Why I Love MNSSHP
Live actors outside of the Haunted Mansion
I know I’m a bit late (or early?) to be talking about Halloween. But here we are.
One of my favorite Halloween celebrations is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP for short). I always have fun, and I always get amazing photos. We can talk about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal another blog post (also totally worth your money, but I digress).
What exactly is MNSSHP? It’s exactly what it sounds like - a place to celebrate Halloween where it isn’t so scary. Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World hosts special events often, but the most special of these events is definitely MNSSHP.
The party nights happen on select days from August-October, and allow you and your friends/family to dress up (or not) and enjoy trick or treating, special shows, parades and fireworks all featuring your favorite Disney villains. It’s my one of my favorite things in the (Walt Disney) world. If COVID-19 doesn’t interfere, we’ll be down in September or October again, enjoying the festivities.
MNSSHP tickets start $85 for those over 10 years old. Unfortunately, this is a separate ticket you have to purchase to enjoy the fun. You may be thinking… is it worth it? As a couple who’s within driving distance of the parks - YES. I highly recommend a party night over a full park day when you’re considering a Disney weekend trip. My usual schedule goes something like this:
Get in Friday morning.
Get to the gates at 4 PM for the party and enjoy a late night at Magic Kingdom.
Sleep in Saturday, head over to another park and enjoy a nighttime show.
Call it a weekend and leisurely make our way home Sunday mid-morning.
I could list the million and one things Disney offers during MNSSHP, but I’m going to cover the basics about what I love (and that’s not the Disney Junior Dance Party in New Fantasyland - unless you’re into that…)
I get to dress up.
Disney doesn’t let adults dress up, unless it’s MNSSHP. Last year Joel and I went as Roger and Anita from 101 Dalmatians and my friend, Leeann, was Pongo! We had a wonderful time and a brief interaction with Cruella that we will remember forever. It’s so much fun for photo-ops, and seeing what other families have decided to dress up as. The creativity is insane, and it’s a place where you can dress up as deep-cut as you want and someone will know who you are.
Roger and Anita… Darling.
What sets MNSSHP apart from a normal park day is the entertainment.
You’ve heard of the Dapper Dans - now say hello to the Cadaver Dans. They’re just as charming as ever and they sing a favorite spooky tune of mine (it’s Grim Grinning Ghosts, who would have guessed?).
Not only do these folks roam around Frontierland, you’ll see live actors in Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and more! Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular is the second best castle show (Mickey’s Royal Friendship Fare can’t be beat - sorry). It’s a must see - even if you aren’t a die-hard fan of Hocus Pocus like you should be. Mickey's "Boo-To-You" Halloween Parade is arguably the best parade on Disney property and it has only gotten better over the years. Just look at this photo:
She’s spooky. A floating Constance Hatchaway is queen.
There’s a spectacular firework show, featuring all the spooky characters Disney has to offer and it’s very enjoyable.
Another good thing about the party? Less crowds. There aren’t any FastPasses during these events, so you can hop on many of the rides with ease, or wait until after fireworks when all the *losers with kids have to go home.* (Maybe you aren’t a loser, but like, I can stay in Magic Kingdom until 2 AM if I want to.) If all of this didn’t sound like fun enough, you also get all the candy in the world. We ate out of our treat bags for a month after.
There’s a lot more information out there on times, character meet and greets, treat station locations and more. Maybe I’ll write about that for my 2020 MNSSHP post, but you’re perfectly capable of a Google search. I’m just here to tell you today that it was totally worth the cost for me and my little family and we can’t wait to keep going year after year.
What should we go as in 2020? Ian, Barley and their dad from Onward? A couple of Skippers? Mary Poppins and Bert? Who knows. Find out this fall!
