Feeling Not-So-Scared at Mickey's Halloween Party!

Every year, Walt Disney World holds special "not-so-scary" parties to celebrate Halloween. Back in 1995, Walt Disney World hosted a one-night after hours event on Halloween Night in Magic Kingdom with a limited number of people attending. The party was so popular that Disney decided to expand it into a longer event with more nights each year. MNSSHP typically starts in mid-August and runs through the end of October (sometimes through November 1) on select nights. The parties require a separate admission ticket and can sell out rather quickly. Party tickets are nonrefundable so do make sure you plan on attending before purchasing.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a fun way to say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn. If you are looking for the chance to don a costume, go trick or treating at various locations, run into some special characters all dressed up in their own Halloween costumes, ride some fun attractions (some with some special overlays), enjoy a Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show, watch a special "Boo to You" parade, and cap off the night by watching the sky light up with lasers and frightfully fun fireworks, then Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be right up your not-too-dark alley!

Party goers are allowed to enter Magic Kingdom Park at 4pm, but the event technically kicks off at 7pm. Day guests who did not purchase party tickets are asked to leave by 6pm. A word to the wise: cast members do check guests for wristbands that are given when checking into the event. During the not-so-spooky party, there are opportunities to enjoy popular attractions - some with spellbinding surprises! For example, guests brave enough to go on Space Mountain do so in pitch-black darkness while listening to some spooky tunes. Others, wanting to have a go at the Mad Tea Party ride, will notice some special lighting effects as they spin around. Party goers who want to hear some fun jokes presented with a Halloween twist, need to head over to Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor.

Many of the classic Magic Kingdom park attractions remain open during the Party, including:

• Adventureland: Pirates of the Caribbean; The Magic Carpets of Aladdin; Swiss Family Treehouse; Jungle Cruise.

• Frontierland: Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

• Liberty Square: Haunted Mansion

• Fantasyland: Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid; Seven Dwarfs Mine Train; Prince Charming Regal Carrousel; "it's a small world"; Peter Pan's Flight; The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Mad Tea Party.

• Story Book Circus: Dumbo the Flying Elephant; The Barnstormer.

• Tomorrowland: Astro Orbiter; Space Mountain; Tomorrowland Speedway; Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover; TRON Lightcycle/Run.

During the party, Lightning Lanes aren't offered, so no worries about needing to purchase them in addition to party tickets.

Another fun activity is to engage in trick-or-treating throughout the park. Party guests are given a treat bag when they first check in. The trick or treat locations during the party include:

• Main Street, U.S.A: Market Street Welcome (available until 8pm)

• Tomorrowland: Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor; Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress; TRON Lightcycle/Run presented by Enterprise.

• Story Book Circus: Walt DIsney World Railroad Station - Fantasyland; Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

• Fantasyland: Gaston's Tavern; Princess Fairytale Hall; Mickey's PhilharMagic.

• Frontierland: Tiana's Bayou Adventure; The Diamond Horseshoe; Country Bear Musical Jamboree.

• Adventureland: Jungle Cruise; Tortuga Tavern; Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room; Sunshine Tree Terrace.

Party goers with food allergies can also participate in trick or treating! All they need to do is obtain a teal-colored treat bag from a cast member. When trick-or-treating with the teal bag, guests receive a special token at the treat stations, and then later on these tokens can be redeemed at allergy-friendly centers for some special treats.

When party guests start getting hungry and trick-or-treat candy doesn't appeal, several quick service locations will be open around the park -- and many will be serving some Halloween-inspired goodies. A party guide that is given out at checkin reveals what sort of treats are being offered and where guests can find them. For guests wanting table service dining, Cinderella's Royal Table and Be Our Guest Restaurant are bookable -- both venues serve party-exclusive menu items starting at 4pm on event nights, for party guests only.

Another idea: consider booking admission to one of the special dessert parties. There are two dessert party options: Disney's Not-So-Scary Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace, and Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing. Recently, Global Wishes participated in Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween festivities. We loved every minute of it, including sipping some bubbly and tasting some scrumptious treats at one of the dessert parties that also included Plaza Garden viewing for the fireworks.

During our time at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Global Wishes encountered little to no lines for the attractions that were open, we filled our treat bag with goodies, enjoyed the Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, thought the Villain stage show hosted by the Sanderson Sisters was a hoot, and capped off the night watching the fireworks show that was hosted by Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Everything was so well organized during the party. For souvenirs, we decided to splurge on a Mummy Stitch Popcorn Bucket.

Global Wishes has some party tips! If you decide to don a costume: choose something that is light-weight and breathable. Some guests go all out and wear elaborate costumes, while others prefer "Disney bounding" and wear comfy clothes that are Halloween or character themed. There are a few rules about costumes, so do read up on it as you plan your outfits. Remember to wear shoes that are comfortable. You might want to bring a poncho if rain is in the forecast. One last Global Wishes tip: consider bringing your own Halloween bag that has come sort of closure as the treat bags distributed to guests at the start of the party are rather small and flimsy and candy can fall out as you walk around.

We hope you have a BOOtiful experience if you decide to attend!