Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Good for Toddlers in 2023?

If you’re here, you’re probably mulling over one big question: “Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party good for toddlers?”

Trust me, I get it- toting a toddler around a theme park is already like herding a very small, very cute feral cat.

Taking your little one to a Halloween bash at a theme park might sound crazy. As a mom of a daughter who is two years old, I was hesitant to purchase the tickets and load up the travel gear for the Halloween bash. 

My biggest concern when visiting Disney for the Halloween party was the cost.  Would it be worth spending the money on one night when I could visit the other Disney parks? 

In this article, we will dive deep into what to expect as a parent of toddlers when attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party. 

We will discuss the pros and cons of attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party with your toddler. I will give you proven travel tips for navigating the crowds at the theme parks and all the must-see party spots for your mini-me.

Let’s find out if Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is good for toddlers.

Spoiler: It just might be the Halloween adventure your family needs! 

Pros and Cons of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party with Toddlers

Taking your toddler to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort can be an unforgettable experience, but there are pros and cons you should consider.

Pros

• Immersive Experience: The park turns into a Halloween festival.  Toddlers will be mesmerized by all the lights, sounds, and festive activities.

• Toddler-Friendly Fun: With numerous activities like Disney Junior Jam and trick-or-treating, your little one won’t run out of things to do. Stage shows like the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular and character meet-and-greets are big hits among youngsters.

• Special Family Moments: The event provides endless opportunities for family bonding, whether dancing with your favorite characters or watching the parade together. 

• Cooler Weather: Visiting in the fall means the Florida heat is less intense, making it more enjoyable for everyone, especially the kiddos.

• Rare Characters: If your kids are like mine, they love collecting character autographs. Meeting Jack Skellington or Moana is like meeting a superstar for a toddler. These rare character appearances make the experience even more magical for little ones.

Cons

• Crowds: The park can get packed, which might be overwhelming for toddlers, primarily if they’re not used to big groups of people.

• Late Nights: The event goes on past many toddlers’ bedtimes, which might mean dealing with an overtired, cranky kiddo.

• Cost: Ticket prices, costumes, and special treats can make this a pricey night out. Make sure to budget accordingly.

• Limited Dining Options: Not all restaurants are open during the special event, so you may need to plan where to get that kiddo-friendly mac ‘n’ cheese ahead of time.

Entertainment for Toddlers

If you’re wondering whether Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is toddler-friendly, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” 

Trust me, there’s so much to keep the little ones entertained; they’ll talk about it until next Halloween. 

Let’s break down some can’t-miss activities designed with toddlers in mind.

1. Disney Junior Jam at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café: Imagine a dance floor where your kiddos can shake it off with Doc McStuffins, Timon, and Vampirina. This dance party is not just for the little ones—parents, you’ll love it too!

2. Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade: From Minnie and Mickey in their Halloween finest to a whole cast of ghostly characters, this parade is a spectacle.  Floats, dancers, and all your favorite Disney pals in costume make this a parade you and your toddler won’t want to miss.

3. Character Meet-and-Greets: Forget the usual queues. You’ll find adorable photo ops with classic characters dressed in their Halloween best during the Halloween party. Imagine a selfie with a mummy Goofy or pirate Mickey! For the younger crowd, you can find lovable characters like Winnie the Pooh, Aladdin, and Cinderella all around the park.

4. Trick or Treating: Going trick-or-treating at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is awesome for the whole family, especially when it comes to inclusivity for those with food allergies. 

As you enter Magic Kingdom, you’re handed a treat bag that’s your ticket to candy stations throughout the park, marked by giant inflatable pumpkins.  Walk up, “say trick or treat,”  and your little one will be rewarded with candy.

 For families managing food allergies, Disney offers a teal-colored treat bag, the color symbolizing food allergy awareness. Instead of candy, Cast Members will drop a token into these special teal bags.

These tokens can later be exchanged for allergy-friendly treats, like gluten-free cookies or sugar-free gummies, at Allergy-Friendly Centers at the Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A., and the Liberty Square Ticket Office.

Children with allergies still get to partake in the trick-or-treating fun but with an extra layer of safety. 

Baby Care Centers

Being a parent means you’re always looking for the next changing table or a quiet corner for feedings.

Disney has got you covered! There are several Baby Care Centers throughout Disneyworld where you can change, feed, or nurse your little ones. 

They’re equipped with changing tables, high chairs, and even rocking chairs for those “feed-me-now” moments. 

The primary Baby Care Center in the Magic Kingdom is conveniently located between Casey’s Corner and The Crystal Palace on Main Street, U.S.A. These are a lifesaver for parents.

Toddler-Friendly Restrooms  

The best part of Disney World is they have parents in mind. 

Disney World Restrooms are designed for maximum convenience for you and your child.

I have never been in a bathroom at Disney World that doesn’t have a changing table.  This includes male and female restrooms, so my husband can feel comfortable taking our toddler in for a diaper change in a clean facility. 

Dates and Times for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in 2023

This year, the Magic Kingdom is going all out again with a string of dates starting from August 11th and stretching to November 1st.

