[Val32]

I got this as part of an email from PASSPORTER.
I thought I post it for anyone who wants more info re MNSSHP.

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Tips & Tricks (And Lots of Treats): Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
by Ann Smith, PassPorter Message Board Guide and Guest Columnist

If you are going to be visiting Walt Disney World in October, I highly recommend trying to attend a special party -- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party -- held at the Magic Kingdom from 7:00 pm to midnight on select nights. (This event requires separate admission. Advance purchase prices are age 10 & up $37.23, Age 3-9 $29.77. Prices the day of event and October 31 are age 10 & up $42.55, age 3-9 $35.10. Children under 3 are admitted free.)

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP for short) is great for kids and adults alike. Most rides in the Magic Kingdom are open and there are special activities to keep you busy throughout the night. Not to mention a special Halloween parade featuring the Headless Horseman.

Many people come to the party in Halloween costume, kids AND adults. I have seen everything from the simple (l wore overalls and a cowboy hat last year) to elaborate (Adults dressed as queen of hearts and Prince Phillip) or no costume at all. The choice is yours! When choosing a costume remember to consider the Florida heat and whether the costume will make getting in and out of the rides awkward.
The fun begins when you step up to the main gate. You will notice immediately that the Magic Kingdom has been transformed into a not-so-scary Haunted House. First you will receive a special trick or treat bag for trick or treating throughout the Magic Kingdom. And make sure you get a MNSSHP map so that you will know what rides are operating and where to find the shows.

The decorations and special effects for MNSSHP are extensive. There are hologram witches, bats and ghosts flying around the shops on Main Street while each "land" is decorated with its own unique Halloween style. (Check out Cinderella's coach in Fantasyland -- it is life size and a great photo opportunity!)

There are several locations for you to get complimentary Halloween photos taken. It is a fairly quick process and a nice souvenir. The locations are designated on the guide map and change every year. The photos will be mailed to you within three weeks after the party.

Trick or treat stations can also be found throughout the Magic Kingdom, check your guide map for locations. I must tell you that trick or treating in the Magic Kingdom is like nowhere else on Earth. The very first time we went to MNSSHP we were surprised at how much candy we brought back to our room (and took home with us). I counted at least 15 trick or treat stations on the guide map from 2003. Many of them have the same candy so if you don't get to trick or treat at them all, don't worry. Plus, if there is a long line, skip it and come back later.

A fun thing for kids is the Halloween story telling. (Again, check your map!) When you see a story telling area, there will be a "scary" or "not so scary" icon so judge according to your child's level of tolerance for fear factor.

Another fun thing for children is Mickey's Mouse-ka-rade costume party. Kids can go and listen to a DJ spin their favorite tunes while they dance, have hula hoop contests and have a mini parade with the help of many Disney Characters. It's a great place for parents to go and watch and re-charge their batteries for more Halloween fun.

Looking for characters? There are tons of character meet and greets situated throughout the park and there is a minimal line for most of them as they are in such abundance. Many of the characters are in their own Halloween costumes making for a great photo opportunity with your little trick or treater!

Two not to be missed things during MNSSHP are the special edition fireworks and parade. Be sure to watch the castle during the fireworks for a special surprise flier!! My personal favorite part of MNSSHP is the "Boo to You" Halloween parade. It is presented at 8pm and again at 10pm. The Headless Horseman announces the start of the parade and it is wonderful to see so many characters dressed up as, well, characters! Last year, Winnie the Pooh was dressed up as a bat -- too cute! The second parade is less crowded but if you're like me, you'll want to see both!!

As I mentioned before, most rides are operational during MNSSHP with the main exceptions being those that close early due to darkness: Swiss Family Treehouse, Tom Sawyer Island, etc. Check your guide map for which rides are operational this year.

Most shops are also open and many contain special MNSSHP merchandise such as T-shirts and pins. These items can only be purchased during MNSSHP so if you see something you like, get it as it is not available to the general public. Most counter service restaurants are open during MNSSHP for you to get a bite to eat. Liberty Tree Tavern also accepts priority seating for dining before the party.

You will thoroughly enjoy Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and I highly recommend it for young and old.

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[iluvwdw]

Thanks for this!!! It TOTALLY got me in the mood for my trip in 2 weeks!!!! And my VERY first MNSSHP on 10/20!!!

[alicefan]

Thanks Val for the great info - I am sooooo excited for it this year - it is our second but we missed so much last year and I am anxious go back! Especially after reading this!

[Val32]

Originally Posted by iluvwdw

Thanks for this!!! It TOTALLY got me in the mood for my trip in 2 weeks!!!! And my VERY first MNSSHP on 10/20!!!

OHhh Iam so glad!!!
You are going to have sooooo MUCH Fun!!!!!
Last year was my 1st Mnsshp, I had so much fun that Iam going back for my 2nd one!!!

Just try and pace yourselves or the kids will get tired quickly and want to leave! We spent the ENTIRE day at MK last year and my dd was whooped by 9:30pm And she is a NIGHT person!!

How old are your kids?
Or are you going w/Adults?

