And, as you might have expected, prices have gone up, too. Tickets for this year's Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party start at $72 for adults, and tickets for this year's Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will start at $86. Last year, tickets started at $68 for the Halloween party and $74 for the Christmas event.
If you are not already familiar with them, these parties are after-hours, hard-ticket events in the Magic Kingdom. You don't need a "regular" day ticket for these parties, and to get the most value from your park tickets, probably shouldn't use a day ticket to visit the Magic Kingdom that day (unless you're using a park-hopper and visiting other parks at the Walt Disney World Resort). But you can get into the Magic Kingdom for the last few hours of "regular" operation on your party date — before the party starts — using just your party ticket.
In addition to after-hours access to Magic Kingdom attractions, each party includes several special entertainment events, and some give-aways. At the Halloween event, you'll find the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular show in front of the castle, Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, and the Happy HalloWishes Fireworks. But the big "get" at the Halloween party is the unlimited candy from several trick-or-treat stations throughout the park. It's a great way for "big kids" of all ages to get away with trick-or-treating again.
At Christmas, the event will feature a new castle stage production — Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration — along with the returning Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and the holiday edition of the Wishes fireworks. Disney also gives out free cookies and hot cocoa during the event.
This year's party dates are:
Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party:
September – 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30
October – 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party:
November – 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29
December – 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
Tickets are available on Disney's website: Halloween party tickets | Christmas party tickets
Coverage of last year's Disney World holiday events:
The parties tend to be a good value because of this since you not only get access to the park under a limited admission scenario, but you also get 3 hours of access under normal conditions, and can even make FP+ reservations during that time (FP+ is turned off during the parties, or at least has been in the past). If you have a party ticket, I highly recommend not using a normal admission day, and just arrive at 4 PM. Use the first part of your day for a water park or rest day - on our last visit in 2014, we used it as our arrival day.
But like seemingly every other announcement coming out of the parks this year, the costs are escalating quickly. There are several dates for each party that feature triple-digit prices. Halloween night now is actually more expensive than a normal day at the Magic Kingdom.
The parties are a great atmosphere and a lot of fun. But as with most things, your mileage may vary on the value.
And Kevin, have a great time at your first Not So Scary party. It is a fun atmosphere, especially your first time there.
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