Last night
we loaded up the kids and headed to Magic Kingdom for the Mickey’s Not So Scary
Halloween Party, my favorite event EVER at Walt Disney World. We bought our tickets for a Tuesday night, as
we always have, because crowds tend to be a little thinner and lines a little
shorter than they will be on a Friday night.
Yes, I suffered this morning, but it was worth it! We watched the Boo to You parade twice,
scored copious amounts of chocolate and enjoyed 10 minute waits on Space
Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad and a very palatable 20 minute wait for
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Main Street,
USA is amazing (as always) during this party, setting the perfect tone. The buildings are all glowing with eerie
green and blue lights and jack-o-lanterns are perched in windows and on ledges
where ever you look. There are swags of
fall foliage, scarecrows and Halloween window displays that are well - to die
for. It took us a while to make our way
through this part of the park; it was quite crowded with looky-loos just like
us, snapping photos and buying ghost balloons.
Once we made it to the entrance to Tomorrowland, it wasn’t nearly as
crowded. The Villains Mix and Mingle was rocking in front of Cinderella’s
Castle featuring Maleficent, Captain Hook and the Queen of Hearts so we took a
little time to watch and get into the Halloween spirit with Disney.
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| Jack-O-Lanterns! |
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| Main Street, USA - Boo to You Parade |
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| Scarecrows guard the entrance to Magic Kingdom |
But we have
our priorities in order so we headed straight for a trick or treating spot for
the kids so that we could load them up with sugar and then settle in to watch
the much anticipated Boo to You Halloween Parade. We made our way to Frontierland where we
found a great viewing spot (big thanks to the nice lady who insisted that the
kids stand right in front of the rope to see everything!). We watched in awe as the headless horseman
ride past on a black stallion – but I will say that in years past I believe I
remember the horse going faster and the park being darker. It was still fun, but I missed the sound of
the hooves approaching ominously that we use to hear well before we actually
would see the poor fellow riding by carrying his pumpkin head.
This parade
is my absolute favorite thing ever.
Featuring the classic Disney characters dressed up in their Halloween
finery (Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and more – see
pics for the costumes) as well as spooky characters from attractions such as
the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Captain Jack
Sparrow and Captain Barbosa float by on a pirate ship dripping with jewels and
gold, preceded by a band of dancing pirates who twirl flags.
Twirling,
dancing dead couples from the Haunted Mansion (“Ghost Hosts”) are
delightful. Their heads loll around
while they dance and stumble together.
We probably took more than a hundred pictures and it was extremely
difficult to narrow them down for this article.
In pictures, they look scarier than they are when you are there – so
don’t be afraid to bring small children.
My kids, who are now 10 and 12, loved them even when they were 3 and 4
years old.
Grave
Diggers from the Haunted Mansion also appear.
They drag their shovels on the pavement creating sparks and loud
clanking sounds that enhance the music they are dancing to. You will know the Grave Diggers are next when
you see a lost looking man carrying a kerosene lantern wander through the
parade route with his hound dog (just like in the ride before you go into the
graveyard).
I watched
the parade twice – first in Frontierland and then later from Main Street at the
entrance, just below the train station viewing area. We chose the second location because we knew
it would provide an easy exit after a fabulous night. Both were great vantage points as you can see
from the pictures.
We didn’t
knock ourselves out to do every event that is available, there just isn’t
enough time! We did catch part of the Hallowishes
fireworks - but we (actually the kids) chose to get on the Seven Dwarfs Mine
Train while the wait was only 20 minutes.
Next time, I am going to watch the entire show from in front of the
castle. I know from past experience that the Halloween fireworks are
phenomenal. I am at peace with missing
the fireworks this one time because some day, these kids will grow up and move
out and cater to their own children who will make them miss the Hallowishes
display. Hopefully.
Over by
Space Mountain we caught the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball on the Rockettower
Plaza Stage where Sully, Mike, “Boo” and other Monsters, Inc. characters were
boogying down along with quite a few party-goers. All of these characters were really mingling
with the crowd so it was super easy to just walk up and take photos.
There were
plenty of character greeting opportunities, more than enough candy. My kids even said “nah” when we pointed out
another trick or treat spot – that is when we knew they were exhausted.
As a Mom and
a nutty Disney fan I really count this as a must-do
with or without kids in tow. Probably
both ways should be experienced – at least once.
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| My Ghouls! |
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| Goofy has a mobile candy factory that smelled delish |
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| Singing "It's Good to be Bad..." |
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| The Haunted Mansion looks as spooky as ever! |
