Recently it’s become more and more evident that Fall is one of my
favorite times of year to visit Walt Disney World. Not only do you have
lighter crowds, and often times Free Dining, but you also have great events like the Epcot International
Food and Wine Festival and perhaps the event that I love the most,
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Of course, this particular event is popular with parents who have
children, but let me tell you it is most certainly a blast for those of
us adults without children who want to get in the Halloween spirit as
well. This particular party is one that, time after time, I keep going
back to with my total being 4 and counting as I’m going back again in
just a couple of weeks!
So what is it that makes this event so exciting?
First of all you’ll need to check out Mickey’s Boo To You Halloween
Parade. This parade is INCREDIBLE! I am not a parade person so when I
say it’s good, it’s good. You’ll get to see some of the most unique
floats out there including dancing Haunted Mansion ghosts and
gravediggers (don’t miss the gravediggers!), pirates pillaging from
Pirates of the Caribbean, the Disney Villains make a spooky appearance
and even the Country Bears get in on the action. (Watch out for the country scene though! The clucking gets a tad annoying!) One little note…you
will get the song stuck in your head (I’m singing it now). It’s a fact
and it happens every time. Don’t try to fight it…it’s fun to sing along
with “Boo To You!” This parade is shown twice per night at 8:15 pm and
at 10:30 pm.
You also don’t want to miss the Happy HalloWishes Fireworks
Spectacular! To me this is the best fireworks show I’ve seen in the
Magic Kingdom. The Ghost Host tells the story as the Disney Villains
attempt to take over (as they always do). These fireworks really are
spook-tacular! The show takes place each night at 9:30 pm.
For those who are young and even those of us who are young at heart,
make sure to visit the Trick or Treat Stations. Even adults can get in
on the action. Lots of times you’ll get name brand stuff deposited in
your bag. There are areas all over the park to visit and you can visit
them multiple times throughout the night. Make sure to check the park
map for the Trick or Treat Stations locations. Also, make sure to check out the new Br'er Rabbit's Laughin Place Candy Patch. This, I have a feeling is in place to make up for the Treat Trail that once ran from Tomorrowland back to Mickey's Toontown Fair.
Another really cool aspect of the Halloween Parties is that the
characters get in on the fun too! Many of them dress up in their
Halloween costumes to pose for pictures with guests. One special photo
opportunity is that the Seven Dwarves are often all together for these
party nights. They can be found back in Frontierland If you plan on getting your photo with them, make sure to
arrive early as this is one popular meet and greet! (I've heard of up to hour waits by 7:00pm.) When looking for any character, check your party
guide to see where they will be doing their meets as they will
change this year with the closing of Toontown.
There are some tips that I’d like to pass along as a well-seasoned
veteran. Dress up! You are not going to be the only person dressing up
for this event. There will be others in their Halloween finest with
some costumes being quite elaborate. This goes for you adults too!
Make sure to get in on the fun! I mean, when was the last time you got
to dress up for Halloween?
Second: bring your own candy bag from home. While Disney does
provide bags, they are quite small and I’ve seen them fall apart as the
bags get heavier through the night. Plus, I am one who likes to get a
lot of candy so I often bring my own bag with me.
To tie in with that last tip my third is to make sure to visit the
candy stops at the end of the night. In the beginning of the night
you’ll typically only get 2 or 3 pieces of candy at a stop. If you wait
to trick or treat more towards the end of the night, more often than
not they’ll start giving you more and more candy (sometimes approaching
handfuls!).
Fourth: when watching the parade make sure to see the Headless
Horseman. He rides a few minutes before the parade starts and it is
really a neat sight to see. As with all parades, if you can, try not to
watch the parade on Main Street as the crowds are a lot heavier there.
My suggestion is to watch from Frontierland. I would also suggest that
you ALWAYS catch the second parade if possible. This is going to be
the least crowded option for you.
Fifth: on a night like tonight the rides should be secondary. If you
get to them that’s great but if not, no big deal. There is enough to
keep you busy at this event that you won’t miss the rides if you don’t
get to all of them. However, if you are going to try to do a few
attractions make sure one of them is the Haunted Mansion! It is even
spookier on party nights. You may even spot (and hear) some ghoulish
delights on the front lawn.
Finally, while the party officially starts at 7 pm, you can usually
arrive as early as 4 pm and still be let in. (Of course, this in
unofficial policy and can change at a moment’s notice.) The party lasts
until midnight.
Party dates for 2011 are: September 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30.
October 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31 and
November 1.
To purchase tickets in advance guests can visit
disneyworld.com/halloween
or call 407-W-DISNEY. Advance purchase (prior to event day) savings of
$6 per ticket are available for Sept. 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30. Oct. 2,
6, 10, 11, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27 and Nov. 1.
I was able to track down a copy of the map for this year's events, so if you're going, make sure to study the map, as like I've mentioned before, things have changed.
