Best & Worst Dates: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Wondering about the least-crowded or most-crowded nights to attend the 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? This post covers the best and worst dates for the hard ticket event, so you can plan your times in Magic Kingdom and your Walt Disney World vacation around avoiding these crowds. (Last updated August 17, 2018.)
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party occurs multiple dates starting in mid-August and running through the first of November. There are more party nights this year than ever before. Unsurprisingly, Halloween is always the busiest (and most expensive!) night of the party, but if you have other options, when should you attend?
The first rule of thumb is that the cheaper nights are the less busy ones. There are numerous different ticket price groupings. With a couple of exceptions, the cheapest dates are all in August and early September, and prices get progressively more expensive in October. It’s pretty easy to see the trend simply by looking at Disney’s calendar of available party dates. However, not all dates in the same price tier will be equally busy.
In an ideal world, we would recommend attending a party in August, or early to mid-September on a Tuesday night (or that lone Monday). The first party is always busy irrespective of when it occurs (and to that point, it’s the only night of the season that is sold out thus far). However, demand should drop off after that, especially for weeknights.
To that end, we predict that the August 28, 2018 party will be the least busy of the entire season…but there’s the slight chance celebrating Halloween in August might not sit well with you. (Hence our prediction that it’ll be the least crowded party!)
Historically, there are generally two rules for how busy Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will be: 1) Tuesday nights are typically the least crowded, whereas Friday nights are the most crowded; and, 2) The parties get progressively busier the closer you get to Halloween.
We consider these fairly hard and fast rules because locals/Annual Passholders don’t want to take their kids to the Halloween party on a school night, and because they actually start thinking about Halloween when you get closer to Halloween. As such, pretty much any Tuesday night through September 25, 2018 would be a good day to attend, as would Sundays through September 23, 2018.
Basically, tourists go to the parties on whatever night they feel like going (they’re on vacation, it’s all the same to them), but locals who could go any night of the season choose more carefully, and tip the scales in terms of crowded-ness.
We’ve found that October is also more crowded (in general, not just the parties) than September, which definitely adds to it. In the last few years, October has become busier and busier at Walt Disney World, and we do not expect that trend to change.
Tourists generally don’t have the same luxury of picking and choosing nights, having only a few days from which to choose during their trips. But locals with the entire calendar in front of them want to get dressed up and take their kids later on weekend nights, once Halloween is actually on their radar and they have made costumes.
Plus, locals know that Florida is still hot and humid in September, and typically cooler in October, making those bulky or ornate costumes more feasible later in the season.
While crowd level recommendations for the entire calendar of dates is well beyond the scope of our knowledge and expertise, we think if you follow the go Tuesday, don’t go Friday rule (expanded to ‘go school nights, don’t go weekend nights’), and/or plan for a trip earlier in the Halloween (if you still have that luxury–if not, there’s always next year), you’ll be pretty well set.
Another easy trick that you should use for determining whether Disney is projecting a particular party to have low or high attendance is to look at the price of tickets for that party, and available discounts.
Disney does not offer Disney Vacation Club or Annual Passholder discounts out of some sense of corporate benevolence, it does so to encourage guests to attend the cheaper parties because they have lower attendance. How this can be helpful in your planning is when you see an anomaly party, price-wise.
For example, if there’s a weeknight party that should have low attendance but has no discounts available and is priced higher, then perhaps that is because Disney knows something we don’t. Maybe there’s a convention or athletic group that is anticipated to make a large ticket buy.
Regardless of all of the other tips that we have, you can be pretty certain that if a party costs less, it will be less crowded. If a party costs more, it will be more crowded. Disney has mastered the art of manipulating attendance patterns with discounts and pricing tricks (see also “Free Dining“) in order to more evenly re-distribute crowds. Its hard ticket parties are no exception to this rule.
The only thing to potentially keep in mind, or use as a “tie-breaker” when two dates you’re considering are priced the same is to think about potential demographics of the parties. In our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Guide, we strongly encourage guests to not do attractions during the party despite the shorter wait times, because there is a lot of party entertainment (so much that you can’t see it all in a single party), and rides can be done on a normal day in the Magic Kingdom.
As a general rule, Annual Passholders and locals are more inclined to follow this advice because they have regular access to the attractions in the Magic Kingdom, and could do them any ole time. By contrast, many tourists do not have such access, and are willing to pay a premium to attend the event for shorter lines, plus some Halloween entertainment.