Yep, you read that right. You’ve got nearly three months to catch this spooktacular event.

The party officially kicks off at 7 p.m. each night and goes until the clock strikes midnight.

Even better? If you’ve got a ticket for the Halloween party, you can slide into the park as early as 4 p.m. 

That extra time is perfect for hitting some rides before the Halloween activities begin.

Let’s talk dates. This party is not a one-night-only kind of deal. So, whether you’re a planner or more of a last-minute Larry, you’ve got options:

Month	Micky’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates
August	11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
September	1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29
October	1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
November	1

Some dates have already sold out. This party is hot, hot, hot! 

Weekends and days close to Halloween are likely to be jam-packed.

The pro tip here? Check the Walt Disney World website for ticket availability and pricing before packing those costumes and planning your trick-or-treat strategy.

How to get your ticket:  Step-By-Step Guide:

• Head to the Walt Disney World Website: The most straightforward way to snag tickets is to go directly to the source, the official Walt Disney World website.

• Search for the Event: You’ll see a search bar at the top of the homepage. Type in “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” or find it under the ‘Events & Tours’ section.

• Pick Your Date: Remember all those dates I mentioned earlier? Here’s where you choose which one works for you. Dates closer to Halloween tend to sell out quickly, so keep that in mind.

• Add to Cart: Once you’ve picked your date, add the number of adult and child tickets you need to your cart.

• Check Out: Follow the prompts to complete your purchase. You can link them to your MagicBand if you’ve got one.

Costs and Special Deals:

• Regular Pricing: For adults, tickets range from $109-$199, while for the little ghosts and goblins (ages 3-9), it’s $99-$189. Why the range? Well, the closer you get to Halloween, the pricier it becomes, with Halloween night being the most expensive.

• Annual Passholders & Disney Vacation Club Members: Listen up, guys! If you’re a member of either of these clubs, you get a neat $10 discount on select dates in August and September.

A Quick Heads-Up:

If you’re itching to hit the park before 4 p.m., you’ll need a regular park admission ticket in addition to your Halloween party ticket. So, if you’re planning a whole day at Disney, factor that into your budget.

Schedule of Events

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party schedule in 2023 is jam-packed with spooktacular events. Let’s lay them out so you can plan your evening and ensure you hit all the must-sees.

Main Events

• Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (Castle Forecourt Stage):
  • August & September dates: 8:35 pm, 10:45 pm, 12:00 am
  • October & November dates: 7:40 pm, 8:35 pm, 10:45 pm, 12:00 am

• Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade: The first parade of the night starts in Frontierland at 9:15 p.m. and repeats at 11:15 p.m. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it. The Headless Horseman makes an appearance!

• Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular: Look to the skies above Cinderella Castle at 10:15 p.m. for a fireworks show that’ll blow your toddler’s mind.

• The Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet (Frontierland): These guys pop up intermittently between 7:00 p.m. and 10:50 p.m., serving you spooky and catchy harmonies.

• Disney Junior Jam (Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café): From 7:00 p.m. to midnight, get ready to bust a move with your little ones.

Toddler-Friendly Highlights

These activities are targeted to your family to make your toddler’s night magical:

• Disney Junior Jam: Hosted at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland, this dance party is tailor-made for the sippy-cup crowd, but don’t worry, parents—you’ll have a blast too. Keep an eye out for Doc McStuffins, Timon, and Vampirina shaking it on the dance floor.

• Character Meet and Greets: Throughout the park, you’ll bump into toddler favorites like goofy, Pluto, and princesses. Could there be a more adorable photo op? I think not.

Special Ride Overlays

Okay, let’s dive into one of the most incredible features of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party; the ride overlays. 

If you’re scratching your head and wondering, “What’s a ride overlay?, don’t worry. An overlay is like a seasonal wardrobe change for a ride.

Disney will temporarily transform an attraction or ride by adding extra layers of spookiness or fun. These overlays are exclusive to the Halloween party, so you won’t experience them any other time.

Rides with Halloween Overlays in 2023

• Space Mountain: Picture this. You’re zooming through Space Mountain, but it’s in complete darkness this time. Throughout the ride, creepy music will be playing. This is not a toddler-friendly ride, but adults will love it and can use the rider switch to ensure everyone can enjoy the fun.

• Mad Tea Party: This is my toddler’s favorite ride, and during the Halloween party, it transforms with special lighting that’ll make the whole family feel that festive Halloween spirit. 

• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor: If your kids are fans of Mike and Sulley, they’ll love the Laugh Floor’s Halloween twist. The show turns a little more spooky with Halloween-themed jokes. This is a big hit with toddlers and smaller kids. Heck, It’s a hit with adults, too. 

Haunted Mansion: 

While the Haunted Mansion itself doesn’t have a ride overlay, please don’t skip it! You can meet the ghosts in the graveyard before navigating the queue. 

Plus, the Cast Members go all out with special makeup, adding an extra layer of creepy-cute to the experience. 

Special Halloween Snacks to Savor

When it comes to seasonal treats, Disney goes all out, especially for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. These treats are Instagram-worthy, but they also taste incredible. 

