Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party: A Review (by Riki!)

 Hello again, friends!

As many of you know, my bestie, Riki, is just plain amazing. Since we're both pretty much in love with Halloween (and really, who isn't?) she is was kind enough to recount her awesome time at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party last year on her honeymoon.

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My husband and I were lucky enough to go to Disney World for our honeymoon in September 2010. The whole experience was amazing, but one of our favorite parts was Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. (Special thanks to the Disney Hippy’s family for that one!!) We had actually spent a good chunk of that day at Magic Kingdom, so we had gotten a bit of a peek at some of the wonderful Halloween décor. Main Street USA, in particular, was adorned with jack-o-lanterns and scarecrows, among other decorations, and the feel of Halloween was in the air.

When we came back for the evening, we started with dinner at Tony’s Town Square. It was just before the party began, and already there were plenty of people in costumes running about. Tony’s, it seems, was also already in the Halloween mood, and my dessert came with a little something special.

When dinner was over, we headed out to join the party, already in progress. Attire ranged from plain clothes (like us, since planning a wedding didn’t exactly give me enough time to put together a costume) to simple store-bought accessories or costumes to more elaborate DIY creations. Sadly, I was a bit too in awe of the whole thing to get many pictures of costumed party-goers; however, I did manage to catch a few characters donned in their Halloween best!

 

During MNSSHP, a limited number of rides are open. The awesome part is that the lines are MUCH lighter than during a normal day or night at the park (though, keep in mind we were there in late September, rather than October). We walked right on to every ride we approached. Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and others were open without hardly any wait. Speaking of Haunted Mansion, it is a MUST do if you’re there during the Halloween season (which, at WDW, lasts from about September until November), particularly if you’re at the party. The line for this one was a little longer than the others that night, but still nothing compared to during the day. Besides, there’s something that just feels right about visiting the Haunted Mansion on a fall night.

 

The hubby and I had missed out on PhilharMagic during the day, and headed over that way. We couldn’t have timed it any better if we had tried (and we hadn’t, because we didn’t have any concept of time at that point), and just as we approached the ride, a booming voice introduced Happy HalloWishes. We ended up being in a perfect spot to watch this epic fireworks show, complete with Halloween-y music from some of your favorite Disney movies: “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid, “Be Prepared” from The Lion King and “This is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas were just a few of the selections.

After a few more rides (we just had to get PotC in again!), we headed toward Main Street for the Boo-To-You parade. We were there probably a good 20 minutes before the parade hit Main Street, and finding a spot to sit was a challenge. We managed to secure a spot on the curb and waited for the magic to begin.

 

Let me tell you something about me. I love parades. I know, it’s geeky and childish, but I can’t help myself. That being said, this was one of the best parades I’ve ever seen, Disney or otherwise. From the moment the headless horseman galloped by, I was hooked. Old characters (like Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, and Mr. Mouse himself) and newer characters (Captain Jack Sparrow, Woody, and Jessie) alike come out for this celebration. No one ever broke character or looked out of step, and while they keep it on the street, somehow I felt like I had gotten pulled in and was part of the parade, too!

Our favorite part of the parade had to have been the gravediggers. Not only were their costumes perfect and their makeup amazing, the choreography was the coolest! They incorporated their shovels into the dancing, making the occasional sparks when they struck the ground. The pictures I have don’t do it justice, so you’ll just have to check it out for yourselves. ;-)

As must all good things, the parade eventually came to an end. It was a bit crowded, since we were on Main Street, but it didn't take long to get out of the park and into the line for our bus. We were exhausted, but it was beyond worthwhile and it's a memory from our honeymoon that we'll never forget!

There are a few important things and suggestions I have for anyone thinking about going to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party:

1) This party is NOT just for kids. Yes, there is trick-or-treating for the younger crowd, but trust me, this is definitely for grown-ups, too (as long as you love Disney and having fun).

2) The parade happens TWICE. A lot of the families go to the earlier parade so they can get the little ones back to bed at a reasonable hour, which makes it a perfect time to go on the rides. It also means the second parade is usually less crowded.

3) You have to purchase tickets for the party; it's not included in general admission. If you want to save a few bucks, you can buy your tickets ahead of time (yes, you can buy them online). There's a discount for buying before the event, so make sure to check the schedule and plan accordingly.

4) If you wear a costume, be careful. If you're a teen or adult dressed as a Disney character, you can't sign autographs or get your picture taken with other guests, lest you be confused for a cast member. It might be easier to go as someone (or something) non-Disney.

5) The Boo-To-You parade route also goes through Frontierland and Liberty Square, which I'm told are usually less crowded, but if you want a spot on Main Street, get there early and be prepared to wait. I suggest grabbing a treat from one of the many shops on Main Street to help pass the time. :)