"Official" 2026 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

[DopeyBadger]

We're in for our fourth straight year and headed to the October 18th party. In the past, we've dressed up as (the links are to the runDisney DIS section where I started detailing how I made the costumes):

2023: Mike and Marty Wazowski


2024: Amphibia's Darcy and Anne


2025: Heeler family's first trip to Disney World



2026: Haunted Mansion Homage and Hat Box Ghost

I've already gotten started on our 2026 costumes, and you can follow along the process in the link above if you'd like.

Working Medusa snakes


Stretching room with working mechanics.

Animated eyes along skirt.

Hat Box using Pepper's Ghost illusion (image is currently just a test placeholder for my face)


You can always join us in the runDisney forum to talk costumes too (The Updated and All-Inclusive Costume Thread). Hope to see some other DIS'ers on October 18th!

 

[Road_Dog]

Had a debate with my wife and wanted to get some outside opinions.

We already bought party tickets for Tuesday, October 27th. Our trip is October 25–30 at the Polynesian.

Originally, I leaned toward doing the party on arrival day (25th) since it felt like a bonus park day without using one of our days in our 3-day tickets. Our plan was always 3 park days with one resort/rest day mixed in. Most likely that meant parks Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, with a resort day Wednesday. My wife didn’t love the idea of doing the party on arrival day though. She’d rather ease into the trip with unpacking, dinner, and getting ready for rope drop Monday, so we went with the 27th.

Now the debate is where to put the resort day.

I think it should be Tuesday, the day of the party. Relax, swim, take it easy, then head to Magic Kingdom around 4PM. My thinking is that otherwise we’re paying for a full park ticket that day but only using it until around 3PM before heading back to get ready for the party. That feels like a waste, especially when the park and party ticket itself is so expensive. I’d rather use Tuesday as a true down "half" day and then get full value out of Wednesday and Thursday as full park days.

My wife thinks the rest day should be the day after the party. Her view is that we’ll likely be out later than usual with the kids (4 and 3), so we’ll want a slower day to recover. She doesn’t mind the shorter park day on Tuesday and would just prioritize the rides we want and if we miss stuff, oh well, before heading back to the hotel to get ready.

For context, we did the Christmas party last year after a full morning/afternoon at Hollywood Studios and were completely wiped by 10PM, so I’m trying to avoid repeating that, but it seems like she's forgot!

Curious how others would approach it.

 

[DaviVascaino]

Had a debate with my wife and wanted to get some outside opinions.

We already bought party tickets for Tuesday, October 27th. Our trip is October 25–30 at the Polynesian.

Originally, I leaned toward doing the party on arrival day (25th) since it felt like a bonus park day without using one of our days in our 3-day tickets. Our plan was always 3 park days with one resort/rest day mixed in. Most likely that meant parks Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, with a resort day Wednesday. My wife didn’t love the idea of doing the party on arrival day though. She’d rather ease into the trip with unpacking, dinner, and getting ready for rope drop Monday, so we went with the 27th.

Now the debate is where to put the resort day.

I think it should be Tuesday, the day of the party. Relax, swim, take it easy, then head to Magic Kingdom around 4PM. My thinking is that otherwise we’re paying for a full park ticket that day but only using it until around 3PM before heading back to get ready for the party. That feels like a waste, especially when the park and party ticket itself is so expensive. I’d rather use Tuesday as a true down "half" day and then get full value out of Wednesday and Thursday as full park days.

My wife thinks the rest day should be the day after the party. Her view is that we’ll likely be out later than usual with the kids (4 and 3), so we’ll want a slower day to recover. She doesn’t mind the shorter park day on Tuesday and would just prioritize the rides we want and if we miss stuff, oh well, before heading back to the hotel to get ready.

For context, we did the Christmas party last year after a full morning/afternoon at Hollywood Studios and were completely wiped by 10PM, so I’m trying to avoid repeating that, but it seems like she's forgot!

Curious how others would approach it.

