Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom is dearer than ever earlier than, with tickets costing as much as $199 every and promoting out yearly. We’re right here that will help you determine whether or not Walt Disney World’s fall seasonal occasion is “worth it” for you–plus commentary on whether or not MNSSHP presents ample worth for cash to us. (Updated October 2, 2024.)
One of the difficulties in assessing whether or not Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party justifies the excessive value is that there are not any straightforward comparisons. Buying a single-day ticket to Magic Kingdom isn’t an apples to apples equal, nor are there any “Enchanting Extra” upcharges (right now) which can be viable alternate options to MNSSHP.
As such, figuring out whether or not Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is definitely worth the cash requires a take a look at alternate options to the laborious ticket occasion, its core parts, previous precedent, and extra. It’s a patchwork method, however that’s sorta the character of the beast on the subject of these “is it worth it?” questions and all issues Walt Disney World.
In giant half, it is because there’s all the time an inarticulable x-factor on the subject of Disney. An emotional or nostalgic pull that causes many individuals to miss goal on-paper comparisons. We justify a lot on the premise of perceived benefits or substance. If we’re being trustworthy with ourselves, the truth is that it often boils right down to one thing way more emotional, nebulous, or intangible.
This is true not simply with Walt Disney World diehards. A big swath of the general public is prepared to pay premium pricing for Disney’s product and that’s as a result of there’s the notion that there’s no “substitute good.” Sure, there are different Halloween occasions–most likely a half-dozen of them simply in Central Florida–however none of them have the identical elementary attraction to the goal demo as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
(We say this as individuals who love Halloween Horror Nights, however are cognizant of the truth that we’re outliers. The two occasions are hardly direct rivals, which is patently apparent to anybody who attends each and easily appears round.)
Subjectively, it’s tough to argue that plenty of what Disney presents is price the price on paper. Whether that be upcharge choices, rack charges for Deluxe Resorts, or a large number of different issues. Comparable “real world” counterparts nearly all the time provide higher worth for cash. Same goes for previous incarnations of Walt Disney World’s personal choices–you pay extra and get much less in 2024 than you probably did in 2014.
Objectively, it’s a very totally different story. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has bought out fully for each of the final two years, and there’s no signal of demand slowing in 2025 or past. In the clearest and most easy sense, the market has already spoken and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is price it.
While followers like us may complain about ever-increasing costs, speak is reasonable. We proceed to vote with our wallets and reaffirm that not solely is MNSSHP nonetheless price it, however that it’s underpriced–as evidenced by the occasion promoting out sooner and extra incessantly than ever earlier than. Walt Disney World has but to seek out the ceiling on what friends are prepared to pay earlier than balking at MNSSHP. Honestly, we’re form of scared about what that quantity is likely to be.
Basically, this preface is our cop out. A roundabout approach of claiming that all the pieces at Walt Disney World is price it, and nothing is. Admitting that that is an train in futility, as emotion and nostalgia are big drivers for Walt Disney World and worth for these issues may be very a lot within the eye of the beholder.
Nevertheless, it’s an train we’ll undertake simply the identical, attempting to find out if the ever-increasing ticket costs for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party may be justified in any approach.
Prices are most likely a very good place to start out an evaluation of price, so let’s start there. Tickets for the 2024 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party ranged in value from $119 to $199. This is up very barely over the course of the final couple years.
Even although it hasn’t gone up a lot in the previous couple of years, these are large value will increase as in comparison with 2019. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary tickets value between $79 and $135 again then. That’s an unimaginable distinction. (Given that tickets have bought so properly for the previous few years, we concern an enormous improve is coming in 2025.)
On the upside, we’ve noticed decrease ‘feels like’ crowds at each MNSSHP and MVMCP within the final two years as contrasted with 2019. After a constructive response and better visitor satisfaction for the Halloween After Hours occasion a number of years again, we strongly suspect Walt Disney World decreased the capability cap by round 20% (give or take). That’s not sufficient to offset the value improve in share phrases, however it’s noteworthy.