[Val32]

Originally Posted by alicefan

Thanks Val for the great info - I am sooooo excited for it this year - it is our second but we missed so much last year and I am anxious go back! Especially after reading this!

me too, me too, me too!!!!!!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU HAVE 1 DAY LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How are you holding it in??? LOL

[angell1975]

This sounds like so much fun, but we won't be there when this is going on. I guess that means I will have to plan another trip so my DD can go to this!

[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by Val32

OHhh Iam so glad!!!
You are going to have sooooo MUCH Fun!!!!!
Last year was my 1st Mnsshp, I had so much fun that Iam going back for my 2nd one!!!

Just try and pace yourselves or the kids will get tired quickly and want to leave! We spent the ENTIRE day at MK last year and my dd was whooped by 9:30pm And she is a NIGHT person!!

How old are your kids?
Or are you going w/Adults?

My DS is going to be 4 right before we leave, and my DD will be turning 5 months on 10/23. We don't plan to go to ANY parks that day, until we get to the party! We have an ADR at CP at 4pm. Then we will enjoy the party for the rest of the night! DD will most probably sleep in the stroller, but DS will try to stay awake for the whole thing!!! As long as we have a low key day and he naps in the afternoon, he will be FINE, and will probably go the distance!

I can't wait for this! You really got me psyched!!!! My son is going to have THE BEST TIME! And I will have the best time watching him...

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by Val32

me too, me too, me too!!!!!!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU HAVE 1 DAY LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How are you holding it in??? LOL

I'm just trying to get by day by day!!! I tried to keep very busy every day this week so it would fly by and it did!! I love the anticipation of getting ready for the trip - I just cannot wait to get there!! When we hit a month away, like you are at now, it just went by so fast!

[alicefan]

I agree with Val and Kim about having a low-key day of MNSSHP. We stayed until 12:00 am last year and my son was a ZOMBIE (and that wasn't his costume!!). This year I am going to DTD to SHOP (what else!) and my DH and DS are going to stay by the pool at ASSports. Then we will meet for lunch and go back to our rooms for a nap - I can only rest - I am too excited to EVER nap at WDW - I'm worse than a kid!!

[Val32]

Originally Posted by iluvwdw

My DS is going to be 4 right before we leave, and my DD will be turning 5 months on 10/23. We don't plan to go to ANY parks that day, until we get to the party! We have an ADR at CP at 4pm. Then we will enjoy the party for the rest of the night! DD will most probably sleep in the stroller, but DS will try to stay awake for the whole thing!!! As long as we have a low key day and he naps in the afternoon, he will be FINE, and will probably go the distance!

I can't wait for this! You really got me psyched!!!! My son is going to have THE BEST TIME! And I will have the best time watching him...

With that type of day planned, you should be fine!

We dined at CP last year and had a great time there too. Let me first say, we got lost from each other. I went back to the car to get the costumes and when I got back I could not find my DD Or DM anywhere!!! We finally found each other, my DM convinced a CM at the CP to call my Cell phone for her and we found each other and they took us for our dinner LATE!!!! Many kudos to the CM's of the CP!!
After dinner was over, we were about the last party to leave (almost), and we saw the gang from hundred acre woods together taking photos so I snuck a pic of them, and a CM got my DD a special pic w/the gang in her Ariel Costume!!! It was great!!!!
It was very nice after that scare we all had, my dd was so scared she would never see me again and I was running around the park scared with this big bag of costumes and access. and when we found each other we were both crying!!! So this was very nice and very special!!!

[Val32]

Originally Posted by alicefan

I'm just trying to get by day by day!!! I tried to keep very busy every day this week so it would fly by and it did!! I love the anticipation of getting ready for the trip - I just cannot wait to get there!! When we hit a month away, like you are at now, it just went by so fast!

still, you are very calm! LOL
Have a great trip and a great time!!!!

I can't wait for my trip to get here already!!!

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by Val32

still, you are very calm! LOL
Have a great trip and a great time!!!!

I can't wait for my trip to get here already!!!

Thanks - we will! And you have a great time too - I'll be suffering from PDD when you are Trick-or-Treating at the Party!!! BTW, Good job getting all your PS's - I called so late and had to compromise but got some, well, interesting PS's! Enjoy!!!

[JM0318]

I have not been to this, but I would love to go.... I just have to drag DH...LOL.... the first time anyway...

[Val32]

Originally Posted by alicefan

Thanks - we will! And you have a great time too - I'll be suffering from PDD when you are Trick-or-Treating at the Party!!! BTW, Good job getting all your PS's - I called so late and had to compromise but got some, well, interesting PS's! Enjoy!!!

Iam sure they will be great!!!!

Iam so jealous!!! Are you all packed and ready to go???

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by Val32

Iam sure they will be great!!!!

Iam so jealous!!! Are you all packed and ready to go???

I officially brought the suitcases downstairs this afternoon - they are sitting by the door ready to go! All that's left is to get to bed (like I can sleep) and get up at 4:00 in the morning - that won't be a problem for me!!!