Here’s the dish on special snacks you can only find during this spooktacular event!

• Amuck Cupcake (Main Street Bakery): Inspired by our favorite Sanderson sisters, this cupcake is loaded with peanut butter chips, chocolate candy bits, and toffee. Add a caramel sauce center and top it with chocolate buttercream and a cute little cake cauldron. Yep, your kids will be in cupcake heaven.

• Hades Nachos (Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café): Black bean nacho chips are layered with buffalo chicken with just the right kick. Add a drizzle of nacho cheese, and you’ve got a snack fit for Hades himself. 

• Not-So-Poison Apple Churros (Churro cart by Cinderellas Castle):  This Halloween treat is a take on the famous churro.  Each churro is covered with apple-flavored sugar, topped with Snickers bar and drizzled with caramel.  It’s the perfect fall treat. 

• Zombie Fingers(Cosmic Rays): This treat resembles long, green monster fingers.  The fingers are made of almond cookies with key lime pie, white chocolate ganache, salted caramel crisp pearls, and sugar eyes.  Your toddler will love the spooky treat. 

• Apple fritter Milkshake(Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies):  If you like fall-flavored things, this milkshake might be your jam. It’s a creamy caramel milkshake topped with green apple whipped cream and garnished with an apple fritter.  Yes, you read that right.  A freshly baked apple fritter.

• Pumpkin ice cream(Plaza Ice Cream Parlor): What toddler doesn’t like icecream? At the plaza ice cream parlor, you can order a scoop of the festive pumpkin ice cream.  It’s autumn in a bowl.

14  Travel Tips for Navigating Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Like a Pro

1. Come Early: The party may start in the evening, but coming early lets you beat the crowds and enjoy some rides before the real fun starts. Remember, the earliest you can get in is 4 p.m.

2. Be Prepared: If you have a toddler, you know that an extra set of clothes, diapers, and wipes are non-negotiables. 

3. Costume Comfort: When picking a costume for your tot, think comfort first and Elsa or Spider-Man second. Don’t forget to consider the weather. Florida can be a furnace, and you don’t want your child miserable in the heat. 

4. Know the Exit: Familiarize yourself with “cool down” zones or quiet areas where you can take your toddler for a break. Trust me, a cooldown can prevent a meltdown!

5. Prioritize Your Avitivies: You can’t do it all. Pick events, rides, or shows you know your little one will enjoy the most.

6. Utilize Mobile Ordering: Save yourself time by ordering food through the Disney App.

7. Limit Sweets: Tempting as it may be to feast on Halloween goodies, keep the sugar intake in check. A sugar-rushed toddler can turn into a Halloween nightmare. 

8. Capture the Moment: Disney PhotoPass Photographers are stationed at key points around the park. They’re your go-to for those picture-perfect moments.

9. Stay Hydrated: Florida is HOT, even in the evenings. Keep refillable water bottles with you to stay hydrated.

10. Safety First: I highly recommend putting a safety wristband on your toddler with your phone number written on it. It’s a simple step but gives you peace of mind.

11. Keep the Feet Happy: Pack comfortable footwear for those little feet too. Cinderella’s glass slippers are cute but impractical for running around the park.

12. Stay Flexible: Toddlers can be unpredictable.  Try to go with the flow to minimize disappointment. 

13. Rest Periods: Know your toddler’s nap times and plan accordingly. Quiet corners in the park are perfect for some stroller snooze time.

14. Post-Party Exit: Leaving the park can be chaotic. A bit of pre-planning, like stroller positioning and gathering your belongings ahead of time, can make the exit less frantic.

Final Thoughts:  Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Good For Toddlers?

Alright, let’s get real. Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party worth it for you and your toddler? One hundred percent, yes! Here’s Why.  

First off, let’s talk about the sheer magic of the experience. Your toddler’s eyes will light up, meeting Mickey in his Halloween costume.  They will have the time of their lives dancing to Halloween music and sampling the yummy Halloween treats. 

Let’s be honest, they might not remember every detail, but as a parent, you will remember these moments forever. 

The Disneyworld event planners have also thoughtfully incorporated many toddler-friendly activities. The event is loaded with stuff for the tiny tots. They’ll be talking about from shows to parades to ride overlays for weeks.

Of course, there are challenges. Crowds can be a bit of a hassle, and we all know toddlers and late nights can be a volatile mix. Yet, even those can be navigated with some planning. 

The My Disney Experience App is your best friend for dodging food lines and avoiding crowded rides. 

Also, let’s face it, you were going to pack a whole diaper bag of essentials anyway.  Likewise, Baby Care Centers are perfectly equipped for naps, diaper changes, or a moment of quiet. 

Sure, the ticket price isn’t exactly pocket change. But think about what you’re getting: a night of magic and a ton of awesome family photos.

You can’t put a price tag on memories like that.  It’s not just another night out; it’s a magical Halloween adventure in the happiest place on Earth!

So, is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party good for toddlers? The answer is a resounding YES! Have fun and make some memories!

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