9/18 Denise’s Corner – Tips for Enjoying Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2011

Hi everyone!

I held off writing my Denise’s Corner column this week until after I attended two Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party nights. Most of my column this week will be tips on enjoying the Party.

I already have 250 photos up from the first Party, and I plan to add more character photos this week. Interested in daytime Magic Kingdom Halloween pictures? I have photos of pumpkins, decorations and scarecrows!

Check out our YouTube Channel for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party videos (and so much more!) And follow Mousesteps on Twitter and Facebook.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Sign

I’ve been attending the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties for many years (and have covered them Mousesteps for five years), each year is a little different. This year, there are some minor differences from 2010 – the Villains Mix & Mingle Show has changed, there are new characters to meet during the Party, and the longer “treat trail” has moved from Mickey’s Toontown Fair to Splash Mountain. And just FYI – the candy has improved greatly from the past few years (which I guessed beforehand when I saw that Kellogg’s and Werthers were both sponsoring the event!)

Br’er Rabbit Pumpkin, Brer Rabbit’s Candy Patch

Tickets for the Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are priced differently for various nights. Prices range from $53.95 to $67.95 plus tax advance purchase for adults, and $47.95 to $62.95 plus tax advance purchase for children on select nights between now and November 1st, 2011. Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can obtain a discount for some Party nights, and same-day tickets cost extra.

Some of my tips for your Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary Halloween experience:

Plan Ahead – You won’t be able to do everything that is offered in only five hours! I highly recommend seeing the Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade and the Happy HalloWishes fireworks. There are also character meet & greets all over the park, trick-or-treating, and shorter lines for rides. Some character lines can be 30 – 60 minutes or more; we found the Seven Dwarfs, Jack Sparrow, and Disney Princess lines to be long. Duffy the Disney Bear is next to City Hall at various times during the evening, which Cast Members weren’t aware of on the first night (we were told he was “at Epcot”!) And if you enjoy Disney villains, see the Villains Mix & Mingle show, which ends with a meet & greet with Cruella DeVil, Dr. Faclilier and more!

Seven Dwarfs Near Splash Mountain

Mickey and Minnie in Halloween Outfits, Town Square Theater

Arrive Early and Stay Late – Disney used to close the Magic Kingdom early and then re-open the park for hard ticket events. Now, guests can enter into the park on their Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party ticket at 4pm. That is 8 hours of fun, which I find a great value due to the special entertainment (especially if a guest only needs a one day ticket to begin with). Note: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party activities start at 7pm.

Not only do I suggest getting there early for your Party night, but the last hour is usually my favorite of the evening! By the time the second parade is over, much of the park has usually emptied out (more quickly on weeknights than weekends).

Jack Sparrow, Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade

Wear Your Favorite Halloween Costume – Adults and children dress up for this festive event! You won’t feel out of place if you don’t (I haven’t ever worn a costume), but I do enjoy seeing the unique outfits that guests put together. There are always some costumes that have clearly had a lot of effort put into them!

A Group of Guests in Disney Princess Costumes

Adults Can Trick-or-Treat Too – Where else can both adults and children trick-or-treat together? Small bags are handed out for gathering candy, but you can also bring or buy a reusable bag or bucket. According to the Mickey Monitor (Annual Pass Newsletter), about a half million pounds of candy were handed out last year!

HalloWishes from Main Street

Skip the First Parade, See the Second – While the crowds for each parade weren’t too heavy during the two Party nights we attended, the second parade is always less busy. As October 31st draws closer, the Parties will be busier and I recommend waiting for the second parade. The Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade kicks off in Frontierland, seeing it there will allow you to get back to other parts of the Magic Kingdom more quickly. If you are on Main Street, you’ll be waiting another 15 – 20 minutes for the parade to pass!

There is entertainment throughout the Magic Kingdom. We always enjoy Madame Carlotta at the Haunted Mansion, and families get a kick out of dancing with Toy Story’s Woody and Jessie at the Diamond Horseshoe.

Woody holds a Buzz Lightyear Spin Toy

One other small tip – if it’s a warm night, try to keep your candy bag off the ground. Chocolate candy melts quickly when it’s pressed up against a warm pavement!

And Lastly – Have Fun! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has long been my favorite hard-ticket event in the park.  We have always paid our own way (we do buy discounted tickets), but I think the value is good no matter which day you choose. I prefer going earlier in the season, with fewer crowds.

Villains Mix & Mingle

Duffy the Disney Bear Meet & Greet

I’ll be working momentarily on a Fantasyland update for this evening, and I still have to get back to my Disneyland photos!  I can’t wait to share my visit to Trader Sam’s and my latest visit to Club 33 with you.

Thanks to everyone for all the questions this week, I will be saving them for this Friday (I’ll have a longer question & answer segment than usual).

Cinderella Castle Flanked by Town Square Pumpkins

Denise