Disney’s tweaks mean that this year’s edition of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has far more treats than tricks

Leslie Navarro

13 years ago

You wouldn't think that – given that Walt Disney World has
been staging Halloween events at the Magic Kingdom for nearly 40 years now –
that Mickey's
Not-So-Scary Halloween Party would be still a work-in-progress.

But given that Disney World's most popular theme park is right
now in the middle of its biggest expansion in three decades (Look for Phase One
of the Fantasyland Forest project to come online in the last Spring / early
summer of 2012), the Mouse has taken this opportunity to do some tweaking of its
Not-So-Scary formula. Which – believe it or not – has now resulted in far more
treats than tricks for Magic Kingdom visitors.

Chief among these improvements is the all-new Disney
Villains' Dance Mix & Mingle show in front of Cinderella Castle. Hosted by
Dr. Facilier of "Princess and the Frog" fame, this Not-So-Scary exclusive is a
great way to get your fill of Disney's best baddies. We're talking the Evil
Queen from "Snow White," the Queen of Hearts from "Alice in Wonderland," Judge
Claude Frollo from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Captain Hook from "Peter
Pan," Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty" and Cruella de Vil from "101
Dalmatians" all together at the same time.

First this Disney Villains dance for your enjoyment on the
Cinderella Castle Stage. Then – just the title of this Halloween Party show
promises – Dr. Facilier and his fiendish friends come offstage and mix &
mingle with all of those brave partygoers who have decided to hang around in
the Fantasyland forecourt.

So be sure to bring along your camera. Not just because the Disney Villains' Dance
Mix & Mingle is a great way to get some shots of yourself and the family
cavorting with this crew of cartoon criminals. But also because you're going to
want some photographic evidence of the Queens of Hearts' inspired dance riff on
the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' 2009 hit, "Heads Will Roll."

Now one of the more noticeable changes at this year's
Not-So-Scary is the construction-enforced-closure of this Halloween Party's
Alice in Wonderland trick-or-treat trail. Which used to be a great place to
interact with the characters from Disney's animated "Alice" (Not the Tim Burton
3D version from 2010) as well as score great huge wads of candy.

But this year, what with all of the work that's still being
done on the Magic
Kingdom's new Storybook Circus section (not to mention that "The Little
Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventures" dark ride), there was just no way to
safely send WDW visitors down that darkened pathway which used to extend from
Mickey's Toontown Faire over to Tomorrowland. So – to compensate – Not-So-Scary
has added a brand-new trick-or-treat station over in Frontierland, Brer
Rabbit's Laughin' Place Candy Patch. Which is located in the overflow queue for
Splash Mountain.

And while you're on this side of the theme park, be sure to
take advantage of a one-of-a-kind photo op at this year's event. Where you and
your friends or family will be able to get your picture taken with all Seven
Dwarfs from Disney's Snow White. We're talking Doc, Happy, Sneezy … er …
Bashful … Harry, Ron and Hermione. The whole gang.

Now do keep in mind that the lines that you may have to get
in at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in order to get your picture taken
with some of the more beloved Disney characters may be ridiculously long. We're
talking 30 minutes to an hour just to get a shot of yourself with Captain Jack
Sparrow. And the lines will be equally long if you're looking to pose with one
of the Disney Princesses.

But the upside is … Because Mickey's
Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a hard ticket, after-hours special event …
Well, that means that Disney will be letting far fewer people into the Magic
Kingdom than they do during daylight hours. Which means that some of this theme
park's most popular attractions will basically be walk-ons throughout the
course of this Halloween Party.

Then when you factor in some of the fun additional touches
that Walt
Disney World's Entertainment department rolls out only for Mickey's
Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (EX: Those extra spirits who pop up along The
Haunted Mansion's outdoor queue and then interact with Guests as they make
their way into this Liberty Square attraction). Plus the fact that – even
though this Party at the Magic Kingdom doesn't officially get underway 'til 7
p.m. – if you have already purchased your ticket to this after-hours event in
advance, WDW
officials will actually allow you to enter this theme park starting at 4 p.m.
Which means that you can then get 8 full hours of theme park fun for the 5 hour
price.

There's all this … Plus old favorites like Mickey's
"Boo-To-You" Halloween Party and the Happy HalloWishes fireworks show (where
your favorite Disney Villains go trick-or-treating in the sky). Not to mention
a spook-tacular appearance by the Headless Horseman. Who rides through the
Magic Kingdom on a great black steed.

And then when you add in all the special music and lighting
effects that have been set up inside of this theme park PLUS all of that free
candy … Well, there's no better way to spend a warm autumn night in the Magic Kingdom.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is held on select
nights now through November 1st. This after-hours party at the Magic Kingdom is
appropriate for children of all ages. But that said, you will still need an
additional event admissions ticket in order to get that wristband which then
allows you to roam free inside of this WDW theme park
on the night of the party.

And if you need some help in securing admission to this
year's Not-So-Scary … Well, I think I know a few folks who can help (Captain) hook
you up with some tickets.