We just got our tickets for this year’s party. The Halloween Party at Disney is great fun as it has something for everyone. It is a hard ticket, which means you need to buy a separate ticket for the evening, even if you purchased a ticket for admission during the day. The park closes early, at 7 o’clock on party nights,and regular guests leave at that time. If you purchase a party ticket, you are allowed to enter the park at 4 o’clock (Even though the ticket states 7 o’clock) until the party ends at midnight. So really, you’ve got a full 8 hours with that party ticket. You can come in costume if you want.
Many children and adults come in costume but just as many don’t. You won’t feel out of place, either way. We usually just wear Halloween themed t-shirts. If you decide you want to go in costume, you should remember that it is still boiling hot here in Florida, so you probably don’t want to wear a costume that is very hot, or at least bring a change of clothes just in case. Also, no full masks, Disney doesn’t allow it. And nothing that is considered scary. Remember, it’s called Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It is the ONLY time of year that adults are allowed to dress in costumes at the park. You can dress up as Disney characters and princesses provided that you don’t try to pass yourself off as the authentic Cinderella or whomever you are portraying. They usually have free face painting too!
You will not feel out of place going as a couple or a group without children. There is something for everyone at the party .
You are admitted into the park with a wrist band and given a trick or treat bag. You CAN bring your own trick or treat bag, if you want.
From 4 o’clock until 6:30 is a good time to eat dinner and take pictures of/with all of the Halloween decorations. You don’t want to take time away from the party. There are so many party specific things to see and do, that you couldn’t possibly do it all in one night. If you have the time and the money, two nights would be ideal.
6:30 is a good time to start lining up for the characters. Many of the characters at the Halloween Party (And Christmas Party,) only come out on those nights. They are super rare and the lines get very long, very quick. We were first in line for the seven dwarfs, but by the time the dwarfs came out at 7o’clock, the line was already an hour and 1/2 long. For real! Prioritize the characters you want to see, and find out exactly where they will be and get in that line early. Sometimes it takes work to find the spot, but it’s soo worth it. Some people attend the parties just for the characters. Also note that many characters DO NOT sign autographs during the party. Some do… But many don’t.
In addition to rare characters, you will find the regular characters in their Halloween costumes.
There are many trick or treat stations set up throughout the park. And yes, adults trick or treat too! You will not look out of place, I promise! The candy available changes from station to station and year to year. They also give out stickers and little whatnots. Some years they have chocolate, and some years they don’t. And there is a debate as to what part of the night is best for trick or treating. Some people trick or treat their way around the park. Some say the best time is at the end of the party because the cast members are anxious to give away all of the left over candy, and you get more. Then there are others that claim they’ve seen some stations run out of candy at the end of the night. I think that all depends on what night you go and how crowded it is.
The dance parties are a lot of fun! Complete with music, lights, motivators and your favorite characters. The characters don’t sign autographs at the dance parties. You can consider yourself lucky if they stop dancing to pose for a quick picture. Don’t expect it.
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The “Boo to You” parade is my favorite Disney parade ever, except for The Electrical and Spectro Magic Parades. I love the characters and the music and the Headless Horseman who comes right before the parade starts.
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The parade runs twice every evening. Sometimes the later parade is less crowded than the first.
The Happy HalloWishes fireworks are wonderful.
A few of the Disney Villains also put on a stage show and afterwards come out for pictures only. They don’t come out for pictures after the show that ends right before the fireworks begin as there isn’t enough time.
If you aren’t into Halloween, trick or treating or characters, the lines for the rides are very short to non-existent (depending on the night you go.) Most of the popular rides are open during the party, but not all. The same goes for the restaurants.
Here’s a picture of our trick or treating loot. We didn’t trick or treat that much last year, but many people had really full bags.
I can’t wait to go this year!
Karen
