Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Worth It With Young Kids? My Honest Experience

We received our event wristbands at the gate (you’ll need these to stay in the park once it officially transitions to the party). One quick note for parents: the wristbands can tighten on little wrists if kids fidget with them. Four of our seven kids in our group ended up needing replacements after theirs got too tight. Luckily, you can swap them out at any wristband station in the park.

After entering, we were funneled backstage behind Main Street, U.S.A., where cast members handed out trick-or-treat bags, a DJ played music, and there were characters greeting guests. I kept both kids in the stroller through this very crowded area. If you’re visiting with toddlers or young kids, this is one of those moments where the stroller truly saves your sanity.

Once we exited back into the park near Tomorrowland, we decided to spend the 4:00–7:00 window doing rides with historically low wait times while both day guests and party guests overlapped. We rode PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, Mad Tea Party, Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, and “it’s a small world.” We even stopped at Sir Mickey’s for some free pixie dust sprinkling, such a fun surprise for the kids.

Here’s a quick clip of my niece getting pixie dusted at Sir Mickey’s. It’s such a fun little moment if you catch it during your visit.

By around 6:30 p.m., it started raining, so we headed to Haunted Mansion because it felt like the right Halloween choice. The queue is mostly covered, but everyone else seemed to have the same idea, and we waited about 30 minutes. Still, it was totally worth it.

When we got off, the party had officially started, and that’s when things got chaotic. The crowds were huge. We made our way toward Pecos Bill for dinner, weaving through the pre-parade crowd. Once inside, we were able to relax, grab food quickly, and even keep our strollers inside (a rare perk during special events).

By this point, my daughter and nephew had fallen asleep in their strollers, which I fully expected since my daughter is usually asleep by 8:30. We decided to keep exploring while they rested.

We tried a few trick-or-treat trails, starting with one near Country Bear Jamboree. It took about 10 minutes to get through because it was so crowded. Then we did two more near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Pirates of the Caribbean, both with much shorter waits.

The ride times were dropping fast, with many big attractions showing 5- to 10-minute waits, most likely because so many guests were watching fireworks, waiting for Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, or meeting characters.

Unfortunately, our night was cut short. My daughter woke up coughing and ended up getting sick, so we decided to head back to our resort around 9:30 p.m.

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Was Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Worth It With Young Kids?

For us, probably not.

Under the circumstances, I would have rather spent the day in Magic Kingdom earlier when the park was calmer. My kids aren’t used to staying up late, and even though I expected them to sleep through part of the evening, my daughter getting sick sealed the deal. We missed the parade, fireworks, and special entertainment, which are the experiences that make Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party feel different from a regular night in Magic Kingdom.

The crowds were also much heavier than I remembered from years ago. Between the long trick-or-treat lines, the rain, and navigating with strollers, it felt like a lot of work with young kids.

That said, I can absolutely see how the party could be worth it for the right family. The ride times after 8:00 p.m. were fantastic, with many big attractions showing 5- to 10-minute waits. The other family we were with had older kids, ages 7, 10, and 12, and they stayed until midnight and absolutely loved it. They hit the big rides with almost no waits and soaked up the atmosphere in a way my toddlers just weren’t able to.

So, is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party worth it with young kids? Maybe.

If your kids can stay up late, enjoy costumes and characters, and you’re okay with a crowded but festive atmosphere, it could be a really fun night. But if you have toddlers, early bedtimes, or kids who get overstimulated easily, it may be better to wait a few years until they can enjoy more of what the event offers.

If you do decide to go, I’d recommend:

• Skipping a park day earlier that morning so kids aren’t overtired
• Packing rain gear and snacks for long lines
• Bringing a stroller, even for kids who don’t usually use one
• Managing expectations because it’s okay to leave early or skip things if your little ones need rest

Even though our night didn’t go as planned, I’m still glad we went. It gave me a much clearer sense of how differently Disney works with toddlers versus older kids. Whether you stay until midnight or head out early like we did, the goal is to make the night work for your family.

💸 If you decide the Halloween party is worth it for your crew, check Undercover Tourist before buying directly through Disney. The discounts can help offset the high event price. 💸