In 2002, the big news out of the Walt Disney World Press & Publicity Department was: “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom will be even ‘not-so-scarier’ in 2002 as it is extended by two family-friendly nights – to a total of seven evenings.”
Ghosts, goblins and ghouls could enjoy the special ticketed event on Oct. 11, 17, 20, 25, 27, 31 and Nov. 1, from 7 p.m. to midnight on those select nights in 2002.
Over the years, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has only increased in popularity.
The powers that be came to the conclusion that more was better and decided to “treat” guests to more Halloween fun.
After expanding the party to seven nights in 2002, the event was increased to 10 nights in 2003. A year later, in 2004, it was held on 13 nights.
Truth be told, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is Oh-So-Popular.
Regular park guests must exit before 7 p.m. Those with Halloween Party tickets and wrist bands are allowed in at 4 p.m.
The park is decked out in all its Halloween finery, with a emphasis on Jack-o-lanterns, skeletons and tombstones. Spooky projections are bounced off Main Street’s buildings during the night.
Even the music played along Main Street takes on a ghoulish tinge.
There are trick-or-treat stations set up throughout the park. Halloween-themed shows, a special parade down Main Street, fireworks above Cinderella Castle and – in theory, at least – lines for the park’s most popular attractions are shorter.
For instance, this year, guests have been invited to join the Sanderson Sisters as they summon a host of Disney Villains and attempt to complete a spooky spell this Halloween.
The Sanderson Sisters are the stars of the recently released Disney film Hocus Pocus 2.
About the only thing scary when it comes to the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are the ticket prices, which started out at $119 for adults and $109 for kids 3-9 in August, before they scaled up to as high as $179/$169 on Fridays in October.
Chuck Schmidt is an award-winning journalist who has covered all things Disney since 1984 in both print and on-line. He has authored or co-authored seven books on Disney, including his latest, The Beat Goes On, for Theme Park Press. He also has written a regular blog for AllEars.Net, called Still Goofy About Disney, since 2015.
My boys were youngsters when these parties started and we always made it to one each year. The first few years, you couldn’t carry the bag full of candy that they handed out at each stop. Not been in several years and doubt I’ll be taking the grandkids as long as the current leadership stays at the helm. As much as my 3- boys loved Disney, as 20somethings, they refuse to waste their money on the Disney that is no longer there and jokingly demand that I “don’t waste their inheritance” by taking them and their kids.