to wait a little to go inside than to be stuck waiting to get in after 4PM!

It’s also important to remember that it can take a long time to get to the front of Magic Kingdom. If you’re coming from a Disney World hotel, you can most likely take the bus, which will conveniently bring you close to the front of the park. The same goes for the resort monorail and boats, as well as the buses from Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios.

But, if you’re coming from the EPCOT monorail, remember that you have to switch monorails at the Transportation and Ticket Center, which can take a while depending on the crowds and schedule.

And, if you are driving and parking at Magic Kingdom, you will have to park and then walk or take the tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Once there, you have to either take the monorail or the ferry to the front of Magic Kingdom.

The same goes for buses coming from off-property resorts or hotels like the Swan and Dolphin — you will be dropped at the Transportation and Ticket Center instead of at the front of Magic Kingdom.

So, you need to make sure you factor in a bunch of extra time to get to the front of the park! It will obviously depend on how crowded that particular day is, but if you want to spend as much time in the park as possible on the Halloween Party ticket, make it your priority to get to the gate well before 4PM.

If you have a regular park ticket and Park Pass Reservation to Magic Kingdom and are already in the park earlier that day, then no worries! You can just stay inside the park and pick up your wristband for the party from a Cast Member at the indicated spots.

Another option to avoid the crowds at the front gate around 4PM is to show up later in the evening, closer to 5 or 6PM. This wouldn’t let you maximize all of that time you get with you Halloween Party ticket, but this could be a better option if you and your group don’t need as much time in the park.

This tip is especially for people with little kids — if you don’t think they can make it for 8 hours (the party ends at midnight!), then you might want to wait to go into Magic Kingdom closer to the party start time so they can enjoy the party offerings rather than getting worn out before the party is even over!

As for getting the most out of your ticket once you’re in the party, it will all depend on preference. If you’re there for the rides, try and go on the ones that typically have longer lines during the fireworks show or parade. A lot of people will be watching the entertainment, freeing up some space in the lines.

There are multiple showtimes for entertainment like the Boo-to-You Parade and the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular throughout the night, so you can also just pick one showtime to watch, and go on rides during the other ones.

Also, remember to check out your party map, which will have all of the showtimes you need as well as the trick-or-treat locations and character locations.

We would also suggest prioritizing doing things you can’t normally do during regular park hours. For example, several rides have special Halloween layovers that are only available during the party, so it’s worth checking them out because it’s the only time you’ll be able to experience them!

And, a lot of treats and food are only available during the party as well, so we’d suggest trying those items rather than ones that are also available during the day.

Also, if it rains during your Halloween Party and a lot of the shows are canceled, check with Guest Services to see if they’ll give you a “rain check.” This is when Disney issues return tickets for a different party date as compensation and they’re usually handed out on a case-by-case basis.

Disney was also offering comped tickets for guests that could be used for park admission, or admission to the Halloween or Christmas party at a later date.

Click here to read more about how to get a “rain check”

So, the most important thing to maximize your time in the park for the party is to get there WELL before 4PM! Stay tuned to All Ears for more Disney World news, tips, info, and updates.

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Will you be going to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year? Tell us in the comments!