In phrases of historic pricing, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party didn’t break the $100/evening barrier till 2016. We first began attending in 2007, and budgeted ~$50 for each the Halloween and Christmas Party for the primary a number of years we went.
I don’t know the way a lot worth there’s in evaluating costs right now to again within the “good ole days” of the Great Recession. The world is a really totally different place than it was in 2007-2009. While we could desire pricing from again then, the financial system and actual wages are unquestionably higher. Consequently, demand is loads larger for MNSSHP than it was then.
Nevertheless, I additionally don’t assume it fairly passes the odor check to say “this event that’s substantially the same as it was in 2007, except more crowded and more expensive, is now better than it was then.” Demand can clarify Disney’s underlying rationale for value will increase, however not reply questions of price. But maybe that’s a bit too within the weeds.
What’s most likely extra helpful than eager for the previous is dollar-cost comparisons to the current. We can examine MNSSHP ticket costs to the price of a 1-day ticket to Magic Kingdom. Regular day admission ranges from $134 to $179 in the course of the months of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Not so coincidentally, day ticket costs are literally similar to MNSSHP ticket costs on a date by date foundation for the remaining occasion nights. Some are about the identical; Friday nights in October being $20 dearer.
If we had to decide on between a full day in Magic Kingdom and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this time of 12 months, we’d choose the latter right away. It presents decrease crowds, higher environment, enjoyable leisure, and is at evening throughout a time of 12 months that’s typically sizzling.
As lengthy as MNSSHP continues to be comparably priced to single-day Magic Kingdom tickets within the fall, you’ll be able to count on it to proceed promoting out rapidly in 2025 and past–barring a recession or different main change. This is as a result of an rising variety of friends are buying Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween as a substitute of day tickets.
This is enjoying out in a methods massive and small, from vacationers shopping for shorter period tickets (3 days as a substitute of 4) to locals skipping out on Annual Passes and getting their “Disney fix” throughout Party Season. The latter is a large issue, as Floridians are being priced out of APs or opting to take a 12 months off from them, however nonetheless wish to do Walt Disney World occasionally. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a technique to scratch that itch, so to talk. This is certainly occurring, as evidenced by the bigger mix-in crowds ready to enter at 4 pm.
However, we are able to’t assist however assume that this can be a false selection–or that the dynamic may revert in some unspecified time in the future within the not too distant future. That’s as a result of Walt Disney World has supplied ticket offers for every of the final two years for each Floridians and most of the people, providing multi-day admission ranging in value from $59 per day to $99 per day (the decrease finish of the spectrum was for Floridians).
It’s truthful to say that followers searching for a single-day Disney repair aren’t going to need 2-day to 4-day tickets, however some are. And if it’s a selection between 4 days for $235 to $396 or Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for $149, I’m selecting the multi-day choice, even on the larger value. (With Epic Universe looming, it’s protected to say these ticket offers will return for Fall 2025–maybe even higher than ever!)
Nevertheless, there’s a query of the worth proposition of MNSSHP vs. common 1-day tickets for a lot of friends.
We’ve been urging Walt Disney World trip planners to do Magic Kingdom on celebration days, which quantities to as many as 10 hours within the park (plus one other 30-60 minutes in case you rely Early Entry). Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween begins at 7 pm and runs till 12 am, however as famous above, party-goers can truly enter the park starting at 4 pm, for a grand whole of as much as 8 hours.
From a qualitative perspective, the argument could possibly be made that these 8 hours in the course of the celebration are superior to the ten hours in the course of the day. If that math is hard to sq., it means you haven’t visited Florida in the course of the months of August by means of October. Point being, night hours are extra nice than the daytime.
