Best Family Tips for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Ready to experience the 2016 #NotSoScary at Walt Disney World? Be sure to take advantage of this ultimate list of Best Family Tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. This post is sponsored by Walt Disney World. All magical opinions are my own

13 Best Family Tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

There’s a first time for everything, even for Disney fanatical families. Would you believe that this was our FIRST time ever attending Mickey’s Not So Scary? SCREECH – cue record player scratch. That’s right; not one member of our family has ever attended. And you bet, we soaked in ALL of the moments to give you the 13 Best Family Tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (did you see what I did with the un-lucky number 13 there?).

So whether it’s your first time or 50th time, I have the ultimate list of best MNSSHP tips for your family – from costumes to parent secrets, air conditioned candy stops to allergy-friendly offers, open rides to best one-of-a-kind Walt Disney World experiences. Make the most of your Walt Disney World visit this Halloween!

Go Early

Let me disclaimer this statement. The official starting time of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (or MNSSHP for the rest of this post) is 7 pm. However, ticketed guests have been able to get in as early as 4 pm the night of the party. This is a bit of a risk – especially if cast members aren’t set up yet to accept guests. So you may be waiting until 5-6 pm to get in.

But if you’re a family with little ones (like me), I think it’s worth the risk. You avoid the big crowds getting in, giving you a more relaxed entrance into the park. And best part, you hopefully get a few extra hours to enjoy Walt Disney World with your family – during daylight. Grab your pictures, ride the rides (especially the ones that will be closed early), and soak in the festive fall décor before the sun goes down.

Don’t Bring Goodie Bags

Forgot your goodie bag? Don’t worry, Disney World provides! Everyone will get a sturdy plastic Disney tote for your candy – this year is a cute Beauty & the Beast and Moana print.

Have Extra Outfits Ready

Costumes are fun for kids – for the first 5 minutes. Best tip – take those memorable pictures EARLY. Then have those extra comfy outfits handy (pajamas are a GREAT idea) in case your kids want to change clothes. Especially with the hot Florida weather (yes, even in October), you’ll be grateful to have extra clothes ready.

Bring a Stroller – Even for the Big Kids

47 lbs. of dead weight, carried for 5 miles to your car. Doesn’t sound fun, does it. By the time midnight rolls around, there aren’t many Trick-or-Treaters left awake. If your kids can still “fit” in a stroller, bring one. Pushing a sleepy kid is much easier than carrying one. Trust me!

Hydration

It’s still HOT in Florida in October, some nights still over 80 degrees. Add costumes, accessories and heavy bags of candy – your kids can become quickly dehydrated. Have LOTS of drinks on hand for your kids so they don’t miss the fun!

Get Your FREE Exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card

Love to play Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom? During MNSSHP, you can get a limited-edition exclusive spell card. This year is the year of Clawhauser’s Tricky Treat. We also were able to score the limited-edition Olaf’s Snowgies card from last Christmas too, thanks to some helpful cast members! Other specialty food and merchandise will be available throughout Magic Kingdom as well. Look for special T-shirts, Magicbands, Pins, and treats for sale.

Plan Out Your Air Conditioned Candy Routes

There are officially 13 candy stops + 2 allergy-friendly candy centers for the 2016 MNNSHP.

Air Conditioned Candy Stops:

Stitch’s Great Escape – Tomorrowland
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies – Tomorrowland
Pete’s Silly Side Show – Fantasyland
{Partial} Pirates of the Caribbean – Adventureland

Allergy-Friendly Tips

Disney thinks of EVERYTHING. A huge high-five goes to Walt Disney World for making MNSSHP special for everyone, especially those with food allergies. Here’s my best tips for families looking to make your allergy-friendly MNSSHP magical for your kids:

Grab a Special Teal Treat Bag
Look for Cast Members with Signs
Get Your Tokens
Redeem Tokens at the Allergy-Friendly Centers – There’s two locations: Main Street Town Square Theater & Liberty Square (between Sleepy Hollow and Liberty Square Market)
Allergy-Friendly Treats include: SurfSweets, Smarties, boom Choco boom, Enjoy Life Crunchy Cookies, non-candy treats

My friend Shelley over at On the Go in the MCO made an amazing Mickey’s Not So Scary Allergy-Friendly Guide – with everything your family needs to know about this year’s allergy-friendly tips and offerings.

What Rides Will Be Open

Magic Kingdom will definitely be a-buzz with folks wanting to catch an iconic Disney ride or two. But not all of them are open during MNSSHP. Here’s what you can ride during this special Disney event:

Adventureland

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Swiss Family Treehouse
A Pirate’s Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas

Frontierland

Country Bear Jamboree
Splash Mountain

Liberty Square

Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
“It’s a small world”
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Peter Pan’s Flight
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mad Tea Party
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Storybook Circus

Dumbo the Flying Elephant
The Barnstormer

Tomorrowland

Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor

Catch the Most Unique Disney Parade

Boo to You Halloween Parade is by far one of the most magical parades, mostly because folks just don’t get to see this side of Disney. Familiar characters all dressed up in costumes, villains in their spotlight, and some not-so-familiar characters too. Some things to keep in mind:

My favorite place to catch this parade is right at the end of main street (by the exit). You get the castle in the background and a straight-on and side shot of the parade.
Avoid the last parade if possible – it is the LAST event before the park closes at midnight. Once the parade ends, it’s a stampede to the car line. Try to catch an earlier parade before the kids fall asleep.
Speaking of sleeping kids, WARNING – there are creepy looking men slamming shovels onto concrete. Not so pleasant for any sleeping kids (or some little awake ones for that matter).
2016 Parade Times (subject to change): 8:30 & 11:15

See the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular Show

If you’re a Hocus Pocus fan, this is the show for you. If you’re not a Hocus Pocus fan, you’ll definitely still get a kick of seeing your favorite Disney villains perform at the castle stage. Dancing, singing, and a fun spotlight on the most notorious villains, your family will love this show. Be warned, there are some popping fireworks noises! Scheduled show times for 2016: 8:00, 9:15, 10:40, 12:00.

Stay for the Happy Hallowishes Fireworks Show

Must-see. There, I said it. This is one of the BEST Disney Fireworks Shows I’ve seen in awhile. Set to classic Disney villains music, the castle and the sky are lit up in very fun fireworks spectacular display. I love the Cruella fireworks (half red, half white) the best! 2016 show time: 10:15.

Have a Not So Scary Good Time!

Most importantly, don’t forget to grab those amazing photos and memories of your one-of-a-kind Disney experience! The Walt Disney World Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a great alternative for little ones to enjoy Halloween without the being afraid. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is going on right now on select nights between now at October 31, 2016. Grab more info on the 2016 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Be sure to follow along with the fun on social media with hashtag #NotSoScary.

Love Walt Disney World as much as my family? Be sure to check out these MOST popular Disney travel tips:

What’s your best family tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party?

Be sure to follow Raising Whasians via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube for Disney World moments, family travel tips & more.