Halfway to Halloween and Mickey’s Coming Back
The Walt Disney Company has turned #HalfwaytoHalloween into a thing over the past few years, and the latest marketing campaign has come with a bonus.
Disney just announced the surprise return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
Here’s what you need to know about the event.
It’s Baaaaack!
Last year, Magic Kingdom hosted an after-hours Halloween party, but it wasn’t the same.
Disney After Hours – Boo Bash seemed like the park’s spiritual successor to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP).
Many longtime fans of the latter party wondered if we’d lost our favorite Halloween event without even getting to say goodbye.
Well, I am thrilled to report that’s not the case. Instead, we’re getting the real Mickey party back this Halloween!!!
Here’s actor Doug Jones from the Hocus Pocus franchise with a special announcement:
The after-hours ticketed event returns on August 12th. Magic Kingdom will host this party on 37 different nights through Halloween.
As was the case with Boo Bash, the prices will vary depending on when you visit. Let’s not bury the lede, though!
For the first time since 2019 (!), everyone’s favorite Halloween Party is back in business. Today’s a great day, my friends.
Dates for the Event
Let’s start with the important stuff. Here are the dates:
- August: 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
- September: 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30
- October: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
The Parks Blog adds the following: “Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members may purchase specially priced tickets for select dates.”
Some of you may have already received emails regarding special price offers for MNSSHP. It’s a $10 discount for “select nights.”
If you already have a hotel reservation for the fall, you’ll also benefit from an early booking window. You can buy your tickets on May 12th!
For everyone else, the booking window starts on May 18th. So, that is a massive competitive advantage.
As a reminder, virtually all Boo Bash dates sold out last year. Some of them went fast, particularly Halloween.
Ergo, if you want to spend the witching hour of October 31st at Magic Kingdom, you should be ready to buy on May 12th.
Suppose you’re like me and don’t have reservations yet for the fall. In that case, you’ll need to hope availability remains when the main window opens on May 18th.
Pricing for the Event
In terms of cost, the price is $139 per adult ($129 for children 3-9). After that, all the dates from August 16th through September 5th will cost $109.
The price increases to $119 on September 9th and then to $139 on September 23rd.
That’s the pattern here. The price goes up by $20 every two or three weeks until Halloween. On that evening, the cost is $199 per person.
I’m not going to crib their work, but Disney Tourist Blog has posted a complete list of dates and prices already if you’re interested.
The gist is that you’ll pay the least in August and early September and the most on Fridays in October and Halloween week.
Yes, these places are generally cheaper than Boo Bash. Also, the name change takes us back to the one Magic Kingdom fans always wanted.
As such, this feels like an apology move from Disney.
What’s Returning This Year?
First, you should know that Disney+ will air Hocus Pocus 2 this fall. Obviously, that’s a massive sequel for Disney fans.
For this reason, you should expect the event to highlight the Sanderson Sisters even more than usual.
They’ll anchor the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, but I’m guessing they do even more than that.
Also – and this is huge — Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade will return. Disney has confirmed that the Headless Horseman will lead the parade again, too.
Disney has also promised event attraction overlays for:
- Mad Tea Party
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Space Mountain
There’s no mention (yet) of live actors for Pirates of the Caribbean, but we can all hope!
Overall, the official announcement hints that Disney officials know they need to do something to make loyal fans happy.
So, they’re bringing back the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party that we know and love.
We’ll have no more half-measures like Boo Bash this Halloween!!!
Start planning your Walt Disney World getaway and experience Fall and Halloween at the most magical place on earth! Head over to the DVC Rental Store Confirmed Reservations page and view available reservations that can save you up to 65% off regular Disney room rates!
