I am someone who does not like Halloween.  I don’t like dressing up.  I don’t like buying candy and giving it out to the neighborhood kids.  I use just put it in a bowl and leave it on my front step.  However, at Disney, that all changes.  I’ve been to two Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties.  I dressed up for one.  I didn’t for other because it was too hot to be in costume.  Disney, in my opinion, does a great job with the Halloween party.  They turn Halloween into a fun event compared to all the work I have to put in at home to make Halloween enjoyable.

Here’s what, in my opinion, Disney does to make this a fun event.

1) Characters in Halloween Costumes and Rarely Seen Characters

This picture was from the first Halloween party we attend.  My wife and I dressed up.  I was a soccer referee and my wife, I believe, was a bat.  My daughter had a revolt in the hotel room and didn’t want to dress up because it was hot.  Can’t say I didn’t blame her because it was hot.

Advice: If you decide to go in costume, my advice is wear a costume that is very breathable and won’t stick to you when it is hot and humid out.

We enjoyed seeing the characters in costume which makes for some fun photo opportunities.  The Halloween party is one of only two times when guests can get their picture taken with The Seven Dwarfs.

Advice: The Dwarfs usually have a long line.  If you want your picture with them, get into the line right away.  The rides and dance parties will still be there.  The Dwarfs may not.

2) Dance Parties everywhere

Last year’s event had two dance parties:

• A Monsters University dance party in Tomorrowland
• A Toy Story/”Woody’s Round Up” dance party in Frontierland

On my family’s first visit, there was a dance party involving Donald Duck and fans.  Guests can get some great informal pictures with the characters interacting with other guests.

3) Special Trick and Treating Areas

Last year’s event had four trick and treating stations and two trick and treating trails.

Advice: Don’t go to these stations and trails, if you are near the end of your vacation.  Otherwise, you will need to bring the candy back with you, go on a candy-eating binge, or leave the candy in the room for Mousekeeping.

For those that want to visit these trails and stations, last year, they were located in:

Stations:

• Adventureland
• Liberty Square
• Fantasyland
• Tomorrowland

Trails:

• Frontierland
• Tomorrowland

4) Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade

This special parade only takes place during the Halloween Party.  It features regularly seen characters in costume and some rarely seen characters like the Headless Horseman.  The parade takes place twice during the party, 8:15 pm and 10:30 pm, and starts in Frontierland.

Advice: One of the best places to see the parade is in Frontierland where the parade start.  We’ve used this location for both the Halloween and Christmas party and gotten some great pictures.

The Frontierland area isn’t as crowded as Liberty Square and way less crowded than Main Street.  Main Street may have the added bonus of getting Cinderella’s Castle in the background of the pictures but you will be fighting lots of other people for space to get a good shot.  Over in Frontierland, these battles are a lot less frequent.

5) Hallowishes

This spectacular fireworks show takes place at 9:30 pm.  Personally, I’m not a fireworks fan and my daughter doesn’t like the loud noise.  So, we usually head to Tomorrowland to see a show like Monsters Laugh Floor or Carousel of Progress while the fireworks are ongoing.  We will watch the fireworks from The Top of World Lounge, on a different night, at Bay Lake Tower since my wife likes Wishes and likes Hallowishes even more.  If you are not a DVC member, the viewing area from The Contemporary will also work.

A lot of people will stake out a place on Main Street for the 8:15 pm parade and stay through the 9:30 pm showing of Hallowishes before leaving the party.  If you are more interested in the parade and want a spot on Main Street, the 10:30 parade would be a better option for you.

So, there you have it.  That is what make Disney does during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party which makes Halloween enjoyable for me.  What do you enjoy about the Halloween Party?  Leave us a comment on the Dad For Disney Facebook group which now has over 400 members.  You can also leave me a comment on twitter: @DadForDisney.

Tickets for the 2014 Halloween Party are already on sale.  The tickets vary in price depending on the day and it’s proximity to Halloween.  The tickets start at $62 for the party dates in early September before moving to $67 for dates later in September and early October.  Finally, the tickets for Halloween night are $77+tax for adults and $72+tax for children.

Thanks for reading!