"Official" 2018 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - A Spooktacular Celebration!

[scrappinginontario]

Space Mountain isn't different for the party.

This year it is!! It has a new musical overlay and special effects. Announced recently!

 

[Haley R]

I thought it was suppose to be this year or is it for the whole Halloween time???

You’re right. They announced that it will have special effects this year.

 

[Rich M]

You’re right. They announced that it will have special effects this year.

I knew I wasn't just dreaming it this time, even though it has been in my dreams for years.

 

[anneboleyn]

Space Mountain isn't different for the party.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-halloween-party-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I knew I wasn't just dreaming it this time, even though it has been in my dreams for years.

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Thanks! Hadn't seen that announcement.

 

[Haley R]

I knew I wasn't just dreaming it this time, even though it has been in my dreams for years.

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I’m very excited for it! I love space but it needs something extra

 

[Rich M]

I’m very excited for it! I love space but it needs something extra

I agree. Last trip I went on one time and had many opportunities after to ride again but decided to stay with my GS instead as I was not wanting to climb in and out of it but now it will be worth going on multiple times if possible. I am expecting a line.

 

[mamapenguin]

I attended 8/29, I think it may have been the 2nd party last year. It was great! Low wait times and no issues viewing Hocus Pocus or the parade. I would have gone August again, but we are only there until 8/9 and not back again until mid October.(sorry I was supposed to quote something, but forgot. I hope that makes since to someone.)

 

[Haley R]

I agree. Last trip I went on one time and had many opportunities after to ride again but decided to stay with my GS instead as I was not wanting to climb in and out of it but now it will be worth going on multiple times if possible. I am expecting a line.

I just want to at least go once and I’ll be okay.

 

[tmaxwell]

So we are going to the first party night on 8/17 and I'm super excited! It's my anniversary gift from February! When they announced dates. I told my husband this is what I want! And he promised to get them for me and he did!

Question is, how busy is the first night? I understand there are a lot of bloggers and such that are usually there but in the way of families? We have high hopes of meeting Jack & Sally (will be the first line we get in for sure), Moana, and the Drawrfs. Should we skip Moana? Moana will eventually have a meet & greet we are thinking.

 

[Missyrose]

Part of the issue with the first party (beyond the lack of information that's already been mentioned) is that over and above the tickets sold, Disney invites a few hundred media members and their guests. It just makes for a slightly more crowded Main Street and the hub than the rest of the early season parties. Two years ago was the issue with non-party guests staying for the party events without a wristband but those problems were seemingly fixed last year

 

[FoxC63]

Never. That's why I'm asking.

I'm reading things like, 'I can't imagine going to one of those first parties' and wondering if people are talking about the parade viewing situation with the dessert party or the party in general?

I think the negative comments both current and past is largely due to the lack of information which is crucial when planning, you're basically going in blind. Last year there were many reports of it being disorganized, items selling out quickly, not sure when to line up for merchandise and food, let alone what time these items were available to purchase. I think too many didn't realize there would be long lines even for a restroom.

It's not just CM discount night and I'm not sure how or why that gets emphasized considering discounts apply to Military and AP's. It's also Media Night and I believe those are comped. Why not call the kettle black, it's Discount Night and the party ticket is at low price point too making the party as a whole affordable.

And then we have the weather which may impact the entire party, parade and fireworks not starting on time and the lack of communication that was reported by many. When do you raise the white flag and leave the parks? Will you qualify for a refund of some sort? Oddly, some did and some didn't so their comments might be more harsh.

In terms of day guests invading our party time and space Disney has done their best at getting these squatters out of the park. From all the posts I've read since 2015 it's not as bad as it was back then. Here's Kenny the Pirates 2015 review which by the way was spot on:
https://www.kennythepirate.com/2015/09/17/review-mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-sept-15-2015/

I'm hopeful we won't be encountering that since the park closes early now. I really hope to hear from you and anyone attending the first few parties and with this being your first Halloween party, I think your perspective will be a solid read.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks @FoxC63. I will share our experience for sure but ours will be more from a ride + trick or treating perspective. We’ll be at the 3rd party if 2018.

We are not huge Halloween fans but since a party falls during our trip where we aren’t going to any of the 4 parks, we will be using this party to mainly experience the rides with shorter lines, trick or treating and possibly meet a character or 2 at the end of the night if lines are shorter. I would like to see the parade but it will be the second one and if my timid little girl is frightened we’ll do something else. She doesn’t even know we’re going so it will be an adventure we enjoy together deciding what we’ll do as the night goes on. This isn’t the conventional way of doing the parties but since it’s a surprise I’d rather let her take the lead and see what happens.

I think this will also work better for me as I won’t go in with any expectations of what we’ll get done so won’t be disappointed.

Hopefully our experience will help others behind us who plan their party attendance in a similar manner.

 

[kyomagi]

So does the special PoTC and SM events only happen during the halloween party or will i see it before the party starts?

 

[pooh'smate]

So does the special PoTC and SM events only happen during the halloween party or will i see it before the party starts?

The events happen only during the party.

 

[Micharlotte]

Thanks @FoxC63. I will share our experience for sure but ours will be more from a ride + trick or treating perspective. We’ll be at the 3rd party if 2018.

We are not huge Halloween fans but since a party falls during our trip where we aren’t going to any of the 4 parks, we will be using this party to mainly experience the rides with shorter lines, trick or treating and possibly meet a character or 2 at the end of the night if lines are shorter. I would like to see the parade but it will be the second one and if my timid little girl is frightened we’ll do something else. She doesn’t even know we’re going so it will be an adventure we enjoy together deciding what we’ll do as the night goes on. This isn’t the conventional way of doing the parties but since it’s a surprise I’d rather let her take the lead and see what happens.

I think this will also work better for me as I won’t go in with any expectations of what we’ll get done so won’t be disappointed.

Hopefully our experience will help others behind us who plan their party attendance in a similar manner.

We watched the parade on YouTube so that my timid daughter could see how scary it was beforehand. She was very scared of the grave diggers and the dancing ghosts so she just asked me to watch ahead and tell her when they were coming so we could turn around and look away.

 

[kyomagi]

The events happen only during the party.

Thanks so i assume no fast passes

 

[pooh'smate]

Thanks so i assume no fast passes

Correct

 

[scrappinginontario]

We watched the parade on YouTube so that my timid daughter could see how scary it was beforehand. She was very scared of the grave diggers and the dancing ghosts so she just asked me to watch ahead and tell her when they were coming so we could turn around and look away.

Thanks! She has watched (portions of) the parade on YouTube (we use the fast forward button often and i’m okay with that.) we won’t be watching the stage show for the same reason. Thankful for YouTube as it’s a great way for her to gauge what she’d like and what we’ll skip.

 

[RJstanis]

100% agree. I’m in the same boat (Hallowishes / SW / HEA) three nights in a row. Of the 3, HEA is the most important, IMO, and may be the only one I end up keeping.

SW, and the JBJB parties to me have either been the best I've attended or looked in upon. I really enjoyed SW and regret not having more time in it. I might be biased since we got some Disney (and DIS) magic, but it has definitely been my favorite. I'd consider keeping it as long you get there early, so you can get a good spot for the fireworks/show early (reserved viewing area needs to be back more).