Factor in when locals are more likely to be attending the parties you’re considering (based on the above) in the case of a “tie” in terms of pricing, and either go to or avoid that party depending upon whether characters/entertainment are more important to you, or doing attractions with shorter waits is more important to you. Obviously, it’s your decision, but we recommend picking the tourist-filled nights if you can and focusing on attractions during a different day in the Magic Kingdom.
In practice, since our Halloween party visits don’t operate in a vacuum, we love the party on the last Tuesday in September or the first Tuesday in October. We view this as the “sweet spot” because it allows us to plan a trip around both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and better weather. It used to be that this also allowed us to attend the early days Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, but with that being moved forward a couple of weeks pretty much every year, it now starts in August…just like the Halloween Party.
Also like the Halloween party, the Food & Wine Festival is less busy on weekdays (or its soft opening day, which we also really like). Going at the very start of Food & Wine allows us to enjoy that, plus Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party during a less-busy September date, and weather that has cooled since the start of the parties in September. But don’t tell anyone else about this sweet spot…it’s our secret!
If this post has you excited for the party, make sure to visit our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Planning Guide for more tips, strategy, and our review of whether the party is worth it. For Walt Disney World trip planning tips and comprehensive advice, make sure to read our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide and related articles.
Your Thoughts…
Which days are your favorites for doing Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? When are you planning to go this year? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your thoughts on these questions, or anything else, in the comments!
Hi! I am travelling all the way from Argentina and I want to make the most of my trip to Orlando! There is a lot of information around, but I would like to know personal opinions…I want to book for MNSSHP, which begins at 4 PM at Magic Kingdom. I want to buy a 4-day park pass, should I do a full day at Magic Kingdom from 9 AM to MNSSHP or do half a day in another park and then go to MNSSHP? Thanks!!!
if i had a 4 day pass, i would probably do magic kingdom for a full day (one where a party is not scheduled for the evening) and do hollywood studios for a half day and then go to the halloween party at mk at night. mk is just so huge that you want a whole day at least just to ride the rides. theres not as much that we are interested in at hollywood studios, so i would make that a half or 3/4 day.
In 2016, I landed in Orlando on Sunday, October 30th and went to MNSSHP. I had no previous experience so I thought it was a lot of fun. In 2017, I gathered my kids, grandkids and spouses to go to WDW. We went mid-October because of fall break in the school system. I watched a video of opening night of MNSSHP which was a rainy mess. I decided to wait till closer to our vacation to buy tickets but we were aiming for the Thursday of our trip. Weather sounded good so I bought the tickets a day or two ahead and it worked out fine. I wouldn’t recommend this for Halloween night or even the closer weekends but it worked for us. No matter what the weather, the party goes on but I can tell you from watching that first night video that the dancers weren’t dancing (too much chance of injuries). My favorite was the Boo Parade and the fireworks. I actually watched the parade both times both trips. Enjoy and Boo to You!
If you had one to pick only 1 would you do Magic Kingdom OR Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party?
MNSSHP – It is cheaper than a 1 day ticket and a lot less crowded! – That’s what we have done this year – Plus free sweets!!
We are hitting the August 28th party. Yes it will be way early and probably still very hot but now that our kids are getting older pulling them out of school is getting harder to do.
We attended the Xmas party the week AFTER Thanksgiving the past 3 years (pulling our kids out of school for a week) and it’s been great. Less crowds, perfect weather.
But we wanted them to see the Halloween party (before they get too old) plus we get to visit my retired parents in Florida BEFORE school starts on September 5th!
We will be there the week of Labor Day. There is a party Labor Day evening. Even though it’s a holiday would MNSSHP be less busy that night as it’s a school night or will the holiday add to the crowds?
Is it okay to purchase MNSSHP tickets from Undercover Tourist? Their tickets are $10 cheaper than buying direct from Disney and they say they can be linked to your magic band. I guess what’s throwing me off is that UT says their tickets can be used for any party night but the prices change on Disney’s site depending on the day you choose.
I am going the week after labor day Tue night, then staying until the following Monday, so I had the option of Fri 9/7 or Sun 9/9. Decided to go on Sun, assuming it will be less busy, although I will be at the part for 8AM on Sun & again on Mon, so I will need a rest Sun afternoon LOL. I know it is going to be hotter than I will like, but the whole trip is hotter than I would like, this was the only week in Sept that worked & the party was a huge priority for me since I have never been.