I would do rest day after the party, and do a half day at another park for the morning, like AK from 8-12pm, back to resort, take a nap, then head to MK. this is what we are going to do.

 

[Riss]

We just bought our tickets for Friday, September 11! I think this is the first time my family has ever had a trip set before the tickets were released.

 

[mdsouth]

I got tickets for August 18 - this will be my first Disney party. I will be going with my friend a huge Disney fan but one who tends to be uncomfortable wearing costumes, she doesn't wear hats or ears either. So, I am going to check out the simple costume ideas - t-shirt shorts bonding themes that she might be comfortable with. Otherwise, I will be dressed up in some fashion even if she isn't. We have been best buddies since elementary school. This is our first time going on a trip just the two of us. We went on a trip together once long time ago to King's Island with our hubbies.

 

[Flash_Sloth]

Had a debate with my wife and wanted to get some outside opinions.

We already bought party tickets for Tuesday, October 27th. Our trip is October 25–30 at the Polynesian.

Originally, I leaned toward doing the party on arrival day (25th) since it felt like a bonus park day without using one of our days in our 3-day tickets. Our plan was always 3 park days with one resort/rest day mixed in. Most likely that meant parks Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, with a resort day Wednesday. My wife didn’t love the idea of doing the party on arrival day though. She’d rather ease into the trip with unpacking, dinner, and getting ready for rope drop Monday, so we went with the 27th.

Now the debate is where to put the resort day.

I think it should be Tuesday, the day of the party. Relax, swim, take it easy, then head to Magic Kingdom around 4PM. My thinking is that otherwise we’re paying for a full park ticket that day but only using it until around 3PM before heading back to get ready for the party. That feels like a waste, especially when the park and party ticket itself is so expensive. I’d rather use Tuesday as a true down "half" day and then get full value out of Wednesday and Thursday as full park days.

My wife thinks the rest day should be the day after the party. Her view is that we’ll likely be out later than usual with the kids (4 and 3), so we’ll want a slower day to recover. She doesn’t mind the shorter park day on Tuesday and would just prioritize the rides we want and if we miss stuff, oh well, before heading back to the hotel to get ready.

For context, we did the Christmas party last year after a full morning/afternoon at Hollywood Studios and were completely wiped by 10PM, so I’m trying to avoid repeating that, but it seems like she's forgot!

Curious how others would approach it.

With 4 & 3 y.o. kids, if you try to do a park day + MNSSHP in a single day, they won't last long into the party hours. And it would be a shame to spend that much on party tickets and not get your party's worth out of it. I'd recommend that you spend your resort day on your party day, and make sure the kids get good long naps in the early afternoon.

But the day after your party, you'll probably want to sleep in a little bit more than normal to recover from the late party hours.

 

[Disneylover99]

Now the debate is where to put the resort day.

I think it should be Tuesday, the day of the party. Relax, swim, take it easy, then head to Magic Kingdom around 4PM. My thinking is that otherwise we’re paying for a full park ticket that day but only using it until around 3PM before heading back to get ready for the party. That feels like a waste, especially when the park and party ticket itself is so expensive. I’d rather use Tuesday as a true down "half" day and then get full value out of Wednesday and Thursday as full park days.

100% agree.
Plus, sleep in the day after the party if you need/want to as well. Then go to a park.

 

[bookbabe626]

Yes. Do confirm you linked your points stay to MDE app.

I had it linked. It showed in MDE along with all my other stays. Had park reservations and everything. For some reason, I had to go in and relink it. No idea why. Disney IT at its finest.

 

[DaviVascaino]

100% agree. Sleep in the day after the party if you need/want to. Then go to a park.

you contradicted yourself LOL.
you highlighted his statement that he wants to SLEEP IN THE DAY OF the party, and you replied he should sleep in the day AFTER the party.

 

[DeeBee3]

Have a free resort day on day of the party and just start a later day the day after the party.