This is definitely pretty much as good of a degree as any to deal with crowds. Perceptions of crowds varies broadly based mostly on locations and priorities. Once the leisure begins, Main Street and the world in entrance of Cinderella Castle may be congested at occasions. The entrance of Magic Kingdom sees a disproportionate quantity of crowds, so that you may assume MNSSHP may be very crowded–worse than a traditional day–in case you hang around across the entrance of the park ready for leisure.
Meanwhile, over in Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Frontierland, there are sometimes large open walkways throughout the very same events, at the very same occasions. While not as brief as After Hours occasions, wait occasions for many sights with out overlays are beneath 10 minutes. Guests who use MNSSHP as a technique to do rides with minimal waits and avoid Main Street may understand crowds to be round 2/10 or so.
That’s about on par with a traditional day in Magic Kingdom throughout celebration season with a 6 pm closing. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween is rather less busy if we’re utilizing nothing however the goal measure of wait occasions. Conversely, the celebration can worse if we’re utilizing the extremely subjective measure of congestion.
Circling again to the subject of ticket value, a lot of that is irrelevant to most Walt Disney World trip planners. The overwhelming majority of attendees aren’t deciding between a 1-day ticket and MNSSHP, they’re deciding between MNSSHP and (probably) one fewer day on their multi-day tickets.
As such, the incremental value of including (or subtracting) a day to multi-day tickets is the important thing consideration. In this case, that’s an additional ~$10 to ~$30 as in comparison with $139 to $199. Suddenly it’s an enormous distinction. The qualitative benefit of night versus daytime in Magic Kingdom melts away.
When assessing worth, MNSSHP followers typically level to the “free” trick-or-treating. This is misguided. If you spent your entire evening doing nothing however trick-or-treating, you’d find yourself with a sweet haul having a good market worth of $8.97 from Walmart or CVS. (Or ~$234 at Walt Disney World reward store costs.) As somebody who enjoys having tooth, I’ll additionally admit to being biased towards consuming copious quantities of sugar. But severely, the precise worth of sweet just isn’t a profitable “argument” on the subject of the price of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Given all of that, we’re left with no higher choices for assessing worth than by ascribing worth to the core competencies of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party: Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, Mickey’s Boo to You Parade, and Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular Fireworks. These three items of leisure are the cornerstones of the occasion.
Walt Disney World followers can quibble over whether or not HalloWishes is best than the present fireworks or if Boo to You is pretty much as good because the Christmas parade, every carry one thing totally different to the desk. They’re all properly price seeing and every provide one thing spectacular.
If we had been to fake the leisure at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party bought Lightning Lane entry, it’s possible that seeing every one in all these would value round $25. Assuming you don’t wish to repeat any of them, that’s $75 of leisure plus a time value of about 3 hours of the occasion itself.
Add in one other $25 for atmospheric acts and ambiance, and also you’re at $100. Then there are character meet & greets, trick-or-treating, attraction overlays, and the time you’re capable of entry Magic Kingdom. In idea, that will get you to the typical ticket value, assuming you worth all of these issues.
Of course, you’ll be able to alter these numbers upwards and downwards based mostly in your celebration’s priorities and what you worth. It’s potential the additional time in Magic Kingdom or doing common sights with brief traces is price considerably extra to you, however the leisure is price considerably much less. Maybe the person parts had been barely price it for you 5 years in the past and now actually aren’t.
Perhaps merely being there amongst different friends carrying costumes for Halloween whereas your youngsters are capable of trick-or-treat in a enjoyable and protected setting is priceless. It’s additionally potential you’re wholly involved with having the perfect trip potential and are prepared to spare no expense to attain that. (In that case, unsure why you even are studying this.) Again, worth is within the eye of the beholder.
To that time, I figured it’s price sharing our perspective as attendees for the final decade-plus. We are whole suckers for these events, and we completely love the environment on the occasions. This is equally true for each MNSSHP and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
From 11 pm till every time we depart is our favourite time at Magic Kingdom, and the events are immensely satisfying on a private stage based mostly on that end-of-night environment alone. Rather a lot concerning the Walt Disney World expertise for diehards is revisiting fond recollections, and we’ve got a ton of them from late nights at MNSSHP and MVMCP.