Then when I was starting to make my party plan (yes 100 days before my trip LOL) I determined that there was so much I wanted to do, that I would go to the Fri party also. This is my first solo trip and a treat to myself for getting through some recent tough times so I decided I could splurge on the second party 🙂
I’m not understanding why the guy writing this article is talking about which times are more crowded. I have been to the party s few times already. Disney told me instead of allowing say 12,000 in magic kingdom for the day the Halloween party is only about 4 thousand. It is so the lines are shorter. I am calling them again to ask. That’s why am not understanding why the guy is talking about it being more crowded on certain days than others .
Hi Tom,
Do you know when dinner reservations during the Halloween parties are released?
Thank you!
I’d like to know as well!!
What about the first night? It is not the cheapest but not the most expensive… I know August weather is not fun… but how are the crowds that night? thanks!!
Something just anecdotal – but I have heard that a lot of blogger/vlogger’s go the first night so that they can post updates and that increases the crowds – but again that info is from some of the same blogger/vlogger’s so take it for what it is worth 🙂
This will be our fourth MNSSHP and we have gone on Thursday every single time. I want to avoid the craziness that is surely Friday evening but also save the party for near the end of our trip because it just builds up even more excitement for me. I have always loved Halloween and I really enjoy these parties.
Speaking from personal experience, that late August date is just too darn hot and humid. Last years MNSSHP first date coincided with the tail end of our visit, so we jumped on it as our only times to be able to do Disney are the summer. Hot, humid, and stormy (though it was a brief storm that we waited out while our daughter amused herself in the play area for Dumbo) is not fun.
Is MNSSHP a stand alone ticket or do you need to have a MK ticket in addition to the MNSSHP ticket? The reason I ask is because we are NOT getting hopper passes on our next trip and I want to know if we could go to HS in the morning, take a break, and then go to MK at 4:00 for MNSSHP. Thanks!
Completely separate ticket that does not require MK admission. The scenario you explained would work perfectly as long as you had your one day ticket for the Studios and then the special event ticket for MNSSHP.
Geeat. Thanks so much!
Stand alone…what has worked for us traveling with small kids. We plan the party in the middle of our trip…and have our Halloween party day as a sleep in relax around the resort / kids nap day with the party in the afternoon/evening. We do that with the Christmas party also. It works out real well that way
I know you said that Tuesday’s are the best for lower crowds. I’m going to be at Disney -October 7-13. Which party would you suggest for the lowest crowds this week with Columbus Day being on Monday? Would you still suggest Tuesday? I was thinking Thursday…but you know a lot more about his than I do.
Thanks!
Slightly off-topic but related…if I am visiting in September, but NOT going to MNSSHP, would it be ok to do Magic Kingdom in the morning on a party date or will it be more crowded than a non-party day?? I know the park will close earlier but I have children under age 5, so we likely will just to half days in the parks anyhow. Thanks!
Magic Kingdom is less crowded in the mornings of party days because many guests don’t want to visit Magic Kingdom for only two-thirds of the day, so they save their MK day for non-party days. If you have a Park Hopper or don’t care about leaving by 7 p.m., you should definitely go that day.
I am going in early September on a Tuesday night this year this is my first time going to MNSSHP I went to MVMCP for the first time this last November and I already have my ticket for this year in November, I’m going to go as an astronaut I have my spacesuit from Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama that I can still fit into.
Are Tuesday and Friday usually the only nights for MNSSHP? We are arriving on a Sunday (Sept. 30, 2018) and I think it would be fantastic way to start our trip! I know the dates haven’t been released yet and I subscribed to your emails so I can be alerted (since a lot of the other reservations we make/plans for which park on which day will depend on what day we attend the party). Your post here with reference to Tuesday/Friday is a nice ‘clue’ for us, at least, until we can get the actual dates–thank you–I thought I saw somewhere else that there are 3-4 parties per week in October, though?
I would like to know this as well! We will be there the last week in September! I have to start making dining reservations on the 23rd of this month so I’d like to know when Mickey’s not so scary Halloween party is going to be available. Any clue when the dates come out?
I don’t think the dates officially get released until May, but as the operating calendar gets updated(currently only shows dates/hours through first week of September), you can assume that the days where Magic Kingdom closes at 6pm will be the nights of MNSSHP.
Misty, you have probably already figured out there is a party on Sept. 30, and yes if that is your arrival date, you can actually save (a little) by not buying a regular park ticket that day and just attend the MNSSHP. My husband and I followed this strategy last year; but I will tell you after travelling all day and then attending the party, we were wiped out by the end of the fire works (but we are OLD 😉