 

[Mtraynom]

I got tickets for August 18 - this will be my first Disney party. I will be going with my friend a huge Disney fan but one who tends to be uncomfortable wearing costumes, she doesn't wear hats or ears either. So, I am going to check out the simple costume ideas - t-shirt shorts bonding themes that she might be comfortable with. Otherwise, I will be dressed up in some fashion even if she isn't. We have been best buddies since elementary school. This is our first time going on a trip just the two of us. We went on a trip together once long time ago to King's Island with our hubbies.

I'm not going to wear a full costume either, so I get it! Etsy has really cute Disney Halloween shirts, if she is more comfortable with that. They also have earrings and bracelets, all kinds of Disney Halloween accessories. This is the route I'm taking, plus ears.

 

[stevelle]

I also have tickets for August 18. Last time I went was 2023, and there were lots of people not in costumes. We just bought Disney halloween shirts from one of the shops and wore those but I don't think anyone should feel they need to be in costume. It's up to the individual. There will be lots of people not in costume. What I do recommend is bringing a larger bag for all the treats you'll get. The small one they give out lasts two treat stops when they're giving candy out using giant scoops.

 

[Disneylover99]

you contradicted yourself LOL.
you highlighted his statement that he wants to SLEEP IN THE DAY OF the party, and you replied he should sleep in the day AFTER the party.

No. What I said is that I agree with the OP……party day should be the rest/relax day.

But the following day, if they’re out late at the party, they shouldn’t force themselves up for rope drop with two young children. Sleep in a bit, then hit the parks.

But I can see how you read it. I wasn’t very clear.
I’ll edit it.

 

[Aryn]

We are staying at the Waldorf this trip so I am waiting not so patiently because of course the only day we can go is October 31. I can only hope that it doesn't sell out before I can buy my tickets. The stress is real!

 

[disneydreamer781]

Does anyone know when the Halloween Party menu is released?

I'm trying to decide on dates for our Sept 20-Oct 1 trip. If DH is willing to do it with me, we will probably do 9/22 and bus it from BWV or if solo, I'll wait until we are at BRV and do either 9/27 or 9/29. The weather is also concerning this time of year but I can't do anything about that but it is something to consider when spending over $340-$375.

Personally, I would rather do the party earlier because the price goes up the last week of September. I'm trying to entice DH with the idea of trying some of the specialty menu items as he has no interest in the party itself but the food might get him to tag along. A couple of rides, Cadaver Dans, some Party food and merch, and the late parade is what I'm interested in. I'm also hoping for the Hitchhiking Ghosts to return but I don't see them listed.

 

[disneydreamer781]

If I do decide to go to the party, I want to do a Scar theme. He's my favorite villian, and also you don't see enough of him. Do you think they will allow a shirt like this in the park?

 

[DaviVascaino]

If I do decide to go to the party, I want to a Scar theme. He's my favorite villian, and also you don't see enough of him. Do you think they will allow a shirt like this in the park?

View attachment 1070345

Probably not

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

If I do decide to go to the party, I want to a Scar theme. He's my favorite villian, and also you don't see enough of him. Do you think they will allow a shirt like this in the park?

View attachment 1070345

I’ve seen far more coarse shirts than that in the parks. Given that’s an actual quote from the movie, Im’ sure you’LL be fine.

 

[scrappinginontario]

If I do decide to go to the party, I want to a Scar theme. He's my favorite villian, and also you don't see enough of him. Do you think they will allow a shirt like this in the park?

View attachment 1070345

It's an exact quote from the movie so I'd be surprised if it's not allowed.

 

[ShannyMcB]

Got our tickets for 08/11 very excited as we’ve never done a party night before! That’s the day we move from uso to wdw so looking to relocate mid afternoon, chill and freshen up with a quick in room dinner then head to the party around 5/6.
Stupid question, but Halloween in my part of the country is usually a chilly night, does the candy get very melty and leak out of the packaging? I know Disney provides trick or treat bags just wondering how messy little hands might be when they reach in to get a piece as the night goes on.