The finish of the night throughout these events transports me again to 2007-2010, and I’d pay a silly sum of money only for that feeling. It’s not rational, however it’s what it’s. (If you’re an off-the-cuff visitor or first-timer, it’s price understanding that loads of the Walt Disney World expertise boils right down to chasing nostalgia for diehards, whether or not they’re prepared to confess it or not.)
With that mentioned, if the query is whether or not Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is definitely worth the cash to us based mostly on the present occasion itself, the reply might be not.
For us, MNSSHP peaked in 2015 or 2016. Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular had debuted, the occasion was comparatively uncrowded, there have been extra meet & greets, HalloWishes was nonetheless round, and ticket costs had been considerably decrease. There have been adjustments since then through trip overlays and different adjustments, however none of that actually strikes the needle sufficient for me to offset the upper value.
Frankly, if I may select between the MNSSHP of 2016 or 2024 at equivalent costs, I’d nonetheless choose 2016. There have been plenty of little cuts and different methods the standard of the expertise has been eroded. During that very same timeframe, nearly nothing of worth has been added to justify the upper costs.
The backside line is that we splurge on Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party as a result of we wish to do it–with out regard for its worth proposition. It’s a kind of issues we all know isn’t fairly what it as soon as was, however since we don’t personal a time machine (but), we proceed attending. It’s a very enjoyable expertise and nonetheless “close enough” on worth that we give it a cross (for now).
At this level, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is one thing we’d do each different 12 months if it had been only a matter of private enjoyment. Writing concerning the occasion is what ideas the scales for us, and makes it simpler to justify paying the ever-increasing costs to attend.
Of course, all of that is extremely private. Even although it’s much more costly than MNSSHP, I can not think about lacking Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The want to write down about it excuse additionally exists with MVMCP, however we’d completely attend yearly for private enjoyment. That comes right down to much more nostalgia, preferring Christmas, climate, and the spirit of the season. (Christmas in November is much more enjoyable for us than Halloween in August.)
Ultimately, the ambiance, fireworks, plus two showings of each the Boo to You parade and Hocus Pocus present present ample worth for us to maintain returning, with all the pieces else being icing on the cake. We additionally get to revisit fond recollections and nostalgia for MNSSHP–however greater than something, that ought to underscore why it’s so tough to find out whether or not Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is definitely worth the cash.
There’s additionally the truth that we ascribed plenty of worth to the time after 11 pm, which is likely to be downright laughable to these of you who’re dad and mom of babies. We didn’t even scratch the floor there–or of how costly this may get for bigger events. The level is that there’s no one-size-fits-all reply. The greatest we are able to provide is the rambling evaluation above, and the hope that it gives ample “food for thought” such you can make a private dedication for your loved ones.
In the tip, we all the time have a very good time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Not as a lot as we did again within the day (particularly with the price in thoughts), however nonetheless sufficient enjoyable to proceed going 12 months after 12 months. Even as Annual Passholders who’ve carried out the occasion dozens of occasions, we nonetheless look ahead to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party–the occasion is certainly not as “worth it” to us because it was once, however we maintain going. As with different followers, the votes we could with our wallets most likely say much more than these few thousand phrases.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? If you’re fascinated by studying extra about lodges, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page is an efficient place to start out. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews web page. If you wish to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which sort you need to get, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a singular take a look at unconventional issues you need to take in your journey. Once you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those matters and a lot extra, the perfect place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to take advantage of your expertise!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World within the final two years? What did you consider the crowds? Think it was definitely worth the excessive ticket value? Thoughts on the Boo to You Parade, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, fireworks, or another leisure? Any different ideas, likes or dislikes? Any questions we will help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!