Orlando Sentinel discovers how Magic Kingdom Halloween party offers unique experiences from other Disney events
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, with its unique offerings and character interactions, might be the best value of Disney’s separately-ticketed events, for guests who want experiences they can’t have every day.
Here’s a list of 10 notable things that only happen at the Magic Kingdom Halloween party:
1. Haunted Mansion ghosts. Do you ever wonder what stories the 999 happy haunts would share if they materialized to chat? At Mickey’s Halloween party, they’re delighted to converse with mortals. Watch the video above for a sample.
2. Seeing — and being — adults in costumes. It’s a strict no-no for those over age 14 to wear a costume on regular days at the Disney theme parks, but at the Halloween bash adults are free to strut their stuff, within reason of course.
3. Get bewitching photos. There are too many options for memorable photos to list them all. Group shots can include multiple characters, like the Queen of Hearts with Tweedledee and Tweedledum, or all seven dwarfs. Some characters, like Winnie the Pooh and his friends Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet, don Halloween costumes.
Disney’s PhotoPass photographers have extra tricks up their sleeves, too. At one picture spot Friday night, two staffers worked together to add some fright to our photo. One castmember handled the camera while the other walked behind posing participants with a magical lightsaber-esque bar. Spoiler alert: click here to see the unexpected extras.
4. Stock up on unlimited free candy. It’s not often that Disney gives something away for free and, granted, you’ve already paid a small fortune to get in. All the more reason to take advantage and get your fill of the sugary stuff. This year’s selection of M&Ms, Snickers, Skittles, Twix and more was accompanied at many locations by allergy-friendly options if needed.
TIP: Each person is given a small Disney trick-or-treat bag as they enter the theme park, but you are permitted to bring a bigger bag and fill ‘er up.
5. The limited edition Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card. There might not be time to play Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom during the party — there are so many other exclusive things to do — but stop by the Main Street Fire Station to pick up a exclusive party-themed card. They’re great for trading during future visits to the Magic Kingdom.
MORE about the interactive game can be found here.
6. See the second season of the singing Sanderson sisters. Witch siblings Winifred, Mary and Sarah Sanderson from the cult classic Halloween film “Hocus Pocus” take to the castle stage with other Disney baddies in the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular” — and you won’t see them anywhere else.
7. “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks. The Christmas-themed “Holiday Wishes Nighttime Spectacular” fireworks display featured at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also usually runs nightly for theme park guests with regular tickets closer to Christmas. Not so for the Halloween-themed fireworks. That show, filled with music and the voices of favorite Disney villains, only runs during the party.
8. Boo-to-You Parade. You don’t even need to visit the Magic Kingdom to see the Christmas-themed parade — ABC televises it on Christmas morning. Not only is the Halloween parade exclusive to the party, it’s likely the only place you’ll see such villains as the Oogie Boogie from “Nightmare Before Christmas,” Pain and Panic from “Hercules” and even the Bowler Hat Guy from “Meet The Robinsons.”
9. The Headless Horseman. Before the Boo-to-You Parade, the haunting site of the Ichabod Crane’s nightmare makes his way along the parade route. No photo or video can do justice to this trot down Main Street.
10. Eat party-only snacks. Shop for party-only souvenirs. There are cupcakes decorated with spiders and pumpkins, Halloween-themed popcorn buckets, limited-edition pins and a MagicBand you can only buy during party hours. And aren’t you just a little bit curious what the Candy Corn surprise is in the soft-serve ice cream at Storybrook Treats?
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs on the following dates: Sept. 29, 30; Oct. 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31. Tickets: $79-$95 adults; $74-$90 children. Check the Disney web site for prices of specific